Per cent. of the United Kingdom
Per cent, of the 6 Ports
Value of Trade, 1913-
Glasgow
3.9
92.I
+23
5:45
16
197
While the value and tonnage figures have fluctuated with changes in sterling prices and in the characteristics of the traffic, the ratios have not materially altered over a considerable period of years. For instance, in 1913 the ratios were as follows:
Greenock
198
(56)
17 (a) Glasgow
The registered tonnage of foreign arrivals with cargoes was:—
Year
Vessels
Tonnage
1913
1938 (excluding Eire)
1,288 1,299
2,699,856 3,687,092
This shows an increase of 36.5 per cent., the corresponding increase for the United Kingdom being 49 per cent. The increase at Glasgow was mainly accounted for by an expansion of trade from India, Australia and New Zealand, and North America (Pacific).
Ardrossan
Troon
Ayr
Irvine
*05
I.2
The registered tonnage of coastwise arrivals with cargoes was:-
Year
Vessels
Tonnage
*023
*55
·021
.5
1913
7.593
*008
•2
1938 (excluding Eire)
3,054
1,513,870 1,276,094
4-232
100.00
Tonnage of Trade, 1913–
Glasgow
Ardrossan
Greenock
Ayr
84.00
5.00
4.00
3.70
10 X
3.00
'30
100.00
Glasgow Greenock
Ardrossan
Per cent. of the
3 Ports
£
1,012,471
86
92,254 77,257
7.8
6.2
£1,181,982
100.00
Troon Irvine
(54) It will be noted that Glasgow, Greenock and Ardrossan enormously predominate in value of trade over the other ports, but that their predomin- ance, though great, is less marked in tonnage of goods. At between Glasgow, Greenock and Ardrossan, the value of Glasgow's trade has varied between 17 and 24 times the value of Greenock's, and between 50 and 75 times the value of Ardrossan's; and the tonnage of Glasgow trade has varied between 12 and 20 times the tonnage of Greenock's, and between 8 and 17 times the tonnage of Ardrossan's.
Finally the broad comparison between the three major ports may be stated in terms of the revenue of the undertakings as shown in the accounts for the year 1938 or nearest accounting period. The figures are:-
Though larger vessels were employed, the position thus showed no material change.
(57) Passing from shipping to goods statistics, we note that, measured in value, Glasgow's share of the trade of the United Kingdom in 1913 was 3.9 per cent. and in 1938 4.2 per cent. Measured in tonnage of imports, exports and re-exports, the position was:- [A] IMPORTS
Year
1913 1938
Tons
2,577,153 2,319,222
Per cent. of United Kingdom in value
The principal increases in 1938 as compared with 1913 were:—
Petroleum refined
Iron and steel and manufactures thereof Paper and paper-making materials
Live animals.
Fruit raw
Dairy produce
Meat, chilled and frozen
The principal decreases in 1938 as compared with 1913
Iron ore, scrap metal, etc. Timber
[B] EXPORTS
Year
1913
2.4
3.02
Tons
251,130
73,660
71,554
50,000
43.543
34,656
28,129
Tons
634,009
152,868
(55) With these governing factors in mind, we now turn to an examination of the trade at the six ports, choosing as the basis of our study the years 1913 and 1938. The selection of these years is not critical, for the broad inferences to be drawn could equally be supported by taking a number of other years.
We have adjusted the figures to allow for the changed status
of Eire after 1923.
1938
Tons
2,918,485 874,926
Per cent. of United Kingdom in value
The principal increases in 1938 as against 1913 were:-
Pottery
Woollen and worsted yarns
The principal decreases in 1938 as against 1913 were:-
Coal, coke, manufactured fuel
Iron and steel and manufactures Machinery and parts
6.8
6.99
Tons
44,909
17,710
Tons
1,661,827
342,158
39,030
[C] RE-EXPORTS
Year
1913
1938
47051
Tons
7,655
26,698
Per cent. of United Kingdom in value
⚫32 .83
A 6