Map showing the original four ferry crossings on the Tay: Dundee-Balmerino; Dundee-Woodhaven; Dundee-Seamills (Newport); and Broughty Ferry-Ferryport-on-Craig (Tayport).
Framed view towards Woodhaven with Mars boats in foreground. Rock House stands on the shore beside the harbour. This was originally the granary for the St Fort Estate. While the Mars training ship was anchored offshore, the building was used as a hospital for the boys, and during World War II it housed the officers of ...
An action view of the Mars boys aboard small boats at Woodhaven pier, with Rock House in the background. This old granary building was used as a hospital for the Mars boys.
A photograph of Mars boys in the joinery workshop under the watchful eye of Alexander McDougall, ship's carpenter.
List of boys who died while they were on the Mars training ship, either through illness or accident, and who are buried at Vicarsford cemetery.
This photo shows some of the Mars boys at work in the joinery workshop. The instructor is Chief Officer Burn.
A photograph of the Mars Boys in the Woodhaven workshop supervised by Chief Officer Burn and William Bowman.
A photograph of the Mars boys learning lathe skills.
Photographs of the Mars boys building a rest camp for invalid boys from Dundee.
Two photographs of the Mars boys participating in outdoor activities at Elie.
Diet sheet showing the rations the Mars boys received. The diet was limited and unvarying, carbohydrate heavy but sustaining. No emphasis on five a day in those days.
This photo, taken on board the Mars, shows the boys in formation and their instructors behind.
The Mars boys at Elie enjoying a sing-song with Chief Officer Burns.
Two paper knives made by Mars boys in their woodwork class.
Photograph of the Mars pipe band. Participation in any of the musical groups on the Mars was much sought after by the boys as it provided opportunities for trips ashore to perform in many different places.
This photograph shows the sheds at Woodhaven Pier that were built and fitted out by the Mars boys, and used as workshops. They were used by the Scouts in the 1930s and briefly after the war, and used by the Norwegian soldiers during the war as a cookhouse and for accommodation.
From 1869 until 1929 the Mars training ship was a familiar sight moored out in the river off Woodhaven pier.
Postcard view of the Mars training ship.
The Mars training ship was home to up to 400 boys at a time. While on board the boys were subjected to strict discipline, but learned skills that stood them in good stead for the rest of their lives.
Days on Mars followed a regular routine, with the boys working hard, observing strict discipline. Leisure time was limited and very precious.
By the 1920s it was becoming clear that the type of training provided by the Mars was no longer needed: inevitably the ship’s days were numbered. The Mars left Woodhaven on 27 June 1929.
The Mars training ship and its brig the Francis Molison. The Francis Molison was donated in 1881 and much of the boys' practical nautical training took place on board. Each year it made a trip around the coast of Britain, and the change of routine that this voyage provided was much enjoyed by the boys.
Set of four photos of the Mars training ship and some of the Mars boys (framed).
Photograph of staff and boys posing on board the Mars Training Ship. Date unknown.
