Ships starting with R
lower image HMS Racer in 1884
Previous name: HMS Racer
Class: Salvage vessel - MARINER CLASS Sloop (originally)
Pennant No: X 76 / X 57
Laid down: 9 April 1883
Builder: Devonport Dockyard
Launched: 6 August 1884
Into Service:
Out of service: 6 November 1928
Fate: Broken up by Hughes Bolckow of Blyth.
Items of historic interest involving this ship: -
Background Data: She was one of a Class of six gun vessels designed by Nathaniel Barnaby, the Royal Navy Director of Naval Construction, which were all re-rated as sloops before they entered service. The Class consisted of: HM ships ACORN, ICARUS, MARINER, MELITA, RACER and REINDEER, three of which were converted into Salvage Vessels. They were originally powered by a 2 cylinder horizontal compound expansion steam engine produced by Hawthorn Leslie
9 April 1883 laid down
6 August 1884 launched by HM Dockyard, Devonport as the screw gun vessel HMS RACER by Miss Maud Wright neice of Rear Admiral Charles T Curme Superintendent of the Dockyard
26 November 1884 was re-rated as a sloop
9 April 1885 commissioned for the Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa Station. Hull cost £37,000 and her machinery cost £12,000. Commander Edmund H Oldham, Royal Navy appointed as Commanding Officer
28 April 1885 at sea off Plymouth testing her equipment
29 April 1885 undertook full power trials off Plymouth
11 May 1885 Commander Edmund H Oldham Royal Navy in command
10 June 1885 joined the British Evolutionary Squadron, formed to test the practical efficiency of the material of the Fleet
29 August 1885 sailed Plymouth for the Cape of Good Hope
12 September 1885 berthed at Maderia and then sailed for Cape Coast Castle and the West Coast of Africa
20 November 1885 was at Cape Coast Castle
23 February 1886 was at Sierra Leone
31 March 1886 suffered defects in her engines - the Admiralty were advised that she would have to return to the UK for repairs or sail to the Dockyard at Simonstown
4 August 1886 refit of her engines completed at Simonstown for Sierra Leone
3 October 1886 arrived at Bathurst
October 1886 employed on duties for the Niger River Expedition
27 January 1887 proceeded 200 miles up the River Gambia
17 June 1887 arrived at Las Palmas
27 June 1887 berthed at Gibraltar - sailed the 2 July 1887 for Malta to relieve HMS CONDOR
June 1887 joined the Mediterranean Squadron
1 October 1887 at Port Said as the senior officer's ship
10 October 1887 Commander Henry J May Royal Navy appointed as Commanding Officer
December 1887 ordered east to Sakim in the Soudan
14 December 1887 reported in the UK press of this date that an enquiry was to be held into the cause of the breakdown of the machinery in HMS RACER - she was designed to steam at 11kts but it was found unsafe to steam her at more than 8kts as her 'machinery was little more than worthless'
31 December 1887 at Sakim firing heavily at rebels
1888 to 1889 served in the Mediterranean
21 November 1888 Ordinary Seaman B Strong discharged dead. He is buried in Khartoum War Cemetery in Plot 5 Row C Grave 13
Courtesy and © of The War Graves Photographic Project
3 December 1888 Shipwright C Revell discharged dead. He is buried in Khartoum War Cemetery in Plot 5 Row C Grave 12
Courtesy and © of The War Graves Photographic Project
20 December 1888 together with HMS STARLING the ship was engaged in the battle of Gemaizah - a port in Eastern Sudan - British forces lost 12 killed the Mahdi forces lost about 1,000 killed. Soudhan Medals for the crews of both ships with a Gemaizah bar were presented on 29 March 1890
7 February 1889 arrived at Malta
11 March 1889 sailed Malta for the UK
16 April 1889 returned to Devonport with Commander Henry John May Royal Navy in command
10 June 1889 paid off into Reserve at Devonport
21 April 1891 commissioned at Plymouth - Commander Royle Royal Navy as Commanding Officer
10 May 1891 sailed Plymouth for West Africa
26 May 1891 sailed Las Palmas
1 January 1892 arrived at Bathurst
8 January 1892 landed the Naval Brigade at Bathurst
24 February 1892 sailed Bathurst for Sierra Leone
9 March 1892 sailed Sierra Leone for Fernando Po and Loanda
27 April 1892 at Bathhurst with HMS Alecto
7 May 1892 arrived at Sierra Leone
25 May 1892 sailed Sierra Leonne for St. Helena
8 September 1892 sailed Loanda for Fernando Po
10 March 1893 at Tristan da Cunha - Captain S Rolleston, Royal Navy as Commanding Officer
12 June 1893 at Simonstown, South Africa
1893 to 1894 served on the South East Coast of America
24 January 1894 at Rio De Janeiro during Revolution in Brazil
5 September 1894 arrived at Devonport
1894 to 1897 in reserve at Devonport
4 June 1897 arrived at Devonport with a party of Naval Cadets to visit naval establishments
5 June 1897 sailed Devonport for Dartmouth
24 June 1897 arrived at Portsmouth with a party of Naval Cadets to visit the Dockyard
26 June 1897 took part in the Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Fleet Review at Spithead
1898 after a refit, she commissioned as a tender to Britannia Naval College at Dartmouth
1 June 1898 arrived at Portsmouth with a party of Naval Cadets to visit the Dockyard
19 July 1898 arrived at Devonport with a party of Naval Cadets to visit naval establishments. She sailed the same day for Dartmouth
28 July 1898 arrived at Portsmouth from Dartmouth with a party of Naval Cadets to visit the Dockyard
7 October 1898 sailed Dartmouth for a Channel cruise with Naval Cadets
12 November 1899 Commander Michael S Beatty Royal Navy was in Command
17 April 1899 Seaman John Broughton Hauger discharged dead having drowned in Dartmouth Harbour - buried in a common grave in consegrated ground
12 February 1900 arrived at Devonport from Dartmouth for a refit
19 June 1900 arrived at Devonport. Captain M F O'Callaghan CB Royal Navy in command
20 June 1900 sailed Devonport to Dartmouth
3 April 1901 arrived at Plymouth from Dartmouth. Commander M S Beatty Royal Navy in command
4 April 1901 sailed Devonport to Dartmouth
1 July 1901 at Teignmouth
22 July 1901 Stoker William James Bruce discharged dead. He had died while the ship was berthing having been scalled to death when a steam pipe burst
23 July 1901 an inquest was held at Dartmouth touching on the death of Stoker William James Bruce which was reported in the Western Times the next day ....
19 May 1902 her deployment as a tender to Dartmouth Naval College ended and her position as tender was taken over by HMS ISIS
2 July 1902 the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette reported ......
7 July 1902 sailed from Dartmouth to Torbay
8 August 1902 Commander Owen F Gillett Royal Navy was appointed as Commanding Officer
February 1903 sailed Dartmouth for Portsmouth, where she was used as a tender to Osborne College on the Isle of Wight
6 June 1903 before Newport Police Court, Isle of Wight Sailor William Millard appeared having been charged with assaulting Constable Stevens on 4 Jun 1903. Millard pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given that a group of sailors including the defendant were causing a distubance in the street. The Officer attempted to stop a fight and was struck by Millard in the mouth. Millard was found guilty and due to a good character reference he was not sent to prison but fined 10sh with 6sh costs - in default, as an alternative, he was sentenced to seven days imprisonment. Time was allowed for payment
1 August 1903 Captain Rosslyn E Wemyss Royal Navy appointed in Command
Captain Rosslyn E Wemyss Royal Navy
31 August 1903 before Portsmouth No 2 Police Court Petty Officer John Roberts of HMS RACER appeared summoned for assaulting Rose Galbraith, a domestic servant, at the Hero Beer House, Meadow Street, Landport with a glass causing her an injury which he admitted. He was sentenced to one months imprisonment with hard labour
23 March 1905 berthed on North Railway Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour
13 April 1905 moored in the Medina River, Cowes with HM Torpedo Boat No: 33 berthed alongside
30 June 1905 Captain Edwyn S Alexander-Sinclair Royal Navy appointed in Command
28 July 1905 arrived at Portsmouth Harbour
10 November 1913 before the Isle of Wight Petty Sessions two cases involving crew members of HMS RACER were heard -
- Stoker Frederick Dobson appeared charged with stealing three tins of paint,valued at 32sh from the Naval Stores at Osborne Naval College. PC Sibbick gave evidence he had seen Dobson pushing a wheelbarrow loaded with the three tins of paint. The paint was found to be missing from the stores. Dobson was convicted and bound over under the First Offenders Act
- Sailor John F Brown appeared charged with assaulting Linda Holland, bar maid at the Alexandria, Mediana Road, Cowes. He pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given that he had poured a glass of beer over Miss Holland when she turned down his advances. He was convicted and ordered only to pay the costs of the proceedings
12 May 1915 Chief Petty Officer Griffith Williams G 98523 discharged dead - illness - be is buried in Baglan (St. Catherine) Churchyard, Glamorganshire
Courtesy and © of The War Graves Photographic Project
21 August 1915 before the Isle of Wight Petty Sessional Court charges were brought against Stoker William James Wheeler of HMS RACER for assaulting his wife Isabella Wheeler on 13 August. Mrs Wheeler gave evidence that she had collected her husband from a public house. He ill treated their dog and then when they had returned home had assaulted her. Their son gave supporting evidence. Wheeler did not appear in Court but was found guilty and fined 10sh with seven days imprisonment in default
23 December 1915 Chief Petty Officer Ernest Edward Grant discharged dead - he is buried in Portsmouth (Kingston) Cemetery having died at home while on leave from pleurisy
Rebuilt as a RFA Salvage Ship
2 May 1916 Stoker 1st Class George Poole discharged dead. He is buried in Cowes (Kingston) Cemetery, Isle of Wight in Section C grave 271
2 December 1916 Engineer Lieutenant Henry C Hancock RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
24 March 1917 Engineer Lieutenant John B Russell RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
18 April 1917 Lieutenant Horace H Gauld RNR appointed in command. He had previously been in command of RFA Melita from 29 January 1916 until 17 April 1917.
RFA Racer's Radio Room
22 August 1917 Rigger John Tremble charged with assault at Queenstown and detained. Discharged to HMS Eagle. He had signed on on 7 May 1917
5 September 1917 Engineer Sub Lieutenant J Russell RNR was married. The Captain and Officers of RFA RACER gave a silver wedding present -
8 January 1918 Lieutenant F B Nicholson RNR appointed in command.
3 April 1918 Lieutenant Harold Jones RNR appointed in command. He remained in command until 9 March 1920 when he was demobilised
RFA Racer dressed overall for the Armistice 1918
RFA Racer's Riggers in 1918
Back left to right - Salvage Rigger Henry McDonald, Salvage Rigger Henry Furley, Salvage Rigger W (Lofty) Harris, Salvage Rigger Thomas E Robinson, Salvage Rigger James W Jones, Salvage Rigger B McAteer
Middle Row left to right - Salvage Rigger Herbert Redgrave, Salvage Rigger Thomas Moore, Salvage Foreman William Dole, Salvage Bosun Fred Collins, Salvage Rigger John (Jack) Foulkes
Front Row left to right - Salvage Rigger E Coone, Salvage Rigger Chas G Abrams, Biddy (Ships Mascot)
(Research by Tony Babb)
Image and crew lists kindly donated by the Totnes Image Bank
22 January 1918 ss Admiral Cochrane torpedoed off Berry Head by UB31 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Thomas Bieber and sank at the entrance into Dartmouth Harbour at 18.30hrs the same day. Was refloated and regrounded in Dartmouth Harbour on 29 January 1918 by RFA RACER
SS Admiral Cochrane salvaged by the crew of RFA Racer
14 March 1918 ss Comrie Castle, a troop ship, torpedoed by UC71 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Walter Warzecha, 5 miles south of St Catherine Point, Isle of Wight, 9 died in the attack. She was beached and then salvaged by RFA RACER
RFA Racer's pumps working in ss Comrie Castle
24 March 1918 SS Anchoria was torpedoed by U98 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Rudolf Andler in Loch Swilly, Northern Ireland. She was salvaged by RFA RACER
SS Anchoria in happier times
SS Anchoria as approached by RFA Racer sent to salvage her
3 April 1918 Lieutenant Harold Jones RNR appointed as Commanding Officer
10 April 1918 HMS MAGIC was mined of Lough Foyle, Ireland and had her bows completely blown off with about 15 lives lost
HMS Magic with no bow, RFA Racer on her port side and a tug forward
20 August 1918 HMS SHIRLEY, an improved Racecourse minesweeper was mined 25 miles SE of Aberdeen. The mine had been laid on 17 April 1918 by the German submarine U71. The damage to the minesweeper was to the port side. She was towed ashore and beached. RFA Racer's crew assisted in the salavage
To receive a bar to the Distinguished Service Order
Acting Commander Gervase W Heaton, RN
To be awarded the Distinguised Service Cross
Lieutenant George Davis, RNR
To be awarded the Distinguished Service Medal
Petty Officer Frank Pegrome Eaglestone, ON 220100 (Chatham)
Mentioned in Despatches
Rigger William McDonald, RFA
These awards were Gazetted on 7 June 1918
USS Narragansett
USS Narragansett with RFA Racer alongside
1 February 1919 USS Narragansett carrying 2,000 troops from France ran aground on Bembridge Ledge, Isle of Wight during a SE gale and snowstorm. Towed off by RFA RACER on 17 February 1919
1918 to 1922 involved in the salvage of gold from HMS LAURENTIC off County Galway, Eire. (See RFA Awards for details of RFA crew recognised for the work (one BEM). Non RFA Awards for details of RN divers who were recognised for their work on this task)
HMS LAURENTIC
During the salvage of the gold from HMS LAURENTIC, out of the salvage season, the ship was laid up at Portsmouth
Salvage Rigger John R Foulkes' Discharge Certificate
12 August 1919 the Scotsman newspaper reported this day -
17 January 1920 sailed from Portsmouth
29 March 1920 Lieutenant in command James C N Macmillan OBE appointed as Master
23 April 1920 Commissioned Gunner Albert B Baldock appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
21 May 1920 The Times newspaper reported this day
17 September 1920 due to very rough weather only seven bars of gold have been recovered so far from the wreck of HMS Laurentic
1921 the crew were awarded a total of £58.17sh.0d for salvaging gold from HMS Laurentic during 1920
5 April 1921 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour for Devonport and Londonderry attended by Drifter No: CD 1
RFA Racer - the Laurentic salvage team (David Masters)
31 July 1921 due to salvaging difficulties the divers had only recovered about 20 bars of gold despite enjoying fine weather at Lough Swilly
12 October 1921 paid off at Portsmouth with the ship in charge of a care and maintenance party
1922 the crew were awarded a total of £330.1sh.10d for salvaging gold from HMS LAURENTIC during 1921
1 March 1922 Captain George C Brock RFA appointed as Master and Mr R McWhannell RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
RFA Racer's Football Team 1922
14 March 1922 an RFA crew were signed on
27 March 1922 sailed Portsmouth for Londonderry
30 March 1922 arrived at Londonderry and loaded bunker coal
31 March 1922 sailed Londonderry for Buncrana arriving the same day
1 April 1922 commenced weighing all four sets of moorings which had been oaid in a sheltered position for the winter months
2 April 1922 fine weather continuing. All hands employed refitting the moorings and slinging them ready for laying in position at the wreck of HMS LAURENTIC
27 April 1922 grounded off Moville Pile Light, Lough Foyle, Northern Ireland. Captain George C Brock RFA cautioned to be more careful in future. Their Lordships considered the ship was anchored much too close to the shoal off Moville
22 May 1922 berthed at Londonderry to resume salvage operations on HMS Laurentic
27 May 1922 Stoker J Simpson logged as deserting
16 June 1922 sailed to Londonderry to transfer salvaged gold to a bank. The ship then sailed to Ardrossan for boiler cleaning
18 June 1922 Lt Commander DAMANT Royal Navy reported to the Admiralty that recovery work has resulted in -
29 May bars of gold recovered
30 May bars of gold recovered
31 May bar of gold recovered
1 June bars of gold recovered
7 June bars of gold recovered
8 June bars of gold recovered
9 June bars of gold recovered
10 June bars of gold recovered
12 June bars of gold recovered
15 June bar of gold recovered
TOTAL - 53 bars of gold
20 July 1922 by this day this season, the crew of Racer had recovered about one million pounds of gold from the wreck of HMS LAURENTIC. The gold was brought to Lough Foyle and transfered to HMS VANCOUVER for conveyance to Portsmouth
HMS VANCOUVER
9 October 1922 sailed from Lough Swilly to Londonderry
10 October 1922 loaded bunker coal and sailed Londonderry to Portsalon
11 October 1922 sailed to the wreck site but diving conditions were unfit
12 October 1922 sailed to the wreck site and commenced diving - 5 bars of gold recovered. The air compressor broke down
13 October 1922 directions were given by the Admiralty for the ship to return to Portsmouth due to the breakdown on the large air compressor onboard
14 October 1922 at wreck site raising moorings
15 October 1922 sailed for Portsmouth
16 October 1922 Commander Dammant Royal Navy reported to the Admiralty that during the 1922 'season' diving on the wreck could only be done on 77 days out of 198 days. Bad weather had prevented diving on many of the other days with some periods lasting 15 days. During the 'season' a total of 895 bars of gold had been recovered. During the four previous 'seasons' a total of 904 bars of gold had been raised - thus a total of 1,799 bars of gold had been raised. He believed that between 600 to 700 bars were still buried in the wreckage
26 October 1922 grounded on How Bank, Isle of Wight - was refloated and proceeded to Portsmouth. There was no court of enquiry and their Lordships approved no further action was necessary
4 November 1922 directions were given by the Admiralty that the ship was to be paid off at Portsmouth with a care and maintenance party remaining onboard
7 November 1922 the ship was paid off this day at Portsmouth
27 February 1923 The Times newspaper reported this day
3 April 1923 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour for Londonderry
30 August 1923 Portsmouth Evening News reported -
19 October 1923 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
29 October 1923 paid off at Portsmouth Harbour with a Care and Maintenance party remaining onboard
1 April 1924 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour to resume salvage operations on HMS LAURENTIC. On this date there were still 154 bars of gold valued at £240,000 in the wreck
4 April 1924 arrived off Lough Swilly and laid one set of moorings which the ship had brought from Portsmouth
5 April 1924 raised three sets of mooring from their winter position in Ballymacstocker Bay, refitted them and laid the in position around the wreck. Anchored at Portsalon
25 June 1924 since the ships arrival for the 1924 'season' a total of 115 bars of gold had been recovered
20 September 1924 anchored at Rathmullan
26 September 1924 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour. The total amount of gold bars recovered during the 1924 'season' amounted to 129. Thus the salvage operations since HMS LAURENTIC sank amount to 3,186 bars of gold recovered from the 3,211 which went down with the vessel
11 December 1924 the Times Newspaper reported that -
1925 as a final reward the crew were paid a total of £1,000.0sh.0d for salvaging gold from HMS Laurentic during 1924
14 October 1925 berthed on the Upper TBD Trot, Portsmouth
1925 placed on the Sales List
22 May 1926 berthed in No: 3 Basin of Portsmouth Dockyard together with RFA KIMMEROL
6 November 1928 sold for breaking up by Hughes Bolckow of Blyth.
10 November 1928 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour to the ship breakers yard
Ships of the same name
Racer. A Cutter of 203 bm, 75 x 26 feet by Baker of Sandgate, launched on the 24 April 1810. Stranded off the French coast on the 24 May 1810 and captured by the French.
Racer. A schooner of 250 bm, 93.5 x 25 feet, 12 x 12 pdr carronade, 2 x 6pdr, American privateer Independence, captured on the 9 November 1812. Wrecked in the Gulf of Florida on the 10 October 1814.
Racer. A cutter of 123 bm, 63.5 x 22 feet built by Pembroke Dock and launched on the 4 April 1818, armed with 2 x 6 pdr, 4 x 6 pdr carronade. Ordered to be sold at Malta on the 4 May 1830.
Racer. A brig sloop of 413 bm launched by Portsmouth Dockyard on the 18 July .5 feet armed with 14 x 32 pdr carronade, 2 x 12 pdr. Sold to Wilson and Company in September 1852.
Racer. A wood screw sloop of 579 bm, 151 x 29 feet by Deptford Dockyard, launched on the 4 November 1857. Armed with 11 x 32 pdr guns. Broken up at Portsmouth in 1876.
Subsequent name: Louise Moller, Mount Cameron
Official Number: 140322
Class: SECOND 2000t BELGOL CLASS Tanker
Pennant No: X 59 / X 58 / B 517 / A 258
Laid down:
Builder: William Gray & Company, Hartlepool
Launched: 23 April 1917
Into Service: 28 August 1917
Out of service: 4 March 1946
Fate: Broken up
Items of historic interest involving this ship: -
Background Data: There were ten ships in this Class, all Admiralty designed of which five were named after Allied countries while the other five were given names indicating power or speed, all with the OL suffix. Three of them, RFA’s FRANCOL, MONTENOL and SERBOL had upright funnels with a single tall mast close by, while the remainder had a raking funnel and two raking masts. During WW2 the mainmast was removed from these
23 April 1917 launched by Wm Gray & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool as Yard Nr: 886 named RAPIDOL
4 June 1917 Engineer Lieutenant Archibald R Hinde RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer. Discharged ashore sick on 11 July 1917 and resigned from the Royal Naval Reserve on 11 October 1917
11 July 1917 Engineer Lieutenant John Birnie RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer - transferred from RFA MONTENOL - he was demobilised on 28 December 1919
12 July 1917 Lieutenant James D Ashworth RNR appointed in command transferred to HMS Crescent on 20 November 1917
Lieutenant James D Ashworth RNR
28 July 1917 at London registered as RAPIDOL under reference 134/17 in the Register
28 August 1917 completed
28 August 1917 Fireman W Frackleton logged as deserting from the ship. He had signed on on the 21 August 1917
18 September 1917 at Rosyth alongside HMS GALATEA refuelling her while she was anchored on D3 berth
HMS GALATEA
25 September 1917 at Rosyth alongside HMS GALATEA refuelling her
8 November 1917 Able Seaman W Millar logged as deserting from the ship. He had signed on on the 21 August 1917
22 November 1917 at Rosyth alongside HMS GALATEA refuelling her
7 December 1917 at Rosyth alongside HMS GALATEA refuelling her
9 January 1918 Lieutenant Hermann R Elsby RNR appointed in Command on transfer from RFA Trefoil
18 January 1918 Able Seaman Signaller George H Constable discharged having been sentenced to 3 years penal servitude at Edinburgh Prison
AB Signalman George H Constable
28 March 1918 Greaser A Tolmie logged as deserting from the ship. He had signed on on the 21 August 1917
15 July 1918 Fireman Chas Cassidy, MMR 918600 discharged dead. He had signed on on 21 August 1917. He was buried in North Ormesby (St. Joseph's) Roman Catholic Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Courtesy of and © The War Graves Photographic Project
9 August 1918 Fireman J Winn MMR 968732 signed on. He was a deserter from 16th Warwickshire Regiment. This fact was discovered on 22 February 1919 when he was discharged in custody to RFA Sunhill where he deserted
13 August 1918 the Police Gazette of this day listed among those who were wanted for Deserting or being Absentees from H M Services - Bosun H Payne MMR
20 August 1918 the Police Gazette of this day listed among those who were wanted for Deserting or being Absentees from H M Services - Ordinary Seaman Felix T Foster MMR and Ordinary Seaman William Pine MMR
6 September 1918 on the River Tyne HMS SPARROWHAWK alongside to be refuelled receiving 50 tons of FFO
11 October 1918 on the River Tyne HMS SPARROWHAWK alongside to be refuelled
2 January 1919 at Rosyth HMS VINDICTIVE alongside to be refuelled
2 May 1919 arrived at Kaffa Bay
2 June 1919 Assistant Steward William Vernon Fairclough MMR 981329 discharged to H.M. Prison Malta. Reason and duration not shown.
4 August 1919 at Sevastopol HM Monitor M29 alongsde to be refuelled with 17 tons of fuel oil
HMS M29
17 August 1919 at Tendra Bay HM Monitor M29 alongsde to be refuelled and 3rd Officer Edward Lawrence Mandell RFA discharged dead. He had signed on on the 3 December 1918. He was buried in Haidar Pasha Cemetery, Istanbul, Turkey in grave I F 20
In Memoriam Card for 3rd Officer Mandell from Leith Birnie
Courtesy and © of The War Graves Photographic Project
9 September 1919 arrived at Sevastopol
10 September 1919 refuelled a Greek destroyer "Pantheon" at Sevastopol alongside
11 September 1919 sailed Sevastopol to Odessa
21 September 1919 refuelled HM Monitor M29 at Yalta alongside
1 October 1919 arrived at Smyma and berthed alongside HMS CENTAUR to refuel her. Later sailed Smyma
24 October 1919 Mr W Howell RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
15 November 1919 Captain George H Franklin RD RFA (Commander RNR) appointed as Master
2 December 1919 at Port Said - bunkering from RFA DREDGOL
3 December 1919 sailed Port Said to Alexandria
4 December 1919 arrived at Alexandria. Refuelled HMS Swallow - provided 48 tons FFO. Refuelled HMS BENBOW - provided 680 tons FFO
5 December 1919 loaded spare propeller from HMS CAESAR stowed on the gun platform - sailed to Port Said
6 December 1919 arrived at Port Said from Alexandria. Captain George H Franklin RD RFA (Commander RNR) arrived on the ship and took command from Lieutenant Hermann R Elsby RNR who left the ship
9 December 1919 alongside RFA DREDGOL. Received 304 tons of bunkers and 146 tons of FFO to No 1 tank. Sailed - transit of Suez Canal
10 December 1919 sailed Suez to Abadan
14 December 1919 the FFO in No 1 tank used to top up the ships bunkers
15 December 1919 signalled the Perim Lloyds Signal Station
24 December 1919 berthed Abadan to load. Chief Officer F Samson RFA discharged sick to Abadan Hospital
26 December 1919 at Outer Bar, Abadan
27 December 1919 sailed Abadan to Bombay
2 January 1920 arrived at Bombay moored to the South Troopship buoy. 4th Engineer E Jones RFA discharged sick to the Military Hospital
4 January 1920 entered the Bombay Dockyard
6 January 1920 while taking out 'tail end' shaft, spar in use as a derrick carried away . Shaft landed heavily on rail and stove in bulwarks in after end, starboard side. No serious damage
7 January 1920 sailed Bombay to Colombo arriving on 11 January 1920
13 January 1920 at Colombo moved alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her - supplied 485 tons FFO
14 January 1920 sailed Colombo to Trincomalee arriving 15 January 1920
15 January 1920 at Trincomalee alongside HMS CAROLINE refuelling her with FFO then to anchorage
HMS CAROLINE
16 January 1920 sailed Trincomalee to Colombo arriving on 17 January 1920
18 January 1920 entered dry dock at Colombo Dockyard
20 January 1920 dry dock flooded up. Ship moved to berth in Dockyard
28 January 1920 at Colombo Dockyard alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her - 340 tons FFO
11 February 1920 at Colombo Dockyard alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her - 300 tons FFO
16 February 1920 crew replaced with RIM Ratings
22 February 1920 sailed Bombay for Abadan arriving 28 February 1920
29 February 1920 loading cargo at Abadan
1 March 1920 sailed Abadan for Bombay arriving 7 March 1920
27 March 1920 Captain Frederick W Rae RFA appointed as Master
1 April 1920 alongside HMS COMUS at Bombay to refuel her - supplied 425 tons of FFO
2 April 1920 sailed Bombay to COLOMBO arriving 6 April 1920
12 April 1920 at Colombo alongside HMS CAROLINE refuelling her then sailed COLOMBO to Bombay arriving 16 April 1920
20 April 1920 HMS COLOMBO and HMS MOTH alongside for refueling
21 April 1920 at Bombay moored alongside HMS CAROLINE to refuel her - 300 tons of FFO and then sailed to Abadan arriving 27 April 1920
1 May 1920 at Abadan - loaded 1,600 tons FFO
5 May 1920 at Shat al Arab - loaded remainder of fuel - full load of 2,088 tons
6 May 1920 sailed Shat al Arab for Colombo. Ship not answering to wheel - defect in steering - starboard anchor let go. Steering repaired. Ship sailed 2 hours late.
15 May 1920 on buoys at Colombo
14 June 1920 at Colombo berthed alongside HMS CURLEW to refuel her - 517 tons FFO - then to Admiralty berth
23 June 1920 at Colombo moored alongside RFA WAR NIZAM to load fuel and stores then to breakwater berth
6 August 1920 at Colombo alongside HMS CAROLINE to refuel her
10 August 1920 at Colombo alongside HMS CAROLINE to refuel her - supplied 291 tons of FFO
11 August 1920 and 12 August 1920 at Colombo with divers from HMS COMUS examining her keel
16 August 1920 Mr Ernest K Horsley RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Ernest K Horsley RFA
16 August 1920 to 30 August 1920 at Colombo divers from HMS CAROLINE inspected the keel of Rapidol
16 September 1920 sailed from Colombo for Trincomalee
18 September 1920 at Trincomalee alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her - 739 tons FFO supplied
28 September 1920 at Trincomalee divers from HMS CAROLINE continued working on Radidol's keel
8 October 1920 off Trincomalee was the target for a cruiser training torpedo attack
11 October 1920 off Trincomalee took HMS COMUS in tow and RASed astern between 1340 and 1700hrs transfered 68 tons of FFO. Also towed HMS CAROLINE and transferred 58 tons of FFO
22 October 1920 at Trincomalee a working party from HMS CAROLINE on board repairing the taget
27 October 1920 at Trincomalee alongside HMS CAROLINE refuelling her with 160 tons of FFO
29 October 1920 at Trincomalee alongside HMS COMUS refuelling her - 504 tons FFO supplied
22 November 1920 at Trincomalee alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her - 128 tons FFO supplied
8 January 1921 at Trincomalee alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her - 277 tons FFO supplied
11 and 12 January 1921 at Trincomalee alongside HMS MALAYA refuelling her
14 February 1921 off Trincomalee subject to training torpedo attack from HMS CAROLINE. One torpedo recovered a second torpedo was lost
20 February 1921 Captain William F Clay RFA appointed as Master
Captain William F Clay RFA
25 February 1921 at Bombay alongside HMS MALAYA refuelling her
8 April 1921 at Bombay alongside HMS CAROLINE refuelling her
5 May 1921 sailed Trincomalee Harbour towing a target
9 May 1921 at Trincomalee alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her - 440 tons FFO supplied
12 May 1921 off Trincomalee towing a target for HMS CAROLINE to fire at
20 May, 1921 at Trincomalee alongside HMS CAROLINE to refuel her
28 May 1921 at Trincomalee alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her - 219 tons FFO supplied
6 June 1921 at Colombo alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her - 138 tons FFO supplied
22 June 1921 at Colombo alongside HMS CAROLINE to refuel her
11 July 1921 at Colombo alongside HMS CAROLINE to refuel her
28 July 1921 berthed at Mauritius alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her - 627 tons FFO supplied
31 July 1921 berthed at Mauritius alongside HMS CAROLINE to refuel her
1 August 1921 sailed Port Louis, Mauritius for Colombo
10 August 1921 at Colombo alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her - 290 tons FFO supplied
11 August 1921 at Colombo alongside HMS CAROLINE to refuel her
12 August 1921 at Colombo alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her - 253 tons FFO supplied
23 August 1921 at Trincomalee alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her - 457 tons FFO supplied
9 September 1921 at Trincomalee alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her - 287 tons FFO supplied
13 September 1921 at Madras
22 September 1921 off Trincomalee HMS CAROLINE in tow and RASed astern transfered 50 tons FFO
10 October 1921 off Trincomalee took HMS COMUS in tow and RASed astern between 0810 and 1145hrs transfered 121 tons of FFO. Returned to harbour, berthed alongside HMS COMUS and supplied a further 314 tons of FFO
22 November 1921 at Bombay alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her - 444 tons FFO supplied
24 November 1921 at Bombay alongside HMS RENOWN to refuel her
HMS RENOWN
9 January 1922 at Bombay alongside HMS RENOWN to refuel her - 699 tons of FFO supplied
24 February 1922 at Colombo alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her
28 February 1922 dressed overall in Colombo Harbour on the occasion of the wedding of Princess Mary, the daughter of King George V and Queen Mary and Viscount Lascelles, later the 6th Earl of Harewood. Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was one of the bridesmaids
23 March 1922 at Colombo alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her
24 March 1922 arrived at Trincomali and anchored
29 March 1922 and 30 March 1922 off Trincomali towed a target for HMS COLOMBO's sub-calibre firing exercise
5 April 1922 berthed alongside HMS COLOMBO
20 May 1922 at the Military Hospital, Bombay Captain William Frederick Clay RFA discharged dead from natural causes
28 May 1922 at Trincomalee alongside HMS RENOWN to refuel her
6 June 1922 at Colombo alongside HMS CAIRO to refuel her
HMS CAIRO
15 June 1922 between Colombo and Trincomalee was the training target of a night attack by HMS CAIRO
4 July 1922 at Colombo as oiler to the East Indies Squadron
14 July 1922 at Colombo alongside HMS CAIRO to refuel her
17 July 1922 at Colombo alongside HMS COLOMBO to refuel her
21 July 1922 at Colombo received returned stores from HMS COLOMBO
24 July 1922 09:00hrs sailed from Colombo
20 August 1922 berthed at Colombo
2 September 1922 off Trincomalee towed target for HMS COLOMBO
6 September 1922 off Trincomalee towed target for HMS COLOMBO's sub-calibre target practice
3 October 1922 arrived at Trincomalee and anchored
5 October 1922 off Trincomalee took HMS CAIRO in tow to RAS with her. Oil transferred over 2 hours 40 minutes. Also towed HMS COLOMBO to RAS with her - 215 tons of FFO supplied
11 October 1922 off Trincomalee towed target for HMS COLOMBO's sub-calibre target practice
13 October 1922 off Trincomalee two runs towing target for HMS COLOMBO's 6" target practice
19 October 1922 at sea off Trincomalee with HMS's CAIRO, COLOMBO and SOUTHAMPTON. Towed a target which was attacked by the cruisers
23 October 1922 at Trincomalee alongside HMS's CAIRO and COLOMBO to refuel them. Supplied 382 tons of FFO to HMS COLOMBO
14 November 1922 arrived at Colombo
18 November 1922 at Colombo alongside HMS COLOMBO to refuel her with FFO
5 January 1923 Mr Alexander D Scott RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Alexander D Scott RFA
5 February 1923 off Trincomalee served as a target for two of HMS CAIRO's torpedo firing trials
10 February 1923 sailed Trincomalee to Colombo arriving the next day
17 February 1923 sailed Colombo
26 February 1923 berthed at Colombo
6 March 1923 sailed Colombo
20 March 1923 and 21 March 1923 off Trincomalee towing a target which HMS COLOMBO fired on
22 March 1923 at Trincomalee berthed alongside HMS COLOMBO embarking stores from the cruiser
24 March 1923 at Colombo alongside HMS CAIRO to refuel her
16 April 1923 at Mahe, Seychelles with HMS COLOMBO alongside her
HMS COLOMBO
20 April 1923 berthed at Port Louis, Mauritius
21 April 1923 at Port Louis, Mauritius alongside HMS CAIRO to refuel her
30 July 1923 at Colombo berthed alongside HMS COLOMBO
17 August 1923 at Colombo alongside HMS CAIRO to refuel her
30 August 1923 at Colombo alongside HMS CAIRO to refuel her
6 September 1923 at Colombo alongside HMS CAIRO to refuel her
12 September 1923 sailed Colombo with HMS COLOMBO
17 September 1923 at Trincomalee with working party onboard from HMS CAIRO painting a target
18 September 1923 at Trincomalee with working party onboard from HMS COLOMBO
28 September 1923 at Trincomalee berthed alongside HMS COLOMBO
3 October 1923 at sea of Trincomalee towing a target for HMS COLOMBO to carry out a 6" full calibre shoot
21 October 1923 sailed Trincomalee
6 November 1923 sailed Colombo
14 November 1923 at Bombay berthed alongside HMS COLOMBO on B2 Buoy
27 November 1923 at Bombay berthed alongside HMS COLOMBO
15 January 1924 arrived at Colombo with 11 ratings for HMS COLOMBO
27 January 1924 at Trincomalee alongside HMS DUNEDIN and refuelled her
19 January 1924 sailed Colombo
20 May 1924 at the Military Hospital, Bombay Captain William Frederick Clay RFA discharged dead from natural causes
17 July 1924 Captain Charles L Cutsforth RFA appointed as Master until 14 November 1926 when he became Master of RFA Slavol
Captain Charles L Cutsforth RFA
21 September 1924 at Trincomalee, Ceylon Oilman Ebrahim Mahomed Jaffer discharged dead from natural causes
13 November 1924 Mr George T Beed RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer George T Beed RFA
8 February 1925 at the General Hospital, Colombo Butler Nasmeuth Noronha discharged dead from natural causes
28 August 1925 sailed Colombo to Trincomalee to refuel HMS HERMES
5 January 1927 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty at Portsmouth Harbour
7 January 1927 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour returning to her berth the next day
27 January 1927 in No: 13 Dock at Portsmouth Harbour
24 May 1927 in No: 3 Basin at Portsmouth Dockyard
5 December 1927 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour returning to her berth the next day
20 January 1928 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
11 February 1928 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
1 March 1928 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
27 March 1928 passed the Lloyds SIgnal Station on the Lizard sailing westwards
5 April 1928 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
11 April 1928 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
1 May 1928 Captain Stanley G Kent RFA appointed as Master
11 May 1928 Mr John H Collings RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer. In post until 3 August 1928
Chief Engineer Officer John H Collings RFA
19 May 1928 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
22 May 1928 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
2 June 1928 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
4 June 1928 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
11 June 1928 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
16 June 1928 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
19 July 1928 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
27 July 1928 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
2 August 1928 Mr George C Dunning RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer George C Dunning RFA
15 September 1928 at 36.59N 9.08W Greaser Edwin Charles Howell discharged dead - found missing from the ship at sea - presumed drowned. Previously he had sailed on RFA SERBOL
Greaser Edwin Charles Howell - lost at sea
16 July 1929 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa as Station Oiler
26 June 1930 sailed Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
18 July 1930 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
21 August 1930 sailed Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
15 September 1930 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
13 December 1930 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
25 June 1931 sailed Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
8 July 1931 Captain Reginald J Harland RFA appointed as Master and Mr Sydney J M Esson RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Captain Reginald J Harland RFA
Chief Engineer Officer Sydney J M Esson RFA
30 July 1931 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
7 September 1931 sailed Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
9 September 1931 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
26 September 1931 sailed Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
6 October 1931 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
July 1933 laid up at Simonstown, South Africa then at Rosyth until 1935
24 May 1934 Mr G A Calvert RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
24 March 1937 Mr Matthew Blair RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
28 August 1938 at Simonstown
24 August 1939 Captain Albert E Curtain RFA (Lieutenant Commander RNR) appointed as Master
25 August 1939 docked at Selborne Graving Dock, Simonstown Dockyard
9 September 1939 undocked from Selbourne Graving Dock, Simonstown Dockyard
27 December 1939 at Simonstown alongside HMS NORFOLK refuelling her
21 February 1940 Mr J Cook RFA appointed as Chief Engineering Officer
29 February 1940 sailed from Simontown Dockyard for gunnery and target towing exercises in False Bay returning to Simonstown on completion
12 March 1940 sailed from Simonstown Dockyard
13 March 1940 as station oiler and with rigid economy in the use of water at Simontown being exercised Rapidol distilled water for her own use, the use of locally based minesweepers and HM Tug St Dogmael
14 March 1940 berthed at Simontown Dockyard and docked at Selborne Graving Dock
15 March 1940 undocked from Selbourne Graving Dock, Simonstown Dockyard
16 March 1940 sailed from Simonstown Dockyard
4 April 1940 at 21.27hrs sailed Cape Town having refuelled HM Transport Queen Mary with 6,498 tons of FFO
5 April 1940 berthed at Simontown Dockyard
6 April 1940 boiler cleaning at Simonstown Dockyard
15 April 1940 sailed from Simonstown Dockyard for Freetown
28 April 1940 arrived at Freetown
29 March 1941 arrived at St. Helena from Freetown while on passage to Simonstown Dockyard
8 April 1941 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard
1 May 1941 sailed Simonstown Dockyard
11 May 1941 sailed Simontown Dockyard for Cape Town at 1530hrs
12 May 1941 arrived at Cape Town at 0540hrs to dock
4 June 1941 sailed Cape Town for St. Helena and Freetown (source Admiralty War Diary for this day)
27 June 1941 in the London Gazette of this day on page 3737 Captain Albert Edward Curtain RFA (Lieutenant Commander RNR) was appointed an Officer of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)
30 August 1941 sailed Freetown in company of the cruiser HMS DUNEDIN and rendezvoused with the battle cruiser HMS REPULSE (source Admiralty War Diary for this date)
5 September 1941 RAS'ed with HMS DUNEDIN
6 September 1941 in an extraordinary incident, HMS DUNEDIN and Rapidol almost collide. Only Dunedin's engines slammed astern avert a disaster
7 September 1941 signalled HMAS NESTOR that she had insufficient FFO to refuel both her and HMS REPULSE. HMAS NESTOR diverted on 8 September 1941 to Bathurst to refuel (source HMAS NESTOR's Report of Proceedings)
15 September 1941 arrived at Freetown in convoy WS11S which she had joined at sea on 8 September 1941
3 October 1941 2nd Engineer Officer Andrew Nicol Porteous RFA and 4th Engineer Officer Cecil Douglas Buchanan RFA both awarded the Polar Medal in Bronze for (in the case of Porteous) services onboard the RRS DISCOVERY and RRS DISCOVERY II during 1925 to 1939 and (in the case of Buchanan) services onboard the RRS DISCOVERY II and RRS WILLIAM SCORESBY also during 1925 to 1939. Awards published in the London Gazette of this day - page 5786 and in AFO4830/1941
6 November 1941 sailed Freetown in convoy SL92 (a convoy from Freetown to Liverpool). On 13 November 1941 joined convoy OS10 a convoy from Liverpool to Freetown arriving Freetown 18 November 1941
19 November 1941 equipped for fuelling escorts, she sailed Freetown with her own escort of the corvette HMS BERGAMOT to join Convoy SL93, transferring to Convoy OS11 with the Freetown Escort Force for the passage back to Freetown - source Admiralty War Diary of this day - page 863
18 January 1942 sailed escorted by HMS JASMINE from Bathurst on orders of C in C South Atlantic
22 January 1942 off Cape Verde Islands while being escorted by HMS JASMINE to refuel HMS RESOLUTION but due to the sea state this was not possible. The vessels moved to south in the lee of Sal Island. The sea state was still unsuitable until the next day when the battleship was refuelled
25 January 1942 refuelled HMAS NORMAN alongside
3 February 1942 arrived off Jamestown, St Helena to refuel three ships before departing the next day
23 February 1942 at Mordeira Bay, Sal Island Cape Verde Islands alongside HMS RESOLUTION to refuel her. HMS VANSITTART followed and was refuelled at the same location on the same date
11 July 1942 at Freetown 3rd Engineer Officer John Alexander Manners discharged dead - drowned
27 July 1942 sailed Freetown escorted by HMS SNOWDROP to St. Helena arriving on 8 August 1942
6 August 1942 refuelled escorts of convoy WS21 near position E (10.10S 8.22W) then HMS SNOWDROP escorted RAPIDOL to position X (6.00S 9.35W) then to position A (7.50N 14.06W) where they were joined by HMS BOREAS. HMS VIMY from Freetown joined at position X. Both HMS's BOREAS and VIMY topped up with fuel and were then detached to join HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH and HMS MAYALA at about 7.00S on 10 August 1942. HMS SNOWDROP continued escorting Rapidol to Freetown though position A eventually returned to Freetown on 19 August 1942. Source Admiralty War Diary of 6 August 1942 page 346
14 September 1942 sailed Freetown in convoy SL 122 arriving the Clyde 5 October 1942
28 October 1942 Captain Robert H Venning RFA appointed as Master and Mr John H Dawe RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Office John H Dawe RFA
7 January 1943 at Southern General Hospital, Glasgow Tindal Sk Abdooraman Malkd Joffer discharged dead - cancer of the larynx and lung
26 January 1943 at Belfast while berthing alongside HMS UNICORN to refuel her badly bent both No: 2 Cutters gantries and damaged the tankers starboard wing of her bridge
7 March 1943 Mr Graham W Martin RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Graham W Martin RFA
28 March 1943 arrived Reykjavik in convoy UR68 which had sailed from Loch Ewe
29 March 1943 at Hvalfjord, Iceland alongside HMS HOWE refuelling her
7 April 1943 at Hvalfjord, Iceland alongside HMS HOWE refuelling her
13 April 1943 at Hvalfjord, Iceland alongside HMS HOWE refuelling her
14 April 1943 at Hvalfjord, Iceland alongside HMS HOWE refuelling her
22 April 1943 at Hvalfjord, Iceland alongside HMS HOWE refuelling her
27 April 1943 at Hvalfjord, Iceland alongside HMS HOWE refuelling her
3 May 1943 at Reykjavik harbour, Iceland - USS Stansbury (DMS8) alongside refuelling - received 50,251 gallons of FFO. Dragged anchor, ran aground on Engey Island but was refloated
8 May 1943 at Havlfjord, Iceland alongside HMS ANSON refuelling her with 382 tons FFO
11 May 1943 at Havlfjord, Iceland alongside HMS ANSON refuelling her
30 May 1943 escorted by HMS Ships LLANDUDNO, BEAUMARIS, ARDROSSAN, and PETERHEAD sailed Hvalfiord for Akureyri. C in C Home Fleet had advised that the Royal Navy required 8,000 tons of FFO plus an operational margin of 2,000 tons to be available at Akureyri between 2 to 11 June 1943
1 June RAPIDOL and escort arrived Akureyri
20 July 1943 at Havlfjord, Iceland alongside HMS ANSON refuelling her with 678 tons FFO
30 July 1943 at Hvalfjord, Iceland alongside HMS LONDON refuelling her
5 August 1943 at Hvalfjord, Iceland alongside HMS LONDON refuelling her
25 November 1943 at Hvalfjord, Iceland alongside USS Forest (DD461) refuelling her - she received 81,480 gallons of fuel oil
20 February 1944 in Operation FX- the passage of Arctic Convoy JW 57 from Loch Ewe to Northern Russia, which consisted of 40 freighters, 2 tankers doubling as oilers, a rescue ship, 3 Russian-manned coastal minesweepers and 3 Patrol Craft being delivered to their new owners
2 March 1944 at Leith
9 March 1944 sailed Reyjavik in convoy RU111 arriving Loch Ewe on 12 March 1944 - escorted by HMT QUADRILLE and HMT COTILLION
3 May 1944 in Belfast Lough with USS Forest (DD461) alongside being refuelled
11 June 1944 sailed the Solent in convoy RTM6 arriving Seine Bay on 12 June 1944
15 June 1944 berthed at Portmouth Harbour and then sailing later in the day to sea
22 June 1944 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
24 June 1944 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour escorted by USS Thompson (DD305) for duty off Utah beach, Normandy
30 June 1944 in Mulberry A, off Omaha Beach, Normandy USS Cormorant (ATO133) alongside to refuel. Also USS ATR-13 alongside to refuel supplied to her 39,497 gallons of fuel oil
2 July 1944 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
4 July 1944 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
5 July 1944 arrived Seine Bay in convoy ECM 22 which had sailed from Falmouth
11 July 1944 during Operation Neptune sailed to Portsmouth Harbour carrying 320 survivors from LST stretcher cases and 86 walking (source Admiralty War diary of this day)
12 July 1944 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
14 July 1944 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
1 August 1944 in Cherbourg Harbour with USS Maloy (DE791) alongside being refuelled. Suffered damage to port side which was repaired at Plymouth between 16 and 23 August 1944.
2 August 1944 at Seine Bay alongside USS Chimo (ACM-1) refuelling her 17,250 gallons of fuel oil supplied
5 September 1944 sailed the Solent in convoy EPM53
16 September 1944 sailed Seine Bay in convoy FBC84 to Portsmouth Harbour arriving 17 September 1944
21 September 1944 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
6 November 1944 Mr William H MacFarlane RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer William H MacFarlane RFA
8 November 1944 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
20 December 1944 Captain William R Parker RFA appointed as Master
17 February 1945 sailed Liverpool in convoy OS111KM which also contained RFA SERBOL and then convoy KMS85G arriving Gibraltar 25 February 1945
25 February 1945 sailed Gibraltar independently to Port Said arriving 4 March 1945
12 March 1945 sailed Suez independently to Aden arriving 17 March 1945
18 March 1945 sailed Aden independently to Colombo arriving on 25 March 1945
9 April 1945 sailed Colombo
1 May 1945 sailed Colombo independently arriving Darwin 14 May 1945
19 May 1945 sailed Darwin 1945 arriving Port Moresby 23 May 1945
23 May 1945 sailed Port Moresby independently arriving Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands 27 May 1945
31 May 1945 the Officer in Charge of the Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands return of RFA ships at the base together with Rapidol were RFA's ARNDALE, BACCHUS (2), BROWN RANGER, CEDARDALE, GREEN RANGER, WAVE EMPEROR, WAVE KING & WAVE MONARCH
30 June 1945 the Officer in Charge of the Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands return of RFA ships at the base together with Rapidol were RFA's BACCHUS (2), BROWN RANGER, GREEN RANGER and WAVE MONARCH
7 July 1945 at Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands with HMAS PIRIE alongside to refuel
HMAS PIRIE
8 July 1945 at Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands with HMAS BENDIGO alongside to refuel
August 1945 was attached to the British Pacific Fleet along with numerous other RFA’s and was finally based at Hong Kong
12 August 1945 at Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands with HMAS's LAUNCESTON and BENDIGO alongside to refuel
30 August 1945 sailed Manus escorted by HMAS's GAWLER, LAUNCESTON and TAMWORTH to Hong Kong from 'Position Cootie' as TU 112.5.5
4 September 1945 RASed with HMAS's GAWLER and LAUNCESTON using the buoyant hose method off Hong Kong
5 September 1945 refuelled HMAS TAMWORTH alongside while at anchor off Basilan Island
9 September 1945 arrived at Hong Kong
From 19 September 1945 to 3 April 1948 in port at Hong Kong
6 November 1946 Captain Rowland K Hill RFA appointed as Master
Captain Rowland K Hill RFA
9 November 1946 Mr C Scott DSC RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
1948 sold out of service to Moller & Co, Hong Kong
22 July 1949 suffered weather damage while on way to Osaka.
1 August 1949 while berthing struck the quay.
28 October 1949 under RN escort entered the Yangste Estuary and ran the Shanghai sea blockade maintained by a Nationalist gunboat to deliver ½ million gallons of diesel oil for Caltex. She claimed to the gun boat that she was RFA Black Ranger
1950 renamed LOUISE MOLLER by her owners
1 June 1950 at San Carlos, Phillipine Islands Quartermaster Lam Kok Sui discharged dead - heart attack
1951 owners became Mount Line Ltd with Mollers as Managers and she was renamed MOUNT CAMERON and was engaged in running the Chinese Blockade in the Formosa Straits to Communist China
17 December 1951 alongside in Singapore Harbour
23 January 1952 alongside in Singapore Harbour
7 June 1952 alongside in Singapore Harbour
12 July 1952 alongside in Singapore Harbour
4 December 1952 alongside in Singapore Harbour
11 March 1953 anchored in the Inner Roads, Singapore
26 March 1953 alongside in Singapore Harbour
10 July 1953 anchored in the Inner Roads, Singapore
2 September 1953 anchored in the Outer Roads, Singapore
26 February 1954 at Hong Kong Captain Robert Cook discharged dead - natural causes
3 October 1955 arrived Hong Kong for demolition by Chip Hua
Notes:
Was part of the British Pacific Fleet Train - hence the B-pennant number
Previous name: Y Ddraig Goch
Subsequent name:
Official Number: 128936
Class: Oil Fuelling Hulk
Pennant No: X81
Laid down:
Builder: Napier & Miller, Old Kilpatrick, River Clyde
Launched: 2 July 1912
Into Service: April 1918
Out of service: 1952
Fate: Scrapped
Items of historic interest involving this ship: -
2 July 1912 launched by Napier & Miller Ltd, Old Kilpatrick as Yard Nr: 186 named Y. DDRAIG GOCH, a large four masted auxiliary 1,400 ton yacht, for Mr Godfrey Williams of Aberpergwm - a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron
25 October 1912 at Swansea registered as Y. DDRAIG GOCH under reference number 13/12 in the Registry
6 April 1913 at Falmouth, Cornwall Seaman Alexander Smith discharged dead - drowned
9 April 1913 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing west
9 April 1913 the Times newspaper published an article on the ship -
28 October 1913 berthed at Port Talbot
April 1918 entered Admiralty service
17 August 1918 Engineer Sub-Lieutenant Frederick L Angus DSM RNR appointed as officer in charge
Sub Lieutenant Frederick L Angus DSM RNR
11 December 1918 and 12 December 1918 at Devonport in No 3 Dock RFA PALMOL alongside pumping over her entire cargo of FFO
1919 used as an oil hulk at Devonport and Dartmouth
19 June 1919 at Devonport HMS CAMBRIAN alongside to refuel
HMS CAMBRIAN
3 February 1920 at Plymouth HMS CICALA berthed alongside to refuel
1 June 1944 at Plymouth USS ATR-13 and USS ATR-54 alongside to refuel. USS ATR-13 received 25,009 gallons of fuel oil and 370 gallons of diesel fuel
21 June 1944 at Plymouth USS Threat (AM-124) and USS Broadbill (AM-58) alongside to refuel
22 June 1944 at Plymouth USS AUK (AM-57) alongside to refuel
13 July 1944 at Plymouth USS Auk (AM57) and USS Broadbill (AM58) alongside to refuel
5 October 1944 at Plymouth USS ATR4 alongside to refuel
17 October 1944 at Plymouth USS Peterson (DE-152) alongside to refuel
USS Peterson (DE-152)
18 October 1944 at Plymouth a US Navy destroyer alongside to refuel
26 October 1944 at Cremyll, Plymouth USS Thornhill (DE195) alongside to refuel
11 November 1944 at Plymouth USS Dale W Peterson and USS Roy O Hale (DE336) alongside to refuel
21 November 1944 at Plymouth USS O'Reilly (DE330) alongside to be refuelled
27 November 1944 at Plymouth USS Thomas J Gary (DE326) alongside to refuel - received 41,352 gallons of diesel oil
3 December 1944 at Jenny Cliff Bay, Plymouth USS Ramsden (DE382) alongside to refuel. Details of this evolution shown copied from her War Diary of the day but submitted on 31 December 1944 -
13 December 1944 at Plymouth USS Thornhill (DE195) alongside to refuel
15 December 1944 at Plymouth USS Rinehart (DE196) alongside to refuel
21 December 1944 at Jenny Cliff Bay, Plymouth USS Clarence L Evans, USS Stewart (DE238) and USS Price (DE332) alongside to refuel
8 January 1945 at Plymouth USS Koiner (DE331) and USS Ricketts alongside to refuel
15 January 1945 at Jenny Cliff Bay, Plymouth USS Sellstrom (DE205) and USS Savage (DE386) alongside to refuel
29 January 1945 at Jenny Cliff Bay, Plymouth USS Earl K Olsen (DE765) alongside to refuel
USS Earl K Olsen (DE765)
7 February 1945 at Jenny Cliff Bay, Plymouth USS Clarence L Evans (DE113), USS Edsall (DE129) and HMCS Mina alongside to refuel
28 March 1952 at Devonport moved from 'moorings' to No 1 buoy by RFA Careful
Notes
It was reported in the Times newspaper of 9 April 1913 that this vessel had an auxiliary engine which ran on gas produced on board from anthracite coal. The vessel had a six cylinder motor of 160 b.h.p. and drived a Bevis feathering propeller through a clutch. A smaller four cyclinder gas-engine drived dynamo which provided electrical power for lighting the ship and working the windlass and other deck machinery. The ship could carry sufficient anthacite to take her round the world under power alone.
Reproduced with permission of the MOD
RFA Regent at Hobart, Tasmania in 1968 © Noel Brown
RFA Regent at Friedrickshgaven in April 1981 © Mark Nugent
Subsequent name: Shahzadelal
Official Number: 305574
Class: REGENT CLASS Armaments Stores Ship
Pennant No: A486
Laid down: 4 September 1964
Builder: Harland & Wolff, Belfast
Launched: 9 March 1966
Into Service: 6 June 1967
Out of service: October 1992
Fate: Sold for breaking up at Alang, India
Items of historic interest involving this ship: -
Background Data: There were two Admiralty-designed ships in this Class and although the order for them was officially announced at the beginning of 1963, it was not until the 13 August that year that the builders were named. They cost a total of £15 million and carried a full range of ammunition and armament stores, with limited stores and provisions. In 1966, this Class became the first RFA’s to be allocated permanent Flights and carried Wessex HU5 helicopters from 829 NAS until April 1987 as they were fitted with full aviation facilities. Affectionately known in the Fleet as Regret and Remorse, their proud boast was that they were designed to sink upright
24 January 1963 ordered as A.E.F.S. 02
8 February 1966 planned launch date delayed
9 March 1966 launched by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast as Yard Nr: 1658 named REGENT.The Lady Sponsor was Mrs Lucy Faulkner, w/o the Northern Ireland Minister of Commerce
18 December 1966 Captain Henry O L'Estrange DSC RD RFA appointed as Master
16 May 1967 in to service
September 1967 at Grand Harbour, Malta
31 July 1968 with RFA TIDEFLOW and RN, RAN and RNZN ships engaged in a 36 hour Exercise - "Bagpipes" - in the practice area off Singapore
1 August 1968 to 5 August 1968 with RFA TIDEFLOW and RN, RAN and RNZN ships engaged in an Exercise - "Slug Pie" - in the practice area off Singapore
13 August 1968 Captain Alexander S McWilliam RFA appointed as Master
Captain Alexander S McWilliam RFA
18 August 1968 to 28 August 1968 together with RFA OLNA (3) and RN and RAN ships engaged in Exercise "Winged Foot" off Penang
21 August 1968 RFA's TARBATNESS and FORT ROSALIE (1) joined in Exercise "Winged Foot" with RFA's OLNA (3) and REGENT
25 November 1968 off Hong Kong RASed with HMAS DUCHESS
December 1968 berthed at Hobart, Tasmania
8 January 1969 at Singapore
14 May 1969 at Falmouth
19 August 1969 Captain Sydney E Clench RFA appointed as Master
13 October 1969 at Plymouth (see note 1)
October 1969 humanitarian aid - received a request from the British cargo ship CYCLOPS which was 200 miles ahead of her in the South Atlantic, for medical assistance for a suspected case of gangrene on a Chinese steward. Her helo transported the patient to REGENT for treatment
21 November 1969 at Singapore
2 January 1970 arrived at Plymouth from Cape Town
5 January 1970 at Plymouth water ship Freshpond alongside supplied 108 tons of water
7 January 1970 at Plymouth NAV Kinterbury alongside - cargo work
13 January 1970 at Plymouth oiler C604 alongside supplying bunkers
15 January 1970 at Plymouth water ship Freshburn alongside supplied 195 tons of water
16 January 1970 at Plymouth water ship Freshburn alongside supplied 210 tons of water
19 January 1970 sailed Plymouth to Portland
21 January 1970 sailed Portland to Gibraltar arriving on 23 January 1970
25 January 1970 to 30 January 1970 involved in exercises in the Gibraltar area
26 January 1970 anchored off Gibraltar until 4 February 1970
5 February 1970 until 6 February 1970 involved in exercises in the Gibraltar area
7 February 1970 anchored off Gibraltar
9 February 1970 moved to Number 50 berth in Gibraltar Harbour
20 February 1970 sailed Gibraltar to Malta arriving 22 February 1970
2 March 1970 sailed Malta to Gibraltar
5 March 1970 berthed at Number 51 berth in Gibraltar Harbour
14 March 1970 Captain Alexander S W McWilliam RFA appointed as Master
25 June 1970 at Plymouth
28 July 1970 while on passage from Cork, Ireland to Swansea, Wales the 40 ton yacht Margaret Mary II with a crew of 7 having had engine failure was towed for 41 miles to safety by the ship to Pembroke Dock - reported in the South Wales Evening Post
10 September 1970 at Plymouth
19 October 1970 berthed at Grand Harbour, Malta
17 February 1971 Captain James D G Gray RFA appointed as Master
4 August 1971 along with RFA OLMEDA she starred in Operation Lymelight - a live BBC TV programme from the English Channel
14 January 1972 at Plymouth
20 January 1972 Wessex HU5 helicopter no: XS513 joined ship as Flight 846 NAS
30 June 1972 at Plymouth
25 August 1972 at Plymouth
25 October 1972 at Rosyth
18 January 1973 on the River Tyne
21 January 1973 Captain Samuel C Dunlop MBE RFA appointed as Master
7 March 1973 on the River Tyne
26 March 1973 humanitarian aid - along with HMS INTREPID, she assisted in fighting a fire aboard the Liberian registered tanker NAESS SPIRIT 60 miles off Brest
1 June 1973 Captain George Robson RFA appointed as Master
8 June 1973 along with RFA TIDESPRING (1) she sailed Portsmouth as part of Task Group 317.1 - the first Group Deployment - led by the cruiser HMS TIGER
20 August 1973 sailed from Singapore to take part in Exercise Green Light with RFA TIDESPRING (1) and RN Units
20 December 1973 at Plymouth
18 January 1974 at Portland
10 July 1974 to 30 July 1974 with RFA OLWEN (2) she supported the carrier HMS HERMES with 41 Commando Royal Marines standing by off Cyprus after a coup d’etat attempt and the subsequent Turkish invasion. Other ships standing by were RFA’s GOLD ROVER and OLNA (3)
13 January 1975 Captain Charles W P Sumner RFA appointed as Master
12 February 1975 Captain Angus Paterson RFA appointed as Master
24 February 1975 at Glen Mallen
23 July 1975 Captain James McLoughlin RFA appointed as Master
22 December 1975 at Portland Dockyard
23 January 1976 anchored off Harstad together with HMS HERMES and RFA PLUMLEAF (2)
30 January 1976 berthed at Amsterdam
6 February 1976 sailed Amersterdam to Plymouth Sound arriving the next day
13 February 1976 sailed Plymouth Sound 'C' Buoy and RAS'ed with HMS BRISTOL
14 February 1976 on 'C' Buoy at Plymouth Sound
18 February 1976 sailed Plymouth Sound. Engines broke down and was towed back into Plymouth Sound
20 February 1976 towed to Number 1 Jetty, Devonport Dockyard for repairs
1 March 1976 on 'C Buoy, Plymouth Sound
9 March 1976 sailed Plymouth Sound for sea trials to check out the ships engines returning to 'C' Buoy, Plymouth Sound
10 March 1976 sailed Plymouth Sound again
21 March 1976 again made fast to 'C' Buoy, Plymouth Sound
29 March 1976 sailed Plymouth Sound on West Atlantic deployment
1 April 1976 passing the Azores
2 April 1976 reversed course so the ships helicopter could deploy to a commercial ship to remove their Chief Cook with a suspected fractured skull for treatment in the Azores
10 April 1976 alongside at Mayport Florida with RFA OLMEDA. The USS Kalamazoo was the host ship
12 April 1976 sailed Mayport and had a Vertrep with HMS ARK ROYAL
13 April 1976 RAS'ed with RFA's OLMEDA and RESOURSE and a Vertrep with HMS ARK ROYAL
14 April 1976 RAS'ed with RFA LYNESS
15 April 1976 berthed alongside in Fort Lauderdale
21 April 1976 sailed Fort Lauderdale sailing east
1 May 1976 arrived Plymouth Sound
3 May 1976 sailed Plymouth Sound and RAS'ed with HMS LONDON. Returned to Plymouth Sound
7 May 1976 sailed Plymouth Sound and anchored in Mounts Bay
8 May 1976 RAS'ed with HMS ANTRIM
9 May 1976 anchored in Cardigan Bay
11 May 1976 in Plymouth Sound
16 May 1976 sailed Plymouth Sound
19 May 1976 RAS'ed with HMS INTREPID
21 May 1976 alongside at Glen Douglas to de-store cargo prior to refit
16 June 1976 sailed Glen Douglas
18 June 1976 in Plymouth Sound
24 June 1976 sailed Plymouth Sound for exercises in the Atlantic returning to anchor on 30 June 1976 in Mounts Bay
2 July 1976 in Plymouth Sound on 'D' buoy
5 July 1976 berthed on number one wharf in Devonport Dockyard
6 July 1976 Captain James G M Coull RFA appointed as Master
9 July 1976 moved and anchored in Plymouth Sound sailing later in the day
11 July 1976 arrived at Harland & Wolff, Liverpool for refit
21 October 1976 at Liverpool
4 November 1976 at Plymouth
4 January 1977 at Plymouth3 February 1977 Captain Gerald E B Harbombe RFA appointed as Master
9 February 1977 at Plymouth
5 April 1977 with RFA OLWEN (2) and RN units anchored at Marsaxlokk, Malta
7 April 1977 Captain James G M Coull RFA appointed as Master
1 July 1977 having sailed from Plymouth on passage across the Atlantic
2 July 1977 off Flores in the Azores
8 July 1977 off Grand Turk
11 July 1977 while on exercises off One Man Cay, Belize
13 July 1977 at Belize Anchorage with engines at 4hrs notice
14 July 1977 sailed from Belize Anchorage
15 July 1977 engines stopped north east of Sandbore Cay
19 July 1977 anchored at Belize anchorage
22 July 1977 anchored 2.2 nmiles off Robinson Point
26 July 1977 on passage to the Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown, Virginia
29 July 1977 berthed at the Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown, Virginia discharging cargo
1 August 1977 Assistant Steward Iain Douglas Blaikie discharged dead from a motor vehicle accident ashore. The ship sailed the Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown, Virginia
10 August 1977 secured to Buoy D at Plymouth Sound. Received 1,352 tons of bunkers and fresh water
11 August 1977 at Plymouth Sound received 48.3 tons of fresh water from PAS Waterfowl
PAS Waterfowl
15 August 1977 at Plymouth Sound received 133 tons of fresh water from PAS Waterfowl
23 August 1977 at Plymouth Sound received 70 tons of fresh water from PAS Waterfowl
29 August 1977 at Plymouth Sound received 98 tons of fresh water from PAS Waterfowl
31 August 1977 at Plymouth Sound received 109 tons of fresh water from PAS Waterfowl
9 September 1977 at Plymouth Sound received 125 tons of fresh water from PAS Waterfowl
15 September 1977 at Plymouth Sound received 202 tons of fresh water from PAS Waterfowl
17 September 1977 sailed Plymouth Sound
19 September 1977 off Cape St Vincent
20 September 1977 arrived in Gibraltar Bay
25 September 1977 off Pantelleria Island later anchored on the Hurd Bank to the east of Malta
4 December 1977 joined a RN & RAN Task Group sailing from Singapore to Western Australia together with HMS TIGER and RFA TIDEPOOL
8 December 1977 together with HMS TIGER and RFA TIDEPOOL and with HMAS STALWART berthed in Fremantle.
18 December 1977 RASed with HMAS SUPPLY
4 May 1978 at Plymouth26 July 1978 Captain Gilbert P Overbury RFA appointed as Master
28 November 1978 and 29 November 1978 in the Mediterranean RASed with HMS ARK ROYAL receiving her ammunition prior to the aircraft carrier's last commission ending
8 May 1979 along with RFA’s BLACK ROVER and OLMEDA sailed Portsmouth as part of Task Group 317.8 led by the guided missile destroyer HMS NORFOLK
3 July 1979 Captain James C Foster RFA appointed as Master
17 June 1980 Captain James A D Bailey RFA appointed as Master
April 1981 at Friedrickshaven
April 1981 deployed together with HMS's BACCHANTE, HMS MINERVA and RFA PEARLEAF (2) on the Armilla Patrol
14 January 1982 Commodore Chief Engineer Officer George S Burnett RFA discharged dead
12 March 1982 at Wallsend, River Tyne
1 April 1982 at Rosyth
2 April 1982 sailed Rosyth for Glen Mallen Jetty
9 April 1982 sailed Glen Mallen Jetty for Plymouth Sound
12 April 1982 arrived at Plymouth Sound. Loaded 1,436 tons pf bunkers. RMAS KINTERBURY berthed alongside loading stores
16 April 1982 still at Plymouth Sound. Loaded a further 515 tons of bunkers
19 April 1982 sailed Plymouth Sound for service during Operation Corporate - the Falkland’s Conflict - with 2 x Wessex 5 helicopters from A Flight 848 NAS embarked
28 April 1982 RASed with RFA PLUMLEAF (2) at 3.30N 16.31W receiving 790 tons of bunker fuel
30 April 1982 anchored off Ascension Island
2 May 1982 sailed from Ascension Island
8 May 1982 entered the TEZ (Total Exclusion Zone) around the Falkland Islands
13 May 1982 RASed with HMS GLAMORGAN and VERTREP with HMS BRILLIANT
15 May 1982 received 249 tons of bunkers
18 May 1982 received 337 tons of bunkers
11 June 1982 anchored at King Edward Cove, South Georgia with STUFT ship m.v. Saxonia berthed alongside
12 June 1982 commenced loading cargo from STUFF ship m.v. Geestport
15 June 1982 sailed King Edward Cove, South Georgia
17 June 1982 returned to anchor at King Edward Cove, South Georgia. Loaded 828 tons of bunkers
RFA Regent at South Georgia during Operation Corporate
28 June 1982 sailed from South Georgia
10 July 1982 at anchor at Port William, Falkland Islands with STUFT ship m.v. Avelona Star berthed alongside
11 July 1982 at anchor at Port William, Falkland Islands with STUFT ship m.v. Lycaon berthed alongside
12 July 1982 at anchor at Port William, Falkland Islands with STUFT ship m.v. Geestport berthed alongside to port
13 July 1982 sailed from Port William, Falkland Islands
31 July 1982 at anchor at Port William, Falkland Islands
2 August 1982 at anchor at Port William, Falkland Islands with STUFT ship m.v. Geestport berthed alongside
3 August 1982 at anchor at Port William, Falkland Islands with RMAS TYPHOON berthed alongside
5 August 1982 at anchor at Port William, Falkland Islands with STUFT ship m.v. Wimpy Seahorse berthed alongside
7 August 1982 at anchor at Port William, Falkland Islands with STUFT ship m.v. Avelona Star berthed alongside
8 August 1982 sailed Port William, Falkland Islands
21 August 1982 at anchor in Berkeley Sound, Falkland Islands
23 August 1982 at anchor at San Carlos Water, Falkland Islands with RFA FORT GRANGE berthed alongside
24 August 1982 received 238 tons of bunker. Sailed San Carlos Water, Falkland Island for Ascension Island
2 September 1982 anchored off Ascension Island. Received 849 tons of bunkers before sailing for the UK
15 September 1982 secured to No. 3 buoy, Firth of Forth on completion of Operation Corporate duties
September 1982 Captain Archie E T Hunter RFA in command
24 September 1982 sailed No. 3 buoy, Firth of Forth for Plymouth Sound
27 September 1982 secured to D Buoy, Plymouth Sound
23 December 1982 Wessex HU5 helicopter no: XS516 – on ships flight, marked with Playboy bunny motif
11 January 1983 at Rosyth
25 May 1983 at Rosyth
25 January 1984 humanitarian aid - along with RFA OLMEDA she transported their doctors across to the container ship KOWLOON BAY and transferred a patient back to RFA REGENT
17 April 1984 at Portland
3 July 1984 at the River Tyne
12 September 1984 Captain Rex A Cooper RFA appointed as Master
20 December 1984 was presented with her Falkland Islands 1982 Battle Honour at Rosyth by Rear Admiral J Burgess LVO, Port Admiral
11 May 1985 Wessex HU5 helicopter no: XS511 – returned from Ascension Is to UK in ship
25 June 1985 at Rosyth
18 August 1985 at Gibralta
12 August 1987 sailed Rosyth for Operation Cimnel - mine clearance operations in the Persian Gulf area
13 May 1988 Captain Peter J Lannin RFA appointed as Master
Captain Peter J Lannin RFA
14 October 1988 back-RASed with HMS SOUTHAMPTON's Naval Armanent stores
13 March 1990 at North Shields. Captain Alan T Roach RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain Alan T Roach RFA
29 August 1990 berthed at Glen Mallan
7 December 1990 at Rosyth and Captain Rex A Cooper RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
7 January 1991 along with RFA OLMEDA, was allocated to the HMS ARK ROYAL Group following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait
8 January 1991 at Plymouth
10 January 1991 sailed UK for service during Operation Granby - the Gulf War - in company with RFA OLMEDA, the carrier HMS ARK ROYAL and the frigate HMS SHEFFIELD
2 March 1991 at Naples
5 July 1992 at Plymouth
October 1992 on the Disposal List at Devonport
6 November 1992 at Glen Mallen
6 January 1993 arrived at Plymouth
15 January 1993 purchased for £870,000 by Treusha Investments Ltd, Singapore and renamed SHAHZADELAL for the delivery run to Indian ship breakers
21 Janury 1993 sailed Devonport under her own power at a speed of 8 knots to conserve fuel and with a crew of just 14
19 February 1993 arrived Alang for demolition
Notes
1. Locations kindly provided by Bosun George Collings RFA (Retired) from his Discharge Book
Ships of the same name
Regent. Brig of 350 bm, 97 x 29 feet, armed with 10 x 12 pdr carronade, 2 x 9 pdr, 2 x 6 pdr. Purchased in 1816. Transferred to the revenue service in 1831.
Regent. “S” class submarine of 1,475 tons, 260 x 30 feet, built by Vickers Armstrong, Barrow and launched on the 11 June 1930. Sunk by a mine in the Taranto Strait on the 16 April 1943.
Battle Honours for this Vessel: MEDITERRANEAN 1940-41