Mars

Official Number none

The Mars was built at Workington by W.Wood and was launched in July 1778, at the time the largest vessel to have been built in Cumberland (see Source 1). She was described as a "frigate, pierced for 32 guns" (see Source 2), when she sailed from Workington under the command of Capt.White. In February of the following year she arrived at New York, having performed escort duty for a convoy from Cork (see Source 3).

The Mars appears to have carried emigrants to Canada in subsequent years.

The Mars was lost by fire on Thursday, 25th August, 1814. The vessel was 6 miles SSW of Waterford and was carrying passengers. The fire started in the hold and engulfed the vessel. All aboard abandoned the ship and were taken aboard the Orbit, of Liverpool, Capt.Peers. All the crew and passengers survived, and were landed by the Orbit at Cove of Cork on the 27th.
 

Sources :

1. Launch report in The Cumberland Chronicle and Whitehaven Public Advertiser, 30th July 1778.
2. The Cumberland Chronicle and Whitehaven Public Advertiser, 3rd September 1778.
3. The Cumberland Chronicle and Whitehaven Public Advertiser, 18th March and 22nd April 1779.
4. "Shipbuilding at Workington - a Checklist" by Harry Fancy, pub. Whitehaven Museum (1985).
5. A letter giving a full account of the loss of the Mars (from the master, Capt. Joseph Williamson, to the owner, Kelsick Wood) is reproduced in the Cumberland Paquet & Ware's Whitehaven Advertiser, Tuesday, 13th September, 1814.