Avenger

The Avenger moored in Lerwick Harbour on January 24th 1977.
Photo from Shetland Museum.

The Avenger (LK290) a wooden hulled motor stern fishing trawler, owned and operated out of Burra, foundered and sank between Fair Isle and Orkney on June 8th 1978.

It is believed that the vessel was engaged in fishing operations in the vicinity of Fair Isle in relatively rough weather, when the main bulkhead of the hold failed under the weight of bulk cargo already aboard, destabilising the vessel. She was taken under tow southwards, alongside a much larger passing vessel, understood to have been one of the P&O Ferries of the day serving the Northern Isles, but that position soon also became untenable and she was cut loose and quickly sank.