Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 May 2009
From 1922 until the outbreak of the 1939–45 war, the Association's Laboratory at Plymouth was well served by the research vessel Salpa—a converted Lowestoft steam drifter having an overall length of about 95 ft. In 1939 Salpa was taken over by the Admiralty for naval duties and was not put back into service by the Association on her release after hostilities ended. Her place was taken by a 90 ft. motor fishing vessel on charter from the Admiralty and named Sabella. This vessel was only partially converted for research work and was handed back to her owners when Sarsia came into service at the end of 1953