Subsequent name:

Official Number:                       168407   

Class:                                     FRESH CLASS Water Carrier

Pennant No:                            X117

Laid down:                              16 July 1942
Builder:                                   Lytham Shipbuilding, Lytham
Launched:                               23 November 1942

Into Service:                             22 March 1943

Fate:                                       Broken up

Items of historic interest involving this ship: –

Background Data:   There were fourteen vessels in this Class, designed by H.M. Dockyard, Devonport to the order of the RFA. The design was based on that of the earlier BLOSSOM and FOUNTAIN CLASSES but with an additional salvage and fire-fighting capability. They were originally operated by the Director of Victualling and were maintained at RN bases in the U.K. and Mediterranean where they were employed principally in replenishing warships’ freshwater supplies and also, from time to time, in fire fighting and salvage work. A total of 236 tons of fresh water could be carried in six tanks. Most of them saw only limited service under the RFA ensign, manned by RFA crews working under Board of Trade (Home Trade) Agreements, before being transferred to the control of the Captains of the Dockyards on Yard Craft Agreements. In 1959 they were brought under the authority of the newly-formed Port Auxiliary Service which in turn became the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service. Originally all coal-fired, four of the Class were converted to oil-burning in 1961

23 November 1942 launched by Lytham Shipbuilding & Engineering Co, Lytham as Yard Nr: 871 named  FRESHMERE for the Admiralty (Director of Stores)

11 March 1943 Captain Edward H O Herliky RFA appointed as Master and Mr C D Buchanan appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

22 March 1943 completed and was taken over by the RFA

6 August 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS CEYLON supplying her with fresh water

HMS CEYLON

8 August 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS CEYLON supplying her with fresh water

16 August 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS LONDON supplying her with fresh water later berthing on HMS CEYLON to supply fresh water

HMS LONDON

18 August 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS CEYLON supplying her with fresh water

21 August 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS LONDON supplying her with fresh water later berthing on HMS CEYLON to supply fresh water

23 August 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS LONDON supplying her with fresh water

24 August 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS CEYLON supplying her with fresh water

28 August 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS CEYLON supplying her with fresh water

29 August 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS CEYLON supplying her with fresh water

30 August 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS CEYLON supplying her with fresh water

3 September 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS CEYLON supplying her with fresh water

13 September 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS LONDON supplying her with fresh water

16 September 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS LONDON supplying her with fresh water

18 September 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS LONDON supplying her with fresh water

8 January 1944 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS BELLONA supplying her with fresh water

10 January 1944 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS BELLONA supplying her with fresh water

11 January 1944 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS BELLONA supplying her with fresh water

30 July 1944 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS INDEFACTIGABLE supplying her with fresh water

3 September 1944 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS INDEFACTIGABLE supplying her with fresh water

4 September 1944 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS INDEFACTIGABLE supplying her with fresh water

5 September 1944 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS INDEFACTIGABLE supplying her with fresh water

7 September 1944 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS INDEFACTIGABLE supplying her with fresh water

8 September 1944 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS INDEFACTIGABLE supplying her with fresh water

9 September 1944 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS INDEFACTIGABLE supplying her with fresh water

13 September 1944 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS INDEFACTIGABLE supplying her with fresh water

14 September 1944 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS INDEFACTIGABLE supplying her with fresh water

11 June 1946 ceased to be classed as an RFA and was taken over by the Director of Fuelling

1950 to 1960 based at Greenock

16 June 1961 at Rothesay alongside HMS BLACKWOOD supplying fresh water

17 June 1961 at Rothesay alongside HMS BLACKWOOD supplying fresh water

19 June 1961 at Rothesay alongside HMS BLACKWOOD supplying fresh water

21 June 1961 at Tail of Bank alongside HMS BLACKWOOD supplying fresh water at the same time as RFA ROWANOL was alongside refuelling her

23 June 1961 at Rothesay alongside HMS BLACKWOOD supplying fresh water

1963 based at Rosyth where she replaced the earlier water boat FOUNTAIN

1964 to 1970 based on the Clyde

11 February 1967 in collision with HMS GURKHA in harbour (Portland?)

1970 to 1975 based at Rosyth where she was replaced by RMAS WATERCOURSE in 1974

1975 laid up in Kirkcaldy Harbour, Fife and offered for sale

December 1975 Purchased by J.T. Leavesley for breaking up

1976 Broken up