RFA Bacchus (1)
Subsequent name: Bacchus 11
Official Number: 139059
Class: Distilling Ship / Stores Ship
Pennant No:
Signal Letters: GQKB (1919)
Laid down:
Builder: William Hamilton, Port Glasgow
Launched: 10 May 1915
Into Service: July 1915
Out of service: 1937
Fate: Sunk as a target
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: She was originally being built for commercial owners but was purchased by the Admiralty whilst still on the stocks and was originally classed as a Repair Ship. From 1923 until the outbreak of the Italo-Abyssinian Conflict she was on the Chatham-Gibraltar-Malta run with naval stores and a few Service Passengers as she had limited passenger accommodation. In 1935 when she was again required for service as a distilling ship , she was temporarily relieved on the Malta run by the chartered Currie Line ship ss RUTLAND. When BACCHUS (2) entered service, BACCHUS (1) was used as a bombing target before finally being sunk by gunfire
22 March 1915 purchased while building for intended service in Chinese Waters for Indo-China Steam Navigation Co Ltd, Hong Kong by the Admiralty for use as a stores freighter and distilling ship
10 May 1915 launched by Wm Hamilton & Co Ltd, Glen Yard, Port Glasgow as Yard Nr: 229 named BACCHUS (1). Named after the Cup Bearer to the Gods
17 June 1915 Commander John E Edwards RD RNR appointed in command
July 1915 completed. Served in the Mediterranean as a Water Carrier
4 August 1915 Engineer Lieutenant Charles E Wrate RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
6 October 1915 at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli with a working party from HMS GLORY on board
17 October 1915 at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli with coaling party from HMS GLORY onboard
HMS GLORY
27 November 1915 at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli with engineering working party from HMS GLORY onboard
30 November 1915 at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli with transport working party from HMS GLORY onboard. Divers from the battleship working on the hull of BACCHUS
21 December 1915 arrived at Mudros
27 January 1916 Lieutenant William Gregory RNR appointed in command
12 January 1916 at Mudros with a working party of 1 Petty Officer and 10 hands from HMS CHATHAM on board
HMS CHATHAM
13 January 1916 at Mudros with a working party of 1 Petty Officer and 10 hands from HMS CHATHAM on board again
19 April 1916 at Mudros commissioned as a tender to the Depot Ship HMS BLENHEIM
HMS BLENHEIM
20 April 1916 shipwrights from HMS BLENHEIM working onboard
21 April 1916 at Mudros – Wardroom Steward to HMS BLENHEIM having been charged with stealing and having spirits in his possession
22 April 1916 at Mudros Signalman F Dent logged for being drunk – sentenced to cell punishment on HMS BLENHEIM
23 April 1916 at Mudros Steward P Zampa absent from ship for 48 hours – logged as a deserter. Balance of his wages forfeited
24 April 1916 berthed alongside HMS BLENHEIM and loaded bunker coal. The CO and Sub Lieutenant W Norman attended court on board HMS BLENHEIM (Signalman F Dent tried)
25 April, 1916 at Mudros berthed alongside collier ss Ikala and supplied her with 50 tons of water
26 April 1916 at Mudos HMS ARNO alongside for 12 tons of water
HMS ARNO
28 April 1916 at Mudros working party from HMS BLENHEIM onboard
1 May 1916 alongside collier ss Ikala and loaded bunker coal from her
2 May 1916 cast off from ss Ikala
3 May 1916 sailed Mudros for Malta
6 May 1916 anchored at Marsa Sirocco, Malta entering Grand Harbour the next day to discharge
10 May 1916 into the Dockyard, Malta and entered dry dock for refit
15 May 1916 moved from dry dock to alongside for the refit to continue
18 May 1916 RNRT H Hogan arrested by Marine Escort for being drunk and disorderly
19 May 1916 at Malta loaded 200 tons of bunker coal
22 May 1916 sailed Malta for Mudros being escorted by HMS REINDEER
25 May 1916 anchored in Mudros harbour
27 May 1916 at Mudros HMS ARNO berthed alongside for stores casting off the same day
28 May 1916 HMS’s GRAMPUS and RENARD berthed alongside later both casting off
29 May 1916 HMS’s BEADLE and COMET berthed alongside later both casting off
30 May 1916 Commander John E Edwards RD RNR was ‘mentioned’ for good services whilst employed on Transport duties at the Dardanelles
13 June 1916 to 15 June 1916 loaded 86 tons of bunker coal
16 June 1916 at Mudros – dragged her anchor and struck HMS STAUNCH, a destroyer, causing damage
HMS STAUNCH
26 June 1916 sailed Mudros to Malta
2 July 1916 at Malta Leading Seaman Robinson broke out of the ship at 13.00hrs returned to the ship at 22.00hrs drunk
3 July 1916 at Malta RNRT W Glowman found drunk onboard
4 July 1916 at Malta Leading Seamen Robinson and Glowman sent to HMS EGMONT for punishment – Robinson disrated to Able Seaman. Glowman sentenced to 10 days cells. Engineer Sub Lieutenant Combe RNR absent from the ship without leave from 0700hrs 3 July1 1916 to 0500hrs 4 July 1916 – logged
7 July 1916 at Malta loaded 200 tons of bunker coal
13 July 1916 sailed Malta to Mudros
16 July 1916 entered Mudros Harbour
25 July 1916 at Mudros – Stoker Petty Officer May found drunk and in a state of collapse. Put off duty. Later placed under arrest
26 July 1916 at Mudros – Stoker Petty Officer May found drunk again
5 August 1916 requisitioned Auxiliary OVERTON alongside to load naval stores
Requisitioned Auxiliary OVERTON
8 August 1916 sailed Mudros to Malta
11 August 1916 entered Grand Harbour, Malta
24 August 1916 at Malta loaded 170 tons of bunker coal
25 August 1916 sailed Grand Harbour Malta – anchored at Marsa Sirocco
26 August 1916 sailed Marsa Sirocco for Mudros arriving on 29 August 1916
22 September 1916 at Mudros berthed alongside collier Exmoor and loaded 155 tons of bunker coal
23 September 1916 at Mudros loaded a total of 200 tons of bunker coal over two days
2 October 1916 sailed Mudros for Malta with HMS BASILISK in tow
HMS BASILISK
3 October 1916 towing hawser carried away. New hawser made fast. Lieutenant John Ross Gorrie RNR appointed in command
7 October 1916 arrived at Malta – HMS BASILISK taken in tow by tug – entered and berthed in Grand Harbour
9 October 1916 Leading Seaman Norcliffe returned onboard from leave 15 hours late. Disrated to Able Seaman on 18 October 1916
17 October 1916 loaded 225 tons of bunker coal
22 October 1916 sailed Malta for Mudros arriving 25 October 1916
9 November 1916 at Port Mudros Lieutenant William Gregory, RNR discharged from Command
10 November 1916 Lieutenant John Ross Gorrie RNR appointed in Command
Lieutenant John Ross Gorrie RNR
21 November 1916 berthed alongside HMS BLENHEIM casting off later in the day
22 November 1916 and 23 November 1916 loaded a total of 200 tons of bunker coal from the collier Somersby
Collier Somersby
24 November 1916 at Port Mudros HMS/m K26 and HMS’s RACOON, USK and GRASSHOPPER each alongside
25 November 1916 at Port Mudros HMS’s BASILISK and BEAGLE berthed alongside
26 November 1916 at Port Mudros HMS’s FOXHOUND and BULLDOG berthed alongside
27 November 1916 at Port Mudros with HMS RATTLESNAKE berthed alongside. Later moved berth and berthed along HMS CORNWALLIS returning later to the anchorage
HMS CORNWALLIS
30 November 1916 at Port Mudros alongside HMS ARK ROYAL to receive stores
HMS ARK ROYAL
Ordered to proceed to Port Said for Army service at Razegh as a distilling ship. Sailed Port Mudros to Suda Bay, Crete arriving on 2 December 1916
4 December 1916 sailed Suda Bay to Malta arriving on 7 December 1916
12 December 1916 at Malta loaded 274 tons of bunker coal
13 December 1916 entered dry dock
14 December 1916 out of dry dock – sailed Malta to Port Said arriving on 19 December 1916
20 December 1916 at Port Said loaded 594 tons of coal into No 2 hold – then transit the Canal to Suez
24 December 1916 moored at Sherm Rabigh, Saudi Arabia
2 January 1917 RFA Race Fisher alongside and loaded 33 tons of water
12 February 1917 sailed to Suez arriving on 15 February 1917
15 February 1917 transit Suez Canal northbound to Port Said arriving the next day – moored alongside
17 February 1917 sailed Port Said to Suda Bay, Crete arriving 19 February 1917
28 February 1917 at Suda Bay, Crete with HMS JED berthed alongside for Naval Stores
17 March 1917 and 18 March 1917 loaded 250 tons of bunker coal
18 March 1917 at Suda Bay, Crete with a working party from HMS THESEUS onboard
19 March 1917 at Suda Bay, Crete with HMS JED alongside for Engineer’s Stores
21 March 1917 at Suda Bay issued Naval Stores to HMS THESEUS
HMS THESEUS
26 March 1917 at Suda Bay, Crete HM Submarine E25 alongside for water
31 March 1917 at Suda Bay, Crete HM Submarine E25 alongside for water
10 April 1917 at Suda Bay, Crete with a working party from HMS THESEUS on board
17 April 1917 at Suda Bay, Crete with a working party from HMS THESEUS on board
20 April 1917 at Suda Bay, Crete a diving party onboard
26 April 1917 to 28 April 1917 at Suda Bay, Crete loaded 256 tons of bunker coal from the collier ss Clan Macpherson and also had a working party from HMS THESEUS on board
22 May 1917 at Suda Bay, Crete with a working party from HMS THESEUS on board
31 May 1917 at Suda Bay, Crete with a working party from HMS THESEUS on board
2 June 1917 at Suda Bay, Crete with HMS JED berthed alongside
28 June 1917 HM Submarine E21 alongside loading water
HM Submarine E21
10 July 1917 at Suda Bay, Crete a working part from HMS THESUS on board
18 July 1917 and 19 July 1917 loaded 280 tons of bunker coal
20 August 1917 HM Submarine E21 alongside loading water
21 September 1917 hands from HMS PELORUS onboard drawing stores at Suda Bay, Crete
HMS PELORUS
25 October 1917 dragged her anchor. Starboard anchor let go.
9 November 1917 at Suda Bay loaded 260 tons of bunker coal from the collier Kinwood
14 November 1917 sailed Suda Bay arriving at Milo the next day
24 November 1917 Stoker S White to HMS THESEUS to serve 7 days cell punishment
8 December 1917 Engineer Lieutenant Brown RD RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
4 December 1917 to 6 December 1917 loaded a total of 440 tons of bunker coal
15 January 1918 to 17 January 1918 loaded 470 tons of bunker coal
21 January 1918 at Milo HMS COLNE alongside for stores
11 January 1918 in high winds HMS FOLKSTONE came alongside with stores during which she dented plates on the starboard side abreast of the fore rigging
14 January 1918 in high winds HMS FOLKSTONE while coming alongside dented plates port side forward
14 January 1918 to 17 January 1918 loaded 470 tons of bunker coal
18 February 1918 at Milos with a working party from HMS THESEUS onboard
5 March 1918 at Milos Collier Sterndale alongside
Collier Sterndale
6 March 1918 at Milo loaded 54 tons of bunker coal – collier Sterndale cast off
7 March 1918 sailed Milo in convoy to Malta
10 March 1918 arrived at Malta and berthed in Grand Harbour alongside ss Regent
11 March 1918 at Malta preparing to enter dry dock
13 March 1918 entered dry dock at Malta for repairs
18 March 1918 at Malta 3rd Officer H Morris logged for being absent from duty without leave
19 March 1918 dry dock flooded down – ship moved to a mooring alongside by tugs
21 March 1918 at Malta – loaded 616 tons of bunker coal
24 March 1918 sailed Malta to Corfu
4 April 1918 Lieutenant Charles James Cooper RNR (the ship’s Chief Officer) logged for that he, on 8 February 1918, while under the influence of drink used insulting language to Lieutenant John Ross Gorrie RNR his Commanding Officer
Lieutenant Charles J Cooper RNR
8 April 1918 Engineer Lieutenant Charles E Wrate RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
19 June 1918 at Corfu ship placed into quarantine due to outbreak of influenza onboard
25 June 1918 at Corfu – loaded with 102 tons of bunker coal from the collier Hillhouse
29 June 1918 at Corfu ship taken out of quarantine
1 July 1918 at Corfu loaded with 115 tons of bunker coal from the collier Hillhouse
2 July 1918 at Corfu loaded with 108 tons of bunker coal from the collier Hillhouse
3 July 1918 at Corfu loaded with 127 tons of bunker coal from the collier Hillhouse
4 July 1918 at Corfu loaded with 75 tons of bunker coal from the collier Hillhouse
8 July 1918 at Corfu MMR Stokers John Mozpalao, William Thomas Kite and Salvadore Greich each sentenced to 21 days detention for refusing duty
25 July 1918 at Corfu loaded with 100 tons of bunker coal from the collier Hillhouse
26 July 1918 at Corfu loaded with 125 tons of bunker coal from the collier Hillhouse
27 July 1918 at Corfu loaded with 155 tons of bunker coal from the collier Hillhouse
28 July 1918 at Corfu loaded with 62 tons of bunker coal from the collier Hillhouse
31 July 1918 Stoker Petty Officer Lewis Joseph Gulley discharged dead – he died from dysentry in the civil hospital on Corfu. He was buried in Corfu British Cemetery in Grave 25 on 2 August 1918
Corfu British Cemetary
all three images © Iain MacFarlaine acknowledged
16 August 1918 at Corfu loaded 146 tons of bunker coal from the collier Northumbria
Collier Northumbria
17 August 1918 at Corfu loaded 120 tons of bunker coal from the collier Northumbria
18 August 1918 at Corfu loaded 60 tons of bunker coal from the collier Northumbria
19 August 1918 at Corfu loaded 95 tons of bunker coal from the collier Northumbria
9 September 1918 at Corfu loaded 84 tons of bunker coal from the collier Northumbria
10 September 1918 at Corfu loaded 104 tons of bunkering coal from the collier Northumbria
11 September 1918 at Corfu Requisitioned Auxiliary OVERTON alongside delivering naval stores. Also loaded with 133 tons of bunker coal from the collier Northumbria
12 September 1918 at Corfu loaded 134 tons of bunker coal from the collier Northumbria
7 October 1918 at Corfu loaded 115 tons of bunkering coal from the collier War Loch
Collier ss War Loch
8 October 1918 at Corfu loaded 120 tons of bunkering coal from the collier War Loch
9 October 1918 at Corfu loaded 92 tons of bunkering coal from the collier War Loch
10 October 1918 off Corfu HM Trawler Pearl was in collision as she was coming alongside in a heavy swell causing damage to the ships stern
11 October 1918 off Corfu in a heavy swell as HM Trawler Princess Mary was casting off from the Bacchus she carried away the cleet on the forward davit of the starboard cutter
14 October 1918 off Corfu Stoker J Holmes sent to HMS LATONA under arrest
HMS LATONA
18 October 1918 berthed alongside HMS LATONA – discharging naval stores to her. Stoker Holmes returned onboard from HMS LATONA under open arrest. Ship moved to anchorage
20 October 1918 Stoker J Homes discharged for passage to Malta under escort. Ship moved alongside French Battleship Honneur to load 2 picket boats. Sailed Corfu
21 October 1918 anchored in Patras Roads
22 October 1918 anchored in Corinth Bay – dragged her anchor
23 October 1918 passed through the Corinth Canal
24 October 1918 anchored at Tribulic Bay (?)
25 October 1918 moored alongside HMS BLENHEIM at Mudros – issued 85 tons of water to HMS Blenheim
26 October 1918 loading naval stores from HMS BLENHEIM
27 October 1918 off loaded 2 picket boats and cast off from HMS BLENHEIM – anchored off
31 October 1918 and 1 November 1918 at Mudros Requisitioned Auxiliary OVERTON alongside delivering naval stores
3 November 1918 at Mudos HMS Hope alongside to load depth charges. Water Boat Phiclo alongside to load 99 tons of water
4 November 1918 at Mudros HMS FURY alongside to load naval stores. Carmelo Debora MMR sentenced to 7 days cells and Franceso Gelai, Storer, MRNR sentenced to be deprived of a good conduct badge and 5 days cells. Water Boat Phillis alongside to load 109 tons of water
5 November 1918 at Mudros moved alongside collier Tregothnan and loaded 95 tons of bunker coal. HMS HOPE alongside and loaded depth charges
6 November 1918 at Mudros loaded 106 tons of bunker coal from the collier Tegothnan
7 November 1918 at Mudros loaded 110 tons of bunker coal from the collier Tegothnan. HMS HPRNEY alongside to discharge depth charges. Water Boat Phillis alongside to load 118 tons of water
8 November 1918 at Mudros loaded 97 tons of bunker coal from the collier Tegothnan
10 November 1918 sailed Mudros
11 November 1918 ship rolling bady – deck cargo carried away damaging rails on port fore deck
12 November 1918 passed through Dardenelles to Ismit – moored alongside HMS Blenheim
14 November 1918 moved to the anchorage. HMS PRINCE EDWARD alongside for 27 tons of fresh water. HMS HORNET alongside for naval stores
17 November 1918 at Ismit water boat Phido alongside and collected 114 tons of fresh water
18 November 1918 at Ismit water boat Phido alongside and collected 97 tons of fresh water
26 November 1918 at Ismit loaded 245 tons of bunker coal from the collier Teasbridge
27 November 1918 at Ismit loaded 250 tons of bunker coal from the collier Teasbridge
6 December 1918 at Ismit – HMS’s RIFLEMAN, HOPE and FURY alongside for stores
8 December 1918 at Ismit – HMS’s HORNET and FORRESTER alongside for stores
11 December 1918 sailed Ismit for Constantinople – anchored off Constantinople overnight
12 December 1918 berthed at Constantinople alongside HM Hospital Ship VALDIVA
HMHS VALDIVA
13 December 1918 at Constantinople – moved to anchorage – various vessels alongside for water during the day – 53 tons of water issued
24 December 1918 at Constantinople the Chief Engineer Officer reported that the port engine condenser shell casing was fractured
30 December 1918 at Constantinople ships boat secured alongside Water Boat Phido was taken away by two officers (?)
31 December 1918 at Constantinople a general signal sent by the Flagship relative to the missing ships boat to trace same
2 January 1919 at Constantinople Junior Engineer Donald MacCallum logged for being ashore without permission for 36 hours
4 January 1919 at Constantinople while at anchor struck by ss Argenfels on the starboard quarter
10 January 1919 at Constantinople the collier Carisbrooke supplied 105 tons of bunker coal
11 January 1919 sailed Constantinople for Ismid arriving the same day. Anchored off the port
12 January 1919 at Ismid moored alongside the former Russian Battleship Volya loading her with a work party from HMS BLENHEIM with naval stores. The Battleship had been turned over to the Royal Navy by the German Navy on 24 November 1918 in accordance with the Armistice
Russian Battleship Volya
14 January 1919 sailed Ismid to Constantinople and anchored
17 January 1919 sailed Constantinople to Mudros arriving on 19 January 1919
28 January 1919 at Mudros moved alongside the collier Huntsgulf and loaded 93 tons of bunker coal
29 January 1919 at Mudros alongside the collier Huntsgulf and loaded 47 tons of bunker coal. Sailed Muros to Malta arriving 2 February 1919
5 February 1919 at Malta loaded with 225 tons of bunker coal
15 February 1919 sailed Malta for Gibraltar arriving on 22 February 1919
22 February 1919 berthed on the South Mole, Gibraltar. Loaded 190 tons of bunker coal
23 February 1919 loaded spare gear from HM Submarine E35
24 February 1919 sailed Gibraltar to Portsmouth arriving 2 March 1919 – anchored off discharging stores into a Drifter
4 March 1919 sailed Portsmouth for Plymouth
5 March 1919 arrived at Devonport moored alongside at No: 1 wharf
14 March 1919 at Devonport – crew discharged to Naval Barracks or sent on long leave, ship placed in Dockyard hands for refit
17 March 1919 at Devonport entered dry dock
8 April 1919 at Devonport moved out of dry dock
15 April 1919 at Devonport loaded 966 tons of fresh water
21 April 1919 berthed on No: 1 Jetty at Devonport
24 April 1919 allocated to the North Russian Expedition as a tender to the Depot Ship HMS CYCLOPS
HMS CYCLOPS
25 April 1919 at Devonport loaded 350 tons of bunker coal
27 April 1919 at Devonport – Major W C Hammond RM, Lieutenant D H Fleet RNVR, Lieutenant W Burke RM, 2nd Lieutenant E A Moreton RM, 2nd Lieutenant W E Alford RM and 2nd Lieutenant S Simpson RM boarded for duties as Naval Stores Officers
29 April 1919 sailed Devonport for Murmansk arriving on 7 May 1919
8 May 1919 at Murmansk alongside the collier War Sky
9 May 1919 at Murmansk loaded 92 tons of bunker coal from the the collier War Sky
10 May 1919 at Murmansk loaded a further 30 tons of bunker coal from the the collier War Sky – then sailed to Dvina River with HMS CYCLOPS and the Ice Breaker SVIATOGOR – on 11 May 1919 all three were stuck hard and fast by ice estimated 12 ft thick and 183 miles from Archangel & 20 miles out from the nearest land. Two ice breakers were wirelessed for from Archangel to assist the “Sviatogor” in getting the three of them through the ice field
17 May 1919 while on passage from Murmansk to Archangel the ship suffered damage from ice – details in the ships log showed: –
The entry has been signed by Lieutenant John Ross Gorrie RNR, the Commanding Officer
12 June 1919 at Archangel HM Monitor M33 came alongside to receive stores
20 June 1919 at Archangel divers and a working party from HMS PEGASUS came onboard
27 June 1919 at Archangel with HMS M23 alongside receiving stores and fresh water
10 July 1919 at Archangel HM Monitor M24 came alongside to receive distilled water and lubricating oil
21 July 1919 to 25 July 1919 at Archangel a working party from HMS PEGASUS came on board each day
22 July 1919 at Archangel with HMS M23 alongside receiving water
26 July 1919 at Archangel HM Monitor M24 came alongside to receive 810 gallons of water
4 August 1919 at Archangel HM Monitor M24 came alongside to receive 3,050 gallons of water
10 August 1919 at Archangel HM Monitor M24 came alongside to receive fresh water
11 August 1919 at Archangel HMS MANTIS came alongside to receive fresh water
14 August 1919 at Archangel HMS Monitor M23 came alongside to receive fresh water
16 August 1919 at Archangel HM Monitor M24 came alongside to receive 2,200 gallons of water
21 August 1919 at Archangel a working party from HMS PEGASUS came onboard
26 August 1919 at Archangel a working party from HM Monitor M24 came onboard
27 August 1919 at Archangel HMS MANTIS came alongside to receive fresh water
28 August 1919 at Archangel HM Monitor M24 came alongside to receive water
2 September 1919 at anchor midstream off Archangel with alongside HMS Monitor M24 to provide her with fresh water
6 September 1919 at Archangel with HMS Monitor M23 alongside to receive fresh water
8 September 1919 at Archangel HMS MANTIS came alongside to receive fresh water
11 September 1919 supplied a further 32 tons of fresh water to HMS Monitor M24 at Archangel
17 September 1919 Greaser Clocker MMR sent to HMS CYCLOPS under escort. Greasers Donovan, Martin and Willis and Stoker Biles reported drunk and unfit for duty
19 September 1919 the four crew members above sent for trial by the SNO on HMS CYCLOPS. Greasers Martin and Clocker reduced to Fireman and dismissed their ship. Greasers Donovan reduced to Fireman. Stoker Biles sentenced to 3 days cells
20 September 1919 Greaser Willis reduced to Fireman and dismissed his ship
2 October 1919 sailed Murmansk for Lerwick
10 October 1919 arrived at Lerwick from Murmansk. Sailed the same day for Devonport
14 October 1919 arrived at Plymouth Sound from Lerwick and berthed at Devonport in Berth No 13
18 October 1919 at Devonport Stoker Frederick Balshan MMR reported onboard under arrest
24 October 1919 at Devonport on Berth No: 13. Struck on the starboard quarter by steam hopper DW22 denting plating very badly
26 November 1919 paid off at Devonport and became an RFA
27 November 1919 Captain Percival Skone Rees appointed as Master
1 December 1919 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
6 December 1919 sailed Portsmouth Harbour
1 January 1920 in a report to Their Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty – Read Admiral Sir John F E Green KCMG CB, Senior Naval Officer, White Sea Fleet ‘mentioned’ Major W C Hammond RM for being in Charge of Naval Stores
23 January 1920 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
29 January 1920 sailed Portsmouth Harbour
20 March 1920 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
29 March 1920 sailed Portsmouth Harbourr
7 June 1920 berthed at Cork, Ireland with munitions. British Army soldiers unloaded the cargo after the refusal of local dockers
9 June 1920 the Scotsman newspaper reported –
16 June 1920 the Secret Cabinet report of matters of Naval Interest for the week ending 12 June 1920 stated on page 9 –
17 June 1920 arrived off Queenstown, Ireland
11 July 1920 arrived at Devonport from Queenstown, Ireland
23 July 1920 cleared the Port of Dublin, Ireland
30 August 1920 berthed on the North Wall, Dublin Harbour, Ireland to discharge
16 September 1920 sailed from Fowey
14 November 1920 berthed on the North Wall, Dublin Harbour, Ireland to discharge
30 November 1920 the Dublin Evening Telegraph reported …
20 January 1921 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
24 January 1921 sailed Portsmouth Harbour
8 March 1921 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta with Naval Stores for UK ports
19 March 1921 arrived at Plymouth from Gibraltar
14 May 1921 berthed at Gibraltar from Leghorn with Government stores for UK ports
21 May 1921 arrived at Plymouth from Gibraltar
30 July 1921 Captain Frank J Delamotte RFA appointed as Master
8 December 1921 berthed at Gibraltar with Naval Stores from Chatham
16 February 1922 sailed Gibraltar for Malta
9 December 1922 sailed Malta
1922 to 1923 served Bombay then Trincomalee on the reactivation of the latter
13 January 1923 at sea a passenger Driller Martin Thomas from HM Dockyard Gibraltar was found missing from the ship – presumed drowned
20 January 1923 sailed Malta for Constantinople
17 February 1923 2nd Engineer Officer James Watt RFA appointed as Acting Chief Engineer Officer
20 March 1923 sailed from Algiers for Malta
14 July 1923 Captain Roger F Shotton MID RFA appointed as Master
7 October 1923 berthed at Trincomalee, Ceylon
8 to 13 October 1923 and 15 to 20 October 1923 at Trincomalee, Ceylon with stores party onboard from HMS’s CAIRO and COLOMBO
HMS CAIRO
12 December 1923 sailed Colombo
17 January 1924 at Arthur Road, Hospital, Bombay Junior Engineer Officer Ronald William Boss discharged dead. He died from smallpox
8 March 1924 Mr F Campbell RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
31 March 1924 arrived at Plymouth from Pembroke Dock
13 April 1925 at River Medway the ships boat with eleven crew members on board was struck by a motor lighter laden with beer. Six of the crew were drowned. For their names etc. see the ‘Roll of Honour’ for 1925. Inquests were held touching upon the deaths of these crew and verdicts of ‘accidental death’ were returned in each case by the jury. 3rd Officer Victor M Wakeley was buried in Whitworth Road Cemetery, Swindon in grave H197. Stoker John Riddle was buried in the Naval Section of Gillingham Cemetery in Grave 482, Able Seaman Albert Edwards was buried in the Naval Section of Gillingham Cemetery in Grave 483 and Able Seaman Cyril Chinn was buried in the Naval Section of Gillingham Cemetery in Grave 484
15 April 1925 the Portsmouth Evening News reported …
23 April 1925 Captain John B Hurst RFA appointed as Master
Captain John B Hurst RFA
30 April 1925 the body of Radio Officer Cyril Stonehouse RFA who drowned on 13 April 1925 (see above) recoverd from the River Medway. He was buried in Kingston Cemetery, Portsmouth in an unmarked grave in Cravens East plot, row 8, grave 3
Press Cutting from Western Morning News 11 May 1925
13 May 1925 the Member of Parliament for Devonport – Major Hore-Belisha – raised the collision in which the ships boat had been involved in on the Medway (see above) and where six of the crew were drowned with the First Lord of the Admiralty in Parliament. He questioned under what contract all of the deceased had been employed and would their dependants receive provision under the Workers Compensation Act (source Hansard)
30 July 1925 sailed from Chatham for Devonport
25 September 1925 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
28 September 1925 berthed at Sheer Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour
29 September 1925 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
9 December 1925 Captain John P Tugwood DSC RD RFA appointed as Master
Captain John P Tugwood DSC RD RFA
26 January 1926 at Chatham Dockyard
1 February 1926 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour on Sheer Jetty
11 February 1926 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour on Sheer Jetty later anchoring at Spithead
12 February 1926 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour on Sheer Jetty
18 February 1926 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour on Sheer Jetty
19 February 1926 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
30 June 1926 at Sheerness
1 November 1926 Captain J Martin-Smith DSC RFA (Temporary Lieut.Commander RNR (Retd)) appointed as Master
9 November 1927 Mr J B Russell RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
27 December 1927 Captain Thomas Banbury RFA appointed as Master
1 January 1927 at Sheerness
25 January 1927 berthed at Malta
22 March 1928 Mr Leonard A Sharp RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Leonard A Sharp RFA
13 April 1928 sailed from Malta for Gibraltar and Chatham
28 April 1928 in collision with a Greek ship Ionnas Fafalios in the English Channel 20 miles south of St. Albans Head in thick fog. 12 of the Greek ships crew were killed and the Bacchus nearly foundered – later towed into Portland Harbour stern first by Admiralty tugs. Bacchus on voyage Chatham to Malta. Bacchus adjudged subsequently to blame for the accident in the Admiralty Division of the High Court.
5 May 1928 the Perth (Western Australia) Daily News newspaper reported the above collision thus –
15 June 1928 the Hampshire Telegraph reported –
29 June 1928 Captain Reginald C E Neyroud RFA appointed as Master
16 August 1928 sailed Gibraltar for Plymouth with one Gibraltar ape as part of the ships cargo
7 January 1929 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham with Naval stores for Malta
23 January 1929 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta with Naval stores for Chatham
13 February 1929 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham with Naval stores for Malta
2 March 1929 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta with Naval stores for Chatham
25 March 1929 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham with Naval stores for Malta
9 May 1929 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham with Naval stores for Malta
24 May 1929 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta with Naval stores for Chatham
12 June 1929 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham with Naval stores for Malta
25 June 1929 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta with Naval stores for Chatham
16 July 1929 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham carrying Government stores for Malta
31 July 1929 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta for Chatham
20 August 1929 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham with Naval stores for Malta
31 August 1929 sailed Malta for Gibraltar and Chatham
4 September 1929 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta
16 September 1929 at Chatham Dockyard
24 September 1929 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham with Naval stores for Malta
3 October 1929 alongside at Malta
9 October 1929 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta with Naval stores for the UK
30 October 1929 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham with Naval stores for Malta
13 November 1929 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta with Naval stores for the UK sailing the next day
16 December 1929 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta with Naval stores for the UK
22 January 1930 arrived Gibraltar from Chatham. Sailed the same day for Malta
14 February 1930 Captain William J Shipton RFA appointed as Master
Captain William J Shipton RFA
12 March 1930 passed Gibraltar enroute from Malta to the UK
17 March 1930 berthed at Chatham from Malta and Gibraltar
18 March 1930 Mr Edward B Morton RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Edward B Morton RFA
27 March 1930 sailed Chatham for Gibraltar
1 April 1930 arrived Gibraltar
6 April 1930 berthed at Malta
16 April 1930 arrived Gibraltar from Malta and sailed for Chatham
7 May 1930 arrived Gibraltar from Chatham and sailed for Malta
20 May 1930 arrived Gibraltar from Malta and sailed for Chatham
11 June 1930 arrived Gibraltar from Chatham and sailed for Malta
20 June 1930 sailed Malta
20 July 1930 berthed at Malta from Gibraltar
30 July 1930 sailed Gibraltar for Sheerness
4 September 1930 off Gibraltar in collision with ss Sharristan – damage was reported to be slight when she arrived at Gibraltar
Press report from the Western Morning News 5 September 1930
6 May 1931 sailed Chatham for Gibraltar
17 May 1931 berthed at Malta from Gibraltar
22 May 1931 sailed Malta
14 August 1931 at Chatham Dockyard
23 November 1931 Captain Stanley G Kent RFA appointed as Master
Captain Stanley G Kent RFA
31 December 1931 Mr Andrew H Ireland RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Andrew H Ireland RFA
1 January 1932 at Sheerness
30 June 1932 berthed at Sheerness from Malta
1 July 1932 at Sheerness
3 August 1932 berthed at Gibraltar
14 September 1932 off Ushant stood by when the Greek steamer Chloe’s boilers blew up and the ship sank –
Portsmouth Evening News of 14 September 1932
8 December 1932 at Malta
20 December 1932 arrived at Sheerness
28 December 1932 Mr L H Taylor RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
7 January 1933 Captain Alfred L Jones RFA appointed as Master until 7 February 1933
14 March 1933 Captain Alfred L Jones RFA appointed as Temporary Master until 25 April 1933
25 April 1933 Captain Charles H Noel RFA appointed as Master
Captain Charles H Noel RFA
29 September 1933 Mr Thomas W Robinson RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
20 March 1934 Captain Donald R McCutchan RFA appointed as Master
Captain Donald R McCutchan RFA
11 October 1934 at Malta
23 October 1934 arrived at Devonport from Gibraltar sailing the same day for Sheerness Dockyard
25 October 1934 at Chatham Dockyard
21 November 1934 at Chatham Dockyard
15 March 1935 at Chatham Dockyard
6 April 1935 at Malta
17 April 1935 at Chatham Dockyard
1935 to May 1936 was sent to Mersa Matruh to serve as a distilling ship for the Army on the outbreak of the Italo-Abyssinian Conflict.
24 May 1935 Captain Walter C T Barns RFA appointed as Master
Captain Walter C T Barns RFA
May 1936 re-named as Bacchus II to free the original name for use on another ship (See RFA Bacchus (2) – below)
19 September 1936 Captain Cyril F Cunningham RFA appointed as Master
9 June 1938 as RFA Bacchus II berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
November 1938 used by the RAF as a target and damaged by bombing
15 November 1938 sunk as a target over the Hurd Deep off Alderney. Channel Islands by gun fire from the cruiser HMS DUNEDIN
HMS DUNEDIN
RFA Bacchus (2)
Subsequent name: Pulau Ball
Official Number: 164723
Class: Stores Freighter
Pennant No: X 03 / B 556 / A103
Signal Letters: GXYB
Laid down: 14 February 1936
Builder: Caledon Shipbuilding
Launched: 15 June 1936
Into Service: 20 September 1936
Base Port: Chatham (1952)
Out of service: 13 April 1962 laid up at Singapore
Fate: 14 August 1962 sold out of service
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: Of Admiralty design, she was built as a Stores Carrier to replace her namesake of 1915 (above), and maintained the regular 5 week run from Chatham – Gibraltar – Malta carrying essential naval, victualling and armament stores and on occasion limited numbers of Service passengers until the outbreak of WW2. During the War she served primarily as a Distilling Ship, reportedly with the distilling plant from HMS RESOLUTION and later served as a Naval Stores Issuing Ship. After the War she was reconverted into a Stores Freighter. In 1946, when the “overseas sea freight service” was recommenced, she began what was to become a regular U.K. – Mediterranean – Far East Run via the Suez Canal and Aden.
1 March 1935 Navy Estimates allow for a new Stores Freighter to be built
17 December 1935 ordered
14 February 1936 laid down
10 July 1936 during construction by Caledon Shipbuilding and Engineering Co Ltd, Dundee an Apprentice – Albert McAuley (16) – employed by the ship builders was injured in an accident onboard. he suffered a broken arm and was conveyed to the Royal Infirmary
15 July 1936 launched by Caledon Shipbuilding and Engineering Co Ltd., Dundee as Yard Nr: 358 named BACCHUS (2) by Mrs W J Gick the wife of Mr W J Gick CB., CBE Director of Naval Stores
RFA BACCHUS (2) after being launched
20 September 1936 completed. Replaced RFA BACCHUS (1)
3 September 1936 arrived Gibraltar from Malta and sailed for Portsmouth and Chatham
15 October 1936 arrived Gibraltar from Chatham and sailed for Malta
4 November 1936 arrived Gibraltar from Malta and sailed with Naval Stores for Chatham
30 November 1936 arrived Gibraltar from Chatham and sailed with Naval Stores for Malta
15 December 1936 arrived Gibraltar from Malta and sailed with Naval Stores for Chatham
11 January 1937 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham with naval stores
18 January 1937 berthed at Malta from Gibraltar
25 January 1937 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta while on passage to Chatham with naval stores
22 February 1937 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham with naval stores
10 March 1937 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta while on passage to Chatham with naval stores
31 March 1937 sailed from Sheerness
8 April 1937 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham while on passage to Malta with naval stores
23 April 1937 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta while on passage to Chatham with naval stores
24 May 1937 Mr Percy E C Ogden RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
21 June 1937 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham while on passage to Malta with naval stores
6 July 1937 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta while on passage to Chatham with naval stores
28 July 1937 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham while on passage to Malta with naval stores
11 August 1937 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta while on passage to Portsmouth and Chatham with naval stores
18 August 1937 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
21 August 1937 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
23 August 1937 Captain Thomas G Bennett RFA (Lieut-Commander RN (Retd)) appointed as Master
9 September 1937 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham while on passage to Malta with naval stores
15 September 1937 berthed at Malta from Gibraltar
25 September 1937 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta while on passage to Sheerness and Chatham with naval stores
20 October 1937 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham while on passage to Malta with naval stores
23 October 1937 sailed Gibraltar
7 November 1937 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta while on passage to Chatham with naval stores
9 December 1937 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham while on passage to Malta with naval stores
13 January 1938 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta while on passage to Chatham with naval stores
16 February 1938 Mr Harold R Bullimore RFA (Engineer Lieutenant Commander RN (Ret)) appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
23 February 1938 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham while on passage to Malta with naval stores
12 March 1938 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta while on passage to Chatham with naval stores
4 April 1938 at Sheerness
19 April 1938 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham while on passage to Malta with naval stores
4 May 1938 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta while on passage to Chatham with naval stores
12 May 1938 sailed from Sheerness
22 May 1938 Chief Officer Robert T Duthie FRGS FRAS RFA appointed as Temporary Acting Master
Captain Robert T Duthie FRGS FRAS RFA
30 May 1938 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham while on passage to Malta with naval stores
15 June 1938 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta while on passage to Chatham with naval stores
26 July 1938 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham while on passage to Malta with naval stores
12 August 1938 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta while on passage to Chatham with naval stores
19 September 1938 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham while on passage to Malta with naval stores
16 October 1938 berthed at Malta from Alexandria
24 October 1938 passed Gibraltar
2 November 1938 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta while on passage to Chatham with naval stores
4 November 1938 sailed Gibraltar for Chatham with naval stores
1 December 1938 berthed at Gibraltar from Chatham while on passage to Malta with naval stores
12 December 1938 berthed at Grand Harbour, Malta from Chatham
19 December 1938 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta while on passage to Chatham with naval stores
January 1939 on passage from Malta to Alexandria with 2,400 tons of Naval and Victualling stores (plus trained staff) to open the new RN Stores Depot there
7 February 1939 Captain R G Edmonds RFA appointed as Master
6 March 1939 arrived at Gibraltar
15 March 1939 Mr Thomas Eggleston RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Thomas Eggleston RFA
1 August 1939 passed Gibraltar sailing west bound
3 September 1939 at Chatham on the outbreak of WW2
16 September 1939 while returning home from the Mediterranean, she fought and drove off a U-Boat whose torpedo missed in the Bay of Biscay at 170 miles SW of Fastnet
October 1939 a Distilling Plant was added at Falmouth, reportedly from the battleship HMS RESOLUTION. Served at Scapa Flow and on the Clyde as a Distilling Ship
4 December 1939 alongside HMS SHARPSHOOTER (mine sweeper) at the Eastern Arm of Albert Harbour, Greenock
HMS SHARPSHOOTER
25 January 1940 alongside HMS SHARPSHOOTER at Campbeltown
3 February 1940 was damaged while going alongside the AMC CARINTHIA
RMS CARINTHIA before becoming an AMC
16 February 1940 Captain Frederick S Harvey RFA appointed as Master
Captain Frederick S Harvey RFA as an Apprentice
11 March 1940 sailed the Clyde together with RFA PRESTOL and BRITISH LADY to Scapa Flow escorted by HMS HASTY and HMS HOTSPUR arriving on 14 March 1940
13 March 1940 passed Dunnet Head
17 March 1940 until 29 June 1941 at Scapa Flow
29 June 1941 sailed Scapa Flow to Methil Roads arriving the next day
30 June 1941 sailed Methil Roads to Leith Docks arriving 1 July 1941
5 August 1941 sailed Leith Docks to Rosyth returning to Leith Docks on 8 August 1941
9 August 1941 sailed Leith Docks to Methil Roads arriving 10 August 1941
11 August 1941 arrived at Scapa Flow
13 August 1941 until 17 February 1942 based at Scapa Flow
27 December 1941 Captain Stanley M Woodward RFA appointed as Master
25 February 1942 sailed Lyness
28 February 1942 arrived at Liverpool.
13 March 1942 Director of Stores gave notice by signal that Bacchus was to sail to the Far East carrying Naval Stores
Signal copied to the Admiralty War Diary of 13 March 1942 page 159
18 March 1942 Captain Frederick S Harvey RFA appointed as Master
22 May 1942 sailed Liverpool in escorted Convoy OS29 to Freetown arriving on 11 June 1942
17 June 1942 sailed from Freetown to Durban arriving 6 July 1942
20 July 1942 sailed Durban in convoy CM30 to Aden arriving on 8 August 1942
13 August 1942 arrived Kilindini from Diego Suarez with the RFA EASEDALE
21 September 1942 sailed Kilindini in escorted convoy KR4 detached at Mahe, Seychelles with engine defects
26 September 1942 arrived at Mahe, Seychelles
27 September 1942 sailed from Mahe, Seychelles
4 October 1942 arrived Colombo after experiencing engine problems in the Seychelles
9 November 1942 sailed Colombo in unescorted convoy MB17 to Bombay arriving 13 November 1942
16 November 1942 sailed Bombay in unescorted convoy BP60 to Bandar Abbas arriving 21 November 1942
10 April 1943 sailed Bandar Abbas in convoy PB35 to Bombay arriving 17 April 1943
29 April 1943 sailed Bombay independently to Mombasa arriving 9 May 1943
23 May 1943 sailed Mombasa independently to Durban arriving 2 June 1943
4 July 1943 sailed Durban in convoy DN50A dispersed and arrived at Kilindini on 12 July 1943
19 July 1943 due to shortage of facilities at Trincomalee to provide ships with distilled water C in C Eastern Fleet advised the Admiralty and F.O. Ceylon by signal that BACCHUS would to be based at Trincomalee to supply distilled water
8 September 1943 in convoy MC10, consisting of HMS MANELA and HMS RECORDER left Kilindini for Durban
14 September 1943 sailed Beira in escorted convoy BC6 for Durban arriving 18 September 1943
3 October 1943 entered the dry dock at Durban, South Africa
5 October 1943 undocked from the dry dock at Durban, South Africa – work incomplete
21 October 1943 docked again in the dry dock at Durban, South Africa
22 October 1943 undocked from the dry dock at Durban, South Africa – work now completed
26 October 1943 sailed Durban, South Africa in unescorted convoy DKA5 to Aden
22 November 1943 sailed Addu Atol in Convoy XC11 to Colombo arriving 25 November 1943
7 December 1943 sailed Colombo, Ceylon to Bombay in unescorted convoy MB57
9 January 1944 sailed Aden in unescorted convoy AKD11A to Durban
6 April 1944 sailed Addu Atoll in Convoy XC18 in company with RFA BELGOL
20 April 1944 sailed Trincomalee, Ceylon in unescorted convoy JC45 to Calcutta arriving 27 April 1944
21 August 1944 sailed Colombo, Celon in unescorted convoy JC60 to Trincomalee arriving 28 August 1944
1944 to 1945 acted as a Distilling Ship in the Persian Gulf, then joined the British Pacific Fleet Train
6 December 1944 arrived at Bombay
10 January 1945 sailed Bombay for Colombo, Ceylon arriving 14 January 1945
27 January 1945 sailed Colombo, Celon
30 January 1945 sailed Trincomalee, Ceylon to Freemantle, Australia arriving 15 February 1945
14 February 1945 Captain Walter L Holtam RFA appointed as Master
Captain Walter L Holtam RFA
19 February 1945 sailed Freemantle to Sydney NSW arriving 27 February 1945
March 1945 took part in Operation Iceberg One – the British Pacific Fleet operations against Okinawa and outlying islands
3 March 1945 sailed Sydney NSW to Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands arriving 13 March 1945
19 March 1945 sailed Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands to Leyte under escort
28 March 1945 Mr Walter McKee RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
April 1945 was in Task Force 57 at Leyte, along with RFA BROWN RANGER, where she was used as a Water Carrier
13 April 1945 at Leyte Gulf with HMAS LAUNCESTON berthed alongside receiving fresh water
HMAS LAUNCESTON
13 May 1945 sailed Leyte to Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands under the escort of HMAS’s IPSWICH and PIRIE arriving on 21 May 1945
31 May 1945 in port at Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands together with RFA’s FORT DUNVEGAN, ARNDALE, BROWN RANGER, GREEN RANGER, CEDARDALE, RAPIDOL, WAVE EMPEROR, WAVE KING and WAVE MONARCH
30 June 1945 in port at Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands together with RFA’s FORT DUNVEGAN, BROWN RANGER, GREEN RANGER, RAPIDOL and WAVE MONARCH
July 1945 in an attempt to remedy the shortage of OAS equipment within the British Pacific Fleet, together with RFA BROWN RANGER was used as a carrier and issuing ship for the replacing of lost and damaged hoses.
12 July 1945 sailed Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands
31 July 1945 in port at Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands together with RFA’s FORT DUNVEGAN, BROWN RANGER, GREEN RANGER, RAPIDOL and WAVE MONARCH
3 August 1945 Eniwetok with HMAS BENDIGO alongside to receive fresh water supplies
12 August 1945 arrived Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands. RFA EAGLESDALE and RFA CEDARDALE arrived the same day
26 August 1945 at Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands with HMAS BENDIGO alongside to load lubricating oil
HMAS BENDIGO
30 August 1945 sailed Manus, Admiralty Islands. RFA’s RAPIDOL, SALVESTOR, SALVICTOR and GREEN RANGER also all sailed this day
9 October 1945 sailed Hong Kong to Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands arriving 20 October 1945
22 October 1945 sailed Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands to Sydney NSW arriving 31 October 1945
16 February 1946 sailed Sydney, Australia to Hong Kong arriving 7 March 1946
1946 converted to a stores freighter at Hong Kong
10 October 1946 at Brisbane Quartermaster Kaka Dumsoo discharged dead – natural causes
December 1946 berthed at Brisbane
19 December 1946 the Brisbane Telegraph newspaper reported that –
30 December 1946 Mr A J Daniel RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
7 January 1947 sailed Brisbane for Singapore
20 February 1947 berthed at Brisbane from Singapore
21 February 1947 the Brisbane Telegraph newspaper reported –
24 February 1947 berthed at Sydney, NSW from Brisbane
10 April 1947 sailed Sydney, NSW for the UK
14 July 1947 Captain Frank C Holt RFA appointed as Master
Captain Frank C Holt RFA
1947 sailed to Mombassa and arrived Durban 14 October 1947.
18 November 1947 sailed Durban to Simonstown Dockyard
25 February 1949 sailed from from 41 berth Gibraltar
27 March 1949 Captain Cecil H Grainger MID RFA appointed as Master
13 January 1950 passed Dover sailing eastbound
16 January 1950 Mr R Blacklock RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
6 February 1950 passed Gibraltar sailing east bound
17 April 1950 passed Dover sailing east bound
26 April 1950 passed Dover sailing west bound
2 May 1950 passed Gibraltar
12 May 1950 passed Dover sailing eastbound
27 May 1950 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
3 June 1950 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
15 June 1950 passed Gibraltar sailing east bound
21 June 1950 passed Gibraltar sailing west bound
26 June 1950 passed Dover sailing east bound
15 July 1950 sailed from Chatham Dockyard
28 July 1950 passed Gibraltar sailing west bound
8 September 1950 passed Dover sailing west bound
29 October 1950 Mr Eric S Fielder RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
13 November 1950 passed Gibraltar sailing east bound
17 November 1950 arrived at Malta from Devonport
25 May 1951 entered Chatham Dockyard from the Medway River
9 June 1951 Captain Edward E Laurence RFA appointed as Master – sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
23 July 1951 Captain Walter L Holtam RFA appointed as Master
23 August 1951 sailed Malta for Gibraltar and the UK
9 February 1952 sailed Malta for Portsmouth
3 March 1952 arrived at Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
2 May 1952 sailed Gibraltar
17 May 1952 arrived at Bremen, Germany
24 May 1952 Mr J Alexander RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
11 July 1952 Captain Frank A Shaw RFA (Lieutenant Commander RNR Retd) appointed as Master
20 July 1952 passed Gibraltar sailing east bound
8 January 1953 sailed from Chatham Dockyard
19 January 1953 berthed at Grand Harbour, Malta
26 May 1953 Captain H R Davies RFA appointed as Master
29 May 1953 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
6 October 1953 Mr F Campbell RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
14 January 1954 Mr Harry G May RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
29 January 1954 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
10 June 1954 Mr P Ryan RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
20 June 1954 passed the Lloyds Signal Station at Dover sailing west – signalled she was bound for Malta
2 October 1954 berthed at Immingham from Devonport
10 December 1954 entered Chatham Dockyard from the Medway River
16 December 1954 sailed Chatham Dockyard into the Medway River
8 April 1955 berthed at Sheerness from Port Said with 2 passengers
12 April 1955 while entering the locks of Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway struck the catamarans apparently causing slight damage
2 May 1955 sailed Chatham for Singapore and Hong Kong with 4 passengers
19 September 1955 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
26 September 1955 Captain R K McKenzie appointed as Master
30 September 1955 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
10 November 1955 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
14 November 1955 Mr Wilfred C Shortland RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
17 November 1955 at Chatham dockyard RFA TEAKOL (2) berthed alongside and later moved alongside HMS SCOTT
21 November 1955 sailed Chatham for Singapore with 6 passengers
20 February 1956 berthed at Portsmouth after voyage from Singapore and Malta with 9 passengers
29 March 1956 sailed Immingham for Chatham Dockyard
7 April 1956 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
14 April 1956 Mr J Alexander RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
29 May 1956 berthed at Portsmouth after voyage from Malta and Gibraltar with 12 passengers
21 June 1956 sailed Chatham for Ceylon and Hong Kong with 9 passengers
31 October 1956 was deployed on Operation Musketeer – the Suez Crisis – along with 34 other RFA‘s
22 November 1956 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
2 January 1957 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
28 February 1957 sailed Chatham for Singapore and Hong Kong with 7 passengers
20 May 1957 Able Seaman Edward Binnington pleased guilty at a Singapore court to being asleep at the wheel when the ships course deviated by 104 degrees
22 July 1957 Captain Dan de V Moulds RFA appointed as Master
2 August 1957 sailed Chatham for Singapore with 8 passengers
9 December 1957 Mr J G Yuill RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
20 January 1958 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
1 February 1958 sailed Chatham Dockyard to Singapore and Hong Kong with 7 passengers
10 November 1958 Captain Cyril Alexander DSC RFA appointed as Master
24 November 1958 sailed Chatham to Singapore and Hong Kong with 8 passengers
22 April 1959 Mr J P Mair RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
15 April 1959 passed Ushant
19 April 1959 passed the Llooyds Signal Station at Dover sailing east bound
20 April 1959 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
29 April 1959 sailed Chatham to Singapore and Hong Kong with 8 passengers
5 May 1959 passed Ushant
8 May 1959 passed Gibraltar sailing east bound
13 May 1959 arrived at Port Said
20 May 1959 sailed from Aden
4 June 1959 arrived at Singapore
16 June 1959 sailed from Singapore
5 August 1959 sailed from Port Said
12 August 1959 passed Ushant
19 August 1959 arrived at Devonport
28 August 1959 sailed from No: 1 Jetty, Devonport Dockyard passing RFA RETAINER north of Rubble Buoy to Plymouth Sound
31 August 1959 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
10 September 1959 sailed Chatham to Singapore with 8 passengers passing Dover sailing west bound
11 December 1959 moved from Plymouth Sound to No: 1 Jetty, Devonport Dockyard
29 December 1959 sailed from No: 1 Jetty, Devonport Dockyard to Plymouth Sound
January 1960 Captain Frank S Samson RFA appointed as Master
Captain Frank Samson RFA
20 January 1960 at Chatham Dockyard entered No: 6 dry dock
3 February 1960 at Chatham Dockyard undocked from No: 6 dry dock
25 February 1960 sailed Chatham to Sheerness, Portland, Gibraltar and Singapore with 8 passengers
24 May 1960 at Devonport Dockyard moved from Plymouth Sound to No: 1 jetty
26 May 1960 Mr D F Gorrie RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
31 May 1960 at Devonport Dockyard moved from No: 1 jetty to Plymouth Sound
7 June 1960 Captain Phadraig Colfer RFA appointed as Master
7 September 1960 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
19 September 1960 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
18 October 1960 at Devonport Dockyard moved from Plymouth Sound to No: 1 jetty
24 October 1960 at Devonport Dockyard moved from No: 1 jetty to Plymouth Sound
26 October 1960 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
5 December 1960 at Devonport Dockyard moved from Plymouth Sound to No: 1 jetty
9 December 1960 at Devonport Dockyard moved from No: 1 jetty to Plymouth Sound
4 January 1961 at Chatham Dockyard undocked from No: 7 dry dock
19 January 1961 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
15 February 1961 at Devonport Dockyard moved from Plymouth Sound to No: 1 jetty
22 February 1961 at Devonport Dockyard moved from No: 1 jetty to Plymouth Sound
24 February 1961 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
3 March 1961 at Chatham Dockyard with RFA TEAKOL (2) alongside refuelling her
7 March 1961 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
4 April 1961 at Devonport Dockyard moved from Plymouth Sound to No: 1 jetty
7 April 1961 at Devonport Dockyard moved from No: 1 jetty to Plymouth Sound
28 August 1961 at Devonport Dockyard moved from Plymouth Sound to No 1 Capital Ship Trot
31 August 1961 at Devonport Dockyard moved from No 1 Capital Ship Trot to No: 1 Jetty
4 September 1961 at Devonport Dockyard moved from No 1 Jetty to No: 2 buoy moving later to Plymouth Sound
5 September 1961 anchored at the Great Nore
6 September 1961entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
14 September 1961 while at Chatham Dockyard RFA TEAKOL (2) berthed alongside to refuel RFA BACCHUS (2)
15 September 1961 sailed from Chatham Dockyard
11 October 1961 at Devonport Dockyard moved from Plymouth Sound to No: 1 jetty
17 October 1961 at Devonport Dockyard moved from No: 1 jetty to Plymouth Sound
19 October 1961 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
31 October 1961 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
3 January 1962 Mr W M Clements RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
4 February 1962 anchored in Gibraltar Bay and refuelled by RFA EDDYBEACH
February 1962 Captain Sam Dunlop MBE RFA appointed as Master
14 February 1962 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
23 February 1962 at Chatham
14 March 1962 sailed Malta for Singapore
13 April 1962 laid up at Singapore
7 June 1962 advertised for sale ‘as lying’ at HM Dockyard, Singapore in The Times (London) on this date
14 August 1962 sold out of the Service and purchased by Chip Hwa Shipping & Trading Co Ltd, Singapore and renamed PULAU BALI
31 January 1964 anchored in the outer roads of Singapore Harbour
13 February 1964 anchored in the outer roads of Singapore Harbour
25 March 1964 anchored in the outer roads of Singapore Harbour
22 April 1964 anchored in the outer roads of Singapore Harbour. RFA FORT ROSALIE (1) was also anchored in the outer roads
12 August 1964 beached at Singapore prior to breaking up
RFA Bacchus (3)
Reproduced with permission of the MOD
Subsequent name: Cherry Lanka
Official Number: 304368
Class: HEBE CLASS Stores Freighter
Pennant No: A404
Laid down: 18 April 1961
Builder: Henry Robb, Leith
Launched: 4 June 1962
Into Service: 8 November 1962
Out of Service: 8 September 1981
Fate: Broken up
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: The proposed charter of the 2 Admiralty-designed vessels in this Class was announced in September 1960 and they were built specifically for Admiralty sea freighting duties. They were designed to carry the greater proportion of their bulk cargo of naval stores in specially-designed containers by Chatham Dockyard which were known as chacons, thus setting a pattern of containerisation which was followed in ever-increasing steps in the commercial world. The 2 ships were built on tanker lines, with machinery spaces and superstructures aft, so leaving 3 large holds and tween decks forward, with No 3 tweendeck having 2 refrigerated spaces and facilities for 12 refrigerated containers. They initially maintained a U.K. – Gibraltar – Malta – Aden – Singapore service and after the closure of the Suez Canal in 1967 they went via the Cape of Good Hope, with frequent calls at Simonstown. Neither of them had any replenishment at sea capability and when completed they were bare-boat chartered from their commercial owners for a period of 19 years.
4 June 1962 launched by Henry Robb Ltd, Leith as Yard Nr: 483 named BACCHUS for British India Steam Navigation Co Ltd, London. Named after the God of Wine, son of Jupiter and Semele. The Lady Sponsor was Mrs Osbourne, wife of the Director of Movements.
18 August 1962 her Ship’s Badge was officially presented to her
28 August 1962 Mr A M Henderson RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
19 November 1962 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
29 November 1962 commenced her maiden voyage from Chatham to Singapore
1 March 1963 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
14 March 1963 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
30 May 1963 Captain T H Macrow RFA appointed as Master
14 June 1963 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
29 November 1963 at Singapore loaded Wessex HAS1 helicopter No: XM917 from the Aircraft Holding Unit, Semba
3 January 1964 entered the River Medway from Great Nore and then into Chatham Dockyard
7 January 1964 Wessex HAS1 helicopter XP148 moved to the Far East as cargo
10 January 1964 Captain D J Coulthard RFA appointed as Master
15 January 1964 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
7 August 1964 at Chatham (see note 1)
1 October 1964 in the Indian Ocean near the entrance to the Gulf met HMS MOWHAWK and supplied ammunitionberthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
23 October 1964 Mr J Brett RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
19 November 1964 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
4 February 1965 entered the River Medway from Great Nore and then into Chatham Dockyard
5 February 1965 Captain W H Hiorns RFA appointed as Master
16 February 1965 sailed from Chatham Dockyard and entered the River Medway
29 April 1965 sailed from the Great Nore into the River Medway and thence into Chatham Dockyard
11 May 1965 sailed from Chatham Dockyard and entered the River Medway
26 July 1965 sailed from the Great Nore into the River Medway and thence into Chatham Dockyard
27 July 1965 Mr J A Burt RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
6 August 1965 sailed from Chatham Dockyard and entered the River Medway
23 October 1965 sailed from Chatham Dockyard and entered the River Medway
7 January 1966 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
14 January 1966 sailed from Chatham Dockyard for No: 3 buoy at Sheerness
20 March 1966 Captain R W Wilkinson RFA appointed as Master
18 July 1966 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
17 October 1966 Mr R W Cann RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
14 November 1966 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway then to No: 3 buoy at Sheerness
11 January 1967 at Newcastle
20 January 1967 arrived at the Great Nore to pick up a pilot
21 January 1967 sailed from the Great Nore into the River Medway to Chatham Dockyard
30 January 1967 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
6 April 1967 at Plymouth
6 July 1967 arrived at Singapore with a tandem cycle as part of the cargo donated by the Royal Naval Cycling Club in the UK to the Princess Elizabeth School for the Blind at Johore Bahku
13 July 1967 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
4 August 1967 arrived from sea into the River Medway and then into Chatham Dockyard
7 August 1967 at Chatham
16 August 1967 Mr J Brett RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
5 September 1967 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
23 September 1967 Captain E G May DSC RFA appointed as Master
24 November 1967 Mr J R Speed RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
15 December 1967 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the Medway River
2 January 1968 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
2 March 1968 moved from the River Medway into Chatham Dockyard
19 June 1968 Captain D R Thompson appointed as Master
12 August 1968 Wessex HAS1 helicopter No: XP151 moved from the Aircraft Handling Unit, Sembawang to Chatham as cargo
15 November 1968 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
5 February 1969 moved sea down the River Medway into Chatham Dockyard
29 May 1969 3rd Engineer Officer Walter R Eick RFA discharged dead at Chatham Dockyard – natural causes
27 January 1970 entered Chatham Dockyard from the Medway River
14 February 1970 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the Medway River and to sea
3 April 1970 Wessex HAS1 helicopter No: XS887 moved from the Aircraft Handling Unit, Sembawang to the UK as cargo
29 April 1970 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
17 July 1970 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
9 November 1970 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
31 January 1971 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
12 March 1971 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
26 April 1971 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
17 July 1971 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
1 October 1971 P & O General Cargo Division, London were appointed her owners’ managers
28 November 1971 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
13 October 1972 for delivery to the RNAY Fleetlands, Fareham, Hampshire
5 December 1972 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
10 January 1973 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
17 January 1973 owners became P & O Steam Navigation Co, London
21 January 1973 moved from Chatham Dockyard into the Medway River and sailed
16 May 1973 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
5 June 1973 moved from Chatham Dockyard into the Medway River and sailed
9 October 1973 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
25 January 1974 moved from Chatham Dockyard into the Medway River and sailed
7 April 1974 to 31 October 1974 was in Operation Rheostat 1 – the Mine Warfare Task Group which was formed to give assistance to the Egyptian Government for the clearance of war debris from the Suez Canal after the 1967 Arab-Israeli War
1 May 1975 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
2 December 1974 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
12 September 1975 berthed at Grand Harbour, Malta with RN Units and RFA’s LYNESS, OLNA (3), SIR GALAHAD (1) and SIR TRISTRAM after naval exercises
15 September 1975 sailed Malta for further naval exercises
3 February 1976 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
17 February 1976 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
19 July 1976 Humanitarian aid – she rescued the nine crew from the Greek motor vessel SEA WAVE which sank off Crete after her cargo had shifted.
28 July 1976 at 04.49hrs commenced towing the Swedish Methanol tanker THUNTANK 10, in ballast, from 43°00N 09°25W, the vicinity of Cape Torinana in NW Spain in thick fog to Vigo Bay under terms of Lloyds “No cure, No Pay” agreement. The Tug Rebel was in attendance but leaking badly. At 16.24hrs anchored in Vigo Harbour. Sailed from Vigo at 21.00hrs
Swedish Methanol tanker THUNTANK 10
9 August 1976 at Chatham
12 January 1977 at Immingham
4 February 1977 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
15 February 1977 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
8 April 1977 at Chatham
11 July 1977 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
11 August 1977 berthed at Malta
3 September 1977 arrived at the Great Nore anchorage
5 September 1977 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
29 November 1977 collided with mv FRONTIER whilst sailing from Limassol
14 February 1978 Captain William F Darnbough RFA appoined in command
17 April 1978 at Chatham
1 June 1978 at Chatham
12 June 1978 Captain M Nelberg RFA appointed in command
22 July 1978 at Chatham
8 August 1978 at Chatham Captain David F Freeman RFA appointed in command
24 August 1978 at Chatham
30 January 1979 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
27 March 1979 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
30 March 1979 assisted with the closure of the base at Malta along with the destroyer HMS LONDON and RFA’s SIR LANCELOT, TARBATNESS and OLNA (3)
9 April 1979 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
27 April 1979 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
25 June 1979 at Chatham
16 July 1979 to October 1979 In Operation Culex which was conducted following an influx of illegal immigrants in Hong Kong and carried two hovercraft out from the U.K
30 August 1979 at Hong Kong Captain William J Walker RFA appointed in command
6 November 1979 at the River Tyne
15 March 1980 sailed from Chatham
19 March 1980 berthed alongside at Narvik, Norway
21 March 1980 sailed from Narvik, Norway
22 March 1980 berthed at Trondhiem, Norway in No: 24 berth
25 March 1980 sailed from Trondhiem, Norway arriving Andelsnes later in the day
26 March 1980 sailed Andelsnes, Norway
27 March 1980 in Gale Force weather diverted to Ekofisk Oil Field to search for survivors from the Kielland. (Kielland was a Norwegian semi-submersible drilling rig that capsized while working in the Ekofisk oil field, killing 123 people. It was a platform of the Pentagone series. The capsize was the worst disaster in Norwegian waters since World War II.)
28 March 1980 detached to Rosyth
29 March 1980 anchored off Rosyth
31 March 1980 alongside at Rosyth discharging cargo
1 April 1980 sailed Rosyth
2 April 1980 at Chatham
10 April 1980 sailed Chatham
11 April 1980 anchored off Breakwater Plymouth Sound moving to Devonport Dockyard berthing at No: 1 Jetty
15 April 1980 Captain James A D Bailey RFA appointed in command
16 April 1980 at Devonport berthed at No: 1 Jetty loading cargo
17 April 1980 sailed from Plymouth
21 April 1980 arrived at Gibraltar berthing on No: 43 berth
2 May 1980 sailed from Gibraltar
6 May 1980 berthed at Chatham Dockyard
13 May 1980 sailed from Chatham Dockyard
14 May 1980 anchored in Plymouth Sound
15 May 1980 moved into Devonport Dockyard No: 1 Jetty – South Yard
16 May 1980 sailed Devonport
19 May 1980 anchored of Gibraltar
20 May 1980 entered Gibraltar Dockyard onto No: 39 Berth
29 May 1980 sailed from Gibraltar
3 June 1980 anchored off Rosyth
5 June 1980 at Rosyth Captain John M H Wilkins RFA appointed in command
6 June 1980 sailed from Rosyth
7 June 1980 anchored at the Nore
9 June 1980 entered Chatham Dockyard
19 June 1980 at Plymouth
11 August 1980 at Chatham
19 November 1980 at Chatham
28 November 1980 Captain David E Lawrence RFA in command
Captain David E Lawrence RFA
6 January 1981 at Plymouth
6 April 1981 at Immingham
21 May 1981 at Gibraltar
16 June 1981 Captain Peter James McCarthy RFA appointed in command
8 July 1981 at Chatham
8 September 1981 destored at Chatham and withdrawn from RFA service
1 October 1981 sailed Chatham for the Tyne for drydocking at the end of her charter period and was returned to her owners
27 October 1981 notice given this day in the Straits Times of application to change her name from Bacchus to Cherry Lanka being made to the Registrar of Shipping, Singapore
6 November 1981 purchased by Lion Shipping Co Pte Ltd., (Lian Soon Agencies Pte Ltd. Managers) Singapore, part of the Madame Dolly Seah Group and was renamed Cherry Lanka
20 November 1981 registry of vessel transferred to the Port of Singapore
11 April 1984 berthed at SIngapore sailed the next day
4 August 1984 berthed at Singapore sailed 7 August 1984
31 December 1985 arrived for breaking up at Gadani Beach by Goodluck Corporation
Notes
1, From the Discharge Book of Geoff Cushnet
Ships of the same name
Bacchus. A Cutter of 111bm, 68 x 20 ft and 10 guns built at Bermuda in 1806, she was captured by the French in 1808 in the West Indies.
Bacchus. A Sloop of 12 guns and 141 bm captured from the Dutch in 1807, she was broken up in 1812.
Battle Honours for this Vessel: MARTINIQUE 1809, GUAPALOUPE 1810.
Bacchus. A Brig-Sloop of the ‘Cruizer’ Class, 384 bm, 18 guns launched by Chatham Dockyard on the 17 April 1813. The ship was towed to Harwich on 13 August 1829 to be used as a breakwater.