Shipbuilder and inventor. Born in Leith, Morton trained in his father's company, S. & H. Morton of Leith, but is noted for inventing the 'patent slip' which was used to haul ships out of the water and up an inclined plane for repair. This was a much cheaper alternative to a dry dock. He was granted a patent for his invention in 1819 and successfully defended this patent in court. He applied for an extension to his patent in 1832 and the case was examined by a House of Commons Select Committee, which ultimately awarded Morton the sum of £2500.
