The 'Glen Avon', a paddle steamer, was launched from the Ailson Company's yard on 30th May 1912 and was registered at Bristol. She was taken over for service as a minesweeper on 2nd December 1912 and continued in the naval minesweeping service until March 1919. In August 1915 she was in action against a U-boat in the North Sea, and in April 1916 she was involved with another paddle steamer, the 'Westward Ho', in salvaging a wrecked Zeppelin

After WWI she operated in the Bristol Channel running between Cardiff and Minehead

On 13th September 1939 she was recalled to the naval service again as a minesweeper joining the 8th Minesweeping Flotilla's part in the evacuation of the B.E.F. from Dunkirk. In 1942 Glen Avon became an auxiliary anti-aircraft ship and later took part in the Normandy landings. On 2nd September 1944 she sank in a gale - her compass and ship's bell were salvaged