When Discovery finally docked back on the Tay

As the RRS Discovery made its way up the River Tay aboard the Happy Mariner transporter 35 years ago, thousands of Dundonians flocked to the banks to watch a rich piece of the city’s history return home.

She was the first purposebuilt scientific research vessel for the Polar region, transporting Captain Scott and his team to Antarctica at a time when less was known about the icy continent than we now know about Mars.

After 85 years spent away from Dundee, the RRS Discovery began her latest voyage from London’s St Katharine’s Dock on March 27 1986, finally arriving at her new berth at Victoria

Dock on April 2. Sir Clements Robert Markham was a naval officer and geographer who had become obsessed with the idea of a British National Antarctic Expedition in the late 1890s.

In January 1900 Dundee Shipbuilders Ltd at Panmure was contracted to build Discovery at a cost of £51,000, more than £6.1 million in today’s money.

While the design was based on the whaling vessels of the time, there were still a number of modifications to be made to ensure its ability to undertake the research required.

The Discovery was ready for launch on March 21 1901.

Many workers in Dundee were given time off to line the banks of the River Tay awaiting the 3.15pm launch with Markham’s wife, Lady Markham, given the task of blessing the ship.

In August of the same year the Discovery would leave her moorings at Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, to begin her Antarctic journey, led by 33-year-old Captain Robert Falcon Scott.

After five months at sea, Antarctica was sighted on January 8 1902. The main purpose of the expedition was scientific – to make magnetic surveys and carry out meteorological, oceanographic, geological and biological research.

During the expedition the Discovery would spend two years locked into the ice, at one stage being over 20 miles from open water.

The research would be a great success, with Scott’s western journey which led to the discovery of the Polar Plateau, the exploration of King Edward VII land and the discovery of the first emperor penguin colony being notable highlights.

While none of the adventurers would reach the South Pole, Captain Scott, alongside senior crew members Ernest Shackleton and Edward Wilson, managed to travel further south than anybody before them.

In 1905, following financial problems, Discovery was sold to the Hudson’s Bay Company in Canada, where she became a transatlantic cargo vessel. She saw service in the First World War before returning to research work in 1923.

Discovery returned to Antarctica on a further two occasions after being designated as an RRS. Then, in 1936, she docked in London, becoming a training vessel for the Scouts and Navy.

The Maritime Trust stepped in to save her from being scrapped in 1979, investing £500,000 into her restoration.

She spent time berthed on the River Thames, eventually reverting to the RRS designation and opening as a museum.

By 1986 a plan was in place to get Discovery back to her home city with Dundee Heritage Trust

On the afternoon of April 2 1986, thousands of onlookers old and young were awaiting the arrival of the legendary ship.

Discovery had boarded semi-submersible ship the Happy Mariner in London a few days prior, with the cargo vessel carrying the Antarctic explorer up the North Sea towards the River Tay.

Front pages at the time spoke of the “emotional and noisy welcome” as everyone scrambled to catch a glimpse after Discovery’s 85-year absence.

* Were you there when the Discovery came home? Maybe you have a story to tell; pictures or video to share of the momentous day? Contact us at nostalgia@dctmedia.co.uk

WELCOME: Clockwise from above, people line the Tay estuary to wait for Discovery; the ship being built; leaving London; and arrival.