2 December 1914 launched by Armstrong, Whitworth & Co Ltd, Low Walker, Newcastle as Yard Nr: 869 named SUNIK for Sunik Oil Tpt Co Ltd, London

13 January 1915  completed and requisitioned by the Admiralty for service as a non commissioned Fleet Messenger, name unchanged 

8 February 1915 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS Eskimo, Armed Merchant Cruiser, and supplied 248 tons of boiler water 

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Official Number:                      136770

Laid down:

Builder:                                  Armstrong, Whitworth & Co Ltd, Low Walker, Newcastle

Launched:                              2 December 1914

Into Service:                           13 January 1915

Out of service:                        1919

Fate:                                     27 July 1939  destroyed by fire

Items of historic interest involving this ship: –

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

Career Data:

2 December 1914 launched by Armstrong, Whitworth & Co Ltd, Low Walker, Newcastle as Yard Nr  869 named SUNIK for Sunik Oil Tpt Co Ltd, London

13 January 1915  completed and requisitioned by the Admiralty for service as a non commissioned fleet messenger, name unchangeduntil 24 August 1916

8 February 1915 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS ESKIMO, Armed Merchant Cruiser, and supplied 248 tons of boiler water

24 February 1915 at Loch Ewe alongside HMS OROTAVA, Armed Merchant Cruiser supplying water

13 May 1915 off the Gallipoli Peninsular alongside HMS VENGEANCE, a pre-dreadnought – supplying boiler water

25 July 1916 arrived New Orleans sailing the next day to Queenstown

17 August 1916 arrived at Queenstown and sailed the same day for Thameshaven                       

20 August 1916 arrived at Thameshaven

22 October 1916 became an Admiralty oiler (Oil Transport No 57) and sailed Chatham for Port Arthur

19 November 1916 arrived Port Arthur to load

24 November 1916 sailed Port Arthur to Scapa Flow

13 December 1916 stopped and examined by HMS PATUCA and allowed to proceed

HMS PATUCA

19 December 1916 sailed Scapa Flow to Glasgow arriving 22 December 1916

5 December 1917 off Perim stopped and boarded by HMS TOPAZE, 3rd rate cruiser and allowed to proceed

16 February 1918 off Perim stopped and boarded by HMS TOPAZE, 3rd rate cruiser and allowed to proceed

7 January 1919 the ships Master, Captain David A Reid, appointed a Member of the most excellent order of the British Empire (MBE)

1919 returned to her owners

27 September 1919 sailed Liverpool to Philadelphia

19 December 1919 sailed Port Arthur to Gibraltar for orders

1925 purchased by Soc Anon les Petroles d’Outremer, Dunkirk name unchanged

27 July 1939  in collision, followed by a fire, with the Swedish cargo liner GRANGESBERG in position 49.55 N 04.30 W while on passage from Constanta – Liverpool  with a cargo of benzine