When the Glasgow & South-Western Railway received Parliamentary approval to own a fleet of steamers in the summer of 1891, one of the steamers it purchased was the Chancellor, thereby gaining goodwill and access to the Loch Lomond tour. Chancellor had been built at Dumbarton in 1880 for the Lochlomond & Lochlong Steamboat Co., to provide the Clyde portion of the Loch Lomond tour. In 1885, she had passed to the Lochgoil & Lochlong Co., and thence to the G. & S.-W. Railway.
Chancellor was equipped with deck saloons, and served the railway company well for a decade, but she was out of date in the efficiency, speed, and passenger comforts expected for a tourist steamer in the new century. She was sold to Spanish owners in 1901, and the G. & S.-W. Railway solicited tenders for a steamer, capable of 16 knots and dimensions roughly those of the year-round boats Minerva and Glen Rosa as a replacement. The bid for £17,500 from Messrs John Brown & Co. Ltd., of Clydebank was accepted. Messrs John Brown & Co. had recently taken over the yard of Messrs J. & G. Thomson who had built many of the G. & S.-W. Railway steamers in recent years.
The new vessel was sturdily built, and unlike the Glen Rosa and Minerva, her promenade deck extended to the bow, fully plated below, and resembling a smaller version of Jupiter. She was 200.4 feet in length (30 feet shorter than Jupiter) by 26.1 feet in the beam, with a moulded depth of 8.6 feet. Her small paddles wheels were driven by a compound 2-cylinder engine of 172 n.h.p. Steam was supplied by two navy boilers.
The launch of the new vessel was scheduled for Thursday, March 13, 1902, and she was christened Mars by the daughter of one of the directors of the G. & S.-W. Railway, but the weather on that day was stormy, and she entered the Clyde the following day.
“The new paddle steamer Mars, built by John Brown & Co., Limited, Clydebank, for the Glasgow and South-Western Railway Co., was launched yesterday. The new vessel is of about 330 tons gross tonnage, 200 feet in length, 26 feet in beam, and 9 feet in depth moulded. The internal arrangements are similar to those of the steamers Mercury and Neptune of the same fleet, but the promenade deck has been carried forward to the stem, thus affording space for passengers. There is accommodation for about 1360 passengers of all classes The dining saloon is a spacious apartment, and is capable of dining 43 persons at one sitting. The second-class are accommodated forward of the machinery space, and are provided with a handsomely fitted dining saloon. The engines are of the cornpound diagonal direct-acting type of the well-known Clydebank design. The Mars is expected to take up her station early in April. Arrangements were made for launching the vessel on Thursday, but owing to the stormy winds prevailing it was found advisable to postpone the launch. The christening ceremony was however, performed by Miss Finlayson of Merchiston, Johnstone, daughter of James Finlayson, Esq., one of the directors of the Glasgow and South-Western Railway Company.”—Daily Record, March 15, 1902
Acceptance trials were held at the beginning of April.
“The new river steamer Mars.—This fine new steamer, which has been added the G. & S.-W. Railway fleet, passed her official trials yesterday with success. Her engines worked smoothly, and a speed of 16¼ knots (being over the contract speed) was developed under easy pressure. She will be a comfortable, steady boat. The Greenock folks are to have the first use of the Mars, as prior to going upon the Loch Long station she will do a Spring holiday trip through the Kyles of Bute on 14th inst.”—Greenock Telegraph, April 5, 1902
The new Mars (Robertson, Gourock)
Mars in Rothesay Bay (Ritchie)
Mars (Robertson, Glasgow)
Mars was placed on the Holy Loch Station, alternating with Arrochar with Minerva. She quickly established herself as a favourite.
“The fine new steamer Mars is winning golden opinions from all who travel on the Kilcreggan-Holy Loch route.”—Greenock Telegraph, May 17, 1902.
The demanding, summer G. & S.-W. Holy Loch run in that era began at Kilmun (7.30), Ardnadam (7.35), Strone (7.42), Blairmore (7.45), Cove (7.55), Kilcreggan (8.03) for the 8.25 a.m. express from Greenock to St Enoch. The return to Kilmun was in reverse order. Times during winter were more relaxed.
Mars at Princes Pier
On the Holy Loch run at Kilcreggan
On the Holy Loch run at Cove
At Cove
Racing for Blairmore
The new steamer remained in service through the winter, and suffered some damage in a collision with the Caledonia. Mars was slightly damaged on the paddle-wing; Caledonia had damage to the bows and went to Port-Glasgow for repairs immediately after finishing her run.
“Collision in the river.—A slight collision occurred near Strone Pier yesterday morning between the G. & S.-W. steamer Mars and the Caledonian Company’s Caledonia. The latter was damaged about the stem, and the former had one of the plates on her starboard quarter broken. Both vessels carried out their usual run during the day. The Mars has since been berthed in Albert Harbour for repairs by Messrs Caird & Co.”—Greenock Telegraph, January 8, 1903.
It was later determined that the pier-master was to blame for the collision, by improperly using the pier signals.
Mars featured in a half-day excursions when on the afternoon sailing to Lochgoilhead.
“Shopkeeper’s Half-holiday.—Every Wednesday at 2 p.m.,—Please shop early.——Grand half-day excursion.— On Wednesday, 6th May, to Lochgoilhead and Carrick Castle, by the new saloon steamers Mars. Leaving Old Pier at 3 p.m.; Princes Pier at 3.15. Returning from Lochgoilhead at 7 p.m. Tickets, 1s., Message girls and boys, 6d. (limited). From members of Committee and various shops in town.”—Greenock Telegraph, April 27, 1903
At Greenock
Mars leaving Princes Pier
After her annual docking in May, Mars maintained the afternoon Kyles of Bute run during the week. On Saturday the service was doubled with Neptune as the additional steamer.
A stern view at Princes Pier
Mars at Princes Pier
On the Kyles run at Dunoon
At Innellan
Mars approaching Rothesay pier
Mars at Rothesay pier with Iona and Benmore
Mars leaving Rothesay Bay around 1912
Mars leaving Dunoon for Greenock
This pattern of sailings continued for a number of years; alternating on the Holy Loch and Lochgoilhead sailings in the winter and Arrochar and Kyles of Bute in the summer season.
“On the always popular Arrochar run there will be the Minerva and the newer steamer Mars, day about, and these two steamers with consecutive sailings will also maintain the afternoon Kyles of Bute trip.”—Greenock Telegraph, April 1, 1905.
Mars leaving Greenock
An opportunity to paint the funnel while lying at Arrochar with Marmion, waiting passengers from Loch Lomond (McNeur & Bryden)
Mars was celebrated in poetry by James Joy Bell, the author of “Wee Macgreegor.”
As if there were not enough hazards, Mars had an encounter with a rowing boat at Rothesay Pier.
“Boating accident at Rothesay.—An alarming boating accident occurred in Rothesay Bay yesterday afternoon which might have been attended by serious results. Three boys, aged between 13 and 14, named Edward Wilkinson and John Wilkinson, brothers, and a cousin, Robert Smith, hired a boat and rowed out into the bay as the Glasgow and South-Western steamer Mars left three o’clock. Their object was to get the wash of the steamer, and in this they succeeded beyond their expectations, for their frail craft got underneath the starboard paddle wing of the steamer and was smashed to pieces by the paddle. When Captain M‘Tavish of the Mars saw their perilous position he at once stopped the steamer and had a boat lowered. By this time the occurrence had been witnessed from the shore, and several boats put out, among them being one in charge of Provost Walker. When the boys were picked up the two Wilkinsons were little the worse, but Smith was unconscious. He was soon brought round, however, and was taken to the house Provost Walker, where he was attended to by Dr D. J. Penney.”—Greenock Telegraph, April 29, 1905
Another duty of the Mars was to act as tender to some of the Atlantic liners that visited Greenock.
“Between 600 and 700 passengers for the Anchor Liner steamer Astoria arrived by special trains at Princes Pier station this forenoon, and were conveyed out to the liner by the G. & S.-W. steamer Mars, and the Anchor Line tender. The Astoria left later in the forenoon for New York.”—Greenock Telegraph, September 16, 1905.
“Between 1,200 and 1,300 passengers, who travelled in three special G. & S.-W. trains to Princes Pier Station, embarked this forenoon on board the Anchor liner Columbia for New York. The passengers, the majority of whom came from the Continent and were of the better emigrant class, were taken out to the big liner by the G. & S.-W. steamer Mars and the Anchor Line Company’s tender Express. The embarking arrangements were expeditiously carried out, and the Columbia left the Tail-of-the-Bank for New York shortly after midday.”—Greenock Telegraph, August 25, 1906.
At Cove
Complaints regarding the smoke nuisance were prevalent during the early years of the new century. A patent smoke consuming apparatus was tried on Mars in 1907.
A smoky Mars at Kilcreggan
While on the Lochgoilhead roster, Mars was berthed overnight at Lochgoilhead and her master was involved in a notable rescue.
“Another Clyde boating accident.—Two men drowned at Lochgoilhead.—Rescue by G. & S.-W. Captain.—Information was received in Greenock this forenoon of a boating disaster at Lochgoilhead involving the loss two lives. The particulars, as far as can be gathered, are as f0llow: Between twelve and one o’clock this morning Captain M Dougall of the G. & S.-W. steamer Mars, Andrew Fisher, steward, and a boatman named Fraser, belonging Lochgoilhead, heard loud cries of distress, accompanied with the pathetic appeal, “Oh, save me! Oh, save me!” At first the voices were thought to come from the shore, but it was then realised that the sounds came from the water. At the time it was pitch dark. Captain M‘Dougall, along with his men, instantly got into a boat and put off to the rescue, proceeding in the direction from which the cries had been heard. They soon found an upturned boat with man clinging to the keel. With one hand he was supporting companion, clutching him by the hair, and this man also held on to some corks attached to fishing net. The rescuing party succeeded in saving one of the poor fellows, Duncan M‘Lean, fisherman, but the other man disappeared before he could be reached. It turned out that there had been another occupant of the boot, but it is understood that he perished when the boat capsized. The names of the drowned are Mr Chineo and Mr M Fie, both of whom are believed to be visitors. The accident occurred near Corrie Point, and the boat is supposed to have been upset when the men were pulling in the fishing net. The survivor, who had been about an hour and a half clinging to the upturned boat before help came, on being taken ashore was in a very exhausted condition, and was carried to a farmhouse near by, where he and the rescuers received every hospitality from Mr Scott, the occupier of the house. Great praise is due to Captain M‘Dougall and the two others for the prompt way in which they acted when the call of distress was heard.”—Greenock Telegraph, August 25, 1908
Mars off Dunoon (Valentine)
In the new decade, railway steamer services were reduced to prevent wasteful competition, and Mars was frequently found on special sailings and charters. In the busy season, she was a useful addition at some of the lower Firth resorts where her good sea-going properties were greatly appreciated.
Irvine Herald, July 14, 1911
Mars was requisitioned by the Admiralty as a minesweeper in September 1916, and renamed H.M.S. Marsa. While operating out of Harwich, her stern was damaged by an exploding mine, but she was repaired. After resuming duties, on November 18, 1918, while sweeping in the approaches to Harwich harbour, she was run down by a British destroyer and sank on a sandbank. Salvage was attempted but she broke in two and was declared a total loss.
It is interesting to note that she was the last paddle steamer built for the G. & S.-W. Railway fleet, a mere decade after the company commenced steamer operations on the Clyde.
Bell, J. J.; “Clyde Songs and Other Verses,” The Scots Pictorial Publishing Co., Ltd., London, 1905.
Deayton, Alistair; “Glasgow & South Western and other Steamers,” Tempus, Stroud, 2002.
Duckworth, C. L. D.; Langmuir, G. E.; “Clyde River and Other Steamers,” Brown, Son & Ferguson, Glasgow, 1990.
Lindsay, David M. E.; “Sou’West Trident on the Clyde,” Glasgow & South Western Railway Association, Paisley, 2005.
Paterson, Alan J. S.; “The Golden Years of the Clyde Steamers, David & Charles, Newton Abbot, 1969.
St. Mungo; “Clyde Steamers, No. 38,” Clyde River Steamer Club, Glasgow, 2002.