A branch of the Gourock Ropeworks Co Ltd , rope makers and textile manufacturers, Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, Scotland, was established in Montreal, Canada, in 1903 to trade with the fishing industry in ropes and nets and with the shipping industry in ropes, awning and lifeboat covers. Following the appointment of a commercial traveller, who spoke fluent French as well as English and served the company for 42 years, the company became established as a major supplier of fishing nets and ropes in Canada. The company's main business continued to be with the fishing industry and during the 1939-1945 war became the chief manufacturing unit for the Gourock group in Canada when export of goods from the Scottish branches became impossible. During the war a sail loft was set up in Halifax, Canada, which worked continually between 1941 and 1946 .
In March 1949 , the directors of the company decided to associate themselves with Bridport Industries Ltd, manufacturers of fishing lines and nets, Bridport, Dorset, England. They formed a new company in Canada, in 1950, namely Gourock-Bridport Ltd , that operated as a subsidiary of Gourock Ropeworks Co Ltd and took on the business of the Canadian branches. The company appears to have ceased trading in the late 1960s .
GB 248 UGD 42/11/8/3 The Gourock . Brochure (1954)
From the guide to the Records of the Gourock-Bridport Ltd, rope makers and textile manufacturers, Montreal, Canada, 1942-1968, (Glasgow University Archive Services)
