Ships starting with S
Subsequent name: Fairwater
Official Number: 144695
Class: Escort Oiler
Pennant No: A208
Laid down:
Builder: Laings, Deptford Yard, Sunderland
Launched: 29 June 1920
Into Service: 16 January 1940
Out of service: 1947
Fate: Broken Up
Items of historic interest involving this ship: -
Background Data: Around the outbreak of WW2, the Admiralty purchased three old tankers for depot ship and escort oiler work which were manned and managed by their former commercial owners although some RFA personnel were based onboard. None of them served in the post-War Fleet
29 June 1920 launched by Sir James Laing & Sons Ltd, Deptford Yard, Sunderland as Yard Nr: 667 named SCOTTISH AMERICAN for Tankers Ltd, London
August 1920 completed
27 August 1920 sailed Gravesend for Tampico
11 November 1920 sailed Brunswick GA for Tampico
2 December 1920 arrived at Philadelphia while on passage to Tampico
10 December 1920 sailed Newport News to Tampico
29 January 1921 sailed Port Said for Swansea
15 March 1921 arrived Swansea from Brunswick
26 May 1921 arrived at Port Said from Swansea
30 June 1921 arrived at Suez from Abadan
1 July 1921 sailed Port Said for Swansea
21 August 1921 arrived at Abadan from Swansea
26 August 1921 sailed Abadan
4 September 1921 arrived at Aden from Abadan sailing the same day
24 September 1921 arrived at Swansea from Abadan
9 December 1921 arrived at Swansea from Abadan
16 March 1922 arrived at Abadan from Swansea
12 April 1922 the Shields Daily News reported -
24 May 1922 sailed Swansea
29 May 1922 when on passage from Swansea to Abadan passed Gibraltar
5 June 1922 arrived at Port Said
11 June 1922 sailed Aden for Abadan
10 July 1922 sailed Abadan for Suez
20 July 1922 passed Gibraltar
25 July 1922 berthed at Swansea from Abadan
22 August 1923 sailed Port Arthur for Tampico
22 September 1923 at Port Arthur
27 October 1923 at Rotterdam
4 November 1923 sailed Rotterdam
6 November 1923 when on passage to Colon radioed she was 55 nmiles east of Lands End
28 November 1923 sailed Balboa, Panama for Willingmington
25 February 1924 at Rotterdam
25 March 1924 at Rotterdam
11 May 1924 sailed Tampico for LEFO
25 July 1924 to 27 July 1924 while berthed at the Nederlands Petroleum Asphalt Maats dock at Vlissingen, there was an enormous explosion and ensuing fire which caused major damage to the town and which necessitated her removal from the danger area
11 August 1924 passed Bermuda when on passage to Key West
20 August 1924 sailed Tampico
29 October 1924 sailed Tampico for Bayonne
21 December 1924 at Rotterdam
7 January 1925 Captain Percy Daniel appointed as Master
25 February 1925 sailed Tampico
14 July 1925 sailed Tampico for Key West
21 July 1925 when on passage from Tampico for LEFO put into Charlestown SC this day with the main steam pump broken
22 October 1925 at Rotterdam
3 November 1925 when on passage to Bermuda wirelessed Valentia
7 December 1925 passed Key West when on passage for Lands End
3 March 1926 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east bound
4 May 1926 berthed at Thames Haven from Curaçao with two DBS. Captain H B Paterson was the Master
11 January 1927 arrived at Port Said from Southampton when passage to Abadan
18 January 1927 sailed Aden for Abadan
15 February 1927 sailed Port Said
15 March 1927 45 miles east of Niton when on passage to Abadan
21 March 1927 passed Gibraltar sailing east bound for Abadan
27 April 1927 passed Perim when on passage to Swansea
3 June 1927 passed the Lloyds SIgnal Station on the Lizard for Abadan
16 July 1927 passed Perim when on passage to Swansea
15 August 1927 when on passage to St Pedro was 160 miles SW Valentia
3 October 1927 at Panama
25 November 1927 sailed Shanghai for San Pedro
6 January 1929 Assistant Steward John Sidney Allen discharged dead with a prostatic abcess and septicaemia
22 February 1929 berthed at Liverpool from Curaçao with one stowaway passenger
4 June 1929 caught fire while off the coast of Uruguay while on a voyage from Curaçao to Buenos Ayres. The radio was destroyed by fire
7 June 1929 the Yorkshire Evening Post reported that ...
25 December 1929 berthed at Grangemouth from Abadan with a cargo of crude oil
30 December 1929 sailed Grangemouth for Abadan in ballast
6 April 1930 sailed New Orleans for Thames Haven
16 July 1930 sailed Abadan for LEFO
24 December 1930 when on passage to Curacao reported she was 220 nmiles SSW of Valentia
30 December 1930 at 40°36N 16°45W 2nd Engineer Officer William John Pelton discharged dead from heart failure - he was found dead in bed. He had only signed on on 22 December 1930
14 January 1931 sailed Curaçao for Gibraltar
14 February 1931 passed Gibraltar when on passage to Curaçao
1 March 1931 at Trinidad
23 May 1931 at Curaçao
14 July 1931 at the Hospital, Aruba Able Seaman William Foulkes discharged dead with shock following an operation
2 August 1931 when on passage to Hamburg, Germany reported she was 90 miles WSW of Lands End
2 September 1931 sailed Curaçao for Buenos Aires
16 November 1931 berthed at Aberdeen from Curaçao
19 November 1931 arrived at the River Tyne
13 December 1931 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing west bound
30 December 1931 at Curaçao
1932's laid up at Appledore during the Shipping Depression
30 November 1935 at Bideford Magistrates' Court Ships Engineer John Joseph Doyle pleaded Not Guilty to stealing various brass and copper fittings from the ship and another vessel laid up in the River Torridge. He was convicted and sentenced to 6 months hard labour
Press cutting from Western Morning News 2 December 1935
17 May 1936 off Bideford, Devon caught fire - fire confined to oil in the bilges - extinguished - little apparent damage
7 January 1938 when on passage to Curaçao radioed she was 100 nmiles SW of Lands End
11 January 1938 at Barton
4 February 1938 at Curaçao
8 February 1938 sailed Curaçao for LEFO
7 March 1938 at Liverpool
1 April 1938 when on passage to St Kitts for orders radioed she was 150 nmiles SW of Valentia
11 May 1938 berthed at Shellhaven
30 May 1938 at Curaçao
1 June 1938 sailed Curaçao
19 June 1938 passed Gibraltar
22 June 1938 berthed at Spezia
2 July 1938 passed Gibraltar when on passage to Curaçao
18 July 1938 sailed Curaçao for LEFO
31 July 1938 when on passage to Rotterdam radioed she was 100 miles west of Valenta
15 August 1938 when on passage to St Kitts radioed she was 30 south east of Niton
1 September 1938 at Curaçao
5 September 1938 sailed Curaçao for Dakar
17 September 1938 berthed at Dakar
25 September 1938 at Liverpool
7 October 1938 sailed Anadan for LEFO
25 October 1938 when on passage to Rotterdam radioed she was 50 miles west of Niton
11 January 1939 in Mercantile Dry Dock, River Tyne
19 June 1939 in Mercantile Dry Dock, River Tyne
4 October 1939 sailed the River Tyne to Southend arriving 7 October 1939
7 October 1939 sailed Southend in escorted convoy OA 17 until it dispersed on 11 October 1939 and then independently to Trinidad arriving 26 October 1939. The Vice Commodore of the convoy was the ships Master
31 October 1939 sailed Trinidad independently to Freetown arriving on 15 November 1939
19 November 1939 sailed Freetown independently to Trinidad arriving 30 November 1939
4 December 1939 sailed Trinidad independently to Halifax arriving on 16 December 1939
20 December 1939 sailed Halifax in escorted convoy HX13 arrived Scapa Flow on 6 January 1940 with a cargo of FFO
9 January 1940 Convoy HN.7 of 2 British, 19 Norwegian, 5 Swedish, 8 Finnish and 4 Estonian ships departed Bergen escorted by destroyers HMS's KASHMIR, KHARTOUM, KANDAHAR and TARTAR. The destroyer HMS FORESTER departed the Clyde on the 8th and joined the convoy at sea. HMS MAORI departed the Clyde on the 9th to relieve HMS TARTAR HMS's GLASGOW, EDINBURGH and convoy HN.7 arrived safely at Methil on the 12th. HMS KHARTOUM took the west coast section of five ships, and escorted tankers SCOTTISH AMERICAN and RFA ARNDALE to the Clyde arriving 13 January 1940
16 January 1940 purchased by the Admiralty.
29 February 1940 sailed Glasgow independently to Liverpool arriving on 2 March 1940
3 March 1940 sailed Liverpool Bar in escorted Convoy OB 103 along with RFA CEDARDALE - dispersed in the Atlantic and then independently to Trinidad arriving 22 March 1940
21 March 1940 subject to an Admiralty Fleet Order -
25 March 1940 sailed Trinidad independently to Halifax arrived 5 April 1940
10 April 1940 sailed Halifax in escorted convoy HX 34 for Scapa Flow
27 April 1940 while in escorted convoy HX 34 the German submarine U.13 ( Kaptainleutenant Max-Martin Schulte) at 2326hrs torpedoed with one torpedo and damaged her west of Pentland Firth. She was towed to Loch Eribol by decoy ship RFA LOOE (steamer HMS BEAULY) and armed boarding vessel HMS NORTHERN REWARD. Destroyers HMS's DELIGHT, DIANA, IMPERIAL en route to Scapa Flow were diverted to assist on the 28th. minesweeping trawler HMS JUNIPER stood by while 8,200 tons, the entire cargo less 1000 tons of oil, which had been lost, was pumped into the tanker OIL PIONEER for return to Scapa Flow. Transfer was completed on 2 May. The tanker was able to leave Loch Eribol on 5 May with tug ST MELLONS and trawler HMS JUNIPER for North Shields arriving four days later.There were no fatalities.
26 July 1940 Captain Archie N Lough, Chief Engineer Officer Hubert S Law and First Radio Officer Sydney Parcell each awarded a Commendation for services when the ship was torpedoed and damaged. Details appeared in the London Gazette of this date
3 August 1940 sailed from the Tyne To Methil in unescorted Convoy FN240 having been repaired arriving the next day
10 August 1940 sailed Methil in unescorted Convoy FS 248 arrived at Southend on 12 August 1940
15 August 1940 sailed Southend in unescorted Convoy FN 253 to Methil arriving 17 August 1940
26 August 1940 sailed Methil in unescorted Convoy FS 263 to Southend arriving 28 August 1940
29 August 1940 sailed Southend in unescorted Convoy FN 266 to Methil arriving 31 August 1940
6 September 1940 sailed Methil in unescorted Convoy FS 274 to Southend arriving the next day
19 October 1940 sailed Southend in unescorted Convoy FN 312 to Methil arriving on 21 October 1940
26 October 1940 sailed Methil in unescorted Convoy FS 320 to Southend arriving 28 October 1940
15 November 1940 sailed Southend in unescorted Convoy FN 335 to Methil along with British Lady arriving 17 November 1940
27 December 1940 sailed Reykjavik in convoy RU 2 unescorted to Loch Ewe arriving 1 January 1941
1941 to 1944 served as an RFA Escort Oiler
5 January 1941 sailed Southend in Convoy FN 376 to Methil arriving 7 January 1941
7 January 1941 sailed Methil in Convoy FS 381 to Tyne unescorted arriving 9 January 1941
9 January 1941 sailed the Tyne in Convoy FN 378 to Methil unescorted arriving the next day
3 February 1941 sailed Methil in Convoy FS 403 to the Tyne unescorted arriving the next day
10 February 1941 sailed the Tyne in Convoy FN 403 to Methil unescorted arriving the same day
29 March 1941 sailed Methil in Convoy FS 450 to the Tyne unescorted arriving the next day
10 April 1941 under repair at Newcastle - completed on 24 April 1941
9 May 1941 sailed the Tyne in Convoy FN 464 to Methil arriving 11 May 1941
14 May 1941 sailed Methil in Convoy FS 489 to the Tyne arriving 15 May 1941
17 May 1941 sailed the Tyne in CXonvoy FN 467 to Methil arriving 18 May 1941
22 May 1941 sailed Methil in Convoy FS 496 to Southend arriving 24 May 1941
29 May 1941 sailed Southend in Convoy EC 26 to the Clyde arriving 3 June 1941
5 June 1941 sailed Methil in Convoy FS 508 to Spurn Head arriving the next day
6 June 1941 sailed Spurn Head and rejoined Convoy FS508 arriving at Southend on the next day
10 June 1941 sailed Southend in Convoy FN 478 to Methil arriving 12 June 1941
16 June 1941 sailed Methil in Convoy FS 508 to Southend via Spurn Head arriving the 18 June 1941
23 June 1941 sailed Southend in Convoy EC 37 to Methil arriving 24 June 1941
28 June 1941 sailed Methil in Convoy FS 528 to Southend via Spurn Head for Immigham arriving the 30 June 1941
5 July 1941 sailed Southend in Convoy EC 42 for Invergordon arriving 8 July 1941
11 July 1941 sailed Invergordon in Convoy WN 151 to Methil arriving 13 July 1941
13 July 1941 involved in a collision - further details unknown
18 July 1941 sailed Methil in Convoy FS 545 to Southend arriving on 20 July 1941
25 July 1941 sailed Southend to the Tyne in Convoy EC50 arriving the next day
29 July 1941 entered Newcastle for repairs
11 September 1941 sailed the Tyne and joined Convoy FN 561 to Methil arriving the same day
28 September 1941 sailed Methil in Convoy EC 78 (a Clyde bound Convoy) to Kirwall arriving the next day
1 October 1941 sailed Kirkwall in Convoy EC 79 to Loch Ewe arriving the next day
9 October 1941 arrived Hvalfjord, Iceland as part of Convoy ON 23 for fleet attendance duties and subsequently for use as a hulk when new storage was completed
25 October 1941 sailed Hvalfjord escorted to Reykjavik arriving the next day. Her cargo amounted to 7629 tons of FFO
28 November 1941 HMS SOREL alongside being refuelled
29 November 1941 still with HMS SOREL alongside in gale force winds she dragged her anchor grounded on the north shore of Hvalfjord some 5 miles inside the boom and 2½ miles to the seaward of the western end of the Fleet anchorage which was at the head of the Fjord. The ship was damage with a hole in No: 3 port tank with about 8 tons of FFO leaking. HMS SOREL cast off. HM Rescue Tug TENACITY attended and towed the ship from the position where she had grounded to a safe anchorage. The ships tanks were trimmed and she was brought onto an even keel
HM Rescue Tug TENACITY
7 December 1941 reported by NOB Iceland as being at Hvalfjord with RFA WAR BHARATA
27 December 1941 sailed Reykjavik in convoy RU 2 to Oban and then joined Convoy WN 225 to Methil arriving 2 January 1942
7 January 1942 sailed Methil in Convoy FS 693 unescorted to the Tyne arriving the next day
6 February 1942 sailed the Tyne and joined Convoy FN 624 to Methil arriving the next day
8 February 1942 sailed Methil in Convoy EN 44 to Loch Ewe arriving 10 February 1944
17 February 1942 sailed Loch Ewe in Convoy UR 13 to Reykjavik arriving on 22 February 1942
20 March 1942 sailed Reykjavik in Convoy PQ13 to Murmansk as Escort Oiler arriving on 31 March 1942. RFA OLIGARCHl was in the same convoy
21 May 1942 sailed Kola Inlet in Convoy QP 12 to Reykjavik as Escort Oiler arriving on 29 May 1942
24 November 1942 sailed Reykjavik escorted to Seidisfjord ariving the 26 November 1942
5 March 1943 sailed Sidisfjord escorted to Hvalfjord arriving 7 March 1943
7 March 1943 at Hvalfjord with HMS's WATCHMAN and ROCKINGHAM alongside being refuelled
28 March 1943 sailed Hvalfjord escorted to Reykjavik arriving the next day
30 March 1943 sailed Reykjavik in Convoy RU 68 to Loch Ewe with RFA BELGOL and then in Convoy WN 411 to Methil arriving 6 April 1943
9 April 1943 sailed Methil in Convoy FS 1085 to the Tyne arriving the next day
25 June 1943 sailed the Tyne and joined Convoy FN 1056 to Methil arriving the next day
27 June 1943 sailed Methil in Comvoy EN 248 to Loch Ewe arriving 29 June 1943
4 July 1943 sailed Loch Foyle and joined Convoy ONS 12 as Escort Oiler to Halifax and then Cape Cod Canal arriving 20 July 1943
30 July 1943 sailed Halifax in convoy SC 138 as Escort Oiler to Belfast Lough arriving 12 August 1943
12 August 1943 sailed Belfast Lough independently to Milford Haven arriving on 14 August 1943
16 August 1943 sailed Milford Haven and joined Convoy KMS 24 G to Gibraltar as escort oiler arriving on 30 August 1943
7 September 1943 sailed Gibraltar in Convoy OS 54 as escort oiler. Detached to join Convoy SL 136 as Escort Oiler. Returned to Gibraltar on 15 September 1943
22 September 1943 sailed Gibraltar in Convoy GC38 to Casablanca arriving the next day escorted by HMS ISIS and USS PC 482
24 September 1943 and 25 September 1943 at Casablanca with USS Niobrara (AO72) alongside engaged in a pump over - 44,637 barrels of oil transfered
USS Niobrara (AO72)
25 September 1943 completed pump over with USS Niobrara (AO72)
27 September 1943 sailed Casablanca and joined Convoy OS 55 as escort oiler until detached to Convoy SL 137 as escort oiler arrived Gibraltar 6 October 1943
8 November 1943 sailed Gibraltar to join Convoy OS 57 as escort oiler to Freetown arriving 19 November 1943
22 November 1943 sailed Freetown in Convoy SL141 together with MKS 32 as escort oiler arriving the Clyde 16 December 1943
4 January 1944 sailed the Clyde and joined Convoy OS64KM / KMS38G as escort oiler arriving at Gibraltar 17 January 1944
22 January 1944 sailed Gibraltar in Convoy MKS 37G as escort oiler and then joining Convoy KMS 40G arriving atGibraltar 7 February 1944
7 February 1944 under repair at Gibraltar - completed 21 February 1944
21 February 1944 sailed Gibraltar and joined Convoy OS69KM / KMS43G as escort oiler returning to Gibraltar on the 6 March 1944. HMS SALVONIA (to become RFA SALVONIA) was also in this convoy
22 March 1944 sailed Gibraltar for convoy escort oiler duties in the Atlantic returning to Gibraltar on 6 April 1944
21 April 1944 sailed Gibraltar for convoy escort oiler duties in the Atlantic returning to Gibraltar on 6 May 1944
20 May 1944 sailed Gibraltar for convoy escort oiler duties in the Atlantic returning to Gibraltar on 6 June 1944
9 June 1944 at Gibraltar Dockyard under going repairs which were completed on 19 June 1944
20 June 1944 sailed Gibraltar for convoy escort oiler duties in the Atlantic returning to Gibraltar on 4 July 1944
10 July 1944 sailed Gibraltar for convoy escort oiler duties in the Atlantic returning to the Clyde on 21 July 1944
11 August 1944 sailed the Clyde for convoy escort oiler duties in the Atlantic returning to New York on 28 August 1944
31 August 1944 sailed New York City in convoy HX306 as escort oiler to Londonderry arriving on 17 September 1944
30 September 1944 sailed Londonderry for convoy escort oiler duties in the Atlantic returning to New York and then onwards to Cape Cod Canal on 15 October 1944
19 October 1944 sailed New York independently to Hampton Roads arriving the next day
22 October 1944 sailed Hamnpton Roads independently to New York arriving the next day
25 October 1944 sailed New York independently to Boston arriving the next day
29 October 1944 sailed Boston in convoy BX131 to Halifax arriving 31 October 1944
2 November 1944 sailed Halifax for convoy escort oiler duties in the North Atlantic returning to Londonderry on 16 November 1944
29 November 1944 sailed Londonderry for convoy escort oiler duties in the North Atlantic to Halifax (see below)
22 December 1944 suffered heavy weather damage during the voyage from Londonderry to Halifax under repair at Halifax until 16 February 1945
3 January 1945 Bosun Charles Drew awarded the British Empire Medal (Civil Division) in the New Years Honours List 1945 - details published in the London Gazette of this date
16 February 1945 sailed Halifax in Convoy SC167 as Escort Oiler arriving at Liverpool 2 March 1945
8 March 1945 sailed Methil in Convoy EN 479/2 to Loch Ewe arriving 10 March 1945
12 March 1945 sailed Liverpool in Convoy ONS 44 as Escort Oiler - arrived Halifax 31 March 1945
4 April 1945 Able Seaman James Armistice Scott discharged dead. He is buried in Tynemouth (Preston) Cemetery - section J R C Grave 2773
Courtesy and © of The War Graves Photographic Project
6 April 1945 sailed Halifax in Convoy SC 172 as Escort oiler to Liverpool arriving 22 April 1945
25 April 1945 undergoing repairs at the Clyde which were completed on 1 May 1945
2 May 1945 sailed the Clyde in Convoy ONS 49 as Escort Oiler. Arrived Halifax 18 May 1945 and then in convoy XB164 to Cape Cod Canal arriving on the 19 May 1945
30 May 1945 sailed New York independently to Ostend arriving on the 14 June 1945 and then to Rotterdam arriving the next day
19 June 1945 sailed Rotterdam independently to Falmouth arriving on 21 June 1945
21 June 1945 further repairs undertaken on the ship completed on 23 June 1945
23 June 1945 sailed Falmouth independently to New York arriving on 6 July 1945
12 July 1945 sailed New York independently to Port Arthur, Texas arriving on 21 July 1945
23 July 1945 sailed Port Arthur, Texas independently to Tampa, FL arriving on 26 July 1945
29 July 1945 sailed Tampa, FL independently to Newhaven arriving on 10 August 1945
12 August 1945 sailed Newhaven independently to Tuxpan arriving 22 August 1945 then to New York arriving 30 August 1945
1 September 1945 sailed New York independently to Tampa, FL arriving 10 September 1945
14 September 1945 sailed Tampa, FL independently to Havana, Cuba arriving 16 September 1945
19 September 1945 sailed Havana, Cuba independently to New York arriving 1 October 1945
4 October 1945 sailed New York independently to Curacao arriving 11 October 1945
12 October 1945 sailed Curacao independently to Sheerness arriving 31 October 1945 then to London arriving 2 November 1945
16 October 1945 Captain James Domonic Donovan OBE awarded Commendation for Brave Conduct, Chief Officer Ernest Charles Scales appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for oiling operations in the North Atlantic - details were published in the London Gazette of this day
11 June 1946 arrived River Tyne from Rosyth
12 June 1946 at Smith Dock, River Tyne for repairs
15 June 1946 at the North Shields Shipping Office discharged the crew and signed on a new crew
20 June 1946 sailed the River Tyne for Curacao
24 February 1947 at 17°18N 54°38W Donkeyman Robert Blyth Fleming discharged dead - natural causes
27 March 1947 passed the Dover Signal Station sailing west
1947 resold to her former owners, name unchanged
26 July 1947 arrived at Santiago from Liverpool
21 January 1948 at Nuevitas Bay, Cuba Engineroom Storekeeper James Henry Burger discharged death with myocardial failure
20 February 1948 at Saltend, Hull discharging cargo
15 May 1948 Pumpman Bruno Beaumont discharged dead by asphyxiation by molasses gas accelerated by chronic bronical congestion
1949 - purchased by Cia Atlantica y Pacifica S.A, Panama and renamed FAIRWATER
2 December 1953 the Sunderland Daily Echo reported that -
18 January 1954 arrived Trieste for breaking up.
"RFA" Surf Pilot
Previous name: Kuroshio Maru, Yung Hao, HMS Yung Hao
Official Number: 45674 as YUNG HAO
Laid down: 21 January 1938
Builder: Harima Zosensho KK, Harima, Tokyo
Launched: 8 December 1938
Into Service: Never entered RFA service
Out of service:
Fate: March 1960 - broken up (but see below)
Items of historic interest involving this ship: -
Background Data: Two sister ships in this Class (RFA Surf Patrol and RFA Surf Pioneer) were originally ordered by Polish owners and both were commandeered by the Admiralty during the Korean War. They were initially used mainly for charter work, then carried Admiralty cargoes for a short while before being placed in reserve. There was to have been a third ship in this Class, to have been named SURF PILOT, which was also requisitioned by the Admiralty during the Korean War to prevent her being used by the Communists. She however commissioned instead as a tender to HMS TERROR at Singapore, before being laid up in very poor condition and she was never used by the RFA
8 December 1938 launched
28 February 1939 completed by Harima Zosensho KK, Harima as Yard Nr 264 named KUROSHIO MARU for Tyugai Kaiun KK, Tokyo or Chigai Kisen KK, Tokyo
15 August 1941 requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy
22 August 1941 undergoes conversion at Tama Zosen shipyard
5 September 1941 registered as an auxiliary oil transport in the Sasebo Naval District
17 October 1941 completes conversion. Later, attached to the Combined Fleet
30 November 1941 sails Sasebo
8 December 1941 at Pulau Condore Island, Indochina on replenishment duty
28 December 1941 arrives at Mako
5 January 1942 sails Mako
16 February 1942 berths Sasebo, then to Kawasaki shipbuilding, Kobe. Undergoes refit . Assigned to the Ministery of the Navy
30 March 1942 Imperial Japanese Navy charter is terminated. Chartered by the Imperial Japanese Army Later enters dock at Harima ZoseC
September 1942 employed on feeder service for Imperial Japanese Army between Singapore and Sumatra
18 December 1942 sails Saeki in Transportation Movement No. 8
10 January 1943 arrives at Rabaul
5 March 1943 at anchor at Palembang
7 March 1943 sails Palembang
9 March 1943 berths at Singapore
19 March 1943 arrives at Palembang probably from Singapore accompanied by tanker KIKUSUI MARU
18 April 1943 arrives at Palembang
21 April 1943 sails Palembang
22 April 1943 berthed at Singapore
1943 ownership transferred to Towa Kisen K.K
15 June 1943 sails Sasebo
18 June 1943 at Takao
4 July 1943 sails Singapore in convoy No. 615 escorted and consisting of KUROSHIO, KINUGASA, KIRISHIMA, OMUROSAN, TEIKO, KACHIDOKI, AKI and MIIKE MARUs
5 July 1943 at Miri, Borneo
6 July 1943 at St Jacques, Indochina sailing the next day
11 July 1943 at Mako; sails the day and arrives at Takao
17 July 1943 at Ujina. Later docked for repairs by Hitachi Zosen
27 December 1943 sails Osaka
28 December 1943 at Iwakuni. Loads 12 aircraft on board and sails to Iwakuni
29 December 1943 arrives at Moji. Loads troops and military cargo
31 December 1943 sails Moji in convoy HI-29 escorted by kaibokan SADO
4 January 1944 convoy HI-29 arrives at Takao
6 January 1944 convoy HI-29 sails to Manila
9 January 1944 convoy HI-29 arrives at Manila
10 January 1944 sails Manila
16 January 1944 berths at Singapore. Loads amphibious troops and military cargo, and 16,000 cubic liters of crude oil
25 January 1944 sails Singapore for Moji in convoy HI-32 escorted by escort carrier CHITOSE and destroyer YUKIKAZE
4 February 1944 berths at Moji and loads water
5 February 1944 berths at Omishima. Discharges 16,000 cubic liters crude oil and 3000 cubic liters of fuel oil
7 February 1944 sails Omishima
8 February 1944 berths at Iwakuni. Loads 3,000 cubic liters of fuel oil and 10 aircraft
11 February 1944 sails Iwakuni for Moji
16 February 1944 sails Moji for Singapore in convoy HI-45 escorted by destroyer SHIOKAZE.
21 February 1944 suffers engine trouble and is detached for Takao, Formosa
28 February 1944 sails Takao in convoy HI-47 escorted by Kaibokan ETOROFU, SADO and IKI
5 March 1944 berths at Singapore and loads amphibious troops and military cargo, and 16,500 cubic liters of crude oil
11 March 1944 sails Singapore for Moji in convoy HI-48 escorted by kaibokan MIYAKE, SHIMUSHU and IKI
14 March 1944 berths at Van Phong Bay, French Indochina
15 March 1944 sails Van Phong Bay - suffers an engine breakdown and has to put into St Jacques
20 March 1944 sails St Jacques
24 March 1944 berths at Manila
27 March 1944 sails Manila
30 March 1944 berths at Takao and loads water
1 April 1944 sails Takao
2 April 1944 arrives at Mako
4 April 1944 sails Mako as part of convoy HI-50 escorted by destroyer SHIOKAZE and Kaibokan SADO
8 April 1944 berths at Iwakuni (Marifu refinery). Discharges 16,500 cubic liters of crude oil
12 April 1944 sails Iwakuni (Marifu)
14 April 1944 berthed at Omishima. Loads 3500 cubic litres of fuel oil
15 April 1944 sails Omishima and arrived at Iwakuni the same day. Loads 3500 cubic litres of fuel oil
18 April 1944 sails Iwakuni and berths at Kobe the same day
9 July 1944 refit completed - undocked. Sails Kobe and arrives at Iwakuni
10 July 1944 loads 10 aircraft and 300 tons of aircraft spares
12 July 1944 sails Iwakuni and arrives at Moji and loads 3,000 drums and embarks 483 IJA soldiers
13 July 1944 sails Moji for Singapore in convoy HI-69 escorted by escort carriers TAIYO and KAIYO, light cruiser KASHII and kaibokan CHIBURI, SADO, CD-7 and CD-17. TAIYO and KAIYO are loaded with aircraft for Luzon. SHINYO conducts air patrols
20 July 1944 berthed at Manila
25 July 1944 sails Manila for Singapore in HI-69 escorted by escort carrier SHINYO, light cruiser KASHII and kaibokan CHIBURI, SADO, CD-7, CD-9, CD-13 and CD-17
31 July 1944 berthed at Singapore and loads 14,590 cubic litres of fuel oil
4 August 1944 sails Singapore for Moji in convoy HI-70 escorted by escort carrier SHINYO, light cruiser KASHII, destroyer SHIMOTSUKI and kaibokan CHIBURI, SADO, CD-13 and CD-19
15 August 1944 berthed at Moji and discharges cargo
19 August 1944 sails Moji
20 August 1944 berthed at Iwakuni. Loads 8 aircraft and military equipment. The same day, sails Iwakuni and arrives at Ujina. Loads water
21 August 1944 sails Ujina
22 August 1944 berthed at Moji. Loads 250 tons of cement and 380 passengers
25 August 1944 sails Moji for Singapore in convoy HI-73 escorted by escort carrier UNYO, light cruiser KASHII and kaibokan CHIBURI, CD-1, CD-13, CD-19, CD-21 and CD-27. she carries 47 passengers
30 August 1944 berths at Takao, Formosa. apparently with engine trouble
14 September 1944 sails for Singapore with other ships escorted by escort carrier SHINYO, flying boat tender AKITSUSHIMA, DesDiv 30’s YUZUKI and UZUKI and kaibokan KANJU, MIYAKE and MANJU
20 September 1944 suffer engine problems, but the convoy remains intact
22 September 1944 berths at Singapore and loads 12,000 tons of oil, materials and troops
2 October 1944 sails Singapore for Moji in convoy HI-76 escorted by escort carrier SHINYO and kaibokan DAITO, KANJU, MANJU, MIYAKE, KURAHASHI, CD-9 and CD-28 and torpedo boat HIYODORI
10 October 1944 after receiving reports of an American task force striking Okinawa, convoy HI-76 diverts to Samah, Hainan Island
11 October 1944 arrives at Samah
18 October 1944 the convoy now escorted by escort carrier SHINYO and kaibokan KANJU, CD-8 and CD-32
21 October 1944 sails Mako for Moji
11 November 1944 at Singapore which suffered Allied air attacks - loads 11,500 tons of crude oil and 2,000 tons of machine oil
17 November 1944 sails Singapore in convoy HI-80 escorted by light cruiser KASHII (F), with Rear Admiral Yoshitomi Setsuzo, C-in-C, 5th Escort Group embarked, kaibokan MANJU, NOMI, KASADO, MIYAKE, UKURU, CD-17, CD-23 and CD-51 and minelayer NIIZAKI
4 December 1944 convoy HI-80 arrives at Sasebo and later at Moji
7 December 1944 sails Moji
11 December 1944 berthed at Kobe and later that day at Hikoshima
12 December 1944 enters dock at Kawasaki Heavy Industries for engine repairs
26 December 1944 undocked
27 December 1944 sails Kobe
31 December 1944 sails Moji in convoy HI-87 on the first part of its route via Formosa to Hong Kong and Singapore escorted by destroyers YUKIKAZE, SHIGURE, HATAKAZE and DesDiv17’s HAMAKAZE and ISOKAZE and kaibokan MIKURA, YASHIRO, KURAHASHI and CD-13. Light carrier RYUHO provides air cover
3 January 1945 the convoy anchors temporarily in the Chusan Islands group because of the threat of air attacks on Formosa
5 January 1945 convoy HI-87 departs the Chusan Islands anchorage
9 January 1945 sunk by US carrier-based aircraft at 22°00N, 120°05E in Takao harbour
1 May 1945 removed from the Army List
1946 salvaged and repaired
1947 allocated as a Prize to China for operation by China Merchants Steam Navigation Co, Shanghai. Repaired and rebuilt by Hong Kong & Whampoa Dockyard under ownership of China Tanker Co Ltd
1950 re-entered service named YUNG HAO for the above owners although she was claimed by the People’s Republic of China
12 March 1951 Hong Kong Government holds an emergency Cabinet meeting concering this ship.
16 March 1951 Communist Chinese People's Government Minister for Communications declare that this ship is their property and the British Government would be held accountable for any interference in her movements. The CIA top secret report and cleared for public viewing on 3 January 2002 comments that the ship was manned by a Communist crew and had previously made an unauthorised attempt to sail from Hong Kong and had been detained by the British authorities. A nominal fine had been paid.
12 April 1951 Yung Hao, was requisitioned in Hong Kong to prevent her being used by the Communists by order from the Governor of Hong Kong. Acting on the requisition order the Dockyard Police boarded her - Operation Winkle. The Dockyard Tug Freedom berthed alongside the tanker at 12.02pm The crew and Captain W Y Tsoo offered no resistance. By 1.31pm the crew had packed their possesions and the Chinese flag was lowered by the Deputy Superintendent of the Marine Police. At 2.03pm the crew were leaving the ship. At 2.10pm a Royal Navy Passage crew had boarded the ship. At 3.45pm the Marine Police were clear of the vessel
reported in The Mercury newspaper, Tasmania
13 April 1951 she was found to be missing parts of her main engine preventing her sailing under her own power so she was towed to Singapore by RFA SALVALOUR under escort by HMS CHARITY. At 7.15am under way while under tow. At 7.30am was clear of the Harbour. At 10.50am the ocean tow commenced. At 2.15pm the Yung Hao was clear of Colonial waters. During the tow the SALVALOUR and HMS CHARITY were RAS'ed by RFA BROWN RANGER
HMS CHARITY
13 April 1951 subject to questions being asked in the UK Parliament (reported in Hansard) - the vessel had been seized on directions of the Governor of Hong Kong. It was reported that had the vessel been released it might well have been of assistance to the Chinese and North Korean troops by carrying oil in furtherance of the Korean campaign in which they are fighting the United Nations, including British Forces. In view of the security risks to our own and other United Nations Forces it was important, therefore, not to allow the vessel to proceed to China. The Governor of Hong Kong had power simply to detain the vessel or alternatively to requisition it. In view of our own requirements he decided to requisition
19 April 1951 The Newcastle Sun, an Australia newspaper reported ...
24 April 1951 arrived Singapore where it was reported that she was to be made fit to proceed to the UK for eventual service as as a RFA Station Tanker to be renamed SURF PILOT
9 May 1951 instead she was commissioned as tender to HMS TERROR for service in Singapore. It was planned for her to sail to Trincomalee, Ceylon with a load a cargo of FFO and be commissioned as HMS YUNG HAO to facilitate her passage through the Suez Canal to Portsmouth. Her initial crew was 7 Officers and 71 ratings. Discussion in London were underway for the ship to be renamed as SURF PILOT and possibly be run taken over by the RFA
16 May 1951 sailed Singapore for sea trials. Due to an engine defect off Changi towed back to Singapore Dockyard by three tugs
23 May 1951 sailed Singapore on her 2nd sea trial. Due to her engine bearings over heating off Changi she was towed back to Singapore Dockyard
29 May 1951 sailed Singapore on her 3rd sea trials which were largely successful
31 May 1951 sailed Singapore for Trincomalee, Ceylon but suffered an engine defect off Ponggol Point and returned to Singapore Dockyard
3 June 1951 sailed Singapore initally for Penang at 7 knots
4 June 1951 suffered an engine defect and anchored off Tanjong Tohor - the defect was repaired
5 June 1951 sailed
6 June 1951 suffered a further engine defect and anchored NW of Port Swettenham
10 June 1951 sailed from her anchorage in the company of the Admiralty tug Enigma but suffered further engine defects resulting in her being towed back to Singapore Dockyard
Admiralty tug Enigma
3 July 1951 after reducing the crew to care and maintenance the remainder were returned home on the SS Empire Halladale
SS Empire Halladale
1958 her future was listed as “under consideration“
March 1960 was scuttled off the coast of Malaya at 2°33′N 104°40′E
5 June 1987 an agreement between the British Government and the Government of the People's Republic of China was signed in Beijing, part of which dealt with mutual historical property claims relative to various matters including the requisitioning of the tanker Yung Hao. The agreement reached a final and comprehensive settlement of all claims between the two countries.
21 October 2011 reported that the ship had, in fact, been sunk off Pulau Aur, Malaysia and is currently being dived on by social divers
Enquiries into this continue at the National Archives - TNA050075135
Subsequent name: Vestervåg
Official Number 187356
Class: GATLING CLASS Armament Stores Carrier
Pennant No: A 375
Laid down:
Builder: Lobnitz & Co Ltd, Renfrew
Launched: 16 November 1945
Into Service: 1946
Out of service: May 1964
Fate: Sunk 24 December 1971
Items of historic interest involving this ship: -
Background Information: - One of a group of five coasters which were not normally classed as RFA’s They are included here as the ancestors of the more modern ammunition ships These five ships were designed by the Director of Naval Construction to the requirements of the Naval Armament Department. They were designed for Pacific Operations to carry ammunition from larger ships offshore which were of too deep a draught to go close inshore to the coastal areas or small harbours and had their bottoms strengthened to permit grounding when loaded if required. This was a 1943 plan connected with a future invasion of Japan. As there was no requirement to carry large naval guns they were provided with two cargo holds. The order for them was placed in October 1944 and none of them was completed before the end of hostilities, which meant that only one of them (GATLING) was needed to proceed to the Far east to assist in the rehabilitation of Singapore. GATLING and NORDENFELT were completed to mercantile standards and were registered and classed with Lloyds Register and were run on National Maritime Board conditions, while the other three were on “Yard Craft” Dockyard agreements and were completed with naval style accommodation
16 November 1945 launched by Lobnitz & Co Ltd, Renfrew as Yard Nr: 1088 named SNIDER
1946 completed with naval-type accommodation
26 November 1947 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing west
9 December 1947 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east
28 November 1948 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east
1 September 1949 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing west
9 September 1949 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east
16 September 1949 arrived Portsmouth from Devonport
3 November 1949 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing west
12 December 1949 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east
20 January 1950 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing west
29 July 1950 arrived at Portsmouth Harbour from Plymouth
11 January 1951 passed Saint Catherines Point sailing east bound
March 1951 used to dump 25 tons of unserviceable ammunition in the Hurds Deep, off the Channel Island. Details given in an answer to a question in the House of Commons on 17 April 1951 and reported in Hansard
18 June 1952 sailed Portsmouth Harbour
24 February 1956 chartered by Island Shipping Co at Gurnsey for 6 months - Captain C Bott from Gurnsey appointed as the ships Master
6 June 1961 at Portland alongside HMS GRAFTON supplying Naval Ammunition
14 May 1964 purchased for £7,777 by Solent Power Units, Southampton
13 October 1964 removed from the Yard after sale
1966 owners now Nils Hummelsund, Bergen and renamed VESTERVAG
24 December 1971 in a storm capsized and sank 14 miles SW of Lista Light House whilst on passage from Holbaek to Bergen with a cargo of grain. Three of the crew were lost
Notes:
- Based at Priddy's Hard Naval Armaments Depot, Gosport between 1946 to 1959