During West Indies service, Latona rescued sixteen people from the distressed barque Oxford. Her 1902 refit as a Portsmouth submarine depot ship supplied accommodation and support when the new boats still depended heavily on a parent vessel. Conversion to a minelayer followed in 1910, and she laid mines in the eastern Mediterranean during the First World War before ending her service at Malta. An aircraft-related December 1916 source note is mentioned without a secure identification, so the incident remains unresolved.
Notable Point · 26:53-30:16
Latona shifts from sea rescue to submarine support and minelaying
Latona rescued a merchant crew, housed early submariners, and later laid mines, demonstrating how an adaptable cruiser hull served several specialist fleets.