Other FORT CLASS Mercantile Fleet Auxiliaries
by
James R Smith
Following the outbreak of WW2, the first cargo vessels built in Canada for the War Effort were of the “North Sands” type, the hulls of which conformed to original British working drawings supplied by the North Sands Shipyard of J.L. Thompson & Sons at Sunderland. Following experience gained from these ships, improved versions with a more economic operation were introduced. These were the ”Victory” and “Canadian” types. The “Victory” type was an oil burner and two water tube boilers were substituted for the original 3 Scotch boilers. Because of the then concerns about oil fuel supplies, the “Canadian” type had coal bunkers and alternate oil fuel capacity installed, but with a reversion to the original 3 Scotch boilers of the “North Sands” type. In 1943, when the shipping situation in the Pacific was becoming acute, the British Government ordered that a number of the ships of the Canadian building programme be completed on a mutual-aid basis for bareboat-charter to the Ministry of War Transport as Stores Issuing Ships whose intended task would be to follow and victual naval units as part of the British Pacific Fleet Train
In all, 16 ships were completed as Stores Issuing Ships as follows: three as Ammunition Carriers, two as Air Stores Issuing Ships, two as Naval Stores Issuing Ships and nine as refrigerated Victualling Stores Issuing Ships. All were managed by commercial companies with vast experience of Far Eastern Waters as Mercantile Fleet Auxiliaries with Merchant Navy Crews and a detachment of Stores Staff from the Victualling Division of the Admiralty under a Commander and all were armed during Wartime and most were allocated B-XXX Pendant Numbers by the USN. On the refrigerated ships, the refrigerated space was in the tween decks and amounted to 111,480 cubic feet in 25 chambers. The lower holds were used for non-perishable items of stores, clothing, etc. After WW2, 8 of these ships became RFA’s. and their histories are recorded in the RFA Fleet through the ages section of this website and in order to complete the picture the remaining 8 are recorded here.
FORT ALABAMA
Service: 1944 – 1947
Role: Victualling Stores Issuing Ship
Pendant Nr: B 577 / Y 1.61 Official Nr: 170000 Call Sign: MXLM
Tonnages: 7202 grt 4200 nrt 10000 dwt
Dimensions: 441.5 (o.a.) x 57.2 x 34.9 ft
Machinery: T. 3 cyl 24½”, 37” & 70” x 48” by Canadian Allis-Chalmers Ltd, Montreal. 628 nhp.
Speed: 11 knots. Single screw
Career Data:
1943 Ordered
02/05/44 Launched by Burrard Dry Dock Co Ltd., South Yard, Vancouver as Yard Nr: 211 named FORT ALABAMA for the Dominion of Canada.
22/08/44 Completed for bareboat-charter to the MoWT under the management of T & J Brocklebank Ltd., Liverpool.
08/11/44 Register was opened at London as Nr. 340/1944 in the Register Book
1947 Returned to Park SS Co, Montreal name unchanged
1947 Purchased by Andros Shipping Co (Goulandris Bros Ltd, London, Managers) Montreal and renamed GULFSIDE
1951 Purchased by Cia Nav Panamena Antares SA ( Coulouthros Ltd, London, Managers) Panama and renamed ANTHONY
1964 Purchased by Blue Shark SS Co SA, Panama and rename BLUE MARLIN
17/03/67 Sailed Himeji after sail for $125,000 for demolition.
04/67 Demolition commenced by Sakaguchi Kosen K.K. at Sakai, Japan.
Notes:
Named after the fort which was erected in 1717 at the junction of the Toosa and Tallapoosa Rivers in French Louisiana to secure the French position.
FORT COLVILLE
Service: 1943 – 1947
Role: Air Stores Issuing Ship
Pendant Nr: B 531 / Y 1.15 Official Nr: 169676 Call Sign: BKWZ
Tonnages: 7153 grt 4239 nrt
Dimensions: 441.5 (o.a.) x 57.2 x 34.9 ft
Machinery: T 3 cyl 24½” 37” & 70” x 48” by Canadian Allis-Chalmers Ltd, Montreal. 628 nhp.
Speed: 11 knots. Single screw
Career Data:
1943 Ordered
15/07/43 Launched by North Vancouver Ship Repairers Ltd, North Vancouver as Yard Nr 129 named FORT COLVILLE for the Dominion of Canada.
19/09/43 Completed for bareboat-charter to the MoWT under management of A. Holt & Co Ltd, Liverpool.
13/12/43 Register opened at London as Nr. 310/1943 in the Register Book
20/02/45 Arrived Sydney, NSW to join Task Force 117
1947 Transferred to the MoT under management of Common Bros Ltd, London name unchanged
1950 Purchased by Western Canada SS Co Ltd, Vancouver and renamed LAKE KOOTENAY
1954 Owners became Western Canada SS Co Ltd, West Hartlepool name unchanged
1957 Purchased by Maremblema Cia Nav S.A, Monrovia and renamed ANDROS CYGNET
1957 Purchased by Cia Maritima Las Perlas S.A (B.J. Mavros, Manager) Panama and renamed THEOSKEPASTI
1961 Owners became Cia Maritima Las Perlas S.A, Andros name unchanged
1965 Renamed MARIETTA T by her Owners
08/12/66 Arrived Hong Kong for demolition by Lee Sing Co.
Notes:
This was a Hudson Bay Company post built in 1825 near the junction of the Colville and Columbia
Rivers at Kettle Falls in present day Washington State.
FORT EDMONTON
Service: 1944 – 1947
Role: Victualling Stores Issuing Ship
Pendant Nr: B 580 / Y 1.75 Official Nr: 180001 Call Sign: MXLR
Tonnages: 7204 grt 4007 nrt
Dimensions: 441.5 (o.a.) x 57.2 x 34.9 ft
Machinery: T 3 cyl 24½”, 37” & 70” x 48” by Canadian Allis-Chalmers Ltd, Montreal. 628 nhp.
Speed: 11 knots. Single screw.
Career Data:
1943 Ordered
16/05/44 Launched by Burrard Dry Dock Co Ltd, South Yard, Vancouver as Yard Nr: 212 named FORT EDMONTON for the Dominion of Canada.
13/09/44 Completed for bareboat-charter to the MoWT under management of Ellerman & Bucknall SS Co Ltd, London
08/11/44 Register opened at London (same day as FORT PROVIDENCE) as Nr: 341/1944 in the Register Book
1947 Purchased by Federal Commerce & Nav Co Ltd., Montreal and renamed FEDERAL VOYAGER
1955 Owners became Federal Commerce & Nav Co Ltd., (Watts, Watts & Co, Managers) London name unchanged
22/10/61 Arrived for demolition by Tokyo Tsusho K.K.
Notes:
Named after the original fort built in in 1795 for the Hudson Bay Company which was taken and demolished by the Blood Indian in 1805. A new fort with the same name was built further up the Saskatchewan River in 1808 on the site of the present day city of Edmonton
FORT KILMAR
Service: 1944 – 1947
Role: Victualling Stores Issuing Ship
Pendant Nr: Y 1.43 Official Nr: 169995 Call Sign: BKZZ
Tonnages: 7200 grt 4003 nrt
Dimensions: 441.5 (o.a.) x 57.2 x 34.9 ft
Machinery: T 3 cyl 24½”, 37” & 70” x 48” by Dominion Eng. Works Ltd, Montreal. 628 nhp.
Speed: 11 knots. Single screw.
Career Data:
1943 Ordered
02/03/44 Launched by Burrard Dry Dock Co Ltd, Vancouver as Yard Nr 208 named FORT KILMAR for the Dominion of Canada.
25/05/44 Completed for bareboat-charter to the MoWT under management of Ellerman & Bucknall SS Co Ltd, London
31/10/44 Register opened at London as Nr. 332/1944 in the Register Book
1947 Purchased by Andros Shipping Co Ltd., (March Shipping Agency Ltd, Managers) Montreal and renamed ISLANDSIDE
1952 Purchased by Delphin Cia Naviera SA (Evans Shipping Corporation, New York, Managers) Panama and renamed CATHERINE M.S.C
10/02/54 While on passage from Vancouver to Yokohama with a cargo of wheat she ran aground 3 miles off Nojima Suki in Tokyo Bay in position 34°53 N 139°55E and became a constructive total loss
Notes:
Named after the Hudson Bay Company fort buily in 1822 about 25 miles from the outflow point of Babine Lake and was also known as Fort Babine
FORT McDONNELL
Service: 1944 – 1947
Role: Victualling Stores Issuing Ship
Pendant Nr: Y 1.46 Official Nr: 169999 Call Sign: MVLK
Tonnages: 7203 grt 4012 nrt
Dimensions: 441.5 (o.a.) x 57.2 x 34.9 ft
Machinery: T 3 cyl 24½”, 37” & 70” x 48” by John Inglis Cop Ltd., Montreal. 628 nhp.
Speed: 11 knots. Single screw
Career Data:
1943 Ordered
18/04/44 Launched by Burrard Dry Dock Co Ltd., Vancouver as Yard Nr: 210 named FORT McDONNELL for the Dominion of Canada.
01/08/44 Completed for bareboat-charter to the MoWT under management of Alfred Holt & Co Ltd, Liverpool.
08/11/44 Register opened at London as Nr. 339/1944 in the Register Book
1947 Returned to Park SS Co, Montreal name unchanged
1947 Purchased by Andros Shipping Co Ltd (Goulandris Bros Ltd., London, Managers) Montreal and renamed CLIFFSIDE
1951 Purchased by Valedor Cia Nav SA (Capeside SS Co Ltd., London, Managers) Panama and renamed CAVODORO
1953 Purchased by Cia Europa Commercial y Maritima SA, Panama and renamed CAPTAIN LUKIS
1960 Managers became D.J. Fafalios, Chios, name unchanged
09/04/68 Arrived Kaohsiung for demolition
Notes:
Named after the North West Company post established in 1784 and was located at the junction of the Assiniboine and Souris Rivers in present day Manitoba.
FORT PROVIDENCE
Service: 1944 – 1945
Type: Naval Stores Issuing Ship
Pendant Nr: B 582 /Y 1.47 Official Nr: 180003 Call Sign: BKYP
Tonnages: 7201 grt 4007 nrt
Dimensions: 441.5 (o.a.) x 57.2 x 34.9 ft
Machinery: T 3 cyl 24½”, 37” & 70”x 48” by Canadian Allis-Chalmers Ltd, Montreal. 628 nhp.
Speed: 11 knots Single screw
Career Data:
1943 Ordered
06/04/44 Launched by Burrard Dry Dock Co Ltd, Vancouver as Yard Nr 209 named FORT PROVIDENCE for the Dominion of Canada
08/07/44 Completed for bareboat-charter to the MoWT under management of Ellerman & Bucknall SS Co, London
08/11/44 Register opened at London (on the same day as FORT EDMONTON) as Nr.
342/1944 in the Register Book
1948 Purchased by Eastboard Nav Ltd, Montreal and renamed EASTWATER
1948 Purchased by Federal Commerce & Navigation Co Ltd, London name unchanged
1952 Purchased by Andros Shipping Co Ltd ( Capeside SS Co Ltd, London, Managers) and renamed DUNESIDE
1953 Purchased by Franco Maresca fu Mariano, Genoa and renamed MAR LIBERO
1959 Purchased by Jugoslavenska Tankerska Plovidba, Zadar and renamed OTOK DUGGI
15/02/67 Arrived Onomichi for demolition by Japanese shipbreakers.
Notes:
Named after the fort built in 1890 at the mouth of the Yellowknife River and which was moved in 1850 to the north arm of Great Slave Lake and renamed Fort Rae.
FORT WAYNE
Adm. Service: 1945 – 1948
Role: Naval Stores Issuing Ship
Pendant Nr: B 561 Official Nr: 180699 Call Sign: MXNK
Tonnages: 7375 grt 4103 nrt
Dimensions: 441.5 (o.a.) 57.2 x 34.9 ft.
Machinery: T 3 cyl 24½” 37” & 70” x 48” by Canadian Allis-Chalmers Ltd, Montreal. 628 nhp.
Speed: 11 knots. Single screw
Career Data:
1943 Ordered
19/09/44 Laid down
02/12/44 Launched by United Shipyards, Montreal as Yard Nr 45 named FORT WAYNE for the Admiralty.
01/09/45 Completed for bareboat-charter to the MoWT under management of Ellerman & Bucknall SS Co Ltd., London
24/09/45 Register opened at London as Nr. 244/1945 in the Register Book
10/48 Laid up on the Tyne and transferred to the MoT name unchanged
10/06/50 Sailed Newcastle for Montreal.
1950 Purchased by Angusdale Ltd (Lunham & Moore Shipping Ltd, Managers) Montreal and renamed ANGUSDALE
1951 Transferred to Canadian Registry
1954 Managers became Lyle Shipping Co Ltd, Glasgow and renamed CAPE ADAN and was again placed under British Registry
1956 Purchased by Bienvenido SS Co Ltd (John G Livanos & Sons Ltd, London, Managers) Panama and renamed ANDORA
1959 Owners became Bienvenido SS Co Ltd, Piraeus name unchanged
23/05/59 Stranded in the St Lawrence River
28/05/59 Was refloated but ran aground again
18/06/59 Again refloated and was found to be beyond economical repair and was subsequently sold for scrap
15/08/59 Arrived Savona for demolition by A.R.D.E.M.
Notes:
Named after the fort built in 1790 at the mouth of the Yellowknife River but which was moved in 1850 to the north arm of Great Slave Lake and was renamed Fort Rae.
FORT WRANGELL
Service: 1944 – 1948
Role: Naval Stores Issuing Ship
Pendant Nr: B 583 Official No: 17921 Call Sign: MXML
Tonnages: 7213 grt 4015 nrt
Dimensions: 424.6 (p.p.) x 57.2 x 34.9 ft
Machinery: T 3 cyl 24½” 37” & 70” x 48” by Canadian Allis-Chalmers Ltd., Montreal. 628 nhp.
Speed: 11 knots. Single screw.
As EASTWAVE
Career Data:
1943 Ordered
04/09/44 Launched by Burrard Dry Dock Co, Vancouver as Yard Nr 221 named FORT WRANGELL for the Dominion of Canada.
22/12/44 Completed for bareboat charter to the MoWT under management of Eastern and Australian SS Co Ltd, London
1945 Original registration date in London could not be found.
02/09/45 Was present in Tokyo Bay for the surrender of Japan along with RFA’s DINGLEDALE and WAVE KING
18/05/48 Re-registered at Montreal as Nr. 23/1948 in the Register Book name unchanged
1948 Purchased by Eastboard Nav Ltd, Montreal and renamed EASTWAVE
1951 Purchased by Federal Commerce and Navigation Co Ltd, Toronto name unchanged
1952 Purchased by Andros Shipping Co Ltd (Goulandris Bros Ltd, London, Managers) Toronto and renamed LAGOONSIDE
1952 Purchased by Cia Armadora San Francisco S.A, Panama and renamed LAGOS ONTARIO
17/04/68 Arrived Kaohsiung for demolition
Notes:
Named after the fort which was originally built by the Russians in 1834 as REDOUBT ST. DIONISIUS but was also known as FORT HIGHFIELD opposite the mouth of the Stikine River on the north end of Wrangell Island in what is now known as Alaska but was renamed FORT STIKINE by the Hudson Bay Company when they acquired it but was then renamed FORT WRANGELL when Russia sold her Alaskan holdings to the United States