RFA Ebonol

RFA Ebonol (1)

 

Ebonol 01

 

 

Subsequent name:                   Enoshima Maru, Ebonol

Official number:                        140441

Class:                                       SECOND 1000t CREOSOL CLASS Harbour Oiler

Pennant No:                             X22

Laid down:
Builder:                                     Clyde Shipbuilding Company, Port Glasgow
Launched:                                16 October 1917

Into Service:                             12 December 1917
Out of service:                          20 December 1941 scuttled at Hong Kong
Fate:                                         Captured by Japanese forces, recovered & sold out of service

 

Items of historic interest involving this ship: –

 

Background Data:  On the outbreak of WW1, the Admiralty embarked on a further programme of tanker construction for the newly-formed RFA Service. Eventually there were 18 ships in this Class, twelve of which were named after trees with the OL suffix, while the remainder had names connected with the oil industry also with the OL suffix. Four of the Class were diesel engined and were sold after the Armistice but the rest, being triple expansion steamers, had long and successful lives

 

12 August 1917 Lieutenant William Distant RNR appointed in command. He had previously been in command of RFA Viscol

16 October 1917 launched by Clyde Shipbuilding Co Ltd., Port Glasgow as Yard Nr: 329 named EBONOL

26 October 1917 Engineer Lieutenant Albert Nicholls RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

 

NICHOLLS ALBERT

Engineer Lieutenant Albert Nicholls RNR

 

8 November 1917 Lieutenant William E Rousell RNR appointed in command from RFA Viscol

 

ROUSELL WILLIAM ERNEST

Lieutenant William E Rousell RNR

 

20 March 1918 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS GALATEA refuelling her

 

HMS Galatea 1914

HMS GALATEA

 

4 May 1918 Lieutenant Percival K Matheson RNR appointed in command

 

Percival_K_Matheson

Lieutenant Percival K Matheson RNR
 

1 June 1918 Stoker Edward Quigley MMR 953588 logged as deserting. He had signed on on 1 March 1918.

2 February 1919 Stoker John Joseph Bowen MMR 938532 logged as an absentee – recovered on 8 February 1919 and demobilised. He had signed on on the 19 May 1918

 

John J Bowden Elderol

Stoker John Joseph Bowen

 

13 April 1919 Leading Stoker H Brooks MMR 890664 logged as deserting. He had signed on on the 4 December 1917

18 July 1919 Lieutenant William Martin RNR appointed in command from RFA Trefoil

26 July 1919 Leading Stoker John Jones MMR 769873 logged as deserting. He had signed on on the 20 June 1919

31 August 1919 Cook’s Boy John Killey MMR 947482 logged as deserting. He had signed on on 22 May 1919

1 September 1919 Leading Stoker James Ridley logged as deserting. He was seen in Portsmouth on 4 September 1919. He had signed on on 1 August 1919.

1 November 1919 Captain William Martin RFA appointed as Master on Board of Trade Home Trade articles. He had previously been in command as a Lieutenant RNR. He remained in command when the crew signed Foreign article on 12 January 1920.

22 November 1919 Steward’s Boy J S Wythe discharged as being incompetent

24 November 1919 Fireman Maurice Towers Sexton MMR 998015 logged as deserting. He had signed on 6 May 1919

 

Maurice T Sexton

Fireman Maurice T Sexton MMR 998015

 

31 December 1919 sailed from Sheerness

3 January 1920 Able Seaman W H Street MMR 993435 discharged absent without leave

13 January 1920 Mr Albert Nicholls RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

 

NICHOLLS ALBERT

Chief Engineer Officer Albert Nicholls RFA

 

14 January 1920 sailed Sheerness for Devonport

19 January 1920 at Devonport on No: 5 wharf  HMS HOLLYHOCK bethed alongside to be refuelled

26 January 1920 at Devonport alongside HMS HOLLYHOCK to refuel her

5 February 1920 sailed Devonport for the China Station

8 February 1920 at Vigo, Spain HMS COCKCHAFER moored alongside

 

HMS Cockchafer

HMS COCKCHAFER

 

10 February 1920 at Vigo, Spain with HMS COCKCHAFER alongside ‘topping up with oil’ and HMS MOTH also secured alongside

11 February 1920 at 0550hrs HMS MOTH cast off

18 February 1920 at Gibraltar alongside HMS COLOMBO to refuel her with 360 tons of FFO. HMS CICILA also berthed alongside

19 February 1920 at Gibraltar while berthed alongside HMS COLOMBO.  HMS MOTH and HMS CRICKET also berthed alongside her to refuel

20 February 1920 at Gibraltar cast off from HMS COLOMBO

26 February 1920 while on passage from Gibraltar to Almeria Bay in company with HMS’s COLOMBO, CRICKET, BLUEBELL, MOTH, HOLLYHOCK and MANTIS

27 February 1920 at Almeria Bay with HMS CRICKET berthed alongside. HMS CRICKET cast off

28 February 1920 at Almeria Bay and at sea in communication with HMS COLOMBO

3 March 1920 at Oran HMS CICALA alongside being refuelled – received 30 tons of FFO. HMS MANTIS also came alongside to refuel – 17 tons of FFO issued. HMS MOTH also alongside to be refuelled

4 March 1920 at Oran HMS CRICKET alongside to refuel. She receiving 26 tons of FFO

6 March 1920 at Bizerta with HMS MOTH alongside

7 March 1920 at Bizerta HMS CICALA alongside being refuelled – received 43 tons of FFO. HMS MANTIS also came alongside to refuel – 38 tons of FFO issued. HMS CRICKET also alongside to refuel. She receiving 38 tons of FFO

16 March 1920 at Malta HMS COLOMBO secured alongside for oiling and she received 366 tons of FFO

 

HMS Colombo

HMS COLOMBO

 

17 March 1920 at Malta with HMS CRICKET alongside to refuel

23 March 1920 at Port Said with HMS COCKCHAFER alongside receiving fresh water

23 December 1920 at Port Said alongside HMS MALAYA to refuel her. 150 tons of FFO transfered

4 May 1922 sailed the River Tyne for Southampton

15 June 1922 sailed the River Tyne for Thameshaven

9 August 1922 Captain Alexander H Hardy RFA appointed as Master

 

Capt. Hardie 2

Captain Alexander H Hardy RFA

 

11 September 1922 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour

12 September 1922 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour

8 November 1922 Mr John E T Collins RFA appointed as Acting Chief Engineer Officer

 

John Edgar Thornton Collins

Mr John E T Collins RFA when appointed as Acting Chief Engineer Officer

 

19 December 1922 berthed at Portland

20 December 1922 arrived at Plymouth from Portland

20 March 1923 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour and sailed later in the day to sea

1 April 1923 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour

9 April 1923 sailed from Alexandra Dock, Hull in ballast

13 April 1923 Chief Officer William H Green RFA appointed as Acting Master

 

Captain WILLIAM HERBERT GREEN

Chief Officer William H Green RFA

 

16 June 1923 Chief Officer Charles L Cutsforth RFA appointed as Acting Master

 

Charles L Cutsforth

Chief Officer Charles L Cutsforth RFA

 

22 June 1923 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour returning later the same day

30 September 1923 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour to Stokes Bay to swing compasses and return to Portsmouth Harbour later the same day

27 October 1923 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour

30 October 1923 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour

8 November 1923 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour

18 November 1923 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour

27 February 1924 sailed Portsmouth Harbour to Stokes Bay

24 May 1924 Mr Andrew G Forbes RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

 

CEO Andrew G Forbes

Chief Engineer Officer Andrew G Forbes RFA

 

15 July 1924 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

18 July 1924 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA KIMMEROL

23 July 1924 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA KIMMEROL

24 July 1924 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA KIMMEROL

28 July 1924 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA KIMMEROL

30 July 1924 on No: 5 buoy, Portsmouth Dockyard

31 July 1924 on No: 5 buoy, Portsmouth Dockyard

14 August 1924 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

18 August 1924 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

21 August 1924 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

26 August 1924 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA KIMMEROL

27 August 1924 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA PRESTOL

30 August 1924 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA KIMMEROL

2 September 1924 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

9 September 1924 berthed at Promontry, Portsmouth Dockyard

27 September 1924 alongside in the Tidal Basin, Portsmouth Dockyard

29 September 1924 alongside in the Tidal Basin, Portsmouth Dockyard

3 October 1924 made fast to No: 9 buoy at Portsmouth Harbour

7 October 1924 made fast to No: 9 buoy at Portsmouth Harbour

13 October 1924 made fast to No: 9 buoy at Portsmouth Harbour

16 October 1924 made fast to No: 9 buoy at Portsmouth Harbour

20 October 1924 made fast to No: 9 buoy at Portsmouth Harbour

27 October 1924 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

29 October 1924 made fast to No: 9 buoy at Portsmouth Harbour

30 October 1924 made fast to No: 9 buoy at Portsmouth Harbour

8 November 1924 made fast to No: 9 buoy at Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

9 November 1924 made fast to No: 9 buoy at Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

12 November 1924 Chief Officer Stanley G Kent RFA appointed as Acting Master

 

1 Stanley Kent

Chief Officer Stanley G Kent RFA

 

15 November 1924 made fast to No: 5 buoy at Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

19 November 1924 made fast to No: 5 buoy at Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

21 November 1924 made fast to No: 5 buoy at Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

1 December 1924 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

3 December 1924 berthed in No: 2 Basin, Portsmouth Dockyard together with RFA KIMMEROL

10 December 1924 berthed in No: 2 Basin, Portsmouth Dockyard together with RFA KIMMEROL and RFA SLAVOL

22 December 1924 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA KIMMEROL

11 February 1925  berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

7 March 1925 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA KIMMEROL

25 March 1925  berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA WAR KRISHNA

30 March 1925 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

4 April 1925 berthed on the South Railway Jetty, Portsmouth

14 April 1925 berthed on the South Railway Jetty, Portsmouth

15 April 1925 berthed on the South Railway Jetty, Portsmouth

23 April 1925 Captain William B Browne RFA appointed as Master until 15 July 1925 (see below)

5 May 1925 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

12 May 1925 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

20 May 1925 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

27 May 1925 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

1 June 1925 Mr Leonard H Taylor RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

 

CEO Leonard H Taylor

Chief Engineer Officer Leonard H Taylor RFA

 

5 June 1925 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

6 June 1925 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

17 June 1925 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

17 July 1925 berthed on North Railway Jetty, Portsmouth

13 August 1925 Captain William B Browne RFA appointed as Master

14 August 1925 berthed in No: 3 Basin, Portsmouth Dockyard together with RFA PRESTOL and RFA MARINER

20 August 1925 berthed in No: 3 Basin, Portsmouth Dockyard together with RFA KIMMEROL and RFA MARINER

8 September 1925 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA’s KIMMEROL and PETRELLA

16 September 1925 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA’s KIMMEROL

17 September 1925 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA’s KIMMEROL

22 September 1925 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA KIMMEROL

26 September 1925 made fast to No: 3 buoy at Portsmouth Harbour

3 October 1925 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA KIMMEROL

14 October 1925 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA OLEANDER (2)

29 October 1925 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

14 November 1925 berthed in No: 3 Basin, Portsmouth Dockyard together with  RFA MARINER

30 November 1925 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

1 December 1925 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty. Captain Reginald J Harland RFA appointed as Master

12 December 1925 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

23 December 1925 passed the Lloyds SIgnal station on the Lizard sailing east

24 December 1925 at Spithead

30 December 1925 made fast to No: 5 buoy at Portsmouth Harbour

31 December 1925 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA’s KIMMEROL and PRESTOL

6 January 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA’s KIMMEROL and PETRONEL

8 January 1926 berthed on the North West Wall, Portsmouth Harbour

9 January 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA’s KIMMEROL

12 January 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA’s KIMMEROL and PRESTOL

15 January 1926 moored on No: 5 Buoy, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

18 January 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty

21 January 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA KIMMEROL

22 January 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA KIMMEROL

25 January 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA KIMMEROL

27 January 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA KIMMEROL

1 February 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth together with RFA KIMMEROL

5 February 1926 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour

11 February 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

12 February 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

13 February 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

18 February 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

22 February 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth

4 March 1926 made fast to Buoy No: 5 at Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

5 March 1926 made fast to Buoy No: 5 at Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

6 March 1926 made fast to Buoy No: 5 at Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

8 March 1926 made fast to Buoy No: 5 at Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

17 March 1926 in No: 10 dry dock at Portsmouth Harbour

22 March 1926 in No: 10 dry dock at Portsmouth Harbour

24 March 1926 in No: 10 dry dock at Portsmouth Harbour

6 April 1926 berthed in the Tidal Basin, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA C65

15 April 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA LIMOL

19 April 1926 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour to Stokes Bay returning to her berth later the same day

3 May 1926 Captain Robert T Gallon RFA appointed as Master

29 May 1926 made fast to Buoy No: 5 at Portsmouth Harbour

4 June 1926 made fast to Buoy in Fareham Creek

30 June 1926 berthed in the Tidal Basin, Portsmouth Harbour together with NAV BISON

1 July 1926 berthed in the Tidal Basin, Portsmouth Harbour together with NAV BISON

31 July 1926 made fast to Buoy No: 5 at Portsmouth Harbour

16 August 1926 berthed on the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty

17 August 1926 berthed on the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty

20 August 1926 berthed on the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty together with RFA KIMMEROL

2 September 1926 berthed on the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty together with RFA KIMMEROL

11 September 1926 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour

16 September 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour with RFA WAR PINDARI

17 September 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour

21 September 1926 berthed on the North Railway Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour

8 October 1926 berthed in No: 3 Basin, Portsmouth Dockyard

12 October 1926 berthed in No: 3 Basin, Portsmouth Dockyard

16 October 1926 berthed in No: 3 Basin, Portsmouth Dockyard

19 October 1926 berthed in No: 3 Basin, Portsmouth Dockyard

22 October 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour

30 October 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour

8 November 1926 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour on the North West Wall

12 November 1926 made fast to No: 5 Buoy, Portsmouth Harbour

15 November 1926 made fast to No: 5 Buoy, Portsmouth Harbour

1 December 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour

3 December 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour

7 December 1926 made fast to No: 5 Buoy, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

11 December 1926 made fast to No: 3 Buoy, Portsmouth Harbour

15 December 1926 made fast to No: 3 Buoy, Portsmouth Harbour

30 December 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty together with RFA KIMMEROL

31 December 1926 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour

1 January 1927 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

3 January 1927 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

4 January 1927 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

6 January 1927 made fast to No: 5 Buoy at Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

8 January 1927 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

11 January 1927 berthed on the North Corner Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour

12 January 1927 berthed in No: 3 basin, Portsmouth Harbour

17 January 1927 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour

26 January 1927 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour

10 February 1927 berthed in No: 3 basin, Portsmouth Harbour

11 February 1927 berthed in No: 3 basin, Portsmouth Harbour

21 February 1927  made fast to No: 5 Buoy at Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

26 February 1927 at the Eastern Trot, Portsmouth Harbour

4 March 1927 at the Eastern Trot, Portsmouth Harbour

10 March 1927 Mr George S G Russell RFA appointed as Acting Chief Engineer Officer

 

CEO George S G RUSSELL

Acting Chief Engineer Officer George S G Russell RFA

 

26 March 1927 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth with RFA KIMMEROL

4 April 1927 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth with RFA KIMMEROL

20 April 1927 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth with RFA KIMMEROL

22 April 1927 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth with RFA KIMMEROL and RFA PRESTOL

25 April 1927 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth with RFA KIMMEROL

15 May 1927 berthed on the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty together with RFA KIMMEROL

16 May 1927 made fast to No: 5 buoy in Portsmouth Harbour

4 July 1927 berthed on the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty

7 July 1927 berthed on the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty together with RFA KIMMEROL

13 July 1927 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty together with RFA SCOTOL

14 July 1927 berthed on the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty

19 July 1927 in Portsmouth Harbour made fast to No: 5 buoy

30 July 1927 in Portsmouth Harbour made fast to No: 6 buoy together with RFA KIMMEROL

3 August 1927 in Portsmouth Harbour made fast to No: 6 buoy together with RFA KIMMEROL

6 August 1927 in Portsmouth Harbour made fast to No: 6 buoy together with RFA KIMMEROL

8 August 1927 in Portsmouth Harbour made fast to No: 6 buoy together with RFA KIMMEROL 

12 August 1927 in Portsmouth Harbour made fast to No: 6 buoy together with RFA KIMMEROL

25 August 1927 berthed at the South Railway Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour

26 August 1927 Acting Captain Charles R Soper RFA appointed as Master

27 August 1927 berthed on North Slip Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

29 August 1927 sailed for Portsmouth Harbour

31 August 1927 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty together with RFA KIMMEROL

30 August 1927 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty

4 September 1927 Captain Frederick S Browne RFA appointed as Master

28 January 1928 Captain Charles L Cutsforth RFA appointed as Master

14 August 1928 Mr George S G Russell RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

1 January 1929  at anchor on the Southern Trot, Portsmouth Harbour

7 January 1929 at anchor on the Southern Trot, Portsmouth Harbour

14 January 1929 at anchor on the Southern Trot, Portsmouth Harbour

19 January 1929 berthed on the North Slip Jetty together with RFA KIMMEROL

23 January 1929 at anchor at Southern Trot, Portsmouth Harbour

24 January 1929 at anchor at Southern Trot, Portsmouth Harbour

25 January 1929 at anchor at Southern Trot, Portsmouth Harbour

2 February 1929 at anchor at Southern Trot, Portsmouth Harbour

1 March 1929 berthed in No: 3 Basin at Portsmouth Dockyard

6 March 1929 made fast to No: 5 buoy, Portsmouth Harbour

2 April 1929 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour

9 April 1929 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour

23 April 1929 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour

29 April 1929 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

1 May 1929 made fast to No: 4 Buoy, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

13 May 1929 made fast to No: 5 buoy, Portsmouth Harbour

22 May 1929 berthed on the North Corner Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour

28 May 1929 made fast to No: 5 buoy, Portsmouth Harbour

1 June 1929 made fast to No: 5 buoy, Portsmouth Harbour

11 June 1929 made fast to No: 5 buoy, Portsmouth Harbour

18 June 1929 made fast to No: 5 buoy, Portsmouth Harbour

19 June 1929 made fast to No: 5 buoy, Portsmouth Harbour

21 June 1929 made fast to No: 5 buoy, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

2 July 1929 made fast to No: 5 buoy, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

2 August 1929 made fast to No: 6 buoy, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA BIRCHOL (1)

17 September 1929 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour

12 October 1929 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour

24 October 1929 on No: 6 Buoy in Portsmouth Harbour

23 November 1929 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour 

10 December 1929 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA FORTOL

14 December 1929 at anchor at Portsmouth Harbour on the Southern Trot together with RFA BIRCHOL (1)

31 December 1929 at anchor at Portsmouth Harbour on the Southern Trot

11 February 1930 on No: 6 Buoy in Portsmouth Harbour

18 February 1930 on No: 6 Buoy in Portsmouth Harbour

19 April 1930 at anchor at Portsmouth Harbour on the Southern Trot

28 April 1930 berthed in No: 3 Basin, Portsmouth Harbour

3 May 1930 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

30 May 1930 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

18 June 1930 berthed on the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

20 June 1930 berthed on the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

25 June 1930 berthed on the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

26 June 1930 berthed on the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

27 June 1930 berthed on the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA’s KIMMEROL and PETRONEL

28 June 1930 berthed on the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA KIMMEROL

20 August 1930 on No: 6 Buoy in Portsmouth Harbour together with RFA ELMOL

28 September 1930 Mr James E Hawthorn RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

12 December 1930 berthed in the Tidal Basin together with RFA ARGO

2 January 1931 in dry dock No: 4 at Portsmouth Dockyard

5 January 1931 in dry dock No: 4 at Portsmouth Dockyard

9 January 1931 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour returning to her berth the next day

2 February 1931  Captain Robert  R Ferguson RFA appointed as Master and Mr William C Elliott RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

 

Captain Robert R Ferguson

Captain Robert R Ferguson RFA

 

3 February 1931 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour

7 February 1931 arrived at Plymouth

6 May 1931 Mr William H A Lawson RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

CEO William H A LAWSON

Chief Engineer Officer William H A Lawson RFA

 

12 October 1933 Mr William W Ridgway RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

21 December 1933 Captain Isaac Evans RFA appointed as Master

5 January 1934 Mr William S Ritchie RD RFA (Engineer Lieutenant RNR (Ret)) appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

 

CEO RITCHIE WILLIAM STORMONT

Chief Engineer Officer William S Ritchie RFA

 

14 February 1935 Captain George F Rutter RFA (Lieutenant Commander RNR) appointed as Master

Captain G F Rutter

Captain George F Rutter RFA

19 February 1937 Mr Lowrie Cowell RFA (Engineer Lieutenant RNR (retd) appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

10 January 1938 Captain Frederick G Drake RFA appointed as Master

1 December 1938 Captain Charles J Leach RFA appointed as Master

 

Captain C J Leach

Captain Charles J Leach RFA

 

20 July 1939 Mr Allan A Woolley RFA appointed as Temporary Chief Engineer Officer

3 September 1939 at Devonport on the outbreak of WW2

December 1939 Captain J H Phillips RFA appointed as Master

25 January 1940 at Hong Kong with HMS FALMOUTH alongside – Ebonol received 185 tons of FFO from the warship

26 January 1940 Mr Matthew Walker RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

19 February 1940 arrived Hong Kong for Fleet Attendant duties

7 September 1940 Captain John H Burman RFA appointed as Master

25 February 1941 Chief Engineer Matthew Walker RFA discharged dead. He died in the Royal Naval Hospital, Hong Kong of natural causes.

2 March 1941 Mr Joseph Jacob Humphries RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

July 1941 Captain Leslie Sonley RFA appointed as Master

8 December 1941 subject to heavy bombing by Japanese forces. Two of the Chinese crew deserted

By 17 December 1941 the crew were mutinous

19 December 1941 scuttled at Deepwater Bay, Hong Kong assisted by HMS CICALA and other by British forces to avoid capture by the invading Japanese. The  Japanese subsequently raised her and she re-entered their service named  ENOSHIMA MARU

22 June 1942 the ICRC in Geneva confirmed that the Officers were PoW’s

11 September 1942 Chief Engineer Joseph Jacob Humphreys RFA died as a prisoner of war. He is buried in Stanley Military Cemetery, Hong Kong in grave 1.A.57

 

Humphreys_JJ

Courtesy and © of The War Graves Photographic Project

 

3 March 1943 arrived at Balikpapan, Borneo

6 March 1943 sailed Balikpapan, Borneo

9 March 1943 arrived at Surabaya, Java to unload cargo

7 July 1943 arrived at Surabaya, Java to unload cargo

8 July 1943 sailed from Surabaya, Java

11 July 1943 arrived at Balikpapan, Borneo

15 July 1943 sailed Balikpapan, Borneo

19 July 1943 arrived at Surabaya, Java

27 July 1943 sailed Surabaya, Java

6 August 1943 sailed Manila, Luzon in convoy No: 862 together with two other IJA cargo ships and escorted by IJA second class destroyer Fuyo

12 August 1943 sailed Surabaya, Java

8 September 1943 sailed Balikpapan, Borneo

16 September 1943 arrived at Singapore

25 September 1943 sailed Belawan

27 September 1943 at Singapore when six Royal Austrlian Navy sailors in canoes entered the port and attacked shipping there as Operation Jaywick.  

18 October 1945  recovered by the British at Batavia – towed to Singapore by RFA GOLD RANGER and her name reverted to EBONOL (1).

November 1945 instructions were issued that only essential repairs should be carried out to enable her to function as a Port Oiler at Singapore

13 December 1945 Mr Frank R Harmer RFA appointed Chief Engineer Officer

CEO Frank R Harmer

Chief Engineer Officer Frank R Harmer RFA

 

1946 at Singapore as a depot ship

23 March 1946 Captain J Bottomley RFA appointed as Master

8 August 1946 instructions were issued that no further repair work was to be carried out and that the ship was to be disposed of

15 August 1947 sold out of service to Chin Ah & Company.

23 July 1948 sailed Singapore for Sabang

15 August 1947 reregistered on the Singapore registry

24 August 1948 berthed at Singapore from Sabang

24 January 1949 at Port Swettenham Quartermaster Abbas Bin Abdul Janni discharged dead by drowning

14 November 1949 sold to the Great Southern Steam Ship Company of Hong Kong

24 May 1950 while on passage from Swattow to Hong Kong, carrying passengers and a cargo of sugar, sank in bad weather three miles off Sugar Loaf Island, Hong Kong after an explosion. The cause of the explosion is unknown, but it is thought that she may have hit a mine laid by Nationalist Chinese forces. Seven of her passengers were killed but all of her crew were saved – reported in Lloyd’s Casualty List dated 16 June 1950

Press report Ebonol 25 5 50

 

 

RFA Ebonol (2)

 

For details of RFA Ebonol (2) please go to RFA Rowanol