RFA Kharki

 

 

RFA Kharki

  

Official Number:              112680                                                                        

Class:                              Collier / Tanker

Pennant No:                    P95, X31, X34

Signal Letters                  GSHQ (1919)

Laid down:
Builder:                           Irvine Shipbuilding & Engineering Company

Launched:                       22 December 1899
Into Service:                    20 March 1900 as a collier
Out of service:                 26 July 1931
Fate:                                26 July 1931 sold to Chinese firm for use as a dry cargo carrier on the West River

 

Items of historic interest involving this ship: –

 

Background Data:  Soon after the turn of the 20th Century, the Admiralty acquired a number of small tankers and store ships and from the experiments conducted with these tankers was obtained the experience which resulted in the building of a large number of tankers of various sizes which were especially designed for their task of refuelling warships. None of these early ships were sister ships, and they became the first Admiralty vessels to fall into the new RFA category on its inception in 1905

 

22 December 1899 launched by Irvine Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Irvine as Yard Nr: 16  named KHARKI for Lombard Steamship Co, London

1 March 1900 ran trials on completion

16 March 1900 Captain William Sowden was the ships Master

20 March 1900 purchased by the Admiralty for £14,650, name unchanged, and was delivered to HM Pembroke Dock for use as a collier and spent her early years mainly in Home Waters, based at Portland

24 March 1900 sailed Glasgow for Pembroke Dock and Lloyds list reported –

 

24 3 1900 Lloyds List Kharki

 

19 May 1900 arrived at Penarth from Pembroke Dock

22 May 1900 the Western Morning News reported –

 

West Morning News 22 5 00

 

23 May 1900 sailed from Penarth to Devonport

2 January 1901 arrived at Barry from Devonport

5 January 1901 sailed from Barry for Devonport

14 January 1901 arrived at Devonport from Falmouth

16 January 1901 sailed from Penarth for Devonport

21 March 1901 sailed Penarth for Devonport

20 April 1901 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east bound

29 April 1901 arrived at Penarth from Devonport

1 May 1901 sailed from Penarth for Devonport

23 May 1901 arrived at Penarth from Devonport

15 June 1901 arrived at Penarth from Devonport

4 July 1901 sailed Devonport for Cardiff

5 July 1901 arrived at Roath Dock, Cardiff from Devonport

1 October 1901 passed Barry Island

6 November 1901 passed down Barry Island for Cardiff

22 November 1901 arrived at Penarth from Devonport

7 December 1901 passed Barry Island

30 December 1901 arrived at Penarth from Devonport

14 August 1902 arrived at Barry from Devonport

22 April 1903 sailed Devonport for Cardiff

29 August 1903 arrived at Barry from Pembroke Dock

31 August 1903 sailed Barry for Devonport

6 September 1903 arrived at Barry from Devonport

7 September 1903 sailed from Barry for Devonport

18 September 1903 sailed Barry, passing the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard east bound for Devonport

2 October 1903 arrived off Barry Island

15 October 1903 sailed Barry

17 October 1903 passing the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard east bound

28 October 1903 passing the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard west bound

31 October 1903 sailed from Cardiff for Devonport. Captain Symonds was Master

6 November 1903 sailed from Cardiff for Devonport

28 December 1903 passing the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard west bound

30 December 1903 sailed Penarth for Devonport

31 December 1903 passing the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard east bound

10 January 1904 passing the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard east bound

19 January 1904 passing the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard east bound

14 February 1904 passing the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard east bound

24 March 1904 arrived Penarth from Devonport

27 April 1904 arrived at Cardiff from Devonport

5 May 1904 arrived at Roath Dock, Cardiff from Devonport in ballast

25 May 1904 sailed Devonport from Cardiff

9 June 1904 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing west

10 June 1904 arrived at Roath Dock, Cardiff from Devonport in ballast

17 June 1904 at Barry, South Wales

30 June 1904 sailed Cardiff for Devonport

6 August 1904 sailed Devonport for Cardiff

23 August 1904 passed up Barry Island

28 August 1904 arrived at Cardiff

31 August 1904 sailed Devonport for Penarth

4 September 1904 sailed from Penarth for Devonport

27 September 1904 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing west

28 September 1904 arrived at Roath Dock, Cardiff from Devonport

5 October 1904 arrived at Cardiff from Devonport

14 October 1904 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing west

29 October 1904 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing westbound

11 November 1904 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing westbound

12 November 1904 arrived at Roath Dock, Cardiff from Devonport

20 December 1904 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing westbound

11 January 1905 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing west

24 January 1905 passed up Barry Island

14 February 1905 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east

18 February 1905 sailed Dumfries for Cardiff

25 February 1905 arrived at Bute East Dock, Cardiff

1 March 1905 arrived at Plymouth from Barry

15 March 1905 sailed Portland for Barry but put into Devonport due to stress of weather

24 March 1905 pass Barry Island 

25 March 1905 arrived Roath Dock, Cardiff

4 April 1905 work to covert the ship from a collier to a tanker described in the Portsmouth Evening News of this day

 

Press Report Portsmouth Evening News 4 4 1905

 

12 April 1905 arrived at Roath Dock, Cardiff from Devonport

9 May 1905 berthed at Devonport

26 May 1905 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east

26 June 1905 entered No 6 Dry Dock, Keyham, Devonport for conversion to an ‘Oil Fuel Vessel’ (description as quoted from the Ship Log for this day)

7 August 1905 was the subject of proceedings in the Kings Bench Division of the High Court before the Lord Chief Justice, Mr Justice Laurence and Mr Justice Ridley and the law report was published in the Times of this day. The case involved the question of the liabilty of His Majesty’s ships to pay pilotage dues under the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 and the Bristol Channel Pilotage Act and by-laws made there under. The Master had refused to pay pilotage dues for the service of a pilot into Cardiff Docks and the Pilot had taken proceedings against the Master for the recovery of £4 4sh plus £10 10sh costs through a local Court. The Appeal was allowed as the High Court considered that the carriage of coal for the Royal Navy by the KHARKI was not a commerical purpose. KHARKI, the court decided, was clearly a Kings ships and the legislation was not binding on the Crown for incurring a debt

1905 converted into a tanker at a cost of £7,324.for the conveyance of lubricating oil from contractor‘s works to Home Dockyards and Depots.

7 August 1905 subject to the question of whether the ship was liable for the payment of pilotage dues being an Admiralty vessel in the case of Symons v Baker heard in the High Court of Justice, Kings Bench Division before the Lord Chief Justice, Mr Justice Lawrence and Mr Justice Ridley – reported in the Times of this day 

13 September 1906 arrived at Portsmouth berthing on Pitch House Jetty

18 September 1906 berthed on the South Railway Jetty, Portsmouth

24 September 1906 moved to a berth on Boat House Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour

3 October 1905 sailed Devonport for Portland

5 October 1906 moved again to Sheer Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour

19 October 1906 sailed Portsmouth Harbour

3 December 1905 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east

19 February 1907 at Portsmouth Dockyard in No: 12 Dock in refit

18 March 1907 sailed Portsmouth Dockyard after refit for Sheerness

9 May 1907 anchored at Spithead

16 May 1907 berthed on South Slip Jetty, Portsmouth

18 May 1907 berthed on Pitch House Jetty at Portsmouth Dockyard

4 June 1907 sailed Portsmouth

16 June 1907 arrived at Portsmouth berthing on South Railway Jetty

10 July 1907 arrived at Spithead and anchored

15 August 1907 arrived at the River Tyne from Portland

2 December 1907 the Evening Express newspaper (published in Wales) reported that –

 

Press Report Evening Express 2 12 1907

 

10 December 1907 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Needles sailing east bound

28 February 1908 arrived Portsmouth

31 March 1908 arrived Portsmouth Dockyard and berthed at the Coaling Point

2 April 1908 sailed Portsmoutyh

14 May 1908 on passage from Portland to Greenock – the Master was Captain S Williams RFA

17 May 1908 anchored at Greenock

18 May 1908 crew employed moving coal stored on deck in sacks into the ships bunkers

19 May 1908 entered Fairfield Ship Building yard at Glasgow and berthed alongside HMS INDOMITABLE to refuel her – 200 tons of FFO supplied

 

HMS Indomitable

HMS INDOMITABLE

 

20 May 1908 sailed to Campbeltown

21 May 1908 anchored at Campbeltown

22 May 1908 sailed Campbeltown to Portland

24 May 1908 berthed at Portland alongside the coaling pier

25 May 1908 received 28 tons of bunker coal and 20 tons of coal in sacks on deck. Loaded 493 tons of FFO cargo. Sailed to Greenock

28 May 1908 anchored at Lamlash. Oiled HMS TB17 alongside with 43.5 tons of FFO

29 May 1908 anchored at Lamlash. Oiled HMS TB11 alongside with 44 tons of FFO. Moved to Tail of Bank alongside HMS COSSACK to refuel her with 22.5 tons of FFO. Moved to Fairfield Ship Building yard at Glasgow and berthed alongside HMS INDOMITABLE to refuel her – 90 tons of FFO supplied

30 May 1908 sailed to Tail of Bank berthing alongside HMS COSSACK and fuelled her with 56 tons of FFO

 

HMS Cossack 1907 IWM Q 021123

HMS COSSACK

 

1 June 1908 coal on deck moved into the bunkers

2 June 1908 at Campbeltown refuelled HMS TB14 with 48 tons of fuel, HMS TB13 with 47 tons of fuel, HMS TB1 with 11 tons of fuel, HMS TB2 with 12 tons of fuel and HMS TB4 with 19 tons of fuel

5 June 1908 at Campbeltown refuelled  HMS TB13 with 4 tons of fuel and HMS TB2 with 3 tons of fuel

7 June 1908 at Campbeltown refuelled HMS TB14 with 8.5 tons of fuel 

8 June 1908 anchored at Lamlash

9 June 1908 while anchored at Lamlash refuelled HMS TB11 with 11 tons of fuel and HMS TB17 with 23 tons of fuel. Sailed to Portland

10 June 1908 passed the Smalls Lighthouse sailing south bound

11 June 1908 anchored at Portland

22 June 1908 berthed alongside at Portland and loaded 652 tons of fuel oil as cargo

23 June 1908 sailed Portland to Devonport arriving the same day. Made fast to buoy No. 2

24 June 1908 at Devonport issued 234 tons of fuel oil to lighter C82,  270 tons of fuel oil to lighter C81 and 115 tons of fuel oil to lighter C79. Sailed to Portland

25 June 1908 berthed alongside at Portland

29 June 1908 loaded 552 tons of cargo and 48 tons of bunker coal

1 July 1908 sailed Portland to Portsmouth arriving the same day and berthed alongside

4 July 1908 and 5 July 1908 moved and berthed alongside HMS INDOMITABLE refuelling her with 515 tons of fuel oil

6 July 1908 at Portsmouth loaded cargo of 200 tons from lighter C24. Sailed for Sheerness

7 July 1908 arrived at Sheerness and secured to No 4 buoy

8 July 1908 at Sheerness with oil barge C121 alongside – issued 130 tons of FFO to the barge. Loaded 20 tons of bunker coal

9 July 1908 sailed Sherness to Thames Haven and loaded 516 tons of FFO of cargo

10 July 1908 sailed Thames Haven to Queensferry

12 July 1908 arrived at Queensferry and anchored off Port Edgar

14 July 1908 at Queensferry HMS’s TB13, TB10 and TB8 refuelled. Moved alongside HMS AGAMEMNON and issued her 70 tons of FFO. Returned to the anchorage off Port Edgar

 

HMS Agamemnon LOC ggbain 18554

HMS AGAMEMNON

 

15 July 1908 refuelled HMS’s TB1, TB2, TN3 and TB11

17 July 1908 refuelled HMS’s TB8, and TB10

18 July 1908 refuelled HMS’s TB1, TB2, TN3 and TB11

20 July 1908 refuelled HMS’s TB8, and TB10

21 July 1908 refuelled  HMS’s TB2, TB3, TB8, TB10, TB11, TB17 and TB18

22 July 1908 moved alongside RFA PETROLEUM to load cargo and then moved to an anchorage on the south side of the Firth of Forth

25 July 1908 sailed Firth of Forth to Scapa Flow

26 July 1908 arrived at Scapa Flow and anchored

6 August 1908 at Scapa Flow and refuelled HMS COSSACK with 145 tons of fuel oil, HMS MOHAWK with 103 tons of fuel oil and HMS TAMAR with 117 tons of fuel oil

12 August 1908 at Scapa Flow and refuelled HMS COSSACK with 58 tons of fuel oil

13 August 1908 sailed Scapa Flow to Portland

16 August 1908 arrived at Portland and berthed alongside the coaling pier

17 August 1908 loaded bunker coal and sailed to Portsmouth

18 August 1908 at Portsmouth berthed alongside HMS BRITTANIA at Fountains Lake – refuelled her with 115 tons of fuel oil. Sailed to Portland

19 August 1908 at Portland berthed and coaled ship. Sailed to Campbeltown

22 August 1908 anchored at Campbeltown

24 August 1908 at Campbeltown refuelled the TB Flotilla the sailed to Lamlash

25 August 1908 at Lamlash refuelled HMS’s TB17 and TB18

26 August 1908 sailed Lamlash to Campbeltown

31 August 1908 at Campbeltown oiled HMS’s TB3, TB5, TB13, TB15, TB17 and TB19

4 September 1908 at Campbeltown refuelled various TB’s

6 September 1908 sailed to Lamlash

8 September 1908 at Lamlash oiled HMS TB18 with 27 tons of oil

10 September 1908 at Lamlash oiled HMS TB18 with 10 tons of oil

11 September 1908 at Lamlash oiled HMS TB17 with 15 tons of oil

16 September 1908 sailed to Greenock to coal ship – received 20 tons of bunker coal and then returned to her anchorage at Lamlash

17 September 1908 sailed Lamlash to Portland

20 September 1908 arrived at Portland and berthed at the coaling berth

24 September 1908 at Portland pumped all her cargo ashore and cleaned tanks

28 December 1908 arrived at Spithead, later entered Portsmouth Dockyard

13 March 1909 the Hampshire Telegraph reported …

 

13 3 1909 Hants Tele Kharki

 

22 April 1909 passed down Kildonan

17 May 1909 passed up Kildonan

11 June 1909 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on Prawle Point sailing east

13 June 1909 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Needles, Isle of Wight sailing east from Devonport

12 July 1909 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing west

7 August 1909 arrived at Portsmouth

20 August 1909 passed up Kildonan

21 August 1909 passed down Kildonan

26 August 1909 passed Smalls south bound when on passage to Devonport

20 September 1909 passed up Kildonan

21 September 1909 sailed from Kildonan

30 October 1909 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Needles, Isle of Wight sailing west

11 November 1909 passed St Catherines Point sailing east

23 November 1909 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on Prawle Point

24 November 1909 at Plymouth berthed alongside Turnchapel Wharf

27 November 1909 passed Prawle Point sailing east bound for Portland to load bunker coal

28 November 1909 sailed Portland to Thamshaven arriving the next day

29 November 1909 berthed on the West Jetty at Thameshaven loading 668 tons of cargo

30 November 1909 sailed Thamshaven to Portsmouth arriving the next day

2 December 1909 at Portsmouth alongside HMS PRINCE GEORGE loading her with 458 tons

 

 HMSPrinceGeorge

HMS PRINCE GEORGE

4 December 1909 at Fountain Lake, Portsmouth discharging cargo into tenders C19 & C20 thence sailed to Portland

6 December 1909 at Portland loading 688 tons of FFO cargo 

7 December 1909 sailed from Portland to Turnchapel, Plymouth

8 December 1909 to 10 December 1909 discharged cargo ashore at Turnchapel, Plymouth

11 December 1909 sailed Turnchapel to Portland

13 December 1909 at Portland alongside RFA PETROLEUM loading 685 tons from her

14 December 1909 sailed Portland to Plymouth

15 December 1909 at Turnchapel, Plymouth discharging cargo ashore

16 December 1909 at Turnchapel, Plymouth discharged 282 tons of FFO cargo into fuel lighter C82. Sailed for Portland

17 December 1909 at Portland loading cargo

20 December 1909 sailed Portland to Turnchapel 

21 December 1909 at Turnchapel berthed alongside RFA PETROLEUM

24 December 1909 sailed Turnchapel to Portland arriving the same day

28 December 1909 alongside at Portland to load cargo. Sailed Portland to Plymouth Sound arriving the next day

30 December 1909 at 0813hrs while underway from Plymouth Sound to Turnchapel with a pilot onboard – the steering gear failed, the starboard anchor was let go but she struck the coal hulk Iona. No damage to KHARKI. Discharged cargo

31 December 1909 received 10 tons of water from ss Minx

1 January 1910 sailed Turnchapel to Portland

7 January 1910 at Portland loaded bunker coal and cargo

8 January 1910 completed loading cargo – 687 tons of FFO

10 January 1910 sailed Portland to Plymouth Sound

11 January 1910 berthed alongside Turnchapel to discharge cargo

12 January 1910 discharging cargoa shore and into lighter C68

15 January 1910 loaded bunker coal and sailed from Plymouth Sound to Thameshaven passing Prawle Point sailing east bound

17 January 1910 alongside at Thameshaven upper oil wharf loading cargo

18 January 1910 sailed Thameshaven to Felixstowe berthed alongside lighter C207

19 January 1910 discharged part cargo into lighter C207 then sailed to Thameshaven

20 January 1910 at Thameshaven oil wharf loading cargo to capacity then sailed to Plymouth Sound arriving 22 January 1910, thence berthing at Turnchapel

24 January 1910 to 26 January 1910 discharging cargo ashore

26 January 1910 sailed Turnchapel to Portland arriving the same day

27 January 1910 to 28 January 1910 at Portland loading cargo to capacity

29 January 1910 at Portland loading bunker coal

30 January 1910 sailed Portland to Plymouth

31 January 1910 berthed alongside at Turnchapel commenced discharging cargo ashore

1 February 1910 to 4 February 1910 at Turnchapel discharging cargo until ship empty of oil

4 February 1910 sailed Turnchapel to Portland

5 February 1910 at Portland loaded cargo to capacity

6 February 1910 sailed Portland to Plymouth

7 February 1910 to 10 February 1910 berthed at Turnhouse discharging cargo ashore and 280 tons of FFO into lighter C82

10 February 1910 sailed Turnhouse to Portland

11 February 1910 sailed Portland to Portsmouth

12 February 1910 berthed alongside Pitchhouse Jetty, Portsmouth

14 February 1910 at Portsmouth moved berth to outboard of RFA INDUSTRY

14 February 1910 until 1 April 1910 in refit at Portsmouth

1910 fitted out for oiling at sea experiments along with RFA PETROLEUM

1 April 1910 sailed Portsmouth to Portland arriving the next day

5 April 1910 at Portland loaded 672 tons of FFO cargo plus bunker coal. Sailed to Plymouth arriving the next day

6 April 1910 and 7 April 1910 at Turnhouse discharged cargo ashore then sailed to Portland

8 April 1910 at Portland loaded 682 tons of cargo and sailed to Turnhouse

9 April 1910 alongside at Turnhouse discharging cargo ashore

11 April 1910 completed discharging cargo ashore at Turnhouse and sailed to Portland

12 April 1910 at Portland loading cargo. Sailed to Plymouth.

13 April 1910 anchored in Plymouth Sound – moved alongside HMS VANGUARD to refuel her – supplied 549 tons of FFO

14 April 1910 sailed Plymouth to Portland

15 April 1910 at Portland fully loaded with cargo. Cargo amounted to 679 tons of FFO

16 April 1910 at Portland loaded 10 tons of bunker coal in sacks on deck. Sailed Portland to Invergordon

20 April 1910 anchored at Invergordon

21 April 1910 at Invergordon alongside HMS AFRIDI and refuelled her with 148 tons of FFO thence alongside HMS SWIFT and refuelled her with 272 tons of FFO

22 April 1910 at Invergordon alongside HMS GHURKA – refuelled her with 103 tons of FFO, HMS NUBIAN – refuelled her with 82 tons of FFO and HMS MOWHAWK – refuelled her with 74 tons of FFO

23 April 1910 sailed Invergordon to Sheerness arriving 25 April 1910

26 April 1910 moved berth to alongside the oil tanks at Port Victoria, Sheerness loading cargo by gravity

28 April 1910 at Port Victoria completed loading 690 tons of FFO. Total time taken to load cargo being 50 hours. Sailed to Devonport

29 April 1910 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on St Catherines Point sailing west bound

30 April 1910 at Devonport alongside HMS COLLINGWOOD to refuel her

2 May 1910 sailed Plymouth to Portland arriving the same day

3 May 1910 at Portland loaded 680 tons of FFO cargo plus bunker coal. Sailed to Portsmouth arriving the next day

4 May 1910 moored at Fountain Lake, Portsmouth discharging cargo into lighters C19, C21 and C24

5 May 1910 sailed Portsmouth to Portland arriving the same day

6 May 1910 at Portland loaded 684 tons of FFO cargo

7 May 1910 at Portland loaded 10 tons of bunker coal in bags on deck

8 May 1910 sailed Portland to Ardrossan arriving 10 May 1910

16 May 1910 at Rothesay refuelling TB No 16 with 22 tons of FFO, TB No 4 with 18 tons of FFO and TB No 5 with 12 tons FFO

17 May 1910 at Rothesay refuelling TB No 19 with 23 tons of FFO, TB No 15 with 15 tons of FFO and TB No 1 with 24 tons FFO

18 May 1910 at Rothesay refuelling HMS MAROI with 124 tons of FFO, HMS NUBIAN with 105 tons of FFO and HMS CRUSADER with 96 tons FFO

21 May 1910 at Rothesay refuelling HMS SPITEFUL, TB No’s 1, 5, 15 and 19 with a total of 62 tons of FFO

22 May 1910 sailed Rothesay to Tail of Bank

23 May 1910 off Helensborough refuelling HMS SWIFT with 84 tons of FFO and HMS SARACEN with 68 tons FFO. When the refuelling was completed sailed to Portland

26 May 1910 arrived at Portland and loaded cargo

27 May 1910 sailed Portland to Portsmouth to discharge cargo ashore

28 May 1910 completed discharging cargo at Portsmouth and sailed to Portland

29 May 1910 at Portland loaded cargo and loaded bunker coal

1 June 1910 passed Prawle Point sailing east bound

13 August 1910 passed Prawle Point sailing east bound

25 August 1910 passed Prawle Point sailing west bound

3 September 1910 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour

10 September 1910 arrived at Portsmouth Harbour

13 October 1910 arrived at Grangemouth from Fortrose

3 November 1910 arrived the River Tyne

4 November 1910 sailed from the River Tyne for Grangemouth

10 November 1910 Leading Stoker Edwin Hawkins discharged dead. He is buried in Portland Naval Cemetery

30 November 1910 arrived at Portsmouth

24 December 1910 berthed in Portsmouth Dockyard

January 1911 carried out OAS trials with the torpedo boat destroyers HMS MOHAWK and HMS AMAZON. Using the Stirrup Method, up to 80 tons of fuel was transferred

4 June 1911 arrived at Harwich from Sheerness

24 June 1911 Captain James D Ashworth RFA appointed as Master until 30 November 1913 when he took command of RFA CAROL

 

Capt J D Ashworth

Captain James D Ashworth RFA

 

8 September 1911 on passage from Granton to Dover to discharge cargo

9 September 1911 sailed Dover to Grangemouth

11 September 1911 moored at Grangemouth Docks

12 September 1911 at Grangemouth Docks loading cargo and then sailed to Granton

13 September 1911 at Granton loading bunker coal and water and then sailed to Invergordon

14 September 1911 arrived Invergordon and discharged cargo to C121. Sailed to Fortrose

15 September 1911 at Fortrose with HMS’s SWIFT, TARTAR, MAORI, AMAZON, MOWHAWK and SARACEN variously alongside to refuel. Sailed to Grangemouth

16 September 1911 berthed at Grangemouth

18 September 1911 at Grangemouth loaded cargo. Changed berth alongside RFA BURMA. Later sailed for Fortrose

20 September 1911 arrived at Fortrose. HMS’s TARTAR, GHURKA, MAROI, VIKING and AMAZON variously alongside to refuel

21 September 1911 at Fortrose. HMS’s SWIFT, MOWHAWK and SARACEN variously alongside to refuel. Sailed to Invergordon. At Invergordon alongside C121 to discharge the remainder of the cargo

22 September 1911 sailed Invergordon to Granton

23 September 1911 berthed alongside at Granton and loaded bunker coal

24 September 1911 sailed Granton to Sheerness

26 September 1911 arrived at Sheerness and loaded cargo from barges. Sailed for Dover

27 September 1911 at Dover with HMS GOLDFINCH alongside to be refuelled

28 September 1911 at Dover with HMS’s CAMELEON, NYMPHE, REDPOLE, RIFLEMAN, COMET, SHELLDRAKE and BRISK variously alongside to refuel. 

29 September 1911 at Dover HMS’s RUBY, GOLDFINCH, RIFLEMAN, ACORN, LARNE, ALARM, RUBY, and GOLDFINCH variously alongside to refuel. When HMS GOLDFINCH came alongside her port anchor bent rails, stanchions and broke a 5″ oil hose

30 September 1911 sailed Dover to Sheerness

1 October 1911 to 14 October 1911 at Sheerness for repairs and a boiler clean

16 October 1911 loaded cargo and sailed Sheerness to Portsmouth 

17 October 1911 at Portsmouth and discharged cargo

18 October 1911 sailed Portsmouth to Portland

19 October 1911 to 22 October 1911 at Portland and loaded cargo

23 October 1911 sailed Portland to Portsmouth. On arrival discharged cargo C24

24 October 1911 sailed Portsmouth to Portland

25 October 1911 berthed at Portland and loaded cargo

26 October 1911 refuelled HMS HINDUSTAN in Portland Roads then sailed to Portsmouth 

27 October 1911 at Portsmouth discharged cargo and sailed to Portland

28 October 1911 berthed at Portland and loaded cargo

30 October 1911 sailed Portland to Portsmouth

31 October 1911 berthed at Portsmouth and discharged cargo

1 November 1911 sailed Portsmouth to Portland on arrival loaded bunker coal

2 November 1911 at Portland Roads refuelled HMS JEMERAIRE

3 November 1911 loaded cargo at Portland and sailed to Portsmouth

4 November 1911 arrived at Portsmouth and discharged cargo. Sailed to Portland

5 November 1911 arrived at Portland to load cargo

8 November 1911 sailed Portland to Spithead. Refuelled HMS ARGYLE supplying 45 tons of oil then entered Portsmouth Harbour to discharge cargo. Grounded between 5pm and 7pm but then refloated at 7pm – no damage caused

9 November 1911 sailed Portsmouth to Portland

10 November 1911 loaded cargo at Portland

12 November 1911 sailed Portland to Portsmouth

13 November 1911 arrived at Portsmouth and discharged her cargo. When the cargo was discharged sailed to Portland 

15 November 1911 sailed Portland to Portsmouth

16 November 1911 at Portsmouth discharging cargo

17 November 1911 sailed from Portsmouth to Portland

20 November 1911 at Portland loading bunker coal

24 November 1911 sailed Portland to Portsmouth 

25 November 1911 at Portmouth discharging cargo and then sailed to Portland

27 November 1911 at Portland fully loaded cargo

28 November 1911 sailed Portland to Portsmouth

29 November 1911 at Portsmouth discharging cargo. Sailed to Portland

30 November 1911 at Portland loading cargo. Refuelled HMS HERCULES supplying 95 tons of FFO and HMS AGAMEMNON with 104 tons of FFO

 

HMS HERCULES

HMS HERCULES

 

1 December 1911 sailed Portland to Portsmouth

2 December 1911 at Portsmouth discharging cargo. Sailed for Portland

4 December 1911 at Portland loading cargo

6 December 1911 sailed Portland to Portsmouth. Berthed on Clarence Yard Jetty discharging cargo

8 December 1911 sailed Portsmouth to Portland

9 December 1911 at Portland loading cargo

11 December 1911 sailed Portland to Portsmouth

23 February 1912 alongside at Portland

26 February 1912 sailed Portland for South Queensferry arriving on 29 February 1912 when she moored on No 7 buoy

1 March 1912 moved alongside and refuelled in turn HMS’s Acheron, Defender, Hind, Jackall, Sandfly, Forester and Ferret

2 March 1912 sailed South Queensferry to Leith Docks, then sailed Leith Docks to South Shields

3 March 1912 alongside Hawthorne Leslie’s Yard at South Shields on Tyne

4 March 1912 Stoker S Richards arrested by Police – reason not stated in the ship’s log

6 March 1912 sailed South Shields to Sheerness and then to Chatham

11 March 1912 Stoker S Richard given 7 days notice to leave the ship as his ‘services were no longer required’

13 March 1912 in Chatham Dockyard hands in refit

12 April 1912 out of Dockyard hands to the oil jetty at Port Victoria to load cargo

14 April 1912 sailed Port Victoria to Thameshaven to load further cargo

15 April 1912 sailed Thameshaven to Portsmouth

16 April 1912 anchored in Fareham Creek. HM Submarines C19 and D3 alongside to refuel. Then to the old Gosport Oil Jetty to discharge part of her cargo

19 April 1912 sailed Gosport to Portland to load cargo

20 April 1912 sailed Portland to South Queensferry 

24 April 1912 moored at South Queensferry HMS’s Hornet and Archer alongside to refuel

25 April 1912 HMS’s Jackal, Finished and Defender alongside to refuel

26 April 1912 07:00 sailed South Queensferry to Sheerness arriving 23:50 the next day

29 April 1912 sailed Sheerness to Fortrose Pier arriving 08:30 2 May 1912. HMS’s Hornet, Lapwing and Druid alongside to refuel

3 May 1912 HMS’s Defender, Ariel, Jackal, Forester, Ferret and Archer alongside to refuel

4 May 1912 sailed from Fortrose pier to Invergordon to discharge remaining cargo. Then sailed to Sheerness arriving 6 May 1912

7 May 1912 at Port Victoria to load cargo – sailed to Gosport Oil Fuel jetty to discharge arriving on 8 May 1912

9 May 1912 sailed Gosport to Portland

10 May 1912 loading cargo at Portland

12 May 1912 sailed Portland to Portsmouth

13 May 1912 at Portsmouth refuelled HM Submarine C19 and then alongside at Gosport Oil Fuel jetty to discharge her cargo. Sailed Gosport to Portland

14 May 1912 alongside at Portland to load cargo

15 May 1912 sailed Portland to Broderick Bay, Isle of Arran arriving 17 May 1912

18 May 1912 at Broderick Bay, Isle of Arran refuelled alongside HMS’s Zulu, Nubian, Hope, Amazon and Fury

20 May 1912 at Broderick Bay, Isle of Arran refuelled alongside HMS Swift

22 May 1912 at Broderick Bay, Isle of Arran refuelled alongside HMS’s Crusader, Maori, Amazon, Zulu, Hope and Nubian

23 May 1912 sailed Broderick Bay, Isle of Arran to Portland arriving 25 May 1912

27 May 1912 loading cargo at Portland

29 May 1912 sailed Portland to Broderick Bay, Isle of Arran arriving 31 May 1912

31 May 1912 at Broderick Bay, Isle of Arran refuelled alongside HMS’s COSSACK and MOHAWK

1 June 1912 at Broderick Bay, Isle of Arran refuelled alongside HMS’s ZULU, NUBIAN, CRUSADER, MAROI, AMAZON and HOPE

2 June 1912 sailed Broderick Bay, Isle of Arran to Devonport to load

5 June 1912 sailed Devonport to Broderick Bay, Isle of Arran

7 June 1912 at Broderick Bay, Isle of Arran refuelled alongside HMS’s ZULU, HOPE, COSSACK and MOHAWK

8 June 1912 at Broderick Bay, Isle of Arran refuelled alongside HMS NUBIAN then sailed to Ardrossan and refuelled HMS AMAZON alongside. Sailed to Troon to refuel HMS’s CRUSADER and MAROI

9 June 1912 sailed Troon to Devonport arriving on 11 June 1912

12 June 1912 sailed Devonport to Broderick Bay, Isle of Arran arriving 14 June 1912

14 June 1912 at Broderick Bay, Isle of Arran refuelled alongside HMS’s COSSACK, HOPE, CRUSADER, ZULU, AMAZON and MAORI

15 June 1912 at Broderick Bay, Isle of Arran refuelled alongside HMS’s SWIFT, AFRIDI and MOWHAWK. While going alongside HMS MOWHAWK cracked a port side frame

17 June 1912 sailed Broderick Bay, Isle of Arran to Portland arriving 19 June 1912

30 June 1912 at Portland loading from RFA PETROLEUM

2 July 1912 at Weymouth Bay alongside HMS’s INDOMITABLE, ACHILLES and NATAL

3 July 1912 at Portland moored alongside RFA PETROLEUM. Sailed to Portsmouth arriving later the same day

4 July 1912 arrived at Portsmouth and berthed alongside the New Oil Jetty, Gosport to discharge

5 July 1912 sailed to Portland arriving the same day

15 July 1912 arrived at Grangemouth from Oban

9 September 1912 Captain James D Ashworth RFA re-appointed as Master

12 October 1912 arrived at Portland

18 March 1913 berthed on the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour

19 March 1913 sailed Portsmouth to Spithead returning to Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty later the same day

11 April 1913 sailed Portsmouth to Spithead returning to Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty later the same day

18 April 1913 sailed Grangemouth for Invergordon

16 October 1913 arrived at Portsmouth Harbour berthing on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty

28 Novemeber 1913 sailed Portsmouth

25 February 1914 berthed at Grangemouth from Felixtowe in ballast

9 March 1914 arrived at Portsmouth Harbour

10 March 1914 at Portsmouth Harbour and moved berths to Pitch House Jetty

April 1914 Captain William Frost RFA appointed in command

18 May 1914 arrived at Grangemouth in ballast from Invergordon

8 May 1914 sailed Portsmouth Harbour

18 May 1914 the Western Daily Mail reported

 

18 5 1914 West Morning News Kharki and Ferol

 

20 May 1914 sailed Grangemouth for Sheerness

23 July 1914 berthed at Grangemouth from Sheerness in ballast

24 July 1914 sailed Grangemouth for Sheerness

16 November 1914 Able Seaman George Philip Picot discharged dead. He is buried in Osmondwall Cemetery, Orkney in the old ground between the gates

 

Picot

Courtesy and © of The War Graves Photographic Project

 

1 January 1915 at Scapa Flow

11 March 1915 at Scapa Flow berthed alongside HMS CUMBERLAND to refuel her

21 March 1915 at Scapa Flow berthed alongside HMS LANCASTER to refuel her

15 April 1915 at Scapa Flow berthed alongside HMS WARRIOR to refuel her and HMS LANCASTER to refuel her also

22 April 1915 Lieutenant C Noel RNR appointed Acting in Command until 3 May 1915

3 May 1915 Lieutenant John R Gorrie RNR appointed in Command

 

John_Ross_Gorrie

Lieutenant John Ross Gorrie RNR

 

30 June 1915 at Longhope

24 July 1915 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS COLUMBELLA to refuel her

4 August 1915 Engineer Joseph S Harrison RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

5 August 1915 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS WARRIOR

6 August 1915 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS ALBERMARLE to refuel her – supplied 1,200 gallons of oil

 

HMS ALBERMARLE

HMS ALBERMARLE

 

25 September 1915 took on charge a J B Dent Chronometer No 9268 which had been purchased by the Admiralty in April 1895. Off charge on 28 May 1917 at Malta

21 November 1915 and 22 November 1915 at Salonika alongside HMS ARK ROYAL refuelling her with 361 tons of FFO

15 December 1915 at Salonkia alongside HMS ARK ROYAL refuelling her with 350 tons of FFO

28 February 1916 Engineer Lieutenant Percy E C Ogden RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer. He signed off 13 September 1917 when discharged to England

25 March 1916 at Port Lero HMS USK alongside to refuel

 

HMS USK

HMS USK

 

23 July 1916 at Port Mudros berthed alongside HMS ARK ROYAL to refuel her

25 September 1916 took on charge an E Dent & Co Hack Watch No 51505 which had been purchased by the Admiralty in December 1906. The watch had only previously been used, on charge, by HMS Crusader.  The Watch was landed, off charge, on 18 May 1917 at Malta.

2 October 1916 sailed Navros

3 October 1916 Sub Lieutenant Alexander H. Hardy RNR appointed in command. He remained in command until 13 October 1917 when he took command of RFA SERBOL

 

Capt._Hardie_2

Sub Lieutenant Alexander Hardy RNR
Courtesy Nancy Hardy with thanks
 

16 October 1916 arrived at Navros

23 October 1916 at Port Mudros with HMS ARK ROYAL alongside to refuel – supplied 266 tons of FFO

9 November 1916 arrived at Navros

11 November 1916 sailed from Navros

3 December 1916 sailed from Navros

14 December 1916 at Port Mudros with HMS ARK ROYAL alongside to refuel – supplied 154 tons of FFO

18 December 1916 arrived at Navros

20 December 1916 sailed from Navros

6 January 1917 arrived at Port Zero

11 January 1917 at Port Mudros with HMS ARK ROYAL alongside to refuel – supplied 176 tons of FFO

13 January 1917 at Port Mudros alongside HMS NEWCASTLE to refuel her supplied 8 tons of FFO

 

2 HMS Newcastle 1909

HMS NEWCASTLE

 

27 February 1917 at Port Mudros with HMS ARK ROYAL alongside to refuel – supplied 185 tons of FFO

2 March 1917 and 3 March 1917 at Port Iero berthed alongside HMS COLNE to refuel her

25 April 1917 at Port Mudros alongside HMS ARK ROYAL  to refuel – supplied 188 tons of FFO

2 May 1917 sailed from Port Iero

3 May 1917 arrived at Port Mudros

18 May 1917 sailed from Port Mudros

4 June 1917 at Port Mudros alongside HMS ARK ROYAL to refuel – supplied 150 tons of FFO

10 June 1917 arrived at Port Mudros

26 June 1917 anchored at Mudros

4 July 1917 sailed Mudros

30 July 1917 anchored at Mudros

31 July 1917 sailed Mudros

18 August 1917 at Port Mudros alongside HMS ARK ROYAL to refuel – supplied 143 tons of FFO

12 November 1917 at Port Mudros alongside HMS ARK ROYAL to refuel – supplied 140 tons of FFO

26 November 1917 at Port Mudros alongside HMS ARK ROYAL to refuel – supplied 45 tons of FFO

6 January 1918 at Kalloni berthed alongside HMS BRISTOL to refuel her

 

HMS BRISTOL

HMS BRISTOL

 

9 January 1918 at Port Mudros alongside HMS ARK ROYAL to refuel – supplied 174 tons of FFO

12 January 1918 and 13 January 1918 at Port Mudros berthed alongside HMS BRISTOL to refuel her

23 January 1918 off Salamis sighted by HMS COLNE

9 February 1918 at Port Mudros alongside HMS ARK ROYAL to refuel – supplied 124 tons of FFO

18 February 1918 Able Seaman E J Bryan discharged to HMS EUROPA for a period of detention

 

HMS EUROPA

HMS EUROPA

 

19 February 1918 Engineer Sub-Lieutenant Frank L Nicolson RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

5 March 1918 Second Officer Ralph Davison RFA appeared before a court martial charged with being found drunk on board. The charge was adjudged to be proved and he was sentenced to be severely reprimanded and to be dismissed his ship

11 March 1918 at Port Mudros alongside HMS ARK ROYAL to refuel – supplied 113 tons of FFO

20 March 1918 at Mudros alongside HMS LIVERPOOL to refuel her – loaded 50 tons of FFO

 

HMS Liverpool WW1

HMS LIVERPOOL

 

22 April 1918 at Mudros alongside HMS LIVERPOOL to refuel her – loaded 99 tons of FFO

27 April 1918 at Mudros alongside HMS LIVERPOOL to refuel her – loaded 48 tons of FFO. Damaged the warships port paravane

14 May 1918 at Mudros alongside HMS LIVERPOOL to refuel her – loaded 53 tons of FFO

16 May 1918 Fireman Thomas Mathers discharged to HMS EUROPA for DQ’s

24 May 1918 at Mudros alongside HMS LIVERPOOL to refuel her – loaded 92 tons of FFO

1 June 1918 Lieutenant William Distant RNR appointed in command

4 June 1918 at Mudros alongside HMS LIVERPOOL to refuel her – loaded 62 tons of FFO

30 June 1918 Leading Stokers W Green MMR 861581 and J Reece MMR 497475 both discharged to HMS EUROPA for DQ’s – no reason or duration shown. Leading Stoker J McCafferty discharged to HMS Europa at Malta for Prison. No reason or duration shown. All three had signed on the ship on the 13 October 1917. Engineer Sub-Lieutenant John Howard RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

1 July 1918 Lieutenant Thomas Sunley RNR appointed in command. He was discharged on 31 May 1919

 

Capt Thomas Sunley

Lieutenant Thomas Sunley RNR

 

8 July 1918 at Mudros berthed alongside HMS LIVERPOOL to refuel her. Issued 105 tons of FFO

25 July 1918 at Mudros alongside HMS LIVERPOOL to refuel her. Issued 124 tons of FFO

28 July 1918 at Mudros alongside HMS LIVERPOOL to refuel her. Issued 230 tons of FFO

8 August 1918 at Mudros alongside HMS LIVERPOOL to refuel her. Issued 146 tons of FFO

20 August 1918 at Mudros alongside HMS LIVERPOOL to refuel her. Issued 100 tons of FFO

23 September 1918 at Mudros alongside HMS LIVERPOOL to refuel her. Issued 120 tons of FFO

30 September 1918 Fireman Ed Murphy discharged to HMS EUROPA for DQ’s. He was disrated and sent to England

10 October 1918 at Mudros alongside HMS LIVERPOOL to refuel her. Issued 140 tons of FFO and Lieutenant Frederick M Harvey RNR appointed as Commanding Officer

 FM Harvey - Cherryleaf 1

Lieutenant Frederick M Harvey RNR

18 November 1918 sailed Piraeus, Greece

3 January 1919 at Mudros alongside HMS ARK ROYAL refuelling her

13 January 1919 at Constantinople alongside HMS ARK ROYAL refuelling her with 55 tons of FFO

29 January 1919 Engineer Lieutenant W McFee RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer. He was discharged on 21 August 1919 to RFA Sunhill.

21 April 1919 Lieutenant Edward Gattey RNR appointed in command

29 May 1919 at Smyma alongside HMS CENTAUR refuelling her

12 June 1919 at Smyma alongside HMS CENTAUR refuelling her

29 July 1919 at Smyma alongside HMS CENTAUR refuelling her

30 July 1919 sailed Smyma

22 August 1919 arrived at Smyma and berthed alongside HMS CENTAUR to refuel her

25 August 1919 sailed Smyma

31 August 1919 arrived at Smyma and berthed alongside HMS CENTAUR to refuel her. Then sailed Smyma

25 September 1919 Leading Seaman J S Harford sentenced to 60 days DQ’s and disrated to Able Seaman and discharged

11 December 1919 at Colombo and sailed this day

27 December 1919 at Singapore

30 December 1919 loaded 100 tons of bunker coal

From 1920 served on the China Station, based at Hong Kong

9 January 1920 commenced loading cargo at Miri, N. Borneo

10 January 1920 completed loading 646 tons of cargo oil

11 January 1920 sailed Miri, N. Norneo to Laban arriving the same day

15 January 1920 loaded 50 tons of fresh water

19 January 1920 at Laban secured alongside HMS HAWKINS to refuel – supplied 336 tons of FFO

20 January 1920 while alongside HMS HAWKINS suffered the effects of a very strong swell which caused a hole in the stoke hold below the water line. Immediate temporary repairs were effected. Loaded 40 tons of bunker coal

23 January 1920 sailed Laban to Manila arriving on 27 January 1920

27 January 1920 at Manila loaded 85 tons of bunker coal

29 January 1920 sailed Manila to Hong Kong

1 February 1920 berthed at Hong Kong – moored to buoy 12A

26 February 1920 to 28 February 1920 at Hong Kong berthed alongside HMS HAWKINS

 

HMS HAWKINS 1920

HMS HAWKINS
kindly donated by Alan Clarke
 

3 March 1920 at Hong Kong alongside HMS CAIRO to refuel her

6 March 1920 at Hong Kong alongside HMS HAWKINS to refuel her

10 March 1920 Mr John H Collings RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

 CEO John COLLINGS

Chief Engineer Officer John H Collings RFA

 

29 March 1920 at Hong Kong entered dry dock

10 April 1920 at Hong Kong undocked from dry dock

26 May 1920 at Hong Kong alongside HMS TARANTULA to refuel her

22 September 1920 at Hong Kong alonside HMS CICALA to refuel her – 52 tons of FFO supplied

24 September 1920 at Hong Kong alonside HMS CICALA to refuel her – 9 tons of FFO supplied

1 December 1920 at Hong Kong alongside HMS CAIRO to refuel her

 

HMS Cairo

HMS CAIRO

 

6 December 1920 at Hong Kong alongside HMS CARLISLE to refuel her – 590 tons of FFO supplied

15 December 1920 at Hong Kong alongside HMS CURLEW to refuel her

30 March 1921 at Hong Kong with HMS AMBROSE alongside to refuel her – supplied 9,599 gallons of oil

11 April 1921 at Hong Kong alongside HMS CURLEW to refuel her

13 April 1921 at Hong Kong alongside HMS HAWKINS to refuel her

16 April 1921 at Hong Kong cast off from HMS HAWKINS and moored alongside RFA FRANCOL

18 April 1921 at Hong Kong alongside HMS TARANTULA to refuel her. Cast off on 22 April 1921

26 April 1921 Captain Thomas Drever RFA appointed as Master

11 May 1921 at Nagasaki, Japan alongside HMS CURLEW to refuel her

22 May 1921 arrived at Wei-hai-Wei

21 June 1921 at Wei-hai-Wei alongside HMS CURLEW to refuel her

27 June 1921 at Wei-hai-Wei alongside HMS/m  L15 and L19 and HMS AMBROSE to refuel them

28 June 1921 sailed Wei-hai-Wei returning later the same day

30 June 1921 at Wei-hai-Wei alongside HMS’s CAIRO and CURLEW to refuel them

1 July 1921 at Wei-hai-Wei alongside HMS HAWKINS to refuel her

20 July 1921 at Wei-hai-Wei alongside HMS HAWKINS to refuel her

5 August 1921 at Wei-hai-Wei alongside HMS CURLEW to refuel her

12 August 1921 at Wei-hai-Wei alongside HMS’s HAWKINS and CURLEW to refuel them

28 August 1921 entered Hong Kong harbour

2 October 1921 at Hong Kong Boatswain Li Cheung discharged dead – beri beri

11 January 1922 at Hong Kong alongside HMS CAIRO to refuel her

12 January 1922 at Hong Kong alongside HMS HAWKINS to refuel her

13 January 1922 at Hong Kong cast off from HMS HAWKINS

17 January 1922 at Hong Kong alongside HMS CURLEW to refuel her

27 January 1922 at Hong Kong alongside HMS CAIRO to refuel her

24 February 1922 at Hong Kong alongside HMS CURLEW to refuel her

2 March 1922 Mr Finlay Campbell RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

 

CEO Finlay Campbell

Chief Engineer Officer Finlay Campbell RFA

 

7 March 1922 at Hong Kong alongside HMS DURBAN to refuel her

10 March 1922 at Hong Kong alongside HMS HAWKINS to refuel her

23 March 1922 and 24 March 1922 at Hong Kong alongside HMS’s CAIRO & CURLEW to refuel them

27 March 1922 at Hong Kong alongside HMS HAWKINS to refuel her casting off the next day

29 March 1922 at Hong Kong alongside HMS AMBROSE

6 May 1922 at Hong Kong left basin

18 May 1922 arrived at Wei hai Wei and berthed alongside HMS CURLEW to refuel her

31 May 1922 at Wei hai Wei alongside HMS HAWKINS to refuel her

8 June 1922 at Wei hai Wei alongside HMS DURBAN to refuel her

30 June 1922 at Wei hai Wei alongside HMS CURLEW to refuel her

6 July 1922 at Wei hai Wei alongside HMS’s CURLEW & DURBAN to refuel them

25 July 1922 at Wei hai Wei alongside HMS’s DURBAN and then CARLISLE to refuel them

26 July 1922 at Wei hai Wei alongside HMS HAWKINS to refuel her

7 August 1922 at Wei hai Wei berthed alongside the iron pier later anchoring off

3 September 1922 at Wei hai Wei shifted berth

5 September 1922 at Wei hai Wei alongside HMS HAWKINS to refuel her

12 September 1922 at Wei hai Wei with HM Submarine L5 berthed alongside her to refuel. Later HM Submarine L9 berthed alongside her to refuel

13 September 1922 at Wei hai Wei with HM Submarine L4 berthed alongside her to refuel

18 September 1922 at Wei hai Wei with HM Submarine L15 berthed alongside her to refuel. Later HM Submarine L33 berthed alongside her to refuel

HMS L 15

HM Submarine L15

 

19 September 1922 at Wei hai Wei berthed alongside HMS HAWKINS to refuel her

8 October 1922 sailed Wei hai Wei for Hong Kong

2 November 1922 and 3 November 1922 at Hong Kong alongside HMS HAWKINS to refuel her

15 and 16 November 1922 at Hong Kong alongside HMS DESPATCH to refuel her

 

HMS DESPATCH

HMS DESPATCH

 

7 December 1922 at Hong Kong alongside HMS DESPATCH to refuel her

11 December 1922 at Hong Kong alongside HMS DIOMEDE to refuel her

14 December 1922 at Hong Kong left basin

11 January 1923 at Hong Kong alongside HMS CARLISLE to refuel her

17 January 1923 at Hong Kong alongside HMS HAWKINS to refuel her

31 January 1923 at Hong Kong alongside HMS DIOMEDE to refuel her

6 February 1923 at Hong Kong alongside HMS HAWKINS to refuel her

2 March 1923 at Hong Kong alongside HMS DESPATCH to refuel her

14 March 1923 at Hong Kong Captain Cyril F Haughton RFA appointed as Master

15 March 1923 at Hong Kong alongside HMS DIOMEDE to refuel her

26 March 1923 at Hong Kong alongside HMS DESPATCH to refuel her

6 April 1923 at Hong Kong alongside HMS AMBROSE to refuel her

7 April 1923 at Hong Kong slipped from alongside HMS AMBROSE

23 April 1923 at Hong Kong alongside HMS HAWKINS to refuel her

19 August 1923 during a typhoon which had struck Hong Kong the ship broke adrift from her moorings in the harbour and was carried to the Naval Armament Depot where she smashed a corner off the sea wall dislodging huge blocks of masonry. She then swung round and came broadside on against the timber quay. The vessel, still broadside on, was bumped incessantly against the quay. Her bridge crashed against a steam crane which side-stepped about one yard under the impact. The ship started to take on water and she developed a list.

1 November 1924 Mr George C Dunning RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

 

G_C_Dunning_RFA

Chief Engineer Officer George C Dunning RFA

 

30 November 1924 at Hong Kong Captain George E Thickett RFA appointed as Master

 

 Capt George E Thickett 2

Captain George E Thickett RFA

 

7 April 1926 Mr William A Payne RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

22 June 1927 at Hong Kong Captain Donald R McCutchan RFA appointed as Master

8 September 1927 at Hong Kong Captain Frederick J Connolly RFA appointed as Master

 

Cap Frederick J CONNOLLY

Captain Frederick J Connolly RFA

 

8 March 1928 Mr Frederick E Langer RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

 

CEO Frederick LANGER

Chief Engineer Officer Frederick E Langer RFA

 

5 March 1928 at Hong Kong a RFA Dinner Dance was held at Crawford’s Restaurant and was voted a great success – Officers and their Ladies from RFA’s BELGOL,  FORTOL, FRANCOL, RUTHENIA and KHARKI attended

15 May 1928 at Hong Kong Captain Leonard Elford RFA appointed as Master

 

Captain Leonard Elford

Captain Leonard Elford RFA

 

24 November 1928 Mr Charles M Morgan RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

16 March 1929 at Hong Kong Captain Charles Sweeney RFA appointed as Master

10 May 1929 at Hong Kong Captain Nathan Colbridge RFA appointed as Master

 

Captain Nathan Colbridge

Captain Nathan Colbridge RFA

 

11 May 1929 at Hong Kong Sailor Lem Kam Shing discharged dead having drowned

7 April 1930 Mr Alexander B McIntyre RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

 

Alex Bain McIntyre photo

Chief Engineer Officer Alexander B McIntyre RFA

 

7 January 1931 Mr William H A Lawson RFA appointed as Acting Chief Engineer Officer

26 June 1931 sold commercially on competitive tender at Hong Kong for £2046 9sh 3d by Twong Tai, name unchanged

15 July 1931 removed from Hong Kong and converted into a cargo ship by her new owners who employed her on the West River

12 June 1933 ships bell offered for sale in the Times (London) of this day – the bell was listed as being in Hong Kong

1936 Broken up