RFA Orangeleaf (1)
Previous name: RFA Bornol
Subsequent name:
Official Number: 140300
Class: 5,000T FAST LEAF (ex TEXOL) CLASS Fleet Attendant Tanker
Pennant No: X 26 / Y7.183 / X 40
Signal Letters: JVPD (1919)
Laid down:
Builder: J L Thompson
Launched: 26 October 1916
Into Service: 1 June 1917
Out of service: 1948
Fate: Broken up
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: All ordered in 1915, the six Admiralty-designed vessels in this Class were very advanced ships for their day. They were designed to act as Escorts on Atlantic Convoys during WW1, whilst also bringing cargoes of oil fuel from the U.S. to Britain. They were fitted with six boilers and four powerful cargo pumps with a pumping rate of 2000 tonnes per hour, which for many years was too high to be used by HM ships. They were originally planned to be named after oil bearing countries with the now usual OL suffix, but their military appearance and naval names caused difficulties with the U.S. Neutrality Act, so various modifications were made and they were then placed under commercial management and given LEAF names in common with other converted ships running as Admiralty tankers under commercial management
26 October 1916 launched by Sir Joseph L Thomson & Sons Sunderland as Yard Nr: 523 named BORNOL
20 November 1916 Engineer Lieutenant Commander Thomas Ripley RD RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
11 December 1916 Lieutenant William Gregory RNR appointed in command
`1 January 1917 Lieutenant Gregory RNR promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander RNR retaining command
23 May 1917 registered at London as ORANGELEAF as 99/17 in the Register Book to Lane Macandrew, London
27 May 1917 at North Shields, River Tyne 2nd Cook Thomas Bellwood discharged dead – drowned
31 May 1917 ran trials
1 June 1917 completed at a cost of £265,000. Placed under management of Lane & MacAndrew Ltd, London as an oiler transport
2 June 1917 sailed North Shields, River Tyne for Portsmouth
4 June 1917 arrived at Portsmouth and berthed on the Oil Fuel Jetty
5 June 1917 sailed Portsmouth for New York
14 June 1917 arrived at New York and loaded cargo
24 June 1917 sailed New York for Falmouth
3 July 1917 arrived at Falmouth sailing the next day for Thameshaven
5 July 1917 arrived at Thameshaven to discharge part cargo
7 July 1917 sailed Thameshaven to Sheerness arriving the same day
14 July 1917 sailed Sheerness for St. Helens Roads, Isle of Wight arriving the next day
15 July 1917 sailed St. Helens Roads, Isle of Wight to Plymouth Sound arriving the next day
19 July 1917 sailed Plymouth Sound for Port Arthur, Texas
3 August 1917 arrived at Port Arthur, Texas to load cargo
5 August 1917 at Port Arthur, Texas Seaman J Newsham, Greaser T Carey and Fireman George Sutherland each appeared before the local Court and were fined $30.90 for disorderly conduct and $25 for conveyance onboard by a Police Officer at Sabine. Greaser John Bucke also appeared before the local Court and was fined $10.80 for disorderly conduct
6 August 1917 at Sabine, Texas Chief Steward John Baker logged as a deserter. The ship then sailed for Queenstown
20 August 1917 arrived at Queenstown
6 October 1917 in a convoy from Halifax to Liverpool being escorted by HMS ARLANZA. RFA PLUMLEAF (1) was also in this convoy
16 October 1917 together with RFA PLUMLEAF (1) and escorting destroyers departed from the convoy for their destination
5 December 1917 at 44°43N 59°22W in the North Atlantic joined a convoy from Halifax to Liverpool being escorted by HMS VICTORIAN an Armed Merchant Cruiser
HMS VICTORIAN
10 December 1917 HMS VICTORIAN logged that RFA ORANGELEAF (1) had dropped astern of her convoy and became a straggler
11 December 1917 rejoined convoy escorted by HMS VICTORIAN
13 December 1917 departed from convoy to her destination
19 February 1918 HMS KING ALFRED while on North Atlantic Patrol out of Halifax logged she had sighted RFA ORANGELEAF (1) and RFA PEARLEAF (1) at 51°13N 30°41W
17 June 1918 sailed Halifax to Liverpool in convoy with nine other merchant ships and being escorted by HMS ROXBURGH
HMS ROXBURGH
24 September 1918 at Grange Dock, Grangemouth when Apprentice Engineer Francis Gibson of 42 High Street, Falkirk was working on the upper platform in the engineroom he fell 23 feet receiving serious injuries. He was conveyed to the Falkirk Infirmary where he died on 2 October 1918
18 October 1918 together with RFA PEARLEAF (1) in a UK bound convoy from the USA escorted by the Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS KILDONAN CASTLE
HMS KILDONAN CASTLE
source Roll of Honour.com
21 October 1918 at a Fatal Accident Enquiry before Sheriff Moffatt at the Sheriff’s Court, Falkirk touching on the death of Apprentice Engineer Francis Gibson the jury found as per the evidence
22 November 1918 entered New York with Captain David Evans RFA as Master and with a crew of 71
7 December 1918 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east
31 March 1919 berthed at Portsmouth from Stokes Bay
1 April 1919 sailed Portsmouth
5 April 1919 berthed at Portsmouth
7 April, 1919 sailed Portsmouth
25 May 1919 at Plymouth Sound with HMS MANTIS alongside to refuel – received 40 tons FFO
5 September 1919 passed Prawle Point sailing east bound
5 October 1919 arrived at King George Dock, Hull from Killingholme
27 October 1919 sailed Immingham in ballast
15 November 1919 berthed at Libau in the Baltic – working parties from HMS EREBUS and HMS DAUNTLESS came onboard to collect naval stores
HMS DAUNTLESS
15 January 1920 berthed at Killingholm
30 January 1920 berthed at Portsmouth
31 January 1920 sailed Portmouth
7 February 1920 sailed Portsmouth
25 February 1920 berthed at Portsmouth
26 February 1920 sailed Portsmouth
24 March 1920 berthed at Gibraltar from Hull
9 August 1920 at Copenhagen alongside HMS DRAGON to refuel her
HMS DRAGON
4 September 1920 at Copenhagen alongside HMS DRAGON to refuel her
20 January 1921 arrived at Plymouth from Hull
28 January 1921 before Hull Magistrates’ Court Greaser Arthur Nevin was charged for failing to join the ship in accordance with orders. He was fined £5 including costs
28 February 1921 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
22 March 1921 sailed Portsmouth Harbour
29 March 1921 at Devonport alongside HMS DELHI and HMS WARSPITE refuelling them
HMS WARSPITE
8 April 1921 sailed from Plymouth for Belfast
27 October 1921 sailed from Invergordon
14 November 1921 at Rosyth
10 December 1921 at Rosyth
1922 to 1926 in reserve at Rosyth along with four of her sisters
12 December 1925 the Fife Free Press reported …
14 January 1926 before Dunfermline Sheriff’s Court a fatal accident enquiry was opened before Sheriff Umpherson and jury into the death of Thomas Matthew Hume, a labourer from Rosyth who was working on the ship while berthed in Rosyth Dockyard and died on 9 December 1925 from carbon monoxide poisoning while re-lining a boiler. The jury returned a verdict that Hume had died as a result of he being allowed to enter the boiler without the ‘usual safety precautions having not been carried out to clear foul air from the boiler
19 August 1926 as a result of the Coal Strike the demand for tankers increased and the Admiralty chartered the LEAFs out to the Trade, RFA ORANGELEAF (1) was brought out of reserve. She was repaired at Smith Dock at a cost of £7,426 and charted to Anglo-Saxon for 12 to 18 months and then on 28 September 1927 for up to a further 18 months
3 September 1927 sailed Plymouth for Fayal
25 February 1928 passed Lloyd’s Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east bound
4 March 1928 passed Lloyd’s Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east bound
3 July 1928 passed Lloyd’s Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east bound
7 July 1928 2nd Engineer Officer William S Ritchie RFA appointed as Acting Chief Engineer Officer
9 September 1928 Mr John Atchison RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
14 September 1928 suffered fire in boiler room while at Spithead. A Fireman – Joseph Harris who was badly burnt subsequently died at Haslar Hospital on 19 September 1928. He is buried in Clayhall Naval Cemetery, Plot E, Line 28, Grave 35 (The grave has no headstone)
15 September 1928 the Hull Daily Mail newspaper reported (including errors) …
21 September 1928 the Hampshire Telegraph newspaper reported –
3 December 1928 passed Lloyd’s Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east bound
11 December 1928 passed Lloyd’s Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east bound
11 January 1929 Captain Richard D Williams RFA appointed as Master
Captain Richard D Williams RFA
16 February 1929 sailed from Curaçao
28 March 1929 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
2 April 1929 sailed from Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour
3 May 1929 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
7 May 1929 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
12 August 1929 passed Lloyd’s Signal Station on the Lizard sailing west bound
18 August 1929 while en route from Invergordon to Trinidad found the sailing ship Grace Hawar which was enroute from Australia to the UK after 123 days at sea and had run out of food. The Orangeleaf provided food to the ship. (The Times)
16 September 1929 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
18 September 1929 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
26 October 1929 passed Lloyd’s Signal Station on the Lizard sailing west bound
3 December 1929 passed Lloyd’s Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east bound
8 December 1929 passed Lloyd’s Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east bound
23 December 1929 included in a published list of RFA’s at Devonport together with RFA ELDEROL, LIMOL, WAR NIZAM and WAR HINDOO
30 December 1929 in No: 2 dry dock at Devonport Dockyard
9 January 1930 refit completed at Devonport
15 January 1930 sailed Plymouth for Trinidad
7 March 1930 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing west bound
9 April 1930 arrived Plymouth
15 May 1930 arrived at Sheerness
13 September 1930 sailed Portland Harbour
17 October 1930 berthed at Glasgow
24 October 1930 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
7 December 1930 Mr George T Beed RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer George T Beed RFA
12 December 1930 berthed at Portsmouth in Dry Dock 14. Other RFAs in Portsmouth Harbour at the same time were RFA KIMMEROL, RFA EBONOL, RFA PETRONEL, RFA PRESTOL, RFA FORTOL, RFA WAR AFRIDI, RFA WAR SIRDAR, RFA WAR SUDRA and RFA ARGO
22 December 1930 Captain George St.L Capsey RFA appointed as Master
31 December 1930 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
1 January 1931 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
2 January 1931 made fast to No: 9 buoy, Portsmouth Harbour
3 January 1931 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
30 March 1931 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
2 April 1931 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
11 June 1931 arrived at Milford Haven
15 June 1931 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour on Fountain Lake Jetty. Other RFAs and NAVs in Portsmouth at the same time were RFA KIMMEROL, RFA BRITISH LANTERN, RFA FORTOL, RFA APPLELEAF (1), NAV ISLEFORD and NAV BISON
17 June 1931 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour on Fountain Lake Jetty
23 June 1931 Mr Clifford N Ansell RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
19 June 1931 berthed on Fountain Lake Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour
1 July 1931 berthed on Fountain Lake Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour
6 July 1931 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour for Trinidad
29 August 1931 at Point a Pierre, San Fernando, Trinidad Ordinary Seaman John Herd Gunn discharged dead after being accidentally drowned
11 September 1931 was 1,300 miles south west fo Valentia
8 December 1931 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard east bound
17 December 1931 berthed on the River Tyne at Swan Hunters, Wallsend
19 December 1931 sailed the River Tyne for Sheerness
13 March 1932 berthed at Pembroke Dock after passage from Trinidad
18 March 1932 berthed at Plymouth from Pembroke Dock
1932 relieved RFA SERBOL as Bermuda Station Oiler for the America and West Indies Squadron
13 April 1932 Mr Leonard A Sharp RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officeer Leonard A Sharp RFA
23 April 1932 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
25 April 1932 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
4 October 1932 Captain William Whiteley RFA appointed as Master
Captain William Whiteley RFA
1 February 1933 the ship’s cat – Minnie – was discharged dead at Chatham
24 November 1933 sailed Bermuda Dockyard to sea
28 December 1933 sailed Bermuda Dockyard
2 January 1934 arrived at Barbados
3 January 1934 sailed from Barbados
4 January 1934 berthed at Trinidad
6 January 1934 sailed from Trinidad
23 January 1934 arrived at Punta Del Este, Uruguary
30 January 1934 sailed from Punta Del Este, Uruguary
3 February 1934 arrived at Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
26 February 1934 sailed from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
1 March 1934 arrived Bahia, Brazil
12 March 1934 sailed from Bahia, Brazil
14 March 1934 arrived at Pernambuco
15 March 1934 sailed from Pernambuco for Trinidad
31 March 1934 sailed from Trinidad
6 April 1934 arrived at Bermuda
20 June 1934 sailed from Bermuda for Pointe à Pierre, Trinidad
26 June 1934 berthed at Pointe à Pierre, Trinidad
28 June 1934 sailed from Pointe à Pierre, Trinidad for Bermuda
4 July 1934 arrived at Bermuda
13 July 1934 sailed from Bermuda
18 July 1934 arrived at Cornerbrook, Newfoundland
7 December 1934 berthed at Pointe à Pierre, Trinidad
16 December 1934 arrive at Bermuda
25 January 1935 while at Bermuda received radio call from ss Valverda in the Atlantic on fire and requiring assistance in heavy seas. Orangeleaf put to sea to render assistance with HMS FROBISHER. (The Times) – see the press cutting below dated 20 February 1936
28 January 1935 the Hogarth, Tasmania Mercury newspaper reported –
27 December 1935 Mr Watkin Maybray RFA (Engineer Lieutenant RNR (ret)) appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
11 February 1936 Captain Thomas C Robinson RFA (Lieutenant Commander RN (Rtd)) appointed as Master
20 February 1936 the Portsmouth Evening News of this day reported –
25 July 1936 berthed at Gibraltar from Malta for orders
5 August 1936 berthed at Gibraltar from El Ferol
18 August 1936 berthed at Plymouth from Gibraltar
14 September 1936 berthed at Gibraltar from Plymouth
19 October 1936 sailed Plymouth for Gibraltar
21 October 1936 berthed at Gibraltar from Plymouth
2 November 1936 berthed at Gibraltar from Vigo
16 December 1936 berthed at Gibraltar from Bilbao to discharge
1937 on the West Africa Station
18 November 1937 the claim before the King’s Bench Division (see press cutting above) was appealed to the House of Lords by the owners of the Valverda and the House of Lords dismissed the Admiralty’s case
11 July 1938 berthed at Bermuda with HMS YORK, HMS ORION, HMS AJAX and HMS EXETER
9 September 1938 Mr John Atchinson RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
3 September 1939 berthed at Bermuda together with HMS BERWICK, HMS YORK, HMS ORION, HMS AJAX, HMS EXETER, HMS PENZANCE and HMS DUNDEE
9 September 1939 at Kingston, Jamaica with HMAS PERTH alongside to refuel. 650 tons of FFO issued
HMAS PERTH
15 September 1939 sailed Kingston, Jamaica in convoy JKF.1 to Bermuda with a cargo of FFO, AVGAS and Dieso
27 September 1939 placed under the orders of HMNZS ACHILLES
14 October 1939 and 15 October 1939 refuelled HMNZS ACHILLES at Tongoy Bay, south of Coquimbo supplying 1,298 tons of FFO and 40 tons of stores
Autumn 1939 supporting Force G – the South American Cruiser Squadron in the South Atlantic and at the time of the Battle of the River Plate on 13 December 1939
28 December 1939 sailed Colon to Trinidad arriving 2 January 1940
15 January 1940 sailed Trinidad to Jamaica arriving 20 January 1940
24 January 1940 sailed Jamaica to Bermuda arriving 30 January 1940
4 March 1940 Captain Thomas C Robinson RFA (Lieutenant Commander RN (Rtd) appointed as Master
5 March 1940 Mr James E Hawthorn RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer James E Hawthorn RFA
30 March 1940 at Bermuda with RFA ABBEYDALE moored alongside – fire broke out on Abbeydale which caused damage to both ships – source Admiralty War Diary dated 31 March 1940 refers
4 April 1940 sailed Bermuda to Kingston arriving 8 April 1940
14 April 1940 sailed Kingston to Trinidad arriving 28 April 1940
7 May 1940 arrived at Kingston, Jamaica
17 May 1940 arrived at Kingston
8 June 1940 sailed Kingston to Bermuda
11 June 1940 sailed Bermuda to Kingston arriving 21 June 1940
13 June 1940 Captain Thomas G Bennett RFA (Lieut-Commander RN (Retd)) appointed as Master
11 July 1940 arrived at Castries, St. Lucia
15 July 1940 sailed Castries, St. Lucia
29 September 1940 sailed Gibraltar escorted by HMS WISHART
HMS WISHART
1 October 1940 joined Force H south of Azores with her escort
15 December 1940 at Gibraltar
28 December 1940 sailed Colon for Trinidad arriving on 2 January 1941
15 January 1941 sailed from Trinidad to Kingston, Jamaica arriving 20 January 1941
24 January 1941 sailed Kingston, Jamaica to Bermuda arriving 30 January 1941
31 January 1941 sailed Gibraltar in Operation PICKET – (air attack on Lake Omodeo Dam, central Sardinia) and Operation RESULT (the bombardment of Genoa) – in Group 4 escorted by HMS’s ARTIC RANGER and HAARLEM. Operation RESULT was cancelled due to bad weather but was later carried out as Operation Grog
9 February 1941 at Gibraltar
4 April 1941sailed from Bermuda to Kinston, Jamaica arriving 9 April 1941
14 April 1941 sailed from Kingston, Jamaica to Trinidad
27 April 1941 in drydock and under repair at West Key(?), USA.
9 May 1941 sailed Gibraltar to New Orleans arriving 25 May 1941
15 June 1941 sailed New Orleans to Trinidad arriving 21 June 1941
27 June 1941 in the London Gazette of this day on page 3746 Captain Thomas G Bennett RFA (Lieut. Commander RN Retd) was awarded a ‘Mention in Dispatches’
14 July 1941 sailed Trinidad to Bermuda
15 August 1941 Captain Stanley G Kent RFA appointed as Master
Captain Stanley G Kent RFA
19 September 1941 at Trinidad
22 September 1941 to 27 September 1941 under repair at Trinidad
28 September 1941 sailed Trinidad to Bermuda arriving 3 October 1941
4 4 October 1941 sailed Bermuda to Trinidad
14 October 1941 sailed Trinidad to Kingston arriving 17 October 1941
19 October 1941 sailed Kingston to Cristobal
21 November 1941 sailed to Port Payta to arrive 24 November 1941 to reprovision and then sail on 25 November 1941 to join HMS DIOMEDE on patrol – source Admiralty War Diary page 550 of 7 November 1941
2 December 1941 sailed Kingston to Trinidad
1 January 1942 reported as at Jamaica with RFA BISHOPDALE in the Admiralty War Diary of this day
16 January 1942 in collision with the British steamer s.s BOTHNIA in Convoy FTT 6 – no recorded damage
12 March 1942 sailed Kingston, Jamaica to Trinidad arriving 17 March 1942
8 May 1942 sailed Trinidad independently to Kingston, Jamaica arriving on the 15 May 1942
20 May 1942 sailed Kingston independently to New Orleans arriving on 29 May 1942
19 June 1942 to 23 June 1942 boiler defects repaired at New Orleans
12 August 1942 sailed New Orleans independently to Key West arriving 15 August 1942
18 August 1942 sailed Key West in convoy WAT15 to Trinidad arriving 27 August 1942
26 September 1942 Mr Harold Ringshaw RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Harold Ringshaw RFA
31 December 1942 sailed Freetown in convoy FTT6 to Trinidad arriving 15 January 1943
7 January 1943 refuelled F.S. COMMANDANT DROGOU
8 January 1943 refuelled HMS HYDRANGEA
HMS HYDRANGEA
9 January 1943 refuelled HMS’s BRIDGEWATER and ARMERIA
24 January 1943 sailed Trinidad in unescorted convoy TAG38 to Guantanamo, Cuba arriving 29 January 1943
29 January 1943 sailed Guantanamo, Cuba in unescorted convoy GN38 to New York arriving 6 February 1942
8 February 1943 under going repairs at New York completed 21 February 1942
28 February 1943 sailed New York in escorted convoy HX228 arriving Liverpool on 15 March 1943 and then on to the Clyde in unescorted Convoy WN407. During the voyage across the Atlantic at 51.20°N, 29.29°W RFA Orangeleaf saved 63 crew and 1 passenger from the ss Andrea F. Luckenbach – a US ammunition ship which had been torpedoed, exploded and sunk by the German submarine U221
9 March 1943 attempted to RAS USS Belknap (CG26) astern at 49.27°N 36.19°W – RAS abandoned due to rough sea conditions
23 March 1943 arrived at Loch Ewe
24 March 1943 sailed Loch Ewe in unescorted convoy WN 407 arriving Methil on 26 March 1943
26 March 1943 sailed Methil in unescorted convoy FS1073 arriving on the Tyne the next day
5 April 1943 Captain Cyril F Cunningham RFA appointed as Master
Captain Cyril F Cunningham RFA
29 April 1943 undergoing repairs on the River Tyne until 14 May 1943
20 May 1943 in Operation Husky – Naval Operation Orders dated this day – Appendix 1 – shows ORANGELEAF (1) would be based at Algiers together with RFA’s ABBEYDALE and EMPIRE SALVAGE to provide Furnace Fuel Oil
11 June 1943 sailed the Tyne and joined unescorted convoy FN1044 arriving at Methil the next day
13 June 1943 sailed Methil in unescorted convoy EN242 to Loch Ewe arriving at Oban on the 16 June 1943 along with RFA ROBERT MIDDLETON
19 June 1943 sailed Liverpool in escorted convoy KMS 17 to Gibraltar (in ballast) and then onto Algiers. RFA’s PRESTOL, ABBEYDALE, SALVEDA and SALVESTOR were in the same convoy.
23 June 1943 at Algiers with RFA’s EMPIRE SALVAGE and ABBEYDALE – source Admiralty War Diary
30 June 1943 sailed from Gibraltar arriving Algiers 3 July 1943
4 July 1943 at Algiers with USS Gherardi (DD637), USS McLanahan (DD615), USS Shubrick (DD639), USS Glennon (DD620) and USS Murphy (DDG112) alongside to refuel
5 July 1943 at Algiers with USS Nelson (DD623) alongside to refuel
16 July 1943 at Algiers with USS Woolsey (DD437) alongside to refuel – 15,210 gallons of fuel oil received
17 July 1943 at Algiers with USS Herndon (DD638) alongside to refuel
23 July 1943 at Algiers with USS Brooklyn (CL40) alongside to refuel
30 July 1943 at Algiers with USS Boise (CL47) and HMS Sirius alongside to refuel
31 July 1943 at Algiers with USS Schenck (DD159) alongside to refuel – received 5,200 gallons of fuel oil
12 August 1943 at Algiers moored alongside USS Savannah (CL42) to refuel her – supplied 431,631 galls of fuel oil and 882 gallons of aviation gasoline
18 August 1943 at Algiers with USS Dallas (DD199) alongside to refuel
9 October 1943 at Algiers moored alongside USS Boise (CL47) to refuel her
9 November 1943 at Algiers with USS Nields (DD616) alongside to refuel
13 November 1943 at Algiers alongside USS McLanahan (DD615) and USS Tillman (DD641) alongside to refuel
22 January 1944 at Algiers with USS Wainwright (DD419) alongside to refuel
USS Wainwright (DD419)
2 October 1944 sailed Algiers independently to Bizerta arriving 4 October 1944
14 October 1944 sailed Bizerta independently to Taranto arriving two days later
29 October 1944 sailed Taranto
27 March 1945 sailed Taranto independently arrived Bari the next day
30 March 1945 sailed Bari independently to Taranto arriving the next day
3 May 1945 Captain Herbert W Flint RFA appointed as Master
11 June 1945 undergoing repairs at Taranto
16 July 1945 sailed Taranto independently to Port Said arriving 20 July 1945 for Suez Canal transit
26 July 1945 arrived at Aden
28 July 1945 sailed Aden independently to Bombay arriving 3 August 1945
15 August 1945 Mr Arthur W Symons RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
19 August 1945 sailed Bombay
25 August 1945 sailed Colombo to join Force 155 deployed as part of Operation Jurist
4 September 1945 arrived at Singapore in support of HMS CLEOPATRA and the 6th mine sweeping flotilla on the surrender of Japanese occupying forces
8 October 1945 in port at Singapore – then sailed to Batavia
4 November 1945 at No 2 pier,Tanjong Priok harbour Batavia with HMAS ARUNTA alongside being refuelled with 270 tons of FFO
9 November 1945 sailed Batavia to Singapore arriving 12 November 1945
21 November 1945 sailed Singapore to Batavia arriving 6 December 1945
6 January 1946 at Batavia Fireman Sk Hoosein Mamood discharged dead having suffered from amoebic dysentery
4 February 1946 arrived at Singapore from Batavia
22 February 1946 entered the Dockyard for refit – duration of 6 weeks
14 September 1946 Mr George C Dunning RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
4 October 1946 at Singapore
6 October 1946 sailed Singapore to Colombo arriving 13 October 1946
18 October 1946 sailed Colombo to Abadan arriving 28 October 1946
29 October 1946 sailed Abadan, passed Aden on 6 November 1946. Arrived Port Said 12 November. Delayed 36 hours due to engine defects
12 November 1946 arrived Port Said after Suez Canal transit
22 November 1946 sailed Haifa for LEFO
12 February 1947 Mr Thomas McGregor RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
17 April 1947 laid up at Rosyth having been destored and was then handed over to the MoT for disposal
24 December 1947 sold to BISCO for scrap
5 January 1948 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing westwards while under tow of the tug Twyford (on charter to Risdon Beazley later to become RFA WARDEN)
25 January 1948 arrived for breaking up at T W Ward Ltd., Britton Ferry
RFA Orangeleaf (2)
Reproduced with permission of the MOD
Previous name: Southern Satellite
Subsequent name:
Official Number: 186641
Class: SECOND LEAF CLASS Support Tanker
Pennant No: A80
Laid down: 27 November 1953
Builder: Furness Shipbuilding, Haverton Hill
Launched: 8 February 1955
Into Service: 25 May 1959
Out of service: July 1978
Fate: Broken Up
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data:
In June 1956 the London Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ Conference discussed Britain’s future naval strategy and the vulnerability of static bases in the face of world-wide change. Consideration was given to the provision of Fleet Trains to supply warships at sea and the Admiralty announced plans to build up a force of such ships. So began a period of major Fleet modernisation with the bareboat chartering of 8 motor tankers for freighting duties that reintroduced the LEAF names to the Fleet. These 8 vessels were all broadly similar and were bareboat chartered as replacements for the DALE and WAVE Classes. Although primarily intended for freighting duties, most of them were also capable of replenishment at sea
8 February 1955 launched by Furness Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Haverton-Hill as Yard Nr: 468 named SOUTHERN SATELLITE for South Georgia Co Ltd., (Chr. Salvesen & Co Ltd., Managers) Leith
8 June 1955 completed
30 June 1955 the South Shields Daily News reported –
23 December 1955 sailed Aruba for South Georgia
3 August 1955 passed Dover sailing east bound
14 September 1955 passed Dover sailing west bound
25 November 1957 at sea Captain William J Swanson the ships Master discharged dead – natural causes
25 May 1959 bare-boat chartered by the Admiralty on the Clyde and renamed ORANGELEAF (2)
Refitted by Barclay, Curle & Co Ltd.
5 September 1959 moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty
7 September 1959 moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound
28 October 1959 Mr Ernest S R Bunker RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
8 December 1959 storm bound on the River Clyde at Glasgow
21 December 1959 Captain Edward E Laurence RFA appointed as Master
14 January 1960 at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne
18 January 1960 Captain Frederick G Edwards OBE RFA appointed as Master
26 February 1960 at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne
11 August 1960 at Devonport Dockyard moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty
12 August 1960 at Devonport Dockyard moved from Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound
12 December 1960 at Devonport Dockyard moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty and Mr J Brett RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
13 December 1960 at Devonport Dockyard moved from Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty to No: 9 buoy
15 December 1960 at Devonport Dockyard moved from No: 9 buoy to Plymouth Sound
July 1961 saw service during Operation Vantage – the Kuwait Crisis – along with 12 other RFA’s
2 December 1961 at Devonport Dockyard moved from Plymouth Sound to No:6 buoy
6 December 1961 at Devonport Dockyard moved from No:6 buoy to Plymouth Sound
14 February 1962 at Devonport Dockyard moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty
15 February 1962 at Devonport Dockyard moved from Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound
12 March 1962 at Devonport Dockyard moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty
15 March 1962 at Devonport Dockyard moved from Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound
29 May 1962 at Devonport Dockyard moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty
1 June 1962 at Devonport Dockyard moved from Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound
24 July 1962 at Devonport Dockyard moved from Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty to No: 6 buoy
30 July 1962 at Devonport Dockyard moved from No: 6 buoy to Plymouth Sound
August 1962 became the first of this Class of Leaf’s to berth alongside in Portsmouth as draft limitations had precluded their discharge there and was open to the public over the Bank Holiday Navy Days
12 September 1962 Captain William F Curlett RFA appointed as Master
13 November 1962 Mr E Smeaton RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
28 February 1963 to 24 March 1963 was at Singapore undergoing repairs after a major defect had occurred
28 May 1963 her Ship’s Badge was officially presented to her
31 May 1963 Mr J Brett RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
13 September 1963/14 September 1963 berthed at the Oil Fuel Depot at Loch Striven and discharged cargo – the first RFA to discharge at this NATO Oil Fuel Depot
4 January 1964 Captain Dan de V Moulds RFA appointed as Master
5 February 1964 sailed River Tyne for Rosyth
March 1964 after an engine breakdown was towed to Colombo, Ceylon by RFA TIDESPRING (1) and arrived there on Easter Saturday
4 June 1964 Mr E S Brazier RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
6 September 1964 in the Indian Ocean RASed HMS MOWHAWK
19 October 1964 in the Persian Gulf RASed HMS MOWHAWK – 90 tons of FFO supplied
2 November 1964 in the Indian Ocean RASed HMS MOWHAWK
22 July 1965 Captain A Jackson OBE RFA appointed as Master
4 October 1965 Mr J Brett RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
7 January 1966 off Sandakan with RFA EDDYROCK alongside – pump over. Also HMAS DUCHESS alongside being refuelled
22 January 1966 off Balut Island in the Moro Gulf refuelled HMAS IBIS alongside
25 January 1966 off Tawau with HMAS DUCHESS alongside being refuelled also RFA EDDYROCK alongside – pump over
6 September 1966 Captain P J McCarthy RFA appointed as Master
19 November 1966 berthed at the Isle of Grain
20 November 1966 sailed from the Isle of Grain
16 June 1967 Mr H W Jackinson RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
November 1967 the USS Shangri-La (CVA-38) and the Italian frigate Carlo Martgottini (F595) being RASed during a Nato exercise
US Department of Defense
22 April 1968 was a target for HMS/m RESOLUTION which fired two dummy torpedoes at Orangeleaf. The torpedoes went under the Orangeleaf and surfaced the other side of her to be recovered and re-used
23 May 1969 Captain J D G Gray RFA appointed as Master
2 June 1969 RAS’ed with HMS BULWALK
15 September 1969 the Daily Mirror newspaper reported …
12 November 1969 the press reported that a South African fishing trawler the 100 ton Tracyjon was lost with her 22 crew members missing after she sent an SOS message when she was about 100 nmiles north west of Cape Town. Involved in the search with the Orangeleaf (2) was the Italian cruise liner Angelina Lauro and three other ships
13 December 1969 west of Api Passage RAS’ed with HMS WHITBY and HMAS DUCHESS
16 June 1970 visisted Pitcain Island delivering eight bags of mail, rice and meat. Supporting RFA SIR PERCIVALE
6 October 1970 arrived at the River Tyne from Portsmouth
13 April 1971 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
14 April 1972 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
31 October 1972 to 6 November 1972 on exercises RASed with RFA’s PLUMLEAF (2), STROMNESS and SIR LANCELOT together with HMS EURYALUS
6 November 1972 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
12 June 1973 deployed in support of RN units off Iceland during 2nd Cod War until 20 June 1973
April 1974 – from Force 4 – Captain Herbert J C Wheatley RFA was in command. Had loaded cargo in the Persian Gulf in late December 1973 and sailed for Gibraltar to partially unload. Then had been engaged in the support of HM ships visiting various ports in the Caribbean area and in the United States of America. She was due to return to the UK in April 1974 for a short refit before undertaking various tasks around the UK and a visit to Curaçao
Captain Herbert J C Wheatley RFA
2 January 1975 arrived at Devonport Dockyard and berthed on Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty
8 January 1975 moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to No: 1 jetty, bows north in Devonport Dockyard
9 January 1975 sailed from Devonport Dockyard to sea
14 January 1975 sailed from Sea to alongside Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty, Devonport Dockyard
18 January 1975 sailed from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty, Devonport Dockyard to sea
18 April 1976 at Portsmouth
July 1978 arrived Singapore on expiry of her charter and was returned to her owners
12 July 1978 purchased by Goldwills (Hong Kong) Ltd for demolition
14 September 1978 arrived for breaking up after resale to Samsung Co Ltd at Seoul, South Korea
Notes:
1. Was the first of this Class of Leaf’s to use the WARRIOR berth at Pembroke to load fuel.
2. Was one of the 17 tankers employed in the Mozchan on Beira Patrol duties
RFA Orangeleaf (3)
Previous name: Hudson Progress, Balder London
Subsequent name:
Official Number: 386245
Class: THIRD LEAF CLASS Support Tanker
Pennant No: A110
Laid down:
Builder: Cammell Laird, Birkenhead
Launched: 12 February 1975
Into Service: 2 May 1984
Out of service: 30 September 2015
Fate:
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data:
On 27 October 1978 it was announced that the MoD (N) was to charter two laid up STaT 32 standard product tankers which had originally formed part of a four-ship order for commercial owners. After three of the ships had been laid down, the owners ran into financial difficulties and found that they were unable to accept the new ships. As they were the only mercantile order then in hand, the builders completed the three ships, and after running trials, they were laid up, two at Liverpool and one at Birkenhead. After some time had elapsed, the builders took over ownership of the ships by forming three subsidiary companies which then offered the ships for sale or charter. These eventually became RFA’s APPLELEAF (3), BRAMBLELEAF (3) and ORANGELEAF (3). Some years later, the fourth ship from this original order was built as RFA BAYLEAF (3). All four ships had additional accommodation and full RAS capabilities fitted and became useful units in the Fleet. Later on, a fifth vessel was chartered and was renamed RFA OAKLEAF(2), but she differed considerably from the earlier four Leafs
October 1973 a loan of £4,296,160 was secured with Barclays Bank for her construction costs. Laid down
12 February 1975 launched by Cammell Laird Shipbuilders Ltd, Birkenhead as Yard Nr: 1362 named HUDSON PROGRESS for John Hudson Fuel and Shipping Ltd (Hudson Steamship Co, Managers) Brighton .The Lady Sponsor was Mrs J.E. Appleby, wife of Mr John Appleby, Managing Director of Hudson Steamship Co Ltd.
July 1975 ran builder’s trials and on completion of these was laid up at Birkenhead and was transferred to the ownership of Moonchase Ltd, a subsidiary of the builders
December 1976 owners and builders agreed financial terms that enabled her repossession
2 March 1977 at Rosyth
12 March 1977 at Portland Harbour
13 February 1978 at Tilbury
8 April 1978 at Portland Dockyard
June 1979 purchased by Lloyds Industrial Leasing Ltd, London
26 June 1979 sailed from the Mersey for trials on the Clyde
28 June 1979 completed
July 1979 leased to Parley Augustsson (Management) AS, Oslo and renamed BALDER LONDON
BALDER LONDON
13 May 1982 sailed Portsmouth after being requisitioned for service during Operation Corporate – the Falklands Conflict
17 April 1984 at Falmouth
2 May 1984 bare-boat chartered by MoD (N) and formally renamed ORANGELEAF (3) by Mr A Kemp, DST (SF)
9 May 1984 arrived Falmouth for partial conversion
23 June 1984 at Invergordon
15 October 1984 at Falmouth
5 December 1984 on the River Tyne
September 1985 arrived on the Tyne for full conversion
2 May 1986 conversion completed and entered operational service
RFA Fort Austin being RASed by RFA Orangeleaf (3)
21 July 1987 the Times newspaper reported –
18 May 1988 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty
13 June 1988 sailed Portsmouth as part of Task Group 318.1 – the Outback 88 Deployment led by the carrier HMS ARK ROYAL – along with RFA’s FORT GRANGE and OLWEN (2)
17 December 1988 at Portland
14 April 1989 at Plymouth
1989 was awarded an inscribed plaque by the General Council of British Shipping to commemorate her service on Armilla Patrol between November 1986 and 20 August 1988 when the “Accompanying Policy” was in force. Other recipients were RFA’s APPLELEAF (3), BRAMBLELEAF (3), DILIGENCE, OLNA (3) and TIDESPRING
19 June 1989 berthed at Immingham and Mr Robert Settle RFA appointed Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Robert Settle RFA
10 November 1989 at Dubai
6 December 1989 berthed at Jebel Ali
1 May 1990 at Portsmouth
9 August 1990 supported the destroyer HMS YORK following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait whilst on Armilla Patrol in the Gulf when Operation Granby – the Gulf War – was approved
6 September 1990 Captain Mike Farley RFA was Commanding Officer. RASed USS Reid (FFG30) and USS Vandegrift (FFG48) in the Persian Gulf
9 February 1991 Motorman (MM1) Peter J Harris discharged dead – collapsed and died at Bahrein Airport while returning to the UK
29 April 1991 at Rosyth
9 July 1991 at Rosyth
22 August 1991 at Rosyth
29 February 1992 berthed at Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour
14 August 1992 berthed at Fort Lauderdale and Captain Pat Thompson RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain Pat Thompson RFA
14 August 1992 to 28 August 1992 humanitarian relief – supported the destroyer HMS CARDIFF and the frigate HMS CAMPBELTOWN in the West Indies in the wake of Hurricane Andrew
22 December 1992 at Fort Lauderdale, Florida
15 January 1993 the Newcastle Journal reported …
7 March 1993 at Gibraltar
1 July 1993 at Plymouth
15 July 1993 berthed at Devonport
April 1994 Captain Dale Worthington RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain Dale Worthington RFA
4 July 1995 berthed at Devonport and Captain Pat Thompson OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
3 February 1996 berthed on the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty
14 October 1997 to 30 October 1997 supported the frigate HMS MONMOUTH and FS SURCOUF off Pointe Noire in West Africa on Operation Kingfisher – in readiness for evacuation during the deteriorating political situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
7 November 1997 together with HMS MONMOUTH made an informal visited to Tema, Ghana for seven days
11 February 1998 ordered to stand by off Sierra Leone with the frigate HMS MONMOUTH as part of Operation Resilient – to provide humanitarian assistance during the Civil War in the region
6 July 1998 at Plymouth
14 August 1998 at Gibraltar
18 January 1999 to 26 March 1999 in refit at Hebburn on Tyne
20 April 1999 at Plymouth
9 March 2000 RASed with USS Lake Champlain (CG57) – practice only with no fuel being supplied
USS Lake Champlain (CG57)
2001 purchased by MoD (N)
12 July 2001 to 14 July 2001 berthed at Gibraltar
8 March 2002 to 14 March 2002 berthed at Gibraltar
22 May 2002 to 27 May 2002 berthed at Malaga, Spain
10 June 2002 to 14 June 2002 berthed at Valencia, Spain
11 September 2002 to 19 September 2002 berthed at Gibraltar
25 October 2002 to 4 November 2002 berthed at Gibraltar
8 November 2002 to 11 November 2002 berthed at Gibraltar
30 November 2002 Captain Brian J Waters OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain Brian J Waters OBE RFA
29 November 2002 deployed with RFA FORT VICTORIA, HMS MARLBOROUGH and HMS LIVERPOOL in Exercise Flying Fish while part of Naval Task Group 2003
13 January 2003 at Gibraltar
24 January 2003 berthed at Gibraltar
2 February 2003 to 28 May 2003 deployed for Operation Telic – the 2nd Gulf War – along with 13 other RFA’s
18 May 2003 to 21 May 2003 together with RFA’s SIR BEDIVERE and SIR PERCIVALE visited Malta
29 May 2003 returned to Portsmouth on completion of Operation Telic duties
17 June 2003 in the Baltic RASed with USS Vella Gulf (CG72) during the naval exercise Baltops 2003
27 June 2003 passed down the Kiel Canal, Germany
15 October 2003 berthed alongside at Gibraltar
27 October 2003 to 31 October 2003 together with HMS SOMERSET visited Koper, Slovenia
20 December 2003 Captain (E) Graham Turner RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Captain (E) Graham Turner RFA
23 January 2004 involved with Maltese and Italian authorities and aircraft in the rescue of an Italian fishing vessel Giuseppina Madre which reported it was in difficulties some 65 nautical miles SE of Malta. She stood by throughout the operation and subsequently tried to salvage the vessel but this proved impossible due to the severe weather conditions and it was abandoned
24 to 30 January 2004 at Malta
15 August 2004 Chief Officer (X) Duncan L Lamb RFA appointed as Acting Commanding Officer
Acting Captain (X) Duncan L Lamb RFA
15 September 2004 berthed at Glen Mallon
17 December 2004 berthed at Gibraltar
13 January 2005 sailed from Gibraltar
17 January 2005 at Devonport sailing on 20 January 2005
21 February 2005 at Loch Striven and Captain Trevor J Iles RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain Trevor J Iles RFA
7 March 2005 FOST support until 14 March 2005
11 April 2005 at Loch Striven
19 April 2005 berthed at Gibraltar
28 April 2005 sailed from Gibraltar
4 June 2005 anchored off Douglas, Isle of Man – LH (Cook) Keith Rice and Seaman 1A Mark Petre discharged dead having been lost overboard
22 June 2005 at Portland
28 June 2005 took part in the International Fleet Review for Trafalgar 200 at Spithead along with RFA’s ARGUS, FORT GEORGE, FORT VICTORIA, SIR BEDIVERE, SIR GALAHAD (2), SIR TRISTRAM and WAVE RULER (2)
19 August 2005 berthed at Gibraltar
27 August 2005 sailed from Gibraltar
11 September 2005 at Plymouth
19 September 2005 at Devonport
26 September 2005 FOST work-up
2 October 2005 at Loch Striven to load
4 October 2005 at Garelochead
14 October 2005 at Plymouth
2 January 2006 until 16 January 2006 FOST tanker support
27 January 2006 at Devonport
10 February 2006 arrived at Portland on completion of FOST tanker support duties
3 March 2006 at Loch Striven
10 March 2006 returned to Faslane on completion of Exercise Neptune Warrior
14 and 15 March 2006 chartered by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) for use as a ‘casualty’ during Exercise Bluewater during which ships, aircraft and others facilities carried out an extensive Maritime Emergency Response and Counter Pollution exercises off the South West coast of the UK
10 April 2006 Captain Anthony McNally RFA appointed as Commanding Officer until 1 July 2006
11 July 2006 at Torpoint
18 July 2006 Captain (X) Nigel Budd RFA appointed as Commanding Officer until 21 July 2006
5 August 2006 arrived in the Clyde Areas
22 August 2006 Captain (E) Graham Turner RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
28 September 2006 Captain (X) Nigel Budd RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
21 March 2007 at Birkenhead
14 September 2007 at Devonport
25 September 2007 arrived Falmouth sailing the next day
28 September 2007 completed FOST training.
26 October 2007 at Devonport
12 January 2008 arrived at Devonport
28 January 2008 at Devonport
21 March 2008 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
3 April and 4 April 2008 berthed on the Oil Fuel Jetty at Gosport thence FOST tanker support
8 June 2005 RASed with RFA FORT GEORGE
23 June 2008 at Plymouth Sound
29 June 2008 arrived at Loch Striven
25 August 2008 alongside at Portland Harbour
8 September 2008 entered Devonport
25 October 2008 at Plymouth Sound
1 March 2009 at Plymouth Sound
March 2009 FOST training and then FOST Tanker support until refit date
15 August 2009 at Loch Striven
16 August 2009 on the River Clyde
30 August 2009 arrived Bidston, Merseyside
23 October 2009 entered No: 5 Dock, Merseyside
RFA Orangeleaf in refit
15 March 2010 at Birkenhead
3 April 2010 arrived at Liverpool
22 April 2010 exit Alfred Dock, Liverpool
23 April 2010 returned to Bidston after completing trials port-refit
30 April 2010 arrived Devonport post-refit
12 May 2010 at Loch Striven
3 June 2010 at Portland Harbour
15 June 2010 at Portland Harbour
17 June 2010 entered Portsmouth Harbour
28 June 2010 sailed Portsmouth Harbour
4 July 2010 at Plymouth
August 2010 Captain Ross Ferris OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
30 August 2010 moored to C Buoy, Plymouth Sound
September 2010 FOST
17 September 2010 entered Plymouth Sound from sea
1 October 2010 sailed Devonport for Portland
15 October 2010 Captain Anthony McNally RFA appointed as Commanding Officer until 18 December 2010
13 November 2010 moored to D Buoy, Plymouth Sound
8 January 2011 at Plymouth
14 March 2011 at Plymouth
30 April 2011 alongside at Yonderberry Oil Fuel Depot, Devonport
12 May 2011 at Plymouth
18 June 2011 sailed Plymouth Sound to sea
8 July 2011 arrived at Devonport
12 August 2011 berthed at Gibraltar
18 August 2011 berthed at Gibraltar
21 August 2011 sailed Gibraltar
30 August 2011 sailed Yonderberry Pier, Devonport to sea
9 September 2011 entered Portland Harbour
15 October 2011 Captain (E) Graham Turner RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
28 November 2011 berthed at Portland Harbour
6 January 2012 sailed Plymouth Sound
10 January 2012 at Portland
7 February 2012 various locations south of Portland Bill
27 February 2012 sailed Plymouth Sound to sea
26 March 2012 sailed Plymouth Sound to sea
5 April 2012 engaged in the ‘Thursday War’ in the English Channel protected by the USS Forest Sherman (DDG98)
7 April 2012 20 miles ESE of Berry Head found the trimaran Starship with crew members unwell onboard. Medical assistance was given. The Torbay lifeboat was called and the trimaran was towed into Brixham harbour
13 May 2012 sailed Devonport to sea
31 May 2012 entered Brest Harbour, France
3 June 2012 sailed Brest, France
15 July 2012 sailed Portland to sea
20 July 2012 arrived at Plymouth Sound
26 July 2012 berthed alongside at Portland with RFA MOUNTS BAY also alongside
27 July 2012 Captain (E) Graham Turner RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
2 August 2012 sailed Portland to sea returning later the same day
8 August 2012 sailed Portland to Devonport arriving on 10 August 2012
14 August 2012 alongside at Devonport
25 August 2012 sailed Plymouth to sea
31 August 2012 arrived at Plymouth Sound
3 September 2012 sailed Plymouth Sound to sea
9 September 2012 sailed Portland Harbour to sea
13 September 2012 entered Devonport
21 September 2012 sailed Yonderberry Jetty, Devonport to Plymouth Sound
23 September 2012 arrived at Birkenhead
8 February 2013 alongside at Liverpool
3 March 2013 sailed Liverpool
17 March 2013 sailed Liverpool
19 March 2013 berthed at Loch Striven NATO Fuel Depot
27 March 2013 sailed Loch Striven NATO Fuel Depot
29 March 2013 arrived at Portland Harbour
14 April 2013 sailed Portland Harbour
17 April 2013 anchored at Portland Harbour
21 April 2013 sailed Portland Harbour
23 April 2013 MOBEX exercise
29 April 2013 made fast to C Buoy, Plymouth Sound
5 May 2013 sailed Plymouth Sound
6 May 2013 Galley Fire Exercise
10 May 2013 made fast to C Buoy, Plymouth Sound
13 May 2013 sailed Plymouth Sound
14 May 1913 RASed with HMS PORTLAND
15 May 2013 made fast to C Buoy, Plymouth Sound
17 May 2013 sailed Plymouth Sound
25 May 2013 berthed at Portland Harbour
1 June 1913 at Portland
12 June 2013 sailed Portland Harbour
25 June 2013 sailed Plymouth
6 July 2013 secured to D Buoy, Plymouth Sound
15 July 2013 sailed from Plymouth Sound
16 July 2013 RASed HMS PORTLAND
18 July 2013 secured to C Buoy, Plymouth Sound
22 July 2013 sailed Plymouth
23 July 2013 RASed HMS PORTLAND
25 July 2013 secured to C Buoy, Plymouth Sound
29 July 2013 sailed Plymouth Sound and RASed RFA LYME BAY and TOWEX with HMS PORTLAND
2 August 2013 berthed alongside Q Pier at Portland
18 August 2013 alongside at Portland
6 September 2013 sailed Portland
8 September 2013 at Loch Striven Oil Fuel Jetty in ballast
13 September 2013 Captain (X) Kim Watts RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain (X) Kim Watts RFA
17 September 2013 sailed Loch Striven
18 September 2013 berthed at Alexandra Dock No 2, Liverpool
21 September 2013 moved berth from Alexandra Dock to Cammell Lairds No 5 Dry Dock
9 October 2013 No 5 Dry Dock flooded up
10 October 2013 sailed Liverpool for Loch Striven
12 October 2013 berthed at Loch Striven loading cargo
13 October 2013 sailed Loch Striven to join Exercise Joint Warrior
14 October 2013 during Exercise Joint Warrior RASed with HMS PORTLAND
15 October 2013 during Exercise Joint Warrior RASed with HMS NORTHUMBERLAND
16 October 2013 during Exercise Joint Warrior in company with HMS NORTHUMBERLAND
18 October 2013 entered Plymouth Sound and made fast to ‘C’ Buoy
22 October 2013 sailed Plymouth Sound to sea
24 October 2013 entered Plymouth Sound and made fast to ‘C’ Buoy
26 October 2013 sailed Plymouth Sound to sea
3 November 2013 berthed at Portland
4 November 2013 sailed Portland
7 November 2013 berthed at No 1 Jetty, Devonport
11 November 2013 sailed from No 1 Jetty, Devonport to sea
22 November 2013 berthed on the Deep Water Berth, Portland
25 November 2013 sailed Portland
28 November 2013 entered Plymouth Sound and made fast to ‘C’ Buoy
2 December 2013 sailed Plymouth Sound to sea
6 December 2013 anchored in No: 23 anchorage in Plymouth Sound
8 December 2013 sailed Plymouth Sound to sea
9 December 2013 berthed on the Deep Water Berth, Portland
11 December 2013 sailed Portland
12 December 2013 berthed on the Deep Water Berth, Portland
1 January 2014 at Portland Harbour
4 January 2014 sailed Portland eastwards into the North Sea
9 January 2014 berthed at Portland
10 February 2014 sailed from Portland
24 February 2014 sailed from Plymouth Sound
28 February 2014 made fast on ‘C’ Buoy, Plymouth Sound
2 March 2014 sailed from Plymouth Sound returning later to make fast on ‘C’ Buoy, Plymouth Sound
7 March 2014 berthed at Portland alongside
10 March 2014 sailed from Portland
14 March 2014 arrived at Loch Striven making fast to the Oil Fuel Jetty pier
15 March 2014 completed cargo loading
16 March 2014 sailed from Loch Striven
21 March 2014 berthed at Portland
24 March 2014 sailed from Portland
28 March 2014 for two weeks off the West Coast of Scotland together with HMS BULWALK and other Nato ships involved in Exercise Joint Warrior including a board and search exercise by a boarding team from HMS BULWALK on ORANGELEAF
29 March 2014 anchored at Tail of Bank
30 March 2014 sailed from Tail of Bank
11 April 2014 arrived at Plymouth Sound and made fast to C Buoy
15 April 2014 sailed Plymouth Sound
16 April 2014 berthed alongside at Portland
21 April 2014 sailed Portland
24 April 2014 arrived at Plymouth Sound and made fast to C Buoy
28 April 2014 sailed Plymouth Sound
1 May 2014 arrived at Plymouth Sound and made fast to C Buoy
3 May 2014 sailed Plymouth Sound
5 May 2014 at Finnart thence alongside at Glen Mallen
7 May 2014 berthed at Loch Striven NATO Fuel Jetty – port side to
14 May 2014 sailed Loch Striven NATO Fuel Jetty to No: 5 anchorage Clyde Estuary
16 May 2014 berthed at Loch Striven NATO Fuel Jetty – port side to
29 May 2014 sailed Loch Striven NATO Fuel Jetty
30 May 2014 in the Celtic Sea at 51.15N 6.03W steaming south
31 May 2014 berthed on No 1 Jetty Devonport – port side to
7 June 2014 sailed Plymouth
8 June 2014 anchored at No 1 anchorage, Liverpool
9 June 2014 arrived at Birkenhead for refit
August 2014 refit stopped and laid up at Birkenhead
30 September 2015 ceased to be an RFA
24 February 2016 sailed under tow from Birkenhead for Turkey and the ship breakers
RFA Orangeleaf being turned in Alfred Basin, Birkenhead
RFA Orangeleaf in the Mersey at the start of her tow to the ship breakers
14 March 2016 arrived under tow at Leyal’s ship breakers at Aliaga, Turkey
31 March 2016 her demolition is well underway –
23 May 2016 her demise is nearly complete
