She was the first steamship to be purpose-built with a propulsion system made by White's Marine Engineering Company of Newcastle.

He then ordered a new fishing trawler from John Lewis & Sons of Aberdeen, to be equipped with a smaller version of the same propulsion system.

Her compound engine had two cylinders, and drove the propeller shaft via single reduction gearing.

A single Scotch boiler, made by Riley Brothers of Stockton-on-Tees, supplied steam at 220 lbf/in2.

The combined power of her reciprocating engine plus turbine was rated at 98 NHP;[3] 470 bhp;[5] or 500 ihp.

[6] John Lewis & Sons built trawlers for other customers to the same measurements as White Pioneer.

[9] However, each had a traditional triple expansion engine, with no exhaust turbine, and without White's reduction gearing.

[10] On 20 May that year, she attended the fleet review at Spithead in England, that celebrated the Coronation of George VI and Elizabeth.

[6] On 11 March 1944, while she was still in naval service, Shire Trawlers became her owners, and William Alfred Bennett became her manager.

In January 1948, Alexander Hall and Sons replaced Mary White's engine and boiler.

[14] On 3 December 1948,[6] Newhaven Trawlers became Mary White's owners, and William Carnie, Junior, became her manager.

Then the Aberdeen pilot cutter arrived, got alongside Luffness, and rescued 11 members of the crew.

She was temporarily repaired, in order to be towed to Metal Industries' ship breaking yard on the Firth of Forth.

No dive reports have established the identity of the wreck, but her size and position suggest that it is that of Luffness.