Subsequent name:

Official Number:                     169994

Class:                                   FRESH CLASS Water Carrier

Pennant No:                          X47

Signal Letters:                       MJRP

Laid down:                             March 1944

Builder:                                  Lytham Shipbuilding, Lytham
Launched:                              22 August 1944
Into Service:                           22 December 1944
Out of service:
Fate:                                     1969 sold

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

28 August 1944 launched by Lytham Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Lytham as Yard Nr: 876 named FRESHTARN for the Admiralty (Director of Stores)

6 December 1944 Captain Evan J Griffiths RFA appointed as Master

9 December 1944 Mr Henry Mellor RFA appointed as the Chief Engineer Officer – remaining as such until 16 April 1945

22 December 1944 completed and was taken over by the RFA

24 April 1945 Mr  Alexander Mackinnon RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

1945 to 1946 based at Scapa Flow

13 March 1946 ceased to be classed as an RFA and was taken over by the Director of Victualling

1946 to 1948 based at Rosyth

20 August 1947 Donkeyman John Pimley discharged dead. He is remembered with pride on the Tower Hill Memorial on Panel 51

1950 to 1969 based at Portsmouth

4 October 1951 at Portland Harbour alongside HMS RELENTLESS supplying fresh water

HMS RELENTLESS

5 October 1951 at Portland Harbour alongside HMS RELENTLESS supplying fresh water

13 October 1951 at Portland Harbour alongside HMS RELENTLESS supplying fresh water

15 October 1951 at Portland Harbour alongside HMS RELENTLESS supplying fresh water

9 December 1960 at Portsmouth alongside HMS BLACKWOOD suppling fresh water

June 1967 on the Disposal List at Portsmouth.

12 July 1967 offered for sale ‘as lying’ at H M Dockyard, Portsmouth in the Times of this day

1969 sold