Official Number 165409
Class: 1st DALE CLASS Freighting Tanker
Pennant No: X32 / A109
Builder: Swan Hunter
Launched: 28 December 1936
Into service: 4 March 1937
Out of service: 18 September 1959 – laid up
Fate: Broken Up
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: Originally there were to have been ninetween ships in this Class. The first six were purchased off the stocks from the British Tanker Co Ltd whilst building at the instigation of the then Director of Stores, Sir William Gick, who was concerned at the age of the RFA Fleet and ships that were approaching the end of their economic lives. A further two ships were purchased from Anglo Saxon Petroleum Co Ltd for evaluation purposes. At the outbreak of WW2, a further eleven ships were acquired from the MoWT war programme although one of these, to have been named EPPINGDALE, which had been registered in London as EMPIRE GOLD on 21/02/43 and intended for transfer to the Admiralty for manning and management as an RFA and despite five Officers being appointed to her, the intended transfer was cancelled the following day and she thus never entered RFA service. Three of this Class were converted into LSG’s and were then reconverted back into tankers at the end of the War.
1936 ordered by the British Tanker Company Ltd
28 December 1936 launched by Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd, Wallsend as Yard Nr: 1506 named ABBEYDALE
29 December 1936 the Scotsman newspaper reported –
11 January 1937 Captain W Frost RFA (Lieut-Commander RNR (Ret)) appointed as Master
18 January 1937 Mr Vincent B Pybus RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Vincent B Pybus RFA
4 March 1937 completed after running trials
5 March 1937 sailed on her maiden voyage from the River Tyne to Trinidad. The Sunderland Daily Echo reported on this day –
10 April 1937 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
17 April 1937 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
2 June 1937 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east bound
3 June 1937 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
5 June 1937 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour for the River Tyne
12 June 1937 sailed the River Tyne for Abadan
2 October 1937 Radio Officer George S Heatherington RFA discharged dead He died from suicide by drowning and was certified dead in a hospital in Singapore. He is buried in Kranji Military Cemetery, Singapore in Plot 14 Row C Grave 23 – his grave stone shows his name in error as G F Heatherington.
Radio Officer George S Heatherington RFA
Image courtsey of Tony Beck with thanks
2 November 1937 Mr Frederick E Langer RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Frederick E Langer RFA
3 March 1938 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
5 March 1938 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
9 March 1938 paid off the crew at the North Shields Shipping Office
10 March 1938 Mr Harold M Pearson RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
4 April 1938 sailed the River Tyne for sea trials returning the same day
6 April 1938 sailed the River Tyne for Abadan
7 July 1938 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
9 July 1938 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
11 July 1938 berthed at Swan Hunder (Walker), River Tyne
12 July 1938 berthed at Swan Hunder (Walker), River Tyne
14 July 1938 berthed at Swan Hunters, River Tyne
20 July 1938 signed on part of the crew at the North Shields Shipping Office
21 July 1938 sailed the River Tyne for Abadan
21 September 1938 at Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, River Tyne for repairs
13 January 1939 the ships Chief Officer Charles F Smith RFA was promoted and appointed as Acting Master
Chief Officer Charles F Smith RFA
16 January 1939 Captain William Frost RFA sailed from Malta in the Transport Nevasa for Southampton (relieved)
13 April 1939 berthed at Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd on the Tyne from Rosyth
25 April 1939 in refit at Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd on the Tyne together with RFA ARNDALE
26 April 1939 Captain George W Callaway RFA (Lieut-Commander RN (Ret)) appointed as Master
29 April 1939 in refit at Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd on the Tyne together with RFA ARNDALE
2 May 1939 in refit at Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd on the Tyne
3 May 1939 sailed the River Tyne for Abadan via Sheerness
10 May 1939 passed Gibraltar sailing east bound
26 May 1939 Engineroom Storekeeper Ah Sow Lam discharged dead. He is buried in Kalkara Royal Naval Cemetery, Malta
Image courtesy of British War Graves with thanks
2 July 1939 passed Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria, Australia
9 July 1939 arrived at Auckland, New Zealand to discharge from Abadan
15 July 1939 sailed Auckland, New Zealand for the Persian Gulf
23 July 1939 passed Goods Island, Torres Strait, Queensland, Australia
9 September 1939 sailed Port Said in Convoy Blue 1 which also contained RFA ALDERSDALE
26 September 1939 sailed Gibraltar in escorted convoy HG1 for Devonport. RFA ALDERSDALE and RFA SERBOL were in the same convoy.
10 October 1939 arrived at Liverpool in the company of RFA SERBOL
21 October 1939 joined escorted convoy OA22 sailing from Falmouth – the convoy dispersed on 23 October. The Governor of Trinidad reported to the Admiralty by signal on 9 November 1939 that Abbeydale was five days late arriving at the island. Source – Admiralty War Diary – In fact she arrived on 10 November 1939.
24 November 1939 at Kingston, Jamaica Donkeyman Harold P Mann accused before the Master by the Chief Engineer Officer of using foul and insolent language towards him and refusing to obey his lawful commands. The Master declined to deal with the allegations as he belived them to be so serious and directed that the allegations should be dealt with by a magistrate
Donkeyman Harold P Mann
13 December 1939 at Kingston, Jamaica
29 December 1939 was in a list of ships reported as sunk by the German Navy and published in ‘Bremer Zeituag‘. The German error/exaggeration was fully reported in the Canberra Times, Australia of the 26 January 1940
20 January 1940 at Callao, Peru
21 January 1940 sailed Callao, Peru
24 January 1940 Bosun R E Finker logged for desertion
30 January 1940 Donkeyman Harold P Mann appeared before the Magisrate at Kingston, Jamaica charged under the Sections 480/486, Merchant Shipping Act. He was convicted. He signed off the ship.
26 February 1940 arrived at Panama
27 February 1940 sailed Colon to Kingston, Jamaica arriving on 29 February 1940
3 March 1940 sailed Kingston, Jamaica to Trinidad arriving on 7 March 1940
17 March 1940 arrived at Bermuda having sailed from Trinidad
30 March 1940 at Bermuda with RFA ORANGELEAF (1) moored alongside – fire broke out on ABBEYDALE which caused damage to both ships – source Admiralty War Diary dated 31 March 1940 refers
6 April 1940 sailed Bermuda to Trinidad
15 April 1940 sailed Trinidad to Halifax arriving 25 April 1940
26 April 1940 sailed Halifax in escorted convoy HX38 to the Clyde along with RFA OLWEN(1) arriving at Greenock on 12 May 1940
16 May 1940 Mr M N Carlyle RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
23 May 1940 sailed Greenock, up the Clyde to Glasgow
12 June 1940 sailed Glasgow
19 June 1940 at Greenock
June 1940 was allocated for Operation Accordion – the proposed invasion of the Azores
22 July 1940 anchored at the Clyde awaiting orders
1 August 1940 anchored at Kilcreggan
18 September 1940 anchored at Tail of Bank
11 October 1940 Mr Henry S Edwards RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Henry S Edwards RFA
22 November 1940 from Rothsay to refit on the Clyde until 2 December 1940 then anchored at Tail of Bank until 4 December 1940
9 December 1940 sailed Tail of Bank
14 December 1940 Captain A Edwards RFA appointed as Master
23 December 1940 sailed from Glasgow, in ballast to, Curacao in escorted Convoy OB 263 arriving on 13 January 1941
20 January 1941 sailed Curacao to Kingston, Jamaica arriving 22 January 1941
16 February 1941 sailed Kingston, Jamaica to Trindad arriving on 21 February 1941
12 March 1941 sailed Trinidad to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands
29 April 1941 arrived at Montevideo from Port Stanley, sailing again on 30 April 1941
27 May 1941 refuelled HMS’s NEWCASTLE and CUMBERLAND – details from the Admiralty War Diary of 25 May 1941 page 490
HMS NEWCASTLE
9 June 1941 arrived at Rio de Janerio sailing the next day
1 July 1941 refuelled HMS NEWCASTLE – details from Admiralty War Diary page 552
14 July 1941 arrived at Montevideo, sailed the next day to Trinidad
4 September 1941 until 7 September 1941 under going repairs at Trinidad
26 September 1941 arrived at Montevideo from Trinidad
28 September 1941 sailed Montevideo to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands arriving 3 October 1941
9 October 1941 sailed Port Stanley, Falkland Islands to Trinidad
16 November 1941 arrived at Trinidad
4 December 1941 sailed Trinidad to New Orleans arriving 12 December 1941
12 December 1941 at New Orleans under repair until 12 January 1942
13 January 1942 sailed New Orleans to Curacao arriving 21 January 1942
25 January 1942 sailed Curacao to Freetown arriving 10 February 1942
5 March 1942 arrived at St. Helena from Freetown
8 March 1942 at St Helena HMS NIGELLA came alongside to refuel in the lee of the Island. HMS BRIDGEWATER also tried to come alongside to refuel but was unable due to the swell off the Island
HMS NIGELLA
9 March 1942 at St. Helena HMS BRIDGEWATER came alongside (again) to refuel in the lee of the Island with some sucess
HMS BRIDGEWATER
12 March 1942 at St. Helena – HMS JASMINE came alongside to refuel in the lee of the Island
13 March 1942 sailed St Helena to Freetown arriving 20 March 1942
30 March 1942 undertook OAS trials.
7 April 1942 arrived at St Helena from Freetown
17 April 1942 sailed St Helena
6 August 1942 while being escorted by HMS ARMERIA met fleet units and commenced refuelling them
10 August 1942 to 15 August 1942 in Operation Beserk as Force W – a sea / air exercise in the Atlantic. Reports show she had an inexperienced crew which resulted in complete disorder
19 August 1942 the Admiralty directed that after Operation Beserk Abbeydale was to be sailed to Trinidad for cargo and to return either to Gibraltar or Freetown – a decision as to which port would be signalled later – souce Admoralty War Diary on this day
20 August 1942 sailed Gibraltar escorted by HMS’s BURDOCK and ARMERIA (known as Force W) to meet HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH
28 August 1942 RV’ed with HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH in approximate position 14°12N 37°15W
6 October 1942 berthed at Gibraltar having arrived from Trinidad being escorted by HMS’s VIMY and BURDOCK
October 1942 was fitted out as a DEMS at Gibraltar
25 October 1942 sailed Loch Ewe in escorted convoy KMS2G to Algiers
November 1942 undertook the first recorded multi-ras in the Mediterranean with two ships abeam and one astern.
10 November 1942 joined Convoy KMS 2 to participate in Operation Torch- the Allied Landings in French North Africa. Other RFA’s involved in Operation Torch were RFA’s BROWN RANGER, DERWENTDALE (1), DEWDALE (1), ENNERDALE (1), NASPRITE and VISCOL
11 November 1942 arrived Arzeu Beachead on Operation Torch for which she was awarded the North Africa 1942 Battle Honour
12 November 1942 arrived Algiers in Convoy KM 62G
21 November 1942 was damaged after fouling a sunken wreck whilst on Fleet Attendant Duties at Oran
3 December 1942 sailed Bone in escorted convoy MKX3F to Gibraltar. RFA DINGLEDALE was also in this convoy for part of the time
9 December 1942 the Naval Officer in command at Oran reported that Abbeydale’s damage had been repaired
15 December 1942 a signal from C.S. Gibraltar and copied in the Admiralty War diary of this day reports that the damage to her No 7 port tank and pumproom required the ship to be dry docked for 2 or 3 days. Until this was done the tank could not be used. The ship also required a refit and it was suggested that she be returned to the UK for his to be done.
22 December 1942 sailed from Algiers in escorted convoy MKS 4 to the Mersey arriving 6 January 1943. RFA DERWENTDALE was in this same convoy making for the Clyde
26 December 1942 at Gibraltar in ballast
8 January 1943 under going repairs
11 January 1943 Captain George F Rutter RFA (Commander RNR) appointed as Master. Mr Allan D Harris RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Captain George F Rutter RFA
3 March 1943 repairs completed
3 March 1943 sailed Liverpool in escorted convoy ON170 and acted as Escort oiler for New York arriving on 20 March 1943
22 March 1943 under going repairs at New York until 24 March 1943
1 April 1943 sailed Hampton Roads in escorted convoy UGS7 to Algiers
12 May 1943 sailed Gibraltar in convoy TE21 to Bone arriving 16 May 1943
20 May 1943 in Operation Husky – Naval Operation Orders dated this day – Appendix 1 – shows ABBEYDALE would be based at Algiers together with RFA’s EMPIRE SALVAGE and ORANGELEAF (1) to provide Furnace Fuel Oil
16 June 1943 sailed Gibraltar, along with RFA’s BROWN RANGER and CELEROL, in escorted Convoy KMS 16
18 June 1943 sailed Alexandria in escorted Convoy XTG 2
27 June 1943 17.04 hrs torpedoed by the German submarine U73 (Oberleutnant zur See Horst Deckert) and badly damaged (broken in half) in the Mediterranean off the Algerian Coast at 36°53N 01°55E while part of escorted convoy XTG-2 in ballast. No fatalities. Towed by HMSV SALVESTOR to Algiers and repaired during 1944/5 at Taranto Dockyard
Damage to RFA Abbeydale
29 September 1944 Electrician Neilson Davie Bruce discharged dead
Electrician Bruce’s entry on the Tower Hill Memorial
14 October 1944 her after part arrived Taranto in tow
18 October 1944 her fore part arrived Taranto in tow
30 May 1945 was finally taken in hand for rejoining and permanent repairs
1 February 1946 Mr Allan D Harris RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
25 April 1946 Captain Edward Mills RFA appointed as Master
July 1946 permanent repairs completed
October 1946 – Gyro compass equipment – which had been earlier removed from the ship and RFA’s DERWENTDALE (1) and OLIGARCH (2) and was now set for fitting in RFA’s CHERRYLEAF (1), PEARLEAF (1) and CEDARDALE
27 September 1947 Captain Leslie Sonley RFA appointed as Master
6 November 1947 Captain Edward Mills RFA appointed as Master again
12 November 1947 Mr Daniel S Wood RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
6 March 1948 Captain Percival H Brooke OBE RFA appointed as Master
15 June 1948 Mr Eric S Fielder RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
17 June 1948 berthed at Sydney, NSW to discharge
24 August 1948 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
28 August 1948 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
23 November 1948 Captain David A Rees RFA appointed as Master
Captain David A Rees RFA
14 January 1949 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
18 January 1949 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
12 February 1949 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east bound
25 June 1949 in the South China Sea
24 August 1949 at Dunfermline Sheriff’s Court, Fife 4th Engineer Officer Sydney G Crace appeared charged with assault. Mr Crace pleaded Not Guilty and the proceedings were adjourned until 15 September 1949 for trial
Press report from the Evening Telegraph of 24 August 1949
15 September 1949 at Dunfermline Sheriff’s Court Sydney George Crase was found Guilty of assaulting 2nd Engineer Officer James H Patterson. He was fined £20
26 November 1949 arrived Fremantle, Australia from Abadan
30 November 1949 sailed Fremantle, Australia for Abadan
22 February 1950 passed Gibraltar sailing west bound
28 February 1950 Captain Bertram Tunnard RFA appointed as Master
5 April 1950 Mr Allan D Harris RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
23 May 1950 while on passage from Falmouth for the Persian Gulf passed Gibraltar
31 May 1950 while on passage from Falmouth sailed Suez for the Persian Gulf
15 June 1950 arrived at Abadan
13 July 1950 berthed at Fremantle, Australia from Abadan
17 July 1950 sailed Fremantle, Australia for Abadan
16 September 1950 sailed Abadan for Singapore
22 December 1950 arrived Sydney, Australia to discharge from Abadan
27 May 1951 at Abadan Hospital Fireman Allee Razak discharged dead from typhoid
25 September 1951 Captain T G Hill RD RFA (Lieut-Commander RNR) appointed as Master
21 January 1952 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on Flamborough Head sailing northbound
29 January 1952 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on Flamborough Head sailing southbound
13 March 1952 sailed from Mena al Ahmadi
19 May 1952 sailed from Curaçao
7 June 1952 arrived Santos
11 June 1952 sailed from Santos for Rio Grande
5 July 1952 arrived at Aruba
7 July 1952 sailed Aruba for LEFO
2 August 1952 arrived at the River Tyne from Shell Haven
15 August 1952 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne
18 August 1952 Mr J H McKenzie RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
30 August 1952 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne and Captain James Jolly RFA appointed as Master
6 September 1952 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne
27 September 1952 arrived at the River Tyne after trials
30 October 1952 sailed Trindad for Gibraltar
17 November 1952 sailed Gibraltar for the River Tyne
25 November 1952 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn, River Tyne at the same time as RFA WAVE BARON
27 November 1952 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn, River Tyne
5 December 1952 passed Gibraltar sailing eastbound
14 December 1952 sailed from Banias
23 December 1952 sailed Gibraltar for Le Havre
29 December 1952 arrive Le Havre
30 December 1952 sailed Le Havre
10 January 1953 passed Fayal
21 January 1953 sailed from Aruba
23 January 1953 sailed from Las Piedras for the River Medway
13 March 1953 sailed from Gibraltar
24 March 1953 sailed Suez
6 April 1953 berthed at Tas Tanura
7 April 1953 sailed Ras Tanura for Bombay
13 April 1953 berthed at Bombay
15 April 1953 sailed from Bombay
14 May 1953 berthed at Shimotsu, Japan
7 September 1953 Captain Percivale H Brooke OBE RFA appointed as Master
Captain Percivale H Brooke OBE RFA
11 January 1954 passed Gibraltar sailing east bound
19 January 1954 sailed from Suez
1 February 1954 arrived at Mena Al Ahmadi
14 February 1954 arrived at Suez
15 February 1954 sailed Port Said for the UK
3 March 1954 the Western Mail newspaper reported …
10 March 1954 passed Gibraltar sailing east bound
18 March 1954 arrived at Port Said
25 March 1954 sailed from Suez
6 April 1954 arrived at Bahrein
7 April 1954 sailed from Bahrein for Bombay
13 April 1954 arrived at Bombay
18 April 1954 arrived at Colombo, Ceylon
20 April 1954 sailed from Colombo for Mena Al Ahmadi
1 May 1954 sailed Fao
14 May 1954 arrived at Suez
15 May 1954 sailed Port Said
23 May 1954 passed Gibraltar sailing west bound
7 June 1954 passed Gibraltar sailing east bound
14 June 1954 arrived at Port Said
21 June 1954 the Shields Daily News reported …
22 June 1954 sailed from Suez
6 July 1954 sailed Fao for LEFO
21 July 1954 arrived at Suez
22 July 1954 sailed Port Said for the UK
30 July 1954 passed Gibraltar sailing west bound
5 August 1954 Captain Frank C Holt RFA appointed Master
Captain Frank C Holt RFA
8 August 1954 sailed Finnart for Mena Al Ahmadi
22 August 1954 arrived at Port Said
24 August 1954 sailed from Suez
22 September 1954 arrived at Suez
23 September 1954 sailed Port Said for Gibraltar for orders
2 October 1954 passed Gibraltar sailing west
6 October 1954 passed Ushant
13 October 1954 arrived at Perris sailing the same day
17 October 1954 Mr Henry S Edwards RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Henry S Edwards RFA
13 December 1954 passed Gibraltar sailing east bound
17 December 1954 arrived at Malta
19 December 1954 sailed from Malta
24 December 1954 sailed from Suez
6 January 1955 sailed Ras Tanura for Sydney, NSW
8 February 1955 arrived at Sydney, NSW
12 February 1955 sailed Sydney, NSW for the Persian Gulf
5 March 1955 sailed from Colombo, Ceylon for Bombay
9 March 1955 arrived at Bombay
10 April 1955 arrived at Suez
12 April 1955 sailed Port Said for the UK
20 April 1955 passed Gibraltar sailing west bound
15 May 1955 sailed Port Said for Abadan
30 November 1955 Captain George W Webster RFA appointed Master
Captain George W Webster RFA
15 December 1955 Mr J G Simpson RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
7 January 1956 passed the Lloyds Signal Station at Dover sailing east bound
8 January 1957 Mr P Ryan RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
3 February 1957 Captain Robert D Almond RFA appointed Master. He remained in command until 1 July 1958
Captain Robert D Almond RFA
2 March 1957 in refit at Smith’s Dock, River Tyne
28 March 1957 in refit at Smith’s Dock, River Tyne together with RFA TIDERANGE
5 April 1957 signed on a crew at the North Shields Shipping Office, River Tyne
19 April 1957 sailed the River Tyne for Plymouth later passing Flamorough Head sailing south bound
16 April 1957 Mr R C Veitch RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
16 July 1958 Captain E E A LeSage RFA appointed as Master
22 August 1958 sailed from Aden for Aqaba
4 October 1958 arrived at Gibraltar from Barry
5 October 1958 sailed from Gibraltar
28 October 1958 arrived at Abadan from Barry
30 November 1958 Mr Charles H Gurr RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
4 March 1959 arrived at the River Tyne from Rosyth
5 March 1959 discharged the crew at the North Shields Shipping Office, River Tyne. The ship was berthed at Smith’s Dock, River Tyne
9 March 1959 Captain Herbert W Flint RFA appointed as Master
10 March 1959 berthed at Smith’s Dock, River Tyne
12 March 1959 berthed at Smith’s Dock, River Tyne
19 March 1959 engaged a crew at the North Shields Shipping Office, River Tyne
21 March 1959 sailed the River Tyne for Trinidad
10 April 1959 arrived at Trinidad
29 April 1959 arrived at the Oil Fuel Depot at Old Kilpatrick, River Clyde
2 May 1959 sailed from the Oil Fuel Depot at Old Kilpatrick, River Clyde for Londonderry
3 May 1959 arrived at Lough Foyle
14 May 1959 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east bound
27 May 1959 Deck Tindal Eusoof Nooroodeen discharged dead. He was killed when he fell down an open tank and suffered multiple injuries
6 June 1959 sailed from Devonport
11 June 1959 arrived at Pembroke Dock
29 July 1959 arrived Devonport to destore
25 August 1959 moved from No: 9 wharf to 3 West Mud Moorings with RFA DEWDALE (1) alongside her
18 September 1959 laid up at Devonport
20 October 1959 moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty
3 November 1959 moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to No: 9 Buoy
4 November 1959 moved from No: 9 Buoy to Plymouth Sound
21 December 1959 moved from Plymouth Sound to No: 8 wharf, Devonport Dockyard
29 December 1959 moved from No: 8 wharf, Devonport Dockyard to Plymouth Sound
13 March 1960 at Devonport on 3 West Mud Moorings with RFA ECHODALE alongside her
5 July 1960 offered for sale by the Ministry of Transport ‘as lying’ at Devonport in The Times of this day
11 August 1960 sold to BISCO for scrap
31 August 1960 at Devonport moved from West Mud moorings on RFA ECHODALE to Plymouth Sound under tow
4 September 1960 arrived Thomas Ward’s Barrow in tow of the British tug CAMPAIGNER for breaking up
14 September 1960 breaking up commenced
Notes:
She was originally destined to be one of a Class of what was to become 93 tankers over a 15 year period, the lead ship of this Class being launched as BRITISH FAME on 19 June 1936