The Sons of the Mars
Date: July 1st, 2019 to May 31st, 2020.
Infamous as Dundee’s “bad boys” ship, the TS Mars was anchored on the River Tay for more than 60 years. During that time, she transformed the lives of over 6,000 homeless and destitute boys from across Scotland.
Curated in partnership with local historian and musician Gordon Douglas, this exhibition tells the true story behind Dundee’s legendary wooden training ship.
From discipline, daily routines, and education to leisure, uncover what life was like on TS Mars between 1869 and 1929.
Scroll down to read more about the stories from the exhibition.
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Why Dundee?
The rapid expansion of Britain’s industrial cities in the 19th century led to chronic overcrowding, disease, and homelessness. Meanwhile, the Royal Navy was dealing with a manpower crisis, needing 3,500 boy recruits every year.
As a result, redundant warships like HMS Mars were converted into training ships, where destitute boys could be trained for a career at sea.
For a coastal city like Dundee, the Mars provided a partial solution to increasingly alarming levels of urban deprivation.
Why Dundee?
The rapid expansion of Britain’s industrial cities in the 19th century led to chronic overcrowding, disease, and homelessness. Meanwhile, the Royal Navy was dealing with a manpower crisis, needing 3,500 boy recruits every year.
As a result, redundant warships like HMS Mars were converted into training ships, where destitute boys could be trained for a career at sea.
For a coastal city like Dundee, the Mars provided a partial solution to increasingly alarming levels of urban deprivation.
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The Daily Routine
Although the Mars was never a prison, nor a brutal reformatory, there was always rigid discipline and daily routine.
The boys awoke at 06:30 for hymn singing, prayers and a breakfast of thin porridge. Most of the day consisted of school and seamanship lessons, with a break at midday for soup, beef, and potatoes.
At the end of each day, the boys would gather for a final religious service before climbing back into their hammocks at 21:00.
The Daily Routine
Although the Mars was never a prison, nor a brutal reformatory, there was always rigid discipline and daily routine.
The boys awoke at 06:30 for hymn singing, prayers and a breakfast of thin porridge. Most of the day consisted of school and seamanship lessons, with a break at midday for soup, beef, and potatoes.
At the end of each day, the boys would gather for a final religious service before climbing back into their hammocks at 21:00.
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Boy No. 1 – David Petrie
David Petrie was one of the first eight boys admitted to the Mars, arriving on board on 22nd October 1869. Aged just 13, David was living on the streets with other homeless children before being ‘sent tae the Mars’.
David spent fifteen months aboard TS Mars before being discharged in January 1871 to join the crew of Alexander Stephen’s Dundee whaler Arctic.
Boy No. 1 – David Petrie
David Petrie was one of the first eight boys admitted to the Mars, arriving on board on 22nd October 1869. Aged just 13, David was living on the streets with other homeless children before being ‘sent tae the Mars’.
David spent fifteen months aboard TS Mars before being discharged in January 1871 to join the crew of Alexander Stephen’s Dundee whaler Arctic.
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Boy No. 349 – Thomas Cosgrove
Aged 11, Thomas ‘Tam’ Cosgrove was charged with stealing rags and ropes from a railway wagon. A month later Tam was sent to TS Mars and so began a life on board ships.
After leaving Mars in 1891, Tam joined the crew of a Norwegian steamship. A decade later he served on board the Dundee whaler Terra Nova when it was sent to rescue the crew of RRS Discovery in 1904.
Boy No. 349 – Thomas Cosgrove
Aged 11, Thomas ‘Tam’ Cosgrove was charged with stealing rags and ropes from a railway wagon. A month later Tam was sent to TS Mars and so began a life on board ships.
After leaving Mars in 1891, Tam joined the crew of a Norwegian steamship. A decade later he served on board the Dundee whaler Terra Nova when it was sent to rescue the crew of RRS Discovery in 1904.
