Builders: J Scott & Company Kinghorn 1889
Propulsion type: Paddle, compound diagonal
Owners: General Steam Navigation Co Ltd, Compagnie Maritime Bordeaux-Ocean of Bordeaux (as Ville de Royan)
Service dates: 1889 - 1922
Tonnage: Gross 470
Comments:
Laverock (the Lark) was the fourth of the five "Classical Birds" built for the General Steam by Scotts. They were good looking steamers and had open foredecks and saloon decks which spanned the full width of their hulls. These ships were very popular and were often crowded, especially at Bank Holiday times. In her inaugural season Laverock was one of five GSN ships to call at Great Yarmouth on the August Bank Holiday and all were crowded. In addition there were twenty one trains all full, bringing in visitors. The effect on the town can only be imagined! Ten years later the weather was much less kind and on one day in August 1899 dense fog delayed the Laverock's arrival in Yarmouth until midnight, many hours after her scheduled time of arrival. Laverock was re boilered in 1901, but by 1908 the GSN were concentrating more on the Kent Coast services and after intense competition from the Belle Steamer fleet Laverock was deemed to be too old fashioned for the demanding passengers and she was sold to French owners on the Gironde. She survived until 1922 when she was scrapped.