Reproduced with permission of the MOD
Subsequent name: Good Guardian, Guardian, Wafa
Official Number: 304252
Class: HEBE CLASS Stores Freighter
Pennant No: A406
Laid down: 18 April 1961
Builder: Henry Robb, Leith
Launched: 7 March 1962
Into Service: 6 April 1962
Out of service: December 1978
Fate: Returned to owners on cancellation of charter
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: The proposed charter of the two Admiralty-designed vessels in this Class was announced in September 1960 and they were built specifically for Admiralty sea freighting duties. They were designed to carry the greater proportion of their bulk cargo of naval stores in specially designed containers by Chatham Dockyard which were known as chacons, thus setting a pattern of containerisation which was followed in ever-increasing steps in the commercial world. The two ships were built on tanker lines, with machinery spaces and superstructures aft, so leaving three large holds and tween decks forward, with No 3 tween-deck having two refrigerated spaces and facilities for twelve refrigerated containers. They initially maintained a U.K. – Gibraltar – Malta – Aden – Singapore service and after the closure of the Suez Canal in 1967 they went via the Cape of Good Hope, with frequent calls at Simonstown. Neither of them had any replenishment at sea capability and when completed they were bare-boat chartered from their commercial owners for a period of ninetween years.
7 March 1962 launched by Henry Robb Ltd, Leith as Yard Nr: 482 named HEBE for British India Steam Navigation Co Ltd, London. Named after the Goddess of Youth and Cup Bearer to the Gods and daughter of Juno. The Lady Sponsor was Mrs F.C. Wilkins, wife of the Director of Stores. She was the 1st vessel to be built on the recently extended berth at the Victoria Shipyards and also the longest
6 April 1962 completed
18 June 1962 bare-boat chartered by the Admiralty to replace RFA FORT BEAUHARNOIS
20 June 1962 Mr Ernest S R Bunker RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
25 July 1962 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
11 August 1962 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
10 October 1962 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to No: 1 jetty
13 October 1962 at Devonport moved from No: 1 jetty to Plymouth Sound
22 October 1962 Captain Albert E Curtain OBE RD RFA (Commander RNR) appointed as Master
29 December 1962 at Chatham Dockyard tug TID 97 sunk in Basin 3 while berthing RFA HEBE. Three of the tugs crew, the Master, Leslie Savage, the mechanic George Osbourne and the stoker William Gell all drowned. The tug was raised by RFA SWIN on 4 January 1963
30 December 1962 the People newspaper reported
7 January 1963 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
1 February 1963 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
13 February 1963 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
25 April 1963 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
16 July 1963 Captain A S McWilliam RFA appointed as Master
Captain A S McWilliam RFA
7 August 1963 entered Chatham Dockyard from the Great Nore
19 August 1963 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
15 January 1964 was ordered to Zanzibar along with the frigates HM ships OWEN and RHYL to evacuate British subjects
HMS OWEN
17 January 1964 entered Zanzibar harbour and embarked 43 passengers and 2 tons of luggage
18 January 1964 with HMS OWEN rescued 140 refugees from Zanzibar after a revolutionary coup there. Those rescued were landed at Mombasa and included 126 British subjects and their baggage
1 March 1964 again stood by to assist in the evacuation of British nationals during the revolution in Zanzibar
19 March 1964 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
2 June 1964 at Chatham
16 June 1964 Captain G P MacDougall RFA appointed as Master
17 June 1964 at Chatham Dockyard loaded Wessex HAS1 Helicopter No: XP127 for shipment to the Far East
30 November 1964 Mr Denis G P Wells RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
2 December 1964 at Plymouth
6 December 1964 anchored at the Great Nore
16 December 1964 entered Chatham Dockyard from the Medway River
18 December 1964 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the Medway River
10 March 1965 arrived at Chatham Dockyard from the Great Nore and the Medway River
22 March 1965 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the Medway River
9 June 1965 arrived at Chatham Dockyard from the Great Nore and the Medway River
18 June 1965 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the Medway River
25 August 1965 arrived at Chatham Dockyard from the Sea and the Medway River
31 August 1965 Captain A L Paterson RFA appointed as Master
11 November 1965 Mr J A Swallow RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
12 February 1966 arrived at Chatham Dockyard from the sea and the Medway River
21 February 1966 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the Medway River
13 May 1966 Captain Charles W P Sumner RFA appointed as Master
12 August 1966 Mr J Edge RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
14 November 1966 Captain J P Gould RFA appointed as Master
3 December 1966 the Birmingham Daily Post newspaper reported –
10 December 1966 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
January 1967 Humanitarian aid – freighted Oxfam Relief Stores to Cochin to assist in famine relief
21 January 1967 sailed Singapore on her first direct passage to the U.K. on the first voyage carrying three aircraft below decks – a Sea Vixen, a Gannet and a Wessex HU5 Helicopter No: XT457
24 February 1967 arrived at the Great Nore, entered the River Medway and into Chatham Dockyard
25 February 1967 Mr R E Davies RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
10 July 1967 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
24 August 1967 two 8 inch breach loading guns (1885 vintage) removed from Blankang Mati island, Singapore and loaded on Hebe for transportation to the UK for use as exhibits at the Royal Artillery Rotunda Museum, Woolwich (described in the Straits Times as 8.8 inch guns)
22 September 1967 Wessex HAS3 helicopter No: XP120 shipped from Chatham Dockyard to the Far East
15 December 1967 entered Chatham Dockyard from the Medway River
1 January 1968 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the Medway River
10 February 1968 entered Chatham Dockyard from the Medway River
22 February 1968 undertook trials in Chatham Dockyard Basin
23 February 1968 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the Medway River
14 March 1968 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
15 May 1968 Captain D J Boyden RFA appointed as Master
30 May 1968 Mr S P Awatt RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
16 July 1968 Wessex HU5 Helicopter No: XS479 shipped from Sembawang to RNAY Fleetlands
16 December 1968 arrived at Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
23 December 1968 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
17 March 1969 sailed from the Great Nore down the Medway River and into Chatham Dockyard
12 December 1969 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway and sailed to sea
18 April 1970 entered Chatham Dockyard from the Medway River
24 April 1970 at Chatham Dockyard to load Wessex HAS1 Helicopter No: XM919 delivered by road from RNAY Fleetlands, Fareham, Hampshire for delivery to the Aircraft Holding Unit, Sebawang
30 April 1970 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the Medway River
7 June 1970 at Mahe, Seychelles unloading stores and personel (clearance divers) embarked at Mauritius and which had arrived on that island from Singapore by Hercules. Sailed on completion for Gan with the Master and 15 Officers from RFA ENNERDALE (2) to embark on a flight to the UK
8 July 1970 at Gan
27 October 1970 berthed at Malta from Agrotini
2 March 1971 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
13 July 1971 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
16 August 1971 at Chatham Dockyard
21 September 1971 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
1 October 1971 P & O General Cargo Division, London were appointed her owners’ managers
14 December 1971 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
5 January 1972 arrived from Sea into the River Medway and then into Chatham Dockyard
6 January 1972 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
11 January 1972 at Chatham Dockyard
31 January 1972 entered Chatham Dock from the River Medway
28 February 1972 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
20 June 1972 at Chatham Dockyard
17 January 1973 owners became P & O Steam Navigation Co, London
9 March 1973 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
7 August 1973 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
23 September 1973 at Istanbul, Turkey
21 October 1973 in Royal Albert Dry Dock, London
30 January 1974 at Port Louis, Mauritius (see Note: 1)
6 February 1974 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
28 February 1974 at Milford Haven, South Wales (see Note: 1)
6 March 1974 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
3 September 1974 sailed from Plymouth Sound on ‘C’ Buoy to sea
21 September 1974 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
4 November 1974 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
4 December 1974 at Chatham until 6 December 1974 when she sailed for Plymouth arriving the next day
7 December 1974 arrived from sea to No: 2 buoy in Devonport Dockyard
8 December 1974 sailed from Plymouth Sound for Gibraltar arriving on 11 December 1974 – berthed on the South Mole then to 41 berth
16 December 1974 sailed Gibraltar 1974 to Plymouth arriving on 19 December 1974 – sailed the same day to Chatham
20 December 1974 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
27 January 1975 sailed Chatham Dockyard for the Far East
28 January 1975 off the Channel Islands – the deck cargo had shifted.
3 February 1975 off Spanish Sahara – stopped between 0900hrs to 1200hrs for minor repairs
16 February 1975 anchored off Simonstown, South Africa – berthed at Simonstown until 19 February 1975
19 February 1975 sailed Simonstown for Salalah arriving at 20:00hrs on 2 March 1975
2 March 1975 unloading at Salalah onto Mexifloats until 6 March 1975
6 March 1975 sailed Salalah for Masirah arriving the next day
7 March 1975 at Masirah until 17 March 1975 when she sailed to Dubai arriving on 19 March 1975
20 March 1975 sailed Dubai for Singapore arriving on 31 March 1975 firstly anchored off and then made fast to a buoy in Sembawang Harbour
3 April 1975 moved to No 4 Basin, Singapore unloading – due to sail 7 April 1975 but this was delayed due to engine trouble
8 April 1975 sailed Singapore for Hong Kong arriving on 12 April 1975 to discharge
17 April 1975 sailed Hong Kong for Singapore.
20 April 1975 anchored off Mekong Delta RASed with HMS MERMAID awaited instructions from MOD to assist in evacuation of British subjects from Saigon. City fell to Communists – not required – sailed.
22 April 1975 berthed alongside at Singapore to load.
28 April 1975 sailed for Gan.
4 May 1975 arrived and anchored in Gan lagoon. Twice during this voyage had to anchor due to engine defects being repaired
8 May 1975 sailed Gan for Diego Garcia arrived next day.
9 May 1975 sailed Diego Garcia for Mauritius arriving Port Louis, Mauritius 12 May 1975
13 May 1975 sailed Port Louis, Mauritius for Simonstown, South Africa.
16 May 1975 stopped twice for engine repairs
17 May 1975 stopped once for engine repairs
18 May 1975 stopped three times for engine repairs
20 May 1975 arrived Simonstown, South Africa
21 May 1975 at Simonstown, South Africa loading bunkers, fresh water and more engine repairs
22 May 1975 sailed Simonstown, South Africa for Marchwood
24 May 1975 stopped for one hour for engine repairs – and again on 2 June 1975
11 June 1975 berthed at Chatham – visit to Marchwood cancelled
20 June 1975 at Chatham
7 August 1975 at London
11 September 1975 at Chatham
25 October 1975 at Singapore
27 January 1976 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
5 February 1976 at Gibraltar
10 May 1976 berthed at Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
24 August 1976 Captain Shane Redmond RFA appointed as Master
Captain Shane Redmond RFA
4 January 1977 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
8 February 1977 Captain Michael Corner RFA appointed as Master
16 June 1977 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
29 June 1977 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
17 November 1977 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
25 November 1977 at Chatham Dockyard
10 December 1977 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
April 1978 sailed from Hong Kong for the last time
12 November 1978 at Devonport
30 November 1978 severly damaged by arson at Gibraltar. Donkeyman Greaser Leslie Mason discharged dead – he died from asphyxia from the inhalation of toxic fumes and from burns
December 1978 was declared a constructive total loss. Her charter was cancelled and she was returned to her owners
8 June 1979 purchased by Good Luck Navegante SA (Good Faith Shipping Co SA, Managers), Piraeus
13 June 1979 now renamed GOOD GUARDIAN, she sailed from Gibraltar in tow of GOOD HERALD for repairs in Greece
20 June 1979 arrived Piraeus for repairs
1981 purchased by Poseidon Shipping Co SA (Seafarer Navigation Co SA, Managers), Piraeus and her name was abbreviated to GUARDIAN
January 1983 sailed Houston bound for Alexandria but …
24 February 1983 arrived at Casablanca and was laid up, reportedly under arrest
1987 purchased by Moroccan-flag interests and renamed WAFA
19 July 1983 the Aberdeen Evening Express newspaper reported …
16 September 1987 arrived Famagusta, Cyprus for breaking up
Notes: –
1. Locations kindly provided by T Perrier RFA (retired) from his Discharge Book
Ships of the same name
Hebe. A 5th rate of 1,063 bm and 38 guns captured from the French in September 1782 by HMS Rainbow off Ile de Bas. Renamed “Blonde” on the 24 December 1805. Broken up in June 1811.
Battle Honours for this Vessel: ST LUCIA, EGYPT 1801.
Hebe. 5th Rate of 658 bm and 32 guns built and launched by Deptford Dockyard on the 31 December 1804. Sold out of service on the 28 April 1813.
Hebe. A 5th rate of 46 guns and 1,078 bm, launched by Woolwich Dockyard. 152 x 40 feet armed with 16 x 32 pdr carronade, 28 x 18 pdr, 2 x 9 pdr. Became a receiving ship in 1839 and then a hulk in 1861. Broken up at Chatham in March 1873.
Hebe. A torpedo gunboat of 810 tons built by Sheerness Dockyard and launched on the 15 June 1892. 230 x 27 feet armed with 2 x 4.7 inch, 4 x 3 pdr and 3 torpedo tubes. The ship was undocked on the 15 June 1892, became a minesweeper in 1909 and a depot ship in 1910. Sold to Ward, Preston on the 22 October 1919.
Hebe. A minesweeper of 835 tons by Devonport Dockyard, launched on the 28 October 1936, 230 x 33.5 feet, armed with 2 x 4 inch guns. Sunk on the 22 November 1943, when she struck a mine off Bari.
Battle Honours for this Vessel: DUNKIRK 1940, ARCTIC 1941-42, MALTA CONVOYS 1942, SICILY 1943.