RFA Wave Victor at RAF Gan as a fuel hulk
Previous name: Empire Bounty
Subsequent name: San Orient
Official Number: 169126
Class: WAVE CLASS Replenishment Oiler (modified)
Pennant No: X130 / A220
Laid down: 16 November 1942
Builder: Furness Shipbuilding Company
Launched: 30 September 1943
Into Service: 1946
Out of service: Fuel Hulk
Fate: Scrapped 1981
Items of historic interest involving this ship: -
Background Data: A need for fast tankers to bring oil into the country had been envisaged early in the Second World War, but by the time the material had been collected and the Yards had space to build them, the need had largely passed and the original design of diesel-engined ships was abandoned. Instead, the standard 12,000t Class being built were given sharper bows and sterns and turbine engines with water tube boilers. In all, twenty one of this type were built and were offered to the Admiralty, who wanted faster tankers for the Pacific Fleet Train. The Admiralty took twenty of them (the final vessel being completed commercially for Oil and Molasses Tankers Ltd, London as BEECHWOOD) and renamed them with the WAVE nomenclature. Performance varied considerably from ship to ship and they underwent various modifications in their rigs for RAS work. The eight best ones were finally given an extensive refit, with extra accommodation added to the Bridge Deck and extra turbo cargo pumps and derricks to make them more satisfactory for Fleet work. Initially expensive to run, they recouped some of their expensive repair bills by earning revenues from charter work after the Korean War. From this Class was evolved the TIDE CLASS oilers.
30 September 1943 launched by Furness Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Haverton Hill as Yard Nr: 356 named EMPIRE BOUNTY for the MoWT
February 1944 completed and sailed under the management of Anglo Saxon Petroleum Company
29 February 1944 sailed Liverpool in convoy UC 014 to New York arriving 11 March 1944
19 March 1944 sailed New York in Convoy CU 18 for Liverpool arriving 29 March 1944
8 April 1944 sailed Liverpool in convoy TU10 to New York arriving 22 April 1944
19 April 1944 at 0305hrs signaled an engine break down while in position 23 in the convoy. USS Ingram (D444) ordered to stand by USS Davidson (FF1045) RASed dry goods with the tanker to assist with her engine repairs. At 0443 her engine repairs were completed and by 0930hrs she caught up the convoy to retake per convoy position.
3 May 1944 sailed New York in convoy CU23 to Halifax arriving 6 May 1944
10 May 1944 sailed Halifax independently to Liverpool arriving 19 May 1944
1 July 1944 sailed Liverpool in convoy UC 028 to New York along with EMPIRE LAW (later RFA WAVE CONQUEROR) arriving 12 July 1944
18 July 1944 sailed New York in convoy CU32 to the Clyde along with EMPIRE LAW (later RFA WAVE CONQUEROR) arriving 29 July 1944
18 November 1944 Firemen Edward William Flexen discharged dead. He is buried in Liverpool (Ford) Roman Catholic Cemetery - section T W Grave 624
Firemen Edward W Flexen
Courtesy and © of The War Graves Photographic Project
18 December 1944 undergoing repairs on the Clyde which were completed on 25 December 1944
28 December 1944 sailed the Clyde in convoy UC 050B via Belfast Lough to New York arriving 8 January 1944 along with RFA WAVE MONARCH
10 January 1945 sailed New York in convoy CU54 to Sheerness arriving 22 January 1945
16 January 1945 suffered engine failure - engines repaired but ability to travel at the speed of Convoy CU54. Escorted by USS Ebert (DE768) until 0955 when the destroyer was directed to join the convoy at best speed leaving the tanker to catch up as soon as possible
USS EBERT
25 January 1945 at Sheerness
28 January 1945 sailed the Downs in convoy UC54A to New York in the 2nd column of the convoy arriving 9 February 1945
18 February 1945 was repaired in New York
19 February 1945 sailed New York in convoy CU 59 to the Clyde arriving 1 March 1945 along with RFA WAVE EMPEROR
5 March 1945 sailed Clyde anchorage and joined convoy UC 059A to New York arriving 17 March 1945
23 March 1945 sailed New York in convoy CU63 to the Clyde arriving 1 April 1945
4 April 1945 arrived Bowling sailing from there on 7 April 1945
27 April 1945 at Clyde anchorage sailing to Glasgow 28 April 1945
7 May 1945 reported defects (not specified) after passage from Clyde to Fayal in convoy UC 066A. Master reported defect could only be repaired in the UK. Arrived Fayal 7 May 1945 along with EMPIRE LAW (later RFA WAVE CONQUEROR) and EMPIRE MILNER (later RFA WAVE LIBERATOR)
17 May 1945 sailed Fayal to UK for repairs at Old Harbour, West Hartlepool arrived 29 May 1945
22 June 1945 off West Hartlepool on trials
23 June 1945 repairs completed
25 June 1945 sailed West Hartlepool arriving New York 5 July 1945
7 July 1945 sailed New York to Stanlow arriving 17 July 1945
19 July 1945 sailed Stanlow to Houston arriving 28 July 1945
6 August 1945 sailed Houston to Thames Haven
22 August 1945 sailed Thames Haven to Port Arthur arriving 6 September 1945
9 September 1945 sailed Port Arthur to Cape Henry
13 September 1945 sailed Cape Henry to the Downs anchoring on 23 September 1945
21 September 1945 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east
23 September 1945 sailed the Downs to Hamburg arriving 25 September 1945
27 September 1945 sailed Hamburg to Falmouth arriving 30 September 1945
25 October 1945 sailed Falmouth to Philadelphia arriving 5 November 1945
7 November 1945 sailed Philadelphia to Thames Haven arriving 19 November 1945
22 November 1945 sailed Thames Haven to Aruba arriving 4 December 1945
6 December 1945 sailed Aruba to the Downs anchorage arriving 18 December 1945
10 February 1946 sailed Liverpool for Abadan
15 February 1946 passed Gibraltar east bound
August 1946 Captain John C Nettleship was Master
18 November 1946 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing west bound
1946 renamed WAVE VICTOR and became an RFA
27 November 1946 Captain S Thomas RFA appointed as Master
1 January 1947 Mr William J Littledale MBE RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer William J Littledale MBE RFA
27 April 1947 Fireman William Michael Kavanagh logged for deserting at Birkenhead. He had signed on at Birkenhead on 15 April 1947. Also sailed Liverpool to Milford Haven
2 May 1947 sailed Avonmouth
9 May 1947 passed Gibraltar sailing east
5 June 1947 sailed Colombo
8 June 1947 arrived at Bombay
12 June 1947 sailed Bombay
30 June 1947 arrived at Singapore
16 July 1947 arrived at Abadan
19 July 1947 sailed Abadan for Singapore
18 August 1947 passed Thursday Island
22 August 1947 berthed at Sydney, NSW, Australia from Miri to discharge
28 August 1947 sailed Sydney, NSW, Australia to Abadan to load
1 September 1947 passed Thursday Island
19 September 1947 sailed Colombo, Ceylon for Abadan
26 September 1947 arrived at Abadan
3 October 1947 arrived at Bombay
9 March 1948 sailed Abadan
22 March 1948 sailed Port Said for LEFO
5 April 1948 berthed at Saltend, Hull from Abadan to discharge
7 April 1948 sailed Saltend, Hull for Portsmouth
9 April 1948 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
9 April 1948 the Hampshire Telegraph newspaper reported ...
10 April 1948 Seaman Mahmoud Jaffer Shamsuddin, aged 25 years, discharged dead. He is buried in Clayhall Royal Naval Cemetery, Gosport
12 April 1948 Captain Cecil R Rosen OBE RFA appointed as Master
Captain Cecil R Rosen OBE RFA
31 May 1948 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
16 July 1948 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
21 July 1948 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
6 September 1948 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on Flamborough Head sailing north bound then arriving at Rosyth Dockyard. Mr Ronald C Putt RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer. Remained as Chief Engineer Officer until 21 April 1949
8 September 1948 Seaman Yoosuf Ghulam Hussain discharged dead. He is buried in Douglas Bank (Dunfermline) Cemetery, Fife, Scotland.
11 September 1948 sailed Rosyth for Port Said arriving 21 September 1948
24 September 1948 sailed Port Said
25 September 1948 sailed Suez for Bombay arriving 8 October 1948
17 October 1948 sailed Bombay for Abadan arriving 21 October 1948
24 October 1948 sailed Abadan for Port Said arriving 2 November 1948
3 November 1948 sailed Port Said for Sheerness arriving12 November 1948
17 November 1948 sailed Sheerness to Trinidad with 8 passengers. Captain S Thomas RFA was Master - arrived Trinidad 29 November 1948
11 December 1948 sailed Trinidad for Old Kilpatrick Oil Fuel Depot arriving 24 December 1948
1 January 1949 sailed Old Kilpatrick Oil Fuel Depot to Port Said arriving 11 January 1949
5 January 1949 passed Gibraltar sailing east bound
11 January 1949 arrived at Port Said
14 January 1949 sailed Port Said to Abadan arriving 23 January 1949
25 January 1949 sailed Abadan for Singapore arriving 7 February 1949
11 February 1949 sailed Singapore for Abadan via Muscat arriving 22 February 1949
24 February 1949 sailed Abadan for Port Said via Aden arriving 7 March 1949
18 March 1949 sailed Port Said to Abadan arriving 27 March 1949
28 March 1949 sailed Abadan for Port Said
7 April 1949 arrived Suez
9 April 1949 sailed Port Said for Portsmouth
19 April 1949 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty
22 April 1949 sailed from Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty Portsmouth Harbour
10 May 1949 arrived Port Said
11 May 1949 sailed Suez
4 June 1949 arrived Suez
15 June 1949 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty
27 July 1949 Captain Percivale H Brooke OBE RFA appointed as Master
Captain Percivale H Brooke OBE RFA
29 August 1949 Mr J E Kennedy RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
13 September 1949 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
17 September 1949 arrived at Portsmouth Harbour and berthed on the North Wall of the Tidal Basin
6 October 1949 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
1 November 1949 sailed from Abadan for Port Said
21 November 1949 arrived at Abadan
30 November 1949 sailed Colombo, Ceylond for Australian ports
15 December 1949 berthed at Townsville, Australia to discharge
18 December 1949 sailed Townsville for Cairns
28 February 1950 sailed Abadan for Fremantle, Australia
22 March 1950 arrived at Melbourne, Australia from Abadan to discharge
8 April 1950 arrived at Colombo, Ceylon
27 May 1950 arrived Port Said
7 June 1950 sailed Abadan for Port Said
12 July 1950 sailed Abadan for the UK
6 August 1950 passed Gibraltar sailing westbound
9 August 1950 Mr G J Mathews RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
10 August 1950 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
14 August 1950 sailed from Portmouth Harbour
14 September 1950 arrived at Suez
23 September 1950 on passage from Abadan to Devonport passed Gibraltar this day
9 October 1950 Captain Edward E A Le Sage RFA appointed as Master
17 November 1950 at Plymouth (see Note (1) below)
21 December 1950 arrived at Colombo, Ceylon from Devonport
1 January 1951 arrived at Abadan
23 January 1951 sailed Malta for Abadan
18 February 1951 arrived at Port Said
4 April 1951 Captain Frank P Hennin OBE RFA appointed as Master
18 April 1951 at Plymouth (see Note (1) below)
13 June 1951 at 39°09N 25°24W Ships Writer Frank Morrell McAllister discharged dead
5 August 1951 passed Gibraltar sailing west bound
3 December 1951 at North Shields (see Note (1) below)
3 January 1952 in refit at Wallsend Slip Way, River Tyne
10 January 1952 Mr J G Yuill RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
12 February 1952 in refit at Wallsend Slip Way, River Tyne. RFA WAVE CHIEF was also in refit in the same ship yard at the same time
30 May 1952 Captain William F Curlett RFA appointed as Master
24 November 1952 in refit at Hebburn on Tyne due for completion 6 June 1953
30 December 1952 berthed at Palmers Hebburn for refit or repair together with RFA WAVE BARON
13 January 1953 Mr J E Kennedy RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
17 February 1953 in refit at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne together with RFA WAVE BARON
9 June 1953 sailed the River Tyne
18 June 1953 Captain William R Holt OBE DSC RFA appointed as Master
15 July 1953 sailed the River Tyne for the Isle of Grain
27 August 1953 at Palmers, Hebburn on the River Tyne still in refit together with RFA's ARNDALE, OLNA (2), DINGLEDALE and WAVE MASTER
15 September 1953 deployed in 'Operation Mariner' in the North Atlantic off Iceland together with HMS VANGUARD and some 300 other warships and 1,000 aircraft from 9 NATO countries
RFA Wave Victor RAS's with HMS Vanguard during Exercise Mariner
12 October 1953 on the River Clyde at Glasgow
17 January 1954 Mr George McBain RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
17 January 1954 sailed Cardiff for Fawley in ballast. The ship caught fire in the Bristol Channel and abandoned by all the crew with the exception of the Chief Engineer Officer. The crew later returned and joined the Chief Engineer Officer in fighting the fire and saving the ship. The ship was towed to Swansea by Admiralty tugs. There were no fatalities
18 January 1954 the Portsmouth Evening News reported that ...
19 January 1954 sailed under tow to North Shields, on the River Tyne for repairs
17 June 1954 berthed at Smith's Dock, River Tyne together with RFA WAVE CHIEF
17 July 1954 Mr C D Reid RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
27 August 1954 berthed on the River Tyne
3 October 1954 arrived at Ras Tanura
20 November 1954 sailed Singapore Roads for Kure, Japan
17 January 1955 sailed Colombo, Ceylon for Singapore
25 January 1955 sailed Singapore for Hong Kong
20 February 1955 at Singapore
22 February 1955 sailed Singapore for Bombay
20 March 1955 arrived at Trincomalee, Ceylon
14 April 1955 arrived at Bombay
26 June 1955 sailed Hong Kong for Singapore
20 July 1955 sailed from Aden
28 July 1955 sailed Abadan for LEFO
13 August 1955 arrived Suez
14 August 1955 sailed from Port Said
19 November 1955 sailed Londonderry, N. Ireland
8 December 1955 sailed Suez
12 December 1955 arrived at Aden
13 December 1955 sailed Aden for Abadan
18 December 1955 arrived at Abadan
20 December 1955 sailed Abadan
21 December 1955 arrived at Bahrein
26 December 1955 sailed Aden for Suez
15 January 1956 Mr J W Ritchie RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
5 February 1956 arrived at Trinidad
2 March 1956 arrived at Gibraltar
14 March 1956 arrived at Malta
21 March 1956 arrived at Suez
31 March 1956 arrived at Ras Tanura
6 April 1956 arrived at Aden
20 April 1956 arrived at Malta from Port Said
1 September 1956 Captain F G Evans RFA appointed as Master
12 October 1956 Mr J A Ferguson RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
16 October 1956 berthed at Smiths Dock, River Tyne
24 December 1956 entered Grand Harbour, Malta with RFA's TIDEREACH, WAVE LIBERATOR and BROWN RANGER after covering with RN units and the Anglo-French Forces withdrawl from Port Said
28 December 1956 sailed Malta
11 January 1957 sailed Casablanca for Curaçao
17 February 1957 arrived at Curaçao
22 March 1957 sailed Curaçao
16 April 1957 sailed Malta for Curaçao
1 May 1957 sailed Curaçao for Gibraltar
supported Operation Grapple - the British H-bomb test at Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean - along with 16 other RFA’s
13 May 1957 passed Gibraltar sailing east
20 May 1957 arrived at Famagusta, Cyprus
25 July 1957 arrived Curaçao from the Moray Firth
20 August 1957 sailed Rosyth for the River Tyne
29 October 1957 entered dry dock at Smith's Dock, River Tyne during refit
25 November 1957 passed Gibraltar
29 November 1957 arrived at Malta
1 December 1957 sailed Malta for Port Said
6 December 1957 sailed Suez
11 December 1957 arrived Aden
26 December 1957 arrived Malta
5 January 1958 sailed Malta
23 February 1958 sailed Malta
4 March 1958 Mr G Thompson RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
13 May 1958 anchored in the outer roads at Singapore
22 June 1958 sailed Malta
2 July 1958 sailed Trincomalee, Ceylon for Aden
14 July 1958 arrived Aden
23 July 1958 sailed Aden
22 October 1958 Captain Henry O L'Estrange DSC RFA (Commander RNR) appointed as Master
7 November 1958 deployed in support of RN units off Iceland during 1st Cod War until 18 November 1958
19 December 1958 deployed in support of RN units off Iceland during 1st Cod War until 5 January 1959
17 January 1959 sailed the Tyne for Portsmouth
22 January 1959 deployed for duties in support of Operation Grapple on Christmas Island with 67 tons 14 cwt of cargo
26 May 1959 in the Bay of Biscay enroute to Lisbon RASed with HMS CENTAUR
4 June 1959 off the coast of Portugal south of Lisbon RASed with HMS CENTAUR
12 June 1959 while approaching Malta RASed with HMS CENTAUR
17 June 1959 berthed at Malta after taking part in exercise Sardex with units of the Royal Navy and RFA's Fort Langley, Fort Duquesne and Wave Sovereign
22 June 1959 sailed Malta for Trinidad to load
24 August 1959 deployed in support of RN units off Iceland during 1st Cod War until 13 September 1959
16 May 1960 Captain Alfred M Uglow RFA appointed Master until 28 June 1960
6 December 1960 Captain R K McKenzie RFA appointed as Master
Loaned to Royal Air Force as fuel hulk at RAF Gan, Indian Ocean.
12 November 1963 to 14 February 1964 away from RAF Gan for refit at Colombo, Ceylon. Her absence was covered by RFA Wave Sovereign.
1971 towed away and laid up in Manila Bay, Philippines and she was replaced by RFA WAVE RULER (1). At some point her name was changed to San Orient.
During 1974/1975 and in particular 31 July 1975 legal proceedings concerning the ownership of the Wave Victor aka San Orient were undertaken in the Republic of the Philippines Supreme Court at Manila which resulted in a compromise agreement being accepted by the Court - case number G. R. No. L-28577
1981 Broken up
Notes: -
- From the Discharge Book of Fred W J Raddon