Industrial School Ship 'Mars', Dundee, Forfar, Scotland
The Training Ship Mars was established in 1869 on the Firth of Tay, at Newport, near Dundee. On September 30th, 1869 the vessel was officially certified as an Industrial School Ship, accommodating up to 400 boys.
Industrial School Ship 'Mars', Dundee, early 1900s. © Peter Higginbotham
In March 1875, a Dundee textile manufacturer donated a sea-going tender, Francis Molison, which provided the boys with experience of practical seamanship. A new tender, Lighting, took over the role in December, 1906.
Like almost all such ships, the Mars had a boys' band.
Industrial School Ship 'Mars' pipe band, Dundee, c.1909. © Peter Higginbotham
On November 13, 1895, an Auxiliary Home for the ship was opened at 219 Penarth Road, Cardiff. The home, which could accommodate 6 boys, was used by former Mars inmates who needed short-term hostel accommodation when their ships docked at the port.
Industrial School Ship 'Mars' former Auxiliary Home, Cardiff, 2013. © Peter Higginbotham
The Mars was closed in 1929.
Records
Note: many repositories impose a closure period of up to 100 years for records identifying individuals. Before travelling a long distance, always check that the records you want to consult will be available.
- Newport Library and Heritage Centre, Blyth Hall, 3 Scott Street, Newport On Tay, DD6 8DD.
Bibliography
- Douglas, Gordon We'll Send Ye Tae the Mars: The Story of Dundee's Legendary Training Ship (Revised edition 2019, Shakey Hands Publishing)
- McGill, Linda Mars Training Ship of Dundee (1996)
- Carridice, Phil Nautical Training Ships: An Illustrated History (2009, Amberley Press)
- Higginbotham, Peter Children's Homes: A History of Institutional Care for Britain's Young (2017, Pen & Sword)
Links
- None identified at present.
Except where indicated, this page () © Peter Higginbotham. Contents may not be reproduced without permission.
