Official Number: 142308
Class: PET CLASS Spirit Carrier
Pennant No: X 77 / X 50 / A250
Laid down:
Builder: Dunlop Bremner, Inch Yard
Launched: 8 November 1917
Into Service: February 1918
Out of service: 1959
Fate: Broken up
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: The three ships in this Class were completed for the Admiralty in 1918 and all three spent most of their lives in U.K. waters and did a certain amount of charter work too. The first two were straight Spirit Carriers while the third one spent most of her life as a Water Boat for the Atlantic Fleet and accompanied them on cruises
8 November 1917 launched by Dunlop, Bremner & Co Ltd, Inch Yard, Port Glasgow as Yard Nr: 316 named PETROBUS
15 December 1917 Engineer Lieutenant George L McPherson RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Engineer Lieutenant George L McPherson RNR
1 January 1918 Lieutenant Charles H Noel RNR appointed in command – remained in command until 31 May 1918 when he transferred to command RFA ELMOL
February 1918 completed at a cost of £48,613
18 February 1918 at London registered as PETROBUS under reference 39/18 in the registry
4 March 1918 Fireman P D Cross discharged as ‘undesireable’. He had signed on on 10 January 1918
18 March 1918 Donkeyman Chas H Price deserted. He had signed on on the 12 January 1918
13 May 1918 Lieutenant John H T Lewis RNR appointed in command – transferred to RFA OAKOL (1) as Commanding Officer on 9 July 1918
Lieutenant John H T Lewis RNR
10 June 1918 Able Seaman William Jas McEnvoy returned to HMS Eaglet as ‘undesireable’. He had refused to sign the T299Z agreement.
17 June 1918 Able Seaman William Fitzgerald MMR 905320 discharged to H.M. Barracks, Portsmouth for trial – he refused to undertake any duties. He had signed on on 8 June 1918
Able Seaman William Fitzgerald MMR 905320
2 July 1918 Lieutenant Harold E E Bate RNR appointed in command – was demobilised on 14 April 1919
Lieutenant Harold E E Bate RNR
24 July 1918 Able Seaman Robert Geo Edge went on leave and did not return. He had signed on on the 18 March 1918
Able Seaman Robert Geo Edge
16 September 1918 Able Seaman J A Munt logged as deserted. He had signed on on 27 July 1918
10 April 1919 Lieutenant Stanley B Spillett RNR appointed in command
Lieutenant Stanley B Spillett RNR
1 November 1919 the ship returned to Merchant Navy articles
16 December 1919 Mr G Nixon RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
6 February 1920 sailed Portsmouth Harbour
9 March 1920 Captain William E Rousell RFA appointed as Master until 30 June 1921
Captain William E Rousell RFA
2 June 1920 sailed the River Wear for Killingholm
18 June 1921 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
21 June 1921 sailed Portsmouth Harbour
22 June 1921 Captain Gerald E Senior RFA appointed as Master
1 July 1921 Mr Andrew G Forbes RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Andrew G Forbes RFA
12 August 1921 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour and sailed later the same day
3 September 1921 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
5 September 1921 sailed Portsmouth Harbour
14 November 1921 arrived at Grangemouth
24 November 1921 sailed Grangemouth for Hull in ballast
29 November 1921 arrived at Grangemouth from London with a cargo of oil
13 December 1921 arrived at Grangemouth from London
17 December 1921 arrived at Grangemouth from Hull
19 December 1921 sailed Grangemouth for Hull in ballast
3 January 1922 arrived at Grangemouth from Hull
9 January 1922 sailed from Grangemouth in ballast for Hull
19 January 1922 sailed Grangemouth for Hull
23 January 1922 sailed Hull for Grangemouth
8 February 1922 Captain Robert T Gallon RFA appointed as Master
9 May 1922 berthed Portsmouth Harbour and then sailed the same day
5 February 1923 Chief Officer Reginald J Harland RFA appointed as Acting Master
28 June 1923 berthed at Devonport
26 July 1923 berthed Portsmouth Harbour and then sailed the same day
23 September 1924 Chief Officer Eric Parker RFA appointed as Acting Master
Chief Officer Eric Parker RFA
12 December 1924 arrived Plymouth from Pembroke Dock
11 May 1925 Chief Officer John Humphreys RFA appointed as Acting Master
16 November 1925 Mr Charles J Falconer RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Charles J Falconer RFA
19 February 1926 berthed at Avonmouth sailing the same day for Plymouth in ballast
15 April 1926 arrived Hull Roads from Grangemouth
18 April 1926 sailed Saltend, Hull to Aberdeen
20 April 1926 sailed Aberdeen for Thames Haven
29 April 1926 sailed Saltend, Hull to Aberdeen
17 June 1926 Chief Officer J Martin-Smith DSC RFA (Temporary Lieut.Commander RNR (Retd)) appointed as Acting Master
15 August 1926 arrived at the Tees from Grangemouth
11 September 1926 Chief Officer Cecil R Rosen RFA appointed as Acting Master
Chief Officer Cecil R Rosen RFA
24 September 1926 sailed Granemouth
1 October 1926 sailed Grangemouth for London in ballast
6 October 1926 arrived at Grangemouth from London with a cargo of lubricating oil
30 November 1926 Mr John B Pickering RFA appointed as Acting Chief Engineer Officer
2nd Engineer Officer John B Pickering RFA
15 December 1926 berthed at Preston from Stanlow
22 December 1926 berthed at Stanlow with a cargo of motor spirit
27 December 1926 at Belfast
24 January 1927 sailed Londonderry for Barrow in ballast
31 March 1927 Chief Officer Leonard Elford RFA appointed as Acting Master
9 May 1927 arrived at Grangemouth from London with a cargo of parafin. Having discharged her cargo sailed for London in ballast
20 May 1927 passed Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing westbound
13 June 1927 berthed at Londonderry from Barrow with a commercial cargo of paraffin oil for the Anglo-American Oil Company
5 July 1927 Mr John Cook RFA appointed as Temporary Acting Chief Engineer Officer
1 September 1927 berthed on the Eastern Arm of Dover Harbour with a commercial cargo for the Shell Mex Company
2 January 1928 Chief Officer Nathan Colbridge RFA appointed as Acting Master
Acting Captain Nathan Colbridge RFA
21 January 1928 Mr John R Flett RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer until 1 April 1928
20 February 1928 arrived at Plymouth from Purfleet
25 March 1928 sailed Purfleet for Plymouth
27 April 1928 2nd Engineer Officer Robert Pittendrigh RFA appointed as Temporary Acting Chief Engineer Officer
30 April 1928 arrived Sheerness from Devonport
4 August 1928 Mr T A Reay RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
10 January 1929 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour on the South Railway Jetty
11 January 1929 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
24 January 1929 sailed Devonport for Deptford
1 February 1929 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
14 February 1929 sailed Devonport for Sheerness
27 September 1929 Captain George W Calloway RFA (Lieutenant Commander RNR (Retd)) appointed as Master
17 February 1930 in No 5 Basin, Devonport Dockyard
25 February 1930 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
26 March 1930 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
26 May 1930 Captain Robert R Ferguson RFA appointed as Master
Captain Robert R Ferguson RFA
14 August 1930 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
20 August 1930 berthed on the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty together with RFA KIMMEROL
22 August 1930 berthed on the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty together with RFA KIMMEROL
4 September 1930 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
22 September 1930 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
11 October 1930 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
4 November 1930 Mr Matthew Blair RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
3 January 1931 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
5 January 1931 berthed on South Rail Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour
16 January 1931 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
22 August 1931 Captain R Nelward RFA appointed as Master and Mr G Russell RFA appointed Chief Engineer Officer
15 December 1931 Captain Donald R McCutchan RFA appointed as Master
Captain Donald R McCutchan RFA
21 January 1932 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
23 January 1932 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
29 January 1932 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
4 March 1932 at Sheerness
6 April 1932 Mr James E Hawthorn RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer James E Hawthorn RFA
22 April 1932 Captain Arthur Peters RFA appointed as Master
3 October 1932 Mr George S G Russell RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer George S G Russell RFA
23 January 1933 sailed Sheerness to Purfleet arriving the same day. Sailed the same day to Devonport arriving on 25 January 1933
26 January 1933 sailed Devonport to Deptford arriving on 28 January 1933
3 February 1933 sailed Deptford to Portsmouth Harbour arriving the next day
6 February 1933 berthed on South Railway Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour
7 February 1933 berthed on South Railway Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour
8 February 1933 berthed on South Railway Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour
10 February 1933 berthed on South Railway Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour
13 February 1933 sailed Portsmouth Harbour to Sheerness arriving the next day
9 March 1933 sailed Sheerness to Deptford arriving the same day
14 March 1933 sailed Deptford to Portsmouth Harbour arriving the next day
17 March 1933 sailed Portsmouth Harbour to Devonport arriving the next day
24 March 1933 sailed Devonport to Sheerness arriving 26 March 1933
22 April 1933 at Sheerness
6 May 1933 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty
12 June 1933 sailed Sheerness to Rosyth arriving on 14 June 1933
16 June 1933 sailed Sheerness
24 June 1933 sailed Rosyth to Chatham arriving on 26 June 1933
28 June 1933 sailed Chatham to Sheerness arriving the same day
30 June 1933 sailed Sheerness to Portland arriving the next day
6 July 1933 sailed Portland to Portmouth Harbour arriving on the same day
7 July 1933 made fast to No: 3 buoy, Portsmouth Harbour
8 July 1933 made fast to No: 3 buoy, Portsmouth Harbour
10 July 1933 made fast to No: 3 buoy, Portsmouth Harbour
11 July 1933 made fast to No: 3 buoy, Portsmouth Harbour
13 July 1933 sailed Portsmouth Harbour to Sheerness arriving the next day
6 October 1933 Captain Benjamin Ellis RFA appointed as Master
8 November 1933 sailed Sheerness to Deptford arriving the next day
14 November 1933 sailed Deptford to Portmouth Harbour arriving the next day
22 November 1933 sailed Portsmouth Harbour to Portland arriving the same day
23 November 1933 sailed Portland to Deptford arriving the next day
30 November 1933 sailed Deptford to Chatham arriving the same day
4 December 1933 sailed Chatham to Sheerness arriving the same day
1 December 1933 Mr Alexander B McIntyre RFA (Engineer Lieutenant Commander RNR) appoined as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Alexander B McIntyre RFA
3 March 1934 arrived at Devonport
20 March 1934 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
22 March 1934 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
9 August 1934 Chief Officer George F Rutter RFA (Lieutenant RNR) appointed as Acting Master
Acting Master George F Rutter RFA
15 October 1934 Mr Henry J McCarthy RFA appointed as Acting Chief Engineer Officer
26 January 1935 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
2 February 1935 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
30 March 1935 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
15 April 1935 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
2 October 1935 took on charge a Dent Marine Chronometer No 58644 which had been purchased by the Admiralty in March 1918. It had previously been on charge on HMS Carstairs and RFA William Scoresby
3 October 1935 Mr Mortimer J Lawrence RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
9 October 1935 the Port Glasgow Express reported –
22 October 1935 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on Flamborough Head sailing south
9 November 1935 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
16 November 1935 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour and later in the day returned to be berth
4 January 1936 Captain Frederick M Harvey RFA appointed as Master
13 February 1936 the Portsmouth Evening News reported –
26 February 1936 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
28 February 1936 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
8 March 1936 Chief Officer Arthur MacDonald RFA appointed as Acting Master
17 June 1936 Captain George H Boddie DSC RFA appointed as Master
1 November 1936 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
30 November 1936 the Portsmouth Evening News reported –
11 December 1936 Captain Benjamin Ellis RFA appointed as Master
7 January 1937 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour returning to her berth the same day
11 January 1937 Mr William W Ridgway RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
12 January 1937 Chief Officer Ernest V Blyth RFA appointed as Temporary Master
13 January 1937 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
20 January 1937 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
16 April Mr Frank W G Tucker RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
17 April 1937 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
21 April 1937 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
29 April 1937 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
10 May 1937 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour returning to her berth the next day
14 May 1937 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
21 May 1937 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
24 May 1937 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
25 May 1937 Mr Mortimer J Lawrence RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Mortimer J Lawrence RFA
14 June 1937 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
21 June 1937 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
14 July 1937 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
21 July 1937 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
6 September 1937 Captain William W Peddle RFA appointed as Master
9 September 1937 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour returning to her berth later the same day to sea
September 1937 Commander R W Lawrence DSC Royal Navy (Retired) appointed as Master
Commander R W Lawrence DSC Royal Navy (Retired)
20 September 1937 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
22 October 1937 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
29 October 1937 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour returning to her berth later the same day
27 December 1937 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
30 December 1937 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
22 March 1938 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour returning to her berth later the same day
28 March 1938 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
31 March 1938 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
2 May 1938 Captain Herbert A Shacklock RFA appointed as Master
Captain Herbert A Shacklock RFA
11 June 1938 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
21 June 1938 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
11 July 1938 Mr Albert S Own RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
15 July 1938 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour returning to her berth the next day
12 November 1938 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
31 December 1938 Captain John H Burman RFA appointed as Temporary Master
23 January 1939 Mr Thomas Eggleston RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
23 March 1939 2nd Engineer Officer William J Brown RFA appointed as Temporary Chief Engineer Officer
27 March 1939 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
5 April 1939 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
3 May 1939 Mr M Walker RFA appointed as Temporary Chief Engineer Officer
6 May 1939 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
31 May 1939 at Castle Cove, Weymouth and at the yacht anchorage grounded twice
Press report of 31 May 1939 from the Western Morning News
2 June 1939 at Portland Harbour Officers Steward Jack Edmund Pratt, while rowing two ship mates back to the ship, collapsed and died – discharged dead – heart failure. He had signed on on the 1 June 1939 – he is buried in Portland Naval Cemetery
28 June 1939 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
5 July 1939 at Portsmouth Harbour alongside HMS ARK ROYAL refuelling her with aviation spirit and petrol for the ships launch
7 July 1939 Captain Albert E Curtain RFA (Lieutenant Commander RNR) appointed as Master
1 August 1939 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
11 August 1939 at Scapa Flow with HMS MATABELE alongside being refuelled
HMS MATABELE
14 August 1939 at Scapa Flow with HMS MATABELE alongside being refuelled with 140 gallons of petrol
18 August 1939 Chief Officer Stanley C Kernick RFA appointed as Temporary Master
23 August 1939 at Invergordon alongside HMS EDINBURGH refuelling her
26 August 1939 at Scapa Flow with HMS MATABELE alongside being refuelled
2 September 1939 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS ROYAL OAK refuelling her
13 September 1939 entered Scapa Flow being escorted by the mine sweeper HMS SHARPSHOOTER
HMS SHARPSHOOTER
22 September 1939 at Scapa Flow with HMS MATABELE alongside being refuelled
23 October 1939 Mr Albert J R Emerson RFA appointed as Temporary Chief Engineer Officer
4 December 1939 Mr George Bray RFA appointed as Temporary Chief Engineer Officer
Temporary Chief Engineer Officer George Bray RFA (image taken in 1918)
1 January 1940 at Greenock alongside HMS WARSPITE refuelling her
HMS WARSPITE
3 February 1940 at Greenock alongside HMS WARSPITE refuelling her
14 February 1940 Mr William H Macfarlane RFA appointed as Temporary Chief Engineer Officer
23 February 1940 at Greenock alongside HMS BERWICK refuelling her
HMS BERWICK
13 March 1940 Chief Officer Edward Mills RFA appointed as Temporary Master
16 March 1940 at Greenock alongside HMS WARSPITE refuelling her
17 March 1940 sailed the Clyde under escort of HMS HERO and HMS HYPERION for Scapa Flow en-route as the naval escort was required for other duties Petrobus was sent into Stornoway
22 March 1940 sailed Stornoway to join RFA WAR PINDARI and RFA BELGOL under the escort of HMS ESKIMO and HMS PUNJABI for Scapa Flow arriving on 24 March 1940
25 March 1940 Mr Harry Marshall RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
4 May 1940 Captain Frank J Delamotte RFA appointed as Master
7 May 1940 at Inverness
17 May 1940 until 28 August 1940 at Scapa Flow
28 August 1940 arrived Kirkwall
13 August 1940 Mr Lionel W Pool RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
26 October 1940 sailed Methil in escorted convoy EN.12/1 to Oban
27 November 1940 sailed the Clyde in escorted convoy WN 45 to Methil
6 December 1940 nominated to sail from Methil Roads in escorted convoy EN37/1 but did not sail
8 December 1940 sailed Methil Roads in escorted convoy EN.38/1 to Scapa Flow arriving 11 December 1940
20 December 1940 sailed the Clyde in escorted convoy WN57 to Methil
3 February 1941 sailed Methil Roads in escorted convoy EN.66/1 to Scapa Flow
4 April 1941 sailed Invergordon and was involved in a collision with HMS LUDLOW
HMS LUDLOW
9 May 1941 Chief Officer James H Chant RFA appointed as Temporary Acting Master
21 September 1941 sailed Oban in unescorted convoy WN 183 to Methil Roads
8 October 1941 in port at Scapa Flow until 6 January 1942
26 October 1941 Mr Henry J Sheepwash RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
6 January 1942 grounded at Scapa Flow but was refloated and repaired. A Court of Inquiry found the Master to be guily of an error of judgement and he was cautioned by the Rear Admiral, Scapa Flow to exercise greater care in navigation in future
12 January 1942 sailed Lyness in unescorted convoy WN 230 to Methil Roads
5 February 1942 sailed Methil Roads in escorted convoy EN 42 to Lyness
20 October 1942 sailed Methil Roads in unescorted convoy EN 152 to Lyness arriving on 23 October 1942
23 November 1942 alongside HMS HOWE at Scapa Flow supplying water
17 July 1943 Mr S Bates RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
14 September 1943 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS ANSON refuelling her
6 January 1944 Captain B Smith RFA appointed as Master
11 August 1944 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS INDEFACTIGABLE refuelling her
12 August 1944 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS INDEFACTIGABLE refuelling her
5 November 1945 Mr N Briggs RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
5 May 1946 Captain H Oakley RFA appointed as Master
13 October 1946 Mr S Bates RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
19 August 1947 Captain D A C Butler RFA appointed as Master
16 September 1947 took part in the Home Fleet Review on the Clyde along with RFA‘s BLACK RANGER, FORT DUQUESNE and PRESTOL
1 January 1948 Captain Douglas B Snowdon RFA appointed as Master
3 May 1948 Captain Albert V Barton RFA appointed as Master
Captain Albert V Barton RFA
24 January 1949 Mr R Larson RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
12 November 1949 to 19 November 1949 undergoing repairs at Leith.
21 November 1949 Mr John Ismay RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
18 January 1950 Captain George Robson RFA appointed as Master
27 January 1950 arrived Saltend, Hull
6 February 1950 sailed Saltend, Hull
11 February 1950 berthed at Saltend, Hull
19 February 1950 Captain H W Colman RFA appointed as Master
8 March 1950 berthed at Saltend, Hull
17 March 1950 berthed at Saltend, Hull sailing the same day
18 April 1950 Captain Hubert G Carkeet RFA appointed as Master
5 April 1951 entered Portsmouth Harbour and berthed
6 October 1952 to 30 October 1952 in refit at Southampton
1959 sold to BISCO for scrap
24 February 1959 arrived Grays for breaking up by T.W. Ward Ltd.