During World War II Bute was an important naval base. The Kyles Hydro became HMS Varbel, headquarters of the 12th submarine flotilla. The bell is mounted in a wooden frame and the shield at the base is inscribed 'HMS Varbel 12th Submarine Headquarters for those who manned HM Midget Submarines and Human Torpedoes.'
The bell has a second claim to fame, it was salvaged from the Politician, a ship later to find fame as the Cabinet Minister in Compton Mckenzie's book 'Whisky Galore'.
Bell from HMS Varbel
Contributed by anne
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Port Bannatyne, Bute
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World War II
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