Cook, Welton & Gemmell of Beverley built Viola for the Hellyer Steam Fishing Company in 1906.

[7] In September 1914, Viola was requisitioned by the Admiralty (FY 614)[2][8] armed with a 3 pounder gun and moved to Shetland, patrolling the waters out as far as Fair Isle looking for U-boats and escorting other vessels.

Along with other armed trawlers she was involved in actions resulting in the sinking of at least two U-boats: the UB-30 off Whitby on 13 August 1918, and the UB-115 off the Northumberland coast on 29 September.

After the war Hellyer decided to concentrate on the distant fishing grounds off the coast of Iceland and the Barents Sea.

[7][9] Consequently, in 1918 they sold-off the remaining North Sea trawlers, including Viola, which they sold to Massey & Sons.

[9] Dias was then sold to Compañía Argentina de Pesca,[8] who moved her to Grytviken in South Georgia for sealing.

[13] In 2004, as part of a project to restore and conserve Grytviken, Dias and Albatros were refloated and cleared of all remaining oil.