RFA EAGLESDALE and Replenishment-at-Sea trials
On 4 March 1942 RFA Eaglesdale sailed from Londonderry, Northern Ireland to commence extensive Replenishment at Sea trials with RAS equipment from the captured German supply ship Gedania.
SS Gedania
This German ship had sailed from St Nazaire, France on 25 May 1941 and had been captured by the Ocean Boarding Vessel HMS Marsdale on 4 June 1941 at 44°N 27°W
HMS Marsdale
The Gedania had been fitted with rubber hoses and deck rollers.
The success of these RFA Eaglesdale trials with HMS Kepple resulted in the general introduction of rubber hoses and deck rollers to the ships in the RFA Fleet for Replenishment at Sea astern
