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RFA Blue Ranger - Historical RFA

RFA Blue Ranger

 

 

Blue_Ranger_1964

Reproduced with permission of the MOD

 

RFA Blue Ranger

Blue_Rangeruk

 

 
Subsequent name:                 Korytsa

Official Number:                     168176

Class:                                    RANGER CLASS Fleet Attendant Oiler

Pennant No:                          X57 / A157

Laid down:                             26 October 1939
Builder:                                  Harland & Wolff, Govan
Launched:                              29 January 1941
Into Service:                           5 June 1941
Out of service:                        June 1966 – laid up at Devonport
Fate:                                       January 1972 sold to commercial interests

 

Items of historic interest involving this ship: –

 

Background Data:   The six ships in this Class were designed in the mid – 1930’s by Rowland Baker as replacements for the 2000t BELGOL CLASS and were the first Admiralty-designed tankers since the 1917 5000t FAST LEAF CLASS. As originally built, for camouflage purposes, they had canvas deckhouses, a dummy plate funnel forward, their foremast was on the starboard bow, the wheelhouse was offset to port, and in some cases their genuine funnel was cut low and was on the port quarter, fitted with a spark arrester. Originally armed with 1 x 4” LA, 1 x 12 pdr HA/LA and several Lewis guns, as the War progressed the armament fits altered and finally averaged 1 x 4” HA, 1 x 40mm Bofors and 4 x single 20mm Oerlikons. These vessels served extensively as Escort Tankers on the Russian Convoys, Norwegian coastal raids, Malta Convoys and with the British Pacific Fleet. Apart from GRAY RANGER which became a War Loss, the Class had exceptionally long Service lives and were finally replaced by the ROVER CLASS

 

29 January 1941 launched by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Govan as Yard Nr: 1047G named BLUE RANGER

12 March 1941 Mr David  C Leathley RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

 

CEO David C Leathley OBE in 1959

Chief Engineer Officer David C Leathley RFA

 

27 May 1941 Captain Frank P Hennin RFA appointed as Master

31 May 1941 at London registered as BLUE RANGER under reference 142/41 in the Registry

4 June 1941 at Tail of Bank

5 June 1941 completed. Joined the Fleet Fuelling Service

13 July 1941 sailed River Clyde to Scapa Flow

15 July 1941 sailed from Oban in escorted convoy WN153 arrived River Clyde from Scapa Flow. During the passage of the convoy was in collision with the Swedish vessel IRIS in the Firth of Clyde four nautical miles (7.4 km) off Pladda, Buteshire. IRIS sank and BLUE RANGER returned to Greenock with the survivors. RFA OLIGARCH was also in this convoy

30 July 1941 at Tail of Bank

24 August 1941 sailed the River Clyde to Belfast Lough arriving the next day

26 August 1941 sailed Belfast Lough to Greenock arriving the same day

2 September 1941 sailed River Clyade

7 September 1941 arrived at Belfast Lough sailing the same day

8 September 1941 arrived at the River Clyde

22 September 1941 sailed River Clyde to Belfast Lough arriving the same day

25 September 1941 having sailed from Belfast Lough arrived at the River Clyde anchorage

6 October 1941 arrive River Clyde

9 October 1941 sailed the River Clyde to Belfast Lough arriving the next day

11 October 1941 sailed Belfast Lough to the River Clyde arriving the next day and anchored

13 October 1941 to March 1942 in and around the River Clyde

23 November 1941 at Greenock alongside HMS ROBERTS refuelling her shortly after the monitor had been completed

 

HMS Roberts

HMS ROBERTS

 

6 December 1941 was on the Clyde for preliminary trials of the new British type flexible rubber hose produced by Goodyear for OAS operations. 600’ of hose was made available and  priority was given to these trials prior to trials in the Atlantic with RFA DINGLEDALE

8 December 1941 undertook OAS trials with RFA EMPIRE SALVAGE and destroyers

8 March 1942 sailed Glasgow for Fleet Attendant Duties at Scapa Flow

18 March 1942 Chief Officer Ernest C Rogers RFA appointed as Acting Temporary Master

27 April 1942 Captain Henry F Colbourne RFA appointed as Master

11 May 1942 was detailed for Force Q to support Convoy PQ 16

29 June 1942 and 30 June 1942 at Tail of Bank alongside HMS HOWE refuelling her

July 1942 along with RFA OLIGARCH and the destroyers HM ships COWDRAY, OAKLEY, WINDSOR and WORCESTER as Force P was sent to Lowe Sound, Spitzbergen to provide an advanced fuelling facility for Convoy PQ18

14 July 1942 sailed the Clyde joined up with HMS DOUGLAS which had sailed from Londonderry as escort to Hvalfjordur to form Force Q.

17 July 1942 arrived at Hvalfjordur with HMS DOUGLAS as escort

18 July 1942 sailed Hvalfjordur with HMS DOUGLAS as escort

20 July 1942 arrived at Scapa Flow with HMS DOUGLAS as escort

23 July 1942 at Scapa Flow as duty oiler with USS Emmons (DD457) secured alongside to be refuelled subsequently USS Macomb (DD458) alongside to be refuelled

7 August 1942 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS JAMAICA to refuel – 329 tons FFO supplied

11 August 1942 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS JAMAICA to refuel – amount of  FFO supplied not shown in the warships log

3 September 1942 sailed Scapa Flow and joined Convoy PQ 18 which had sailed from Loch Ewe the previous day and which also contained RFA’s BLACK RANGER, GRAY RANGER and OLIGARCH and provided supporting fuelling facilities

8 September 1942 sailed Hoxa Sound as Force D to Spitzbergen along with RFA OLIGARCH

10 September 1942 arrived Lowe Sound, Spitzbergen from Scapa with RFA OLIGARCH and an escort of HMS’s OAKLEY, WINDSOR and WORCESTER

12 September 1942 refuelled the escorts to Convoy PQ 18, consisting of the destroyers HMS’s MARNE, MARTIN, METEOR, MILNE and SCYLLA along with RFA OLIGARCH in Axelfiord, Spitzbergen

20 September 1942 sailed Spitzbergen for Scapa Flow

21 September 1942 refuelled the destroyers HM ships  ESKIMO and OPPORTUNE

22 September 1942 refuelled the destroyer HMS ASHANTI whilst it was towing the damaged destroyer  HMS SOMALI which had been torpedoed by the German submarine U-703 two days earlier

27 September 1942 arrived at Scapa Flow with HMS’s OAKLEY, COWDRAY, WINDSOR

3 October 1942 sailed Loch Ewe in unescorted convoy WN 344 to Methil arriving two days later

7 October 1942 sailed Methil in unescorted convoy FS927 to the Tyne arriving on 8 October 1942

10 November 1942 sailed the Tyne and joined unescorted convoy FN861 to Methil arriving the next day

12 November 1942 sailed Methil in unescorted convoy EN161 to Invergordon arriving the same day

14 November 1942 sailed Invergordon for Scapa Flow arriving the next day

20 November 1942 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS KING GEORGE V refuelling her

21 November 1942 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS HOWE refuelling her

25 November passed Dunnet Head

26 November 1942 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS HOWE refuelling her

30 November 1942 at anchor at the Clyde anchorage

1 December 1942 sailed Glasgow to Belfast Lough arriving the next day

3 December 1942 sailed Belfast Lough

10 December 1942 at Glasgow

13 December 1942 at anchor at the Clyde anchorage

19 December 1942 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS KING GEORGE V refueling her

3 January 1943 sailed Glasgow to Bowling arriving the same day

3 January 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS ANSON together with RFA BELGOL refueling her – the two RFA’s supplied 2,300 tons of FFO to her combined

9 January 1943 at Belfast Lough

19 January 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS ANSON refueling her – supplied 390 tons of FFO

24 January 1943 sailed from Scapa Flow for Lerwick arriving the next day

26 January 1943 sailed from Lerwick for Scapa Flow arriving the next day

29 January 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS NEWFOUNDLAND refueling her – supplied 193 tons of FFO

 

HMS NEWFOUNDLAND

HMS NEWFOUNDLAND

 

8 February 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS HOWE refuelling her

20 February 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS NEWFOUNDLAND refueling her – supplied 215 tons of FFO

6 March 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS HOWE refuelling her

27 March 1943 Captain Leonard Elford RFA appointed as Master

9 April 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS ANSON refueling her – supplied 347 tons of FFO

21 April 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS ANSON refueling her – supplied 366 tons of FFO

5 May 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS HOWE  refuelling her

17 May 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS ANSON refueling her – supplied 850 tons of FFO

26 May 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS ANSON refueling her – supplied 1,020 tons of FFO

1 June 1943 sailed from Loch Ewe in escorted convoy UR77 arrived at Reykjavik on 5 June 1943

9 June 1943 sailed Reykjavik in escorted convoy RU77 to Scapa Flow arriving on 14 June 1943

19 June 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS ANSON refueling her – supplied 265 tons of FFO

24 June 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS ANSON refuelling her

2 July 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS ANSON refuelling her – supplied 440 tons of FFO

9 July 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS ANSON refuelling her – supplied 335 tons of FFO

30 July 1943 sailed Scapa Flow as part of Group B in Operation SF – escorted by HMS’s ORBI, ORWELL, MILNE, MAHRATTA and MUSKETEER

27 August 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS ANSON  refueling her – supplied 532 tons of FFO

5 September 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS LONDON refuellng her – supplied 300 tons of FFO. Also was alongside HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH refuelling her – supplied 400 tons of  FFO

 

HMS London tow

HMS LONDON

 

8 September 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS LONDON refuellng her

10 September 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS ANSON refuelling her – supplied 692 tons of FFO. RFA SPA was also alongside supply fresh water

17 September 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH refuelling her – supplied 418 tons of FFO

29 September 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS ANSON refuelling her – supplied 427 tons of FFO. RFA SPA was also alongside supply fresh water

14 October 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH refuelling her – supplied 761 tons of FFO

6 November 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH refuelling her – received 175 tons of diesel. RFA ROBERT MIDDLETON was also alongside delivering naval stores

17 November 1943 sailed from Scapa Flow for Lerwick arriving 18 November 1943

18 November 1943 sailed from Lerwick for Scapa Flow arriving 19 November 1943

14 December 1943 sailed from Scapa Flow for Methil arriving 15 December 1943

16 December 1943 sailed from Methil for Sunderland arriving 17 December 1943

14 January 1944 Captain Samuel Thomas RFA appointed as Master

26 January 1944 sailed Sunderland

31 January 1944 sailed Methil in convoy EN340 along with RFA ECHODALE to Scapa Flow arriving on 1 February 1944

10 February 1944 Captain Douglas N J Williams RFA (Lieutenant Commander RNR) appointed as Master

30 March 1944 with Rear Admiral Escort Carriers in HMS ROYALIST and HMS SEARCHER, HMS EMPEROR, HMS PURSUER, HMS FENCER, HMS FURIOUS, HMS JAMAICA, HMS SHEFFIELD, RFA BROWN RANGER, HMS VERULAM, HMS VIRAGO, HMS VIGILANT, HMS SWIFT, and HMS WAKEFUL sailed Scapa Flow for Operation TUNGSTON – the carrier launched attack by the Fleet Air Arm on the German battleship TIRPITZ in Altenfjord, Norway

7 April 1944 with RFA BROWN RANGER arrived Scapa Flow

16 April 1944 Mr William J Littledale MBE RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

30 July 1944 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS INDEFACTIGABLE refuelling her

4 August 1944 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS INDEFACTIGABLE refuelling her

11 August 1944 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS INDEFACTIGABLE refuelling her

18 August 1944 in Force 9 (the refuelling group with RFA BLACK RANGER) with Force 1 (HMS DUKE OF YORK and fleet carriers) escorted by HMS’s  POPPY, DIANELLA and STARWORT in Operation Goodwood

 

HMS Duke Of York

HMS DUKE OF YORK

 

26 August 1944 and 27 August 1944 refuelled Force 1 (see immediately above) at the Faroe Islands

30 August 1944 arrived Scapa Flow with RFA BLACK RANGER escorted by HMS’s GRINDALL, POPPY, STARWORT, DIANELLA from Operation GOODWOOD  – further synchronised air sorties flown against the German battleship TIRPITZ

5 September 1944 Captain Herbert W Flint RFA appointed as Master

24 September 1944 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS INDEFACTIGABLE refuelling her

5 December 1944 in collision with the cruiser HMS KENT which then required repairs on the Clyde

 

HMS kent

HMS KENT

8 December 1944 fouled a boom – location not clear.

30 December 1944 sailed Loch Ewe in convoy JW63 of 38 merchant ships as escort refueling tanker to Kola Inlet arriving on 8 January 1945 

11 January 1945 sailed Kola Inlet in convoy RA63 to Loch Ewe arriving 21 January 1945

11 March 1945 sailed the Clyde in convoy JW65 consisting of 26 merchantmen to Kola Inlet arriving on 21 March 1945

23 March 1945 sailed Kola Inlet in convoy RA65 to Loch Ewe arriving 1 April 1945

12 April 1945 Captain Thomas Elder DSC RFA appointed as Master until 23 January 1946

16 April 1945 sailed the Clyde in convoy JW66 along with RFA BLACK RANGER to Kola Inlet arriving 25 April 1945

29 April 1945 sailed Kola Inlet bound for the Clyde in Convoy RA 66 along with RFA BLACK RANGER which consisted of 27 merchantmen

4 May 1945 participated in Operation Judgement- the last air strike by the Home Fleet on the U-boat depot ship at Kilbutor anchorage by RN carriers with Naval Air Squadrons and was escorted by HM ships ORWELL and OBEDIENT

8 May 1945 Convoy RA 66 arrived on the Clyde.- V.E. Day

12 May 1945 sailed Scapa Flow independently to the Clyde arriving on 15 May 1945

3 September 1945 Mr Allan D Harris RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

19 September 1945 sailed Glasgow

8 November 1945 arrived at Glasgow

9 November 1945 sailed from Glasgow

23 November 1945 sailed Glasgow to Scapa Flow arriving on 25 November 1945

29 November 1945 Captain Raymond V Boodle RFA appointed as Master

 

 Raymond Boodle

Captain Raymond V Boodle RFA

 

30 November 1945 arrived at Glasgow

1 December 1945 sailed Glasgow for Belfast Lough

3 December 1945 sailed Belfast Lough

10 December 1945 arrived at Glasgow

11 December 1945 sailed from Glasgow

13 December 1945 at the Clyde anchorage

26 December 1945  arrived at Glasgow

29 December 1945 Mr Wallace G Downing appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

9 January 1946 sailed from Belfast Lough

24 January 1946 arrived at Glasgow

4 June 1946 arrived Gibraltar from Falmouth

16 March 1947 Captain Cecil H Grainger MID RFA appointed as Master

1 April 1947 Mr Wallace G Downing RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

5 May 1947 Chief Steward Frank Sleight (R40806) discharged dead. He is buried in Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Malta

Frank Sleight Death Certificate

 

Sleight F

 Courtesy and © of The War Graves Photographic Project

 

15 August 1947 Mr N T Davies RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

19 February 1948 Robert  H Venning RFA appointed as Master

11 May 1948 Mr Harry F Duce DSC RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

 

CEO Harry F Duce

Chief Engineer Officer Harry F Duce DSC RFA

 

20 December 1948 sailed Grand Harbour, Malta

4 August 1949 Mr John C Calvert RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

9 September 1949 with RFA ROWANOL and RFA FORT DUQUESNE supported the Mediterranean Fleet in it’s second summer cruise at Genoa up to the 15 September 1949. At St Raphael from 16 to 21 September 1949 At Aranei Bay between 22 to 24 September 1949 returning to Malta on 26 September 1949

17 November 1949 Captain Samuel Thomas RFA appointed as Master until 31 March 1950

10 January 1950 Mr J B D Payne RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

11 December 1950 Captain Samuel Thomas RFA appointed as Master

24 June 1951 Captain Herbert W Flint RFA appointed as Master

23 August 1951 sailed Malta with the Mediterranean Fleet on it’s Summer Cruise

October 1951 with RFA Wave Knight (1) supported Exercise Symphonic Deux with units of the Royal Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy and the French Navy

22 April 1952 with RFA Fort Duquesne and RN units, the pipe band of the Highland Light Infantry and a RAF Guard of seventy sailed Malta to visit Athens for a memorial ceremony to members of the Commonwealth Forces who had been killed in Greece during the Second World War. 

16 June 1952 Mr Wallace G Downing RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

23 to 26 September 1952 with HMS Glasgow and other RN units visited Naples during the Mediterranean Fleet’s Summer cruise

27 March 1953 was awarded the Bulawayo Cup for the most conspicuous efficiency in Fleet replenishment at sea in the Mediterranean Area. It was presented at Malta by Admiral  the Earl Mountbatten of Burma the C-in-C Mediterranean

15 June 1953 took part in the Queen Elizabeth 11 Coronation Fleet Review at Spithead along with six other RFA’s

13 July 1953 sailed Grand Harbour, Malta along with HMS’s GLASGOW, MEON, LCT 4040, REGGIO, DIEPPE, ST KITTS, WRANGLER (F5) CHEQUERS, BLACK PRINCE, TEREDO, SENTINEL, TALENT, TOKEN, INS RANJIT & JUMNA, RFA’s DINGLEDALE & ROWANOL for Exercise Bullock

28 September 1953 participated in Operation Weldfasta major amphibious exercise involving over 200 warships from the UK, USA, Turkey, Italy and Greece – between Malta and Crete

19 March 1954 at Gibraltar alongside HMS IMPLACABLE to refuel her

 

Implacable 1947

HMS IMPLACABLE

 

16 June 1954 Captain A Jackson OBE RFA appointed as Master

 

Blue Ranger at Malta

RFA Blue Ranger berthed at Misda Creek, Malta in October 1954

 

13 April 1955 Captain Stanley S Maddock RFA discharged dead when at sea. He is buried in Clayhall Naval Cemetery, Gosport

 

P1200002

 

19 April 1955 Captain Albert V Barton RFA appointed as Master

2 July 1955 sailed Immingham for Invergordon

16 August 1955 Mr T J W Humphrey RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

2 September 1955 the Hampshire Telegraph newspaper reported –

 

2 9 55 Hamps Teleg BluRange FDuqu

 

26 September 1955 sailed Malta with HMS BIRMINGHAM and other RN ships to join naval units from France, Italy, Turkey and the US Navy to take part in exercise Meflex Champion

HMS BIRMINGHAM WW2

HMS BIRMINGHAM

4 February 1956 involved in an accident with HMS CHIEFTAIN during replenishment in foul weather

10 February 1956 the collision (above) was reported in the Times newspaper of this day

 

10 2 56 Times Blue Ranger collision

 

23 February 1956 Captain Frank S Samson RFA appointed as Master and Mr George Bray RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

 

Captain_Samson_Port_Said_1956

Captain Frank S Samson RFA
in command during Suez at Port Said in 1956
 
 
CEO George Bray in 1918
 
Chief Engineer Officer George Bray RFA (image taken in 1918)
 

29 April 1956 3rd Officer Ian Mar Bodin RFA discharged dead. He is buried in Nicosia (Waynes Keep) Military Cemetery, Cyprus in Plot 20 Row B Grave 6

23 August 1956 signal from C in C Mediterranean to the Admiralty advising that the ship’s cargo would be a full load of diesel for support of the Cyprus Patrol and as a reserve for the forward area – forward planning for Operation Musketeer

4 November 1956 deployed on Operation Musketeer – the Suez Crisis – until 22 November 1956 and between 28 November 1956 until 22 December 1956  – the entire crew qualified for the award of the Naval General Service Medal (1915) with the “Near East” Clasp

 

Naval General Service Medal

 

January 1957 involved in an Anglo-French salvage operation at Suez with RFA’s KINBRACE, SPAPOOL, SALVEDA, FORT DUQUESNE, SEA SALVOR and CAREFUL

5 January 1957 the Times newspaper reported an Admiralty Statement thus –

 

5 1 57 Times Suez Canal Ships

 

26 February 1958 Mr G C Arthur RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

9 April 1958 Captain Alf Waters RFA appointed as Master

8 May 1958 sailed from Plymouth Sound to No: 9 wharf in Devonport Dockyard

27 October 1958 to 30 October 1958 off Malta involved in Exercise MEDASWEX 26 with RN units and RFA’s FORT DUQUESNE and TIDESURGE

1959 was working in waters around Cyprus during the emergency there along with RFA BROWN RANGER

23 September 1959 arrived at Malta from Cyprus

21 November 1959 sailed Malta for Cyprus

12 January 1960 Mr J G Simpson RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

19 March 1960 at 34°12N 31°38E Able Seaman Dominic Brincat discharged dead having suffered serious internal injuries onboard. He is buried in an unmarked grave at the Catholic Cemetery, Grivas Dhigens Street, Limassol, Cyprus

20 April 1960 Mr C D Reid RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

19 May 1960 Captain Charles E C Phipps RFA appointed as Master

20 June 1960 sailed Malta for Cyprus

24 January 1961 Captain Alfred M Uglow RFA appointed as Master until 16 March 1961

27 March 1961 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty outboard of RFA WAVE BARON

29 March 1961 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to 9 wharf

5 April 1961 at Devonport moved from 9 wharf to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

6 April 1961 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to 9 wharf – RFA BIRCHOL (2) later berthed alongside

7 April 1961 at Devonport moved from 9 wharf to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty alongside RFA SURF PATROL returning later to 9 wharf

10 April 1961 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to Millbay Docks

19 April 1961 at Devonport moved from Millbay Docks to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

20 April 1961 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to 9 wharf

21 April 1961 at Devonport moved from 9 wharf to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty alongside RFA SURF PATROL

24 April 1961 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to 9 wharf

26 April 1961 at Devonport moved from 9 wharf to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

27 April 1961 at Devonport RFA EDDYCLIFF berthed alongside while at Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

28 April 1961 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to 9 wharf

1 May 1961 at Devonport RFA EDDYCLIFF berthed alongside while at No: 9 wharf moved to No: 1 jetty

2 May 1961 at Devonport moved from 9 wharf to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

3 May 1961 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to 9 wharf

5 May 1961 at Devonport moved from 9 wharf to No: 6 buoy

6 May 1961 at Devonport on No: 6 buoy with RFA EDDYCLIFF alongside

8 May 1961 at Devonport on No: 6 buoy and RFA EDDYCLIFF moved to Milbay Docks. Having moved RFA BLUE RANGER also moved. Moved to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

9 May 1961 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to 9 wharf

10 May 1961 at Devonport moved from 9 wharf to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

11 May 1961 at Devonport RFA BIRCHOL (2) berthed alongside RFA BLUE RANGER on Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

12 May 1961 at Devonport moved from 9 wharf to Plymouth Sound

12 June 1961 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to 9 wharf

16 June 1961 at Devonport moved from 9 wharf to Plymouth Sound

1 September 1961 Captain John Ditchburn RFA appointed as Master

6 November 1961 involved with HM ships in rescue operations after ss Clan Keith exploded off Tunisia in foul weather. 62 of the crew of the Clan Keith were missing

November 1961 supported the Royal Yacht off West Africa

16 March 1962 at Malta

25 April 1962 at Malta

18 June 1962 at Plymouth

18 July 1962 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty and later to No: 1 jetty

21 July 1962 at Devonport moved from No: 1 jetty to Plymouth Sound

8 August 1962 at Portland Harbour

15 August 1962 Captain Phadraig Colfer RFA appointed as Master

2 October 1962 at Malta

25 November 1962 arrived at Plymouth Sound

26 November 1962 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to No: 8 wharf

28 November 1962 at Devonport moved from No: 8 wharf to Plymouth Sound and then sailed to Sea 

14 December 1962 Mr J G Simpson RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

22 July 1963 Captain P J McCarthy RFA appointed as Master

26 December 1963 Mr S P Awati RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

28 January 1964 her Ship’s Badge was officially presented to her

12 March 1964 Captain John H Wehner BEM RFA appointed as Master

13 November 1964 Mr R C Veitch RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

28 November 1964 ran aground on Haisboro Sands, but was refloated without serious damage

1 December 1964 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway returning again the same day

4 December 1964 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway

June 1966 was destored and laid up in reserve at Devonport

October 1971 placed on the Disposal List

9 October 1971 advertised for sale ‘as lying’ at HM Dockyard, Devonport by the Department of Trade in the Times of this day

 

Times Blue Ranger 9 10 1971

 

16 January 1972 sailed Devonport renamed KORYTSA in tow of the German tug JOHANN PETERSEN after purchase by the Greek Tanker Shipping Co, Piraeus

5 February 1972 arrived Piraeus

18 October 1983 at Perama, Piraeus

KORYTSA

m.v. KORYTSA
© Peter J Fitzpatrick

8 September 1987 as m.v. Korytsa arrived at Aliaga for breaking up by Gursoy GS Ticaret AS

9 September 1987 demolition begun by Gursoy-Spiral Sarimli Conta, Hadar Gursoy