Requisitioned Auxiliary – Hirondelle

 Hirondelle

 

 

RFA Hirondelle

 

 

Official Number:        98106

Class:                      Stores Carrier / Water Carrier

Pennant No:            Y9.17

 

Builder:                    Gourlay Brothers & Co., Dundee

Launched:                7 May 1890

Fate:                       Sunk

 

 

Items of historic interest involving this ship: –

 

Background Data:   One of an additional group of ships requisitioned by the Admiralty in WW1 to augment the ships of the RFA

 

7 May 1890 launched by Gourlay Bros & Co, Dundee as Yard Nr 143 named HIRONDELLE for General Steam Navigation Co Ltd, London

June 1890 completed. Carried 70 x 1st Class, 50 x 2nd Class and 25 x 3rd Class passengers

14 June 1890 made a trial trip from Parkeston Quay, Harwich to Gravesend with a large party of official guests on board

1890 to 1905 served on her owner’s London – Bordeaux service

1905 served on her owner’s Harwich – Hamburg service

20 December 1913 grounded in foggy conditions in the Lower Elbe while on passage from Harwich to Hamburg, but was subsequently refloated at the next high water when she struck the steamer TENTO, damaging her stern

1914 served on her owner’s London – Leith service

4 August 1914 to 7 June 1915 requisitioned by the Admiralty for service as a Squadron Supply Ship, name  unchanged

8 August 1914 commissioned into the Royal Navy

8 August 1914 Lieutenant John W Watling RNR appointed in command and Engineer G Hayes RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

18 October 1914 anchored at Abrolhos Rocks

22 October 1914 at Abrolhos Rocks anchorage alongside HMS Bristol supplying Naval Stores

2 December 1914 at Kingston, Jamaica

6 March 1915 sailed from Bermuda

8 June 1915 became a Boom Defence Vessel and water carrier

17 December 1915 apparently salvaged by HM Trawler Houbara – cause and location unknown at this time – The Trawler was awarded salvage money – London Gazette 21 July 1916

19 January 1916 Private William Thomas Roberts RMLI discharged dead. He is buried in Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery

25 April 1917 on passage from London to Bordeaux with a general cargo was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UC36 in the Bay of Biscay 13 miles S x E of Belle Ile in position 47.08N 02.55W with no casualties