The impressive vessel in the photograph above is Mary Stewart, an iron topsail schooner, pictured around 1900. This image appeared in the book 'Scottish Sail' by Robert Simper, where the source of the photograph was given as Michael Bouquet. He was a retired teacher from Devon who authored multiple books on maritime history. He owned an extensive collection of photographs including this one, which it would seem, he was unable to identify as Largo. The Mary Stewart had a very long active service and was based at many different locations around the United Kingdom from Orkney to Devon. So it's not surprising that a fleeting visit to Largo was missed by those more focussed on the vessel herself.
For those familiar with Largo Harbour, however, the Crusoe Hotel can be clearly seem behind the jib sails. The appearance of the Crusoe Hotel helps to date the image. The new larger dormer windows are present on the top floor of the right side of the hotel and the new slate roof is on with new chimney pots added. The hotel exterior was spruced up around 1900 so the image is likely soon after that. In the background on the left side of the photo is Alexandra House (the two storey house with three upper windows) and the Railway Inn. The 'Mary Stewart' name plate can be seen on the upper right hand side of the ship and on close inspection at least four of her crew can be seen on deck. Further people are standing on the quayside. The tide is quite high with plenty of water in the harbour.
Mary Stewart was built in Montrose in 1876 for James Stewart of Strone in Argyllshire and was named after a relative of his. She was launched on 3 June 1876 from the yard of Messrs Black and Noble at the Old Shore (pictured below in an 1879 painting by James Low). The christening ceremony was performed by Miss Milne, daughter of Provost Milne. After the launch a "wine and cake party was held" in the drawing loft of the boat builder, with the Provost presiding. The "usual social toasts were given, especially success to the builders" (Dundee Courier 6 June). The use of iron as a material for the 72-ft hull was a departure from the traditional wood and was something of an innovation for Montrose. Many of those watching the launch had never seen anything of the kind before.
James Stewart continued to own the Greenock-registered schooner for over a decade. Her official number was 72414. The vessel traded between the United Kingdom and Newfoundland rigged as a topsail schooner. As Robert Simper states in 'Scottish Sail', "it is amazing to look back and realise that this schooner which loaded only 110 tons was profitably employed in the ocean trades".
On 7 August 1885 a serious incident off Mull caused significant damage to Mary Stewart - reports of which appeared in several newspapers, including the article below. Heading from Ardrossan to Skye, the Mary Stewart encountered the steamer Claymore. Some reports describe the night as somewhat foggy but not sufficiently dense as to account for the accident where the Claymore collided with Mary Stewart, stoving in her bow and damaging both masts and her bowsprit. Fortunately, no serious injuries occurred and the Mary Stewart was subsequently repaired.
By 1892, ownership of the vessel had changed to James McDonald of St Margaret's Hope, Orkney. During his tenure, she sailed up and down the east coast - often to The Wear to carry back coal (see above from 29 September 1898 Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette) but also to places such as Leith carrying loads like hay. It seems probable that it was during this period that she called at Largo and was photographed. Perhaps she was acting as a "tattie boat" for this particular journey, carrying potatoes.
In fact by early 1901, Mary Stewart was advertised for sale (see advert below from 6 March 1901 Orkney Herald). This would narrow down the likely timing of the photograph at the top of this post to either 1900 or early 1901. The eventual purchaser was William Weaver of Isle of Whithorn, Wigtownshire. There on the west coast of Scotland, Mary Stewart was involved in trading between Dublin, Drummore and Isle of Whithorn. Barley grown in the local areas of Drummore and Isle of Whithorn was taken to Dublin to be used in the brewing of Guinness stout. The barley husks were subsequently returned to Scotland to be used as cattle feed. She also called at places such as Plymouth, Liverpool, London and various ports in Wales. Captain Weaver's thirteen-year-old grandson, also William Weaver, left school to join the schooner and ultimately went on to command an ocean liner.
Mary Stewart was sold on again in 1906, when she headed to Gloucestershire. Under the ownership of George H Meadows, she made regular sailings to Wales, Kent and Plymouth with loads as diverse as slates, cement, clay, pitch, salt and guano. The vessel's next move was to Ilfracombe, where she underwent a few adjustments. Under the ownership of Messrs Bengey and Sons, she was described in 1922 as a "ketch" and in 1926 had an auxiliary engine fitted. She carried coal up Bristol Channel was well-known in the ports of North Devon.
The late 1920s saw Mary Stewart move to another part of Devon. By 1929, she was owned by William Parkhouse of Braunton, Devon. Initially she transported barley, wheat and miller's produce but went on to carry coal to various harbours in the Bristol Channel. During her many years with the Parkhouse family, the Mary Stewart saw some drama, including the above incident where she "shipped one very heavy sea" that washed some of her gear overboard and resulted in the propeller becoming tangled with rope (23 September 1946 Western Morning News above).
The photograph above shows the figurehead of the Mary Stewart - an original feature, modelled on the lady from whom the ship took her name. This image appeared in the book 'Ships and Harbours of Exmoor' by Grahame Farr (who also captured the photograph). He writes that in a storm, during the Second World War, the figurehead was lost in the Bristol Channel. Eventually, it washed up on the beach at Amroth in South Wales, looking worse for wear. Mary Stewart still carried her bowsprit and jib-boom until 1948 (and was one of the last vessels in Europe to carry this spar). During 1956-58 she traded into Minehead and in 1959 around the Channel Islands.
In 1963, Mary Stewart was sold to American buyers by Captain P Herbert and in August that year arrived in Santander, Spain. There she was to be refitted and used for cruising (see 21 May 1964 Montrose Review below). Here her trail goes cold and further details remain elusive. If any reader can shed light on this new chapter in the long life of Mary Stewart or knows of her ultimate fate, please do leave a comment or get in touch. Whether or not the Mary Stewart made it to her centenary, she was a remarkable vessel who had a long and varied history, surviving a few close calls along the way.
The Mary Stewart features in the painting below by W.G. Walker, which was likely based upon the photograph rather than painted in situ. This artwork reinforces the way that large vessels dominated the harbour area when calling at a small port such as Largo. It's great to be able to identify this hard-working boat as one that passed through Largo.