Reference: 14016
Caption: The fishing drifter Lavatera was used as an armed naval auxiliary during the First World War. She was built in 1913 by W & G Stephen of Banff for John Wood Snr. and requisitioned by the Admiralty for wartime service in the Royal Navy in March 1915, and returned to the owners in 1920. During the Second World War it was again requisitioned in April 1940 until July 1946 and first used as a Barrage Balloon Vessel (BBV) and later as a Harbour Service Vessel. She was scrapped in 1948. In the photo the crew are in civilian clothing, and the bow-mounted cannon (a three pounder gun) is clearly visible. She is flying the White Ensign. Submitted by Robert Paterson.*
Keywords: fishing boat - drifter
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