Viola Trust
Business Coaches
Viola Trust
Ocean House, Hessle
# Viola Trust
Viola Trust is a heritage organisation based in Hessle dedicated to preserving and promoting the remarkable history of the Viola, one of the world's most significant maritime vessels. The trust serves history enthusiasts, maritime researchers, educational groups, and the general public interested in early 20th-century naval heritage and industrial archaeology.
The Viola is a steam trawler built in 1906 in Beverley and represents an extraordinary piece of British maritime history. She is the oldest steam trawler in the world with her original engines still intact. During the First World War, she served with distinction on the front line, participating in mine and submarine warfare whilst sinking two U-boats—making her one of only four remaining British vessels with active WWI service. Following the war, she was renamed Dias and repurposed for sealing and whaling operations, eventually becoming stranded in South Georgia where she remains today.
What sets Viola Trust apart is its commitment to documenting and sharing the untold story of this vessel and her crews. Rather than allowing this historic ship to fade into obscurity, the organisation works to educate the public about her remarkable journey spanning over a century. The trust provides detailed historical research, photographic galleries, and information resources that illuminate both the vessel's technical achievements and her human stories. By connecting people to this tangible link with early maritime history, Viola Trust ensures that the Viola's legacy endures for future generations.
Viola Trust is a heritage organisation based in Hessle dedicated to preserving and promoting the remarkable history of the Viola, one of the world's most significant maritime vessels. The trust serves history enthusiasts, maritime researchers, educational groups, and the general public interested in early 20th-century naval heritage and industrial archaeology.
The Viola is a steam trawler built in 1906 in Beverley and represents an extraordinary piece of British maritime history. She is the oldest steam trawler in the world with her original engines still intact. During the First World War, she served with distinction on the front line, participating in mine and submarine warfare whilst sinking two U-boats—making her one of only four remaining British vessels with active WWI service. Following the war, she was renamed Dias and repurposed for sealing and whaling operations, eventually becoming stranded in South Georgia where she remains today.
What sets Viola Trust apart is its commitment to documenting and sharing the untold story of this vessel and her crews. Rather than allowing this historic ship to fade into obscurity, the organisation works to educate the public about her remarkable journey spanning over a century. The trust provides detailed historical research, photographic galleries, and information resources that illuminate both the vessel's technical achievements and her human stories. By connecting people to this tangible link with early maritime history, Viola Trust ensures that the Viola's legacy endures for future generations.
Services offered
Historical research and documentationHeritage education programmesPhotographic gallery curationMaritime heritage consultationPublic information resourcesWWI naval history expertiseArchive material preservationCommunity engagement events