Subsequent name:

Official Number:                    

Class:                                           NIMBLE Class Fleet Tug       

Pennant No:                                  W 172 / A 203              

Laid down:
Builder:                                         Alexander Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Launched:                                     23 October 1945

Into Service:                           
Out of service:
Fate:                                             29 September 1973 to T W Ward Ltd, Britton Ferry to be broken up

Items of historic interest involving this ship: –

Background Data:

There were four ships in this Class, two of which saw service as RFA’s. They were designed for ocean towing, salvage and harbour duties and were fitted with spring towing hooks but not with towing winches. Bollard pull was approximately 30 tons. Complement 42.  Armed during wartime with 1 x 12 pdr AA and 2 x 20 mm AA guns.

Career Data:

1945 ordered

23 October 1945 launched by Alexander Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen as Yard Nr: 705 named HMS CAREFUL

14 March 1946 the Aberdeen Press & Journal reported –

18 May 1946 the Aberdeen Press & Journal reported  –

22 August 1946 completed and was based at Devonport

26 January 1948 sailed Devonport to assist a Russain ship Umba in Plymouth Sound which was dragging its anchor. Towed to safety in Jennycliff Bay

31 August 1948 at Devonport moved HMS VANGUARD from alongside to the Sound

1 December 1948 engaged with RN ships in a SUBSUNK exercise off the Eddystone Light

7 February 1949 at Plymouth Sound Ordinary Seaman Ronald George William Chapman discharged dead – killed in an accident onoard

Press Cutting from the Western Morning News of 12 February 1949

28 December 1951 rescued nine of the eleven crew of the topsail schooner Nellie Bywater which had capsized and sunk off the Devon Coast in very heavy weather. The other 2 of the schooner’s crew were drowned. Able Seaman Albert Henry Willis was awarded the British Empire Medal (Civil Division) London Gazette 6 May 1952 refers for his bravery by jumping into the sea to rescue one of the crew from the schooner, swimming 50 yards towards her, getting a line round her. Getting her back to the tug and seeing her onboard before allowing himself to be pulled back onboard

9 January 1952 at Devonport moved RFA WAVE KING to 9 wharf

14 February 1952 at Devonport moved RFA WAVE REGENT from the Sound to alongside

16 February 1952 at Devonport moved RFA WAVE REGENT from alongside to the Sound

26 February 1952 at Devonport alongside RFA WAR NAWAB to refuel – received 182 tons of FFO

3 March 1952 at Devonport moved RFA EASEDALE from the Sound to 9 wharf

19 March 1952 at Devonport moved RFA ECHODALE from the Sound to the Dockyard

23 March 1952 at Devonport moved RFA ECHODALE from the Dockyard to the Sound

27 March 1952 at Devonport alongside RFA WAR NAWAB to refuel – received 178 tons of FFO

28 March 1952 at Devonport moored alongside RFA ROBERT MIDDLETON at Slip Jetty then moved RFA RED DRAGON from mooring to No 1 buoy

31 March 1952 at Devonport moved RFA BLACK RANGER to her berth from Hamonaze

7 April 1952 at Devonport moved RFA FORT BEAUHARNOIS from the Sound to No 1 Jetty

16 April 1952 Captain W R B Gaunt appointed as Master

19 April 1952 at Devonport moved RFA FORT BEAUHARNOIS from No 1 Jetty to the Sound

21 April 1952 at Devonport moved RFA CEDARDALE from the Sound to her berth

24 April 1952 at Devonport moved RFA CEDARDALE from her berth to the Sound

28 April 1952 at Devonport moved RFA ABBEYDALE from the Sound to her berth

6 May 1952 at Devonport moved RFA ROBERT MIDDLETON from No 1 Jetty to N0 4 Basin

16 June 1952 at Devonport alongside RFA WAR NAWAB to refuel

18 June 1952 sailed Devonport to Portsmouth North Wall, Tidal Basin arriving the next day

21 June 1952 sailed Portsmouth to Pembroke Dock arriving 23 June 1952

24 June 1952 sailed Pembroke Dock to Devonport arriving 25 June 1952

8 July 1952 at Devonport RFA BACCHUS (2) was alongside No 1 Jetty. CL8 barge brought alongside

11 July 1952 at Devonport alongside RFA WAR NAWAB to refuel

2 October 1952 from Devonport sailed to sea returning the next day

8 October 1952 at Devonport RFA GOLD RANGER moved to her berth

14 October 1952 at Plymouth Sound salvage assistance provided to the Italian ship Cervino which was taking in water

17 November 1952 from Devonport towed HMS KENILWORTH CASTLE to Barry Roads

HMS KENILWORTH CASTLE

19 November 1952 returned to Devonport and berthed at No 3 wharf

16 December 1952 at Devonport alongside RFA WAR NAWAB to be refuelled

18 September 1953 sailed to RFA WAVE RULER (1) which was disabled with a total loss of all steam off the coast 45 miles of the coast of Oporto, Portugal while on passage from the Persian Gulf to Swansea. This was reported in the Shields Daily News …

29 August 1956 prepared for passage and service during Operation Musketeer – the Suez Crisis

5 January 1957 at Port Said under the directions of the United Nations along with RFA’s SEA SALVOR, SALVEDA (with an RN crew). KINGARTH, UPLIFTER, KINBRACE, DISPENCER, BLUE RANGER and SPAPOOL

23 March 1958 deployed from Devonport to assist in the saving of a British m/v Lapwing which has suffered engine failure five miles south west of Stoke Point near Plymouth

1 April 1958 transferred to PAS at Devonport as CAREFUL.

15 January 1960 collided with RFA BLACK RANGER at Devonport

28 May 1960 the Birmingham Daily Post reported …

6 May 1965 towed by SEA GIANT for lay up at Pembroke Dock.

27 September 1970 approval given to dispose of her

14 June 1973 offered for sale ‘as lying’ at Pembroke Dock in the Times of this day

July 1973 on the Disposal List at Pembroke Dock.

29 September 1973 sailed Pembroke Dock after sale for £25,250 for demolition by T.W. Ward Ltd., Briton Ferry.