Subsequent name: Louise Moller, Mount Cameron
Official Number: 140322
Class: SECOND 2000t BELGOL CLASS Tanker
Pennant No: X 59 / X 58 / B 517 / A 258
Laid down:
Builder: William Gray & Company, Hartlepool
Launched: 23 April 1917
Into Service: 28 August 1917
Out of service: 4 March 1946
Fate: Broken up
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: There were ten ships in this Class, all Admiralty designed of which five were named after Allied countries while the other five were given names indicating power or speed, all with the OL suffix. Three of them, RFA’s FRANCOL, MONTENOL and SERBOL had upright funnels with a single tall mast close by, while the remainder had a raking funnel and two raking masts. During WW2 the mainmast was removed from these
23 April 1917 launched by Wm Gray & Co Ltd., West Hartlepool as Yard Nr: 886 named RAPIDOL
4 June 1917 Engineer Lieutenant Archibald R Hinde RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer. Discharged ashore sick on 11 July 1917 and resigned from the Royal Naval Reserve on 11 October 1917
11 July 1917 Engineer Lieutenant John Birnie RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer – transferred from RFA MONTENOL – he was demobilised on 28 December 1919
12 July 1917 Lieutenant James D Ashworth RNR appointed in command transferred to HMS Crescent on 20 November 1917
Lieutenant James D Ashworth RNR
28 July 1917 at London registered as RAPIDOL under reference 134/17 in the Register
28 August 1917 completed
28 August 1917 Fireman W Frackleton logged as deserting from the ship. He had signed on on the 21 August 1917
18 September 1917 at Rosyth alongside HMS GALATEA refuelling her while she was anchored on D3 berth
HMS GALATEA
25 September 1917 at Rosyth alongside HMS GALATEA refuelling her
8 November 1917 Able Seaman W Millar logged as deserting from the ship. He had signed on on the 21 August 1917
22 November 1917 at Rosyth alongside HMS GALATEA refuelling her
7 December 1917 at Rosyth alongside HMS GALATEA refuelling her
9 January 1918 Lieutenant Hermann R Elsby RNR appointed in Command on transfer from RFA Trefoil
18 January 1918 Able Seaman Signaller George H Constable discharged having been sentenced to 3 years penal servitude at Edinburgh Prison
AB Signalman George H Constable
28 March 1918 Greaser A Tolmie logged as deserting from the ship. He had signed on on the 21 August 1917
15 July 1918 Fireman Chas Cassidy, MMR 918600 discharged dead. He had signed on on 21 August 1917. He was buried in North Ormesby (St. Joseph’s) Roman Catholic Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Courtesy of and © The War Graves Photographic Project
9 August 1918 Fireman J Winn MMR 968732 signed on. He was a deserter from 16th Warwickshire Regiment. This fact was discovered on 22 February 1919 when he was discharged in custody to RFA Sunhill where he deserted
13 August 1918 the Police Gazette of this day listed among those who were wanted for Deserting or being Absentees from H M Services – Bosun H Payne MMR
20 August 1918 the Police Gazette of this day listed among those who were wanted for Deserting or being Absentees from H M Services – Ordinary Seaman Felix T Foster MMR and Ordinary Seaman William Pine MMR
6 September 1918 on the River Tyne HMS SPARROWHAWK alongside to be refuelled receiving 50 tons of FFO
11 October 1918 on the River Tyne HMS SPARROWHAWK alongside to be refuelled
2 January 1919 at Rosyth HMS VINDICTIVE alongside to be refuelled
2 May 1919 arrived at Kaffa Bay
2 June 1919 Assistant Steward William Vernon Fairclough MMR 981329 discharged to H.M. Prison Malta. Reason and duration not shown.
4 August 1919 at Sevastopol HM Monitor M29 alongsde to be refuelled with 17 tons of fuel oil
HMS M29
17 August 1919 at Tendra Bay HM Monitor M29 alongsde to be refuelled and 3rd Officer Edward Lawrence Mandell RFA discharged dead. He had signed on on the 3 December 1918. He was buried in Haidar Pasha Cemetery, Istanbul, Turkey in grave I F 20
In Memoriam Card for 3rd Officer Mandell from Leith Birnie
Courtesy and © of The War Graves Photographic Project
9 September 1919 arrived at Sevastopol
10 September 1919 refuelled a Greek destroyer “Pantheon” at Sevastopol alongside
11 September 1919 sailed Sevastopol to Odessa
21 September 1919 refuelled HM Monitor M29 at Yalta alongside
1 October 1919 arrived at Smyma and berthed alongside HMS CENTAUR to refuel her. Later sailed Smyma
24 October 1919 Mr W Howell RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
15 November 1919 Captain George H Franklin RD RFA (Commander RNR) appointed as Master
2 December 1919 at Port Said – bunkering from RFA DREDGOL
3 December 1919 sailed Port Said to Alexandria
4 December 1919 arrived at Alexandria. Refuelled HMS SWALLOW – provided 48 tons FFO. Refuelled HMS BENBOW – provided 680 tons FFO
5 December 1919 loaded spare propeller from HMS CAESAR stowed on the gun platform – sailed to Port Said
HMS CAESAR
6 December 1919 arrived at Port Said from Alexandria. Captain George H Franklin RD RFA (Commander RNR) arrived on the ship and took command from Lieutenant Hermann R Elsby RNR who left the ship
9 December 1919 alongside RFA DREDGOL. Received 304 tons of bunkers and 146 tons of FFO to No 1 tank. Sailed – transit of Suez Canal
10 December 1919 sailed Suez to Abadan
14 December 1919 the FFO in No 1 tank used to top up the ships bunkers
15 December 1919 signalled the Perim Lloyds Signal Station
16 December 1919 Jibus Island abeam 2¼ miles
22 December 1919 7.20pm Kais Island Light Vessel abeam
24 December 1919 berthed Abadan to load. Chief Officer F Samson RFA discharged sick to Abadan Hospital
26 December 1919 at Outer Bar, Abadan
27 December 1919 sailed Abadan to Bombay
2 January 1920 arrived at Bombay moored to the South Troopship buoy. 4th Engineer E Jones RFA discharged sick to the Military Hospital
4 January 1920 entered the Bombay Dockyard
6 January 1920 while taking out ‘tail end’ shaft, spar in use as a derrick carried away . Shaft landed heavily on rail and stove in bulwarks in after end, starboard side. No serious damage
7 January 1920 sailed Bombay to Colombo arriving on 11 January 1920
13 January 1920 at Colombo moved alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her – supplied 485 tons FFO
14 January 1920 sailed Colombo to Trincomalee arriving 15 January 1920
15 January 1920 at Trincomalee alongside HMS CAROLINE refuelling her with FFO then to anchorage
HMS CAROLINE
16 January 1920 sailed Trincomalee to Colombo arriving on 17 January 1920
18 January 1920 entered dry dock at Colombo Dockyard
20 January 1920 dry dock flooded up. Ship moved to berth in Dockyard
28 January 1920 at Colombo Dockyard alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her – 340 tons FFO
11 February 1920 at Colombo Dockyard alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her – 300 tons FFO
16 February 1920 crew replaced with RIM Ratings
22 February 1920 sailed Bombay for Abadan arriving 28 February 1920
29 February 1920 loading cargo at Abadan
1 March 1920 sailed Abadan for Bombay arriving 7 March 1920
27 March 1920 Captain Frederick W Rae RFA appointed as Master
1 April 1920 alongside HMS COMUS at Bombay to refuel her – supplied 425 tons of FFO
2 April 1920 sailed Bombay to COLOMBO arriving 6 April 1920
12 April 1920 at Colombo alongside HMS CAROLINE refuelling her then sailed COLOMBO to Bombay arriving 16 April 1920
20 April 1920 HMS COLOMBO and HMS MOTH alongside for refueling
21 April 1920 at Bombay moored alongside HMS CAROLINE to refuel her – 300 tons of FFO and then sailed to Abadan arriving 27 April 1920
1 May 1920 at Abadan – loaded 1,600 tons FFO
5 May 1920 at Shat al Arab – loaded remainder of fuel – full load of 2,088 tons
6 May 1920 sailed Shat al Arab for Colombo. Ship not answering to wheel – defect in steering – starboard anchor let go. Steering repaired. Ship sailed 2 hours late
15 May 1920 on buoys at Colombo
14 June 1920 at Colombo berthed alongside HMS CURLEW to refuel her – 517 tons FFO – then to Admiralty berth
23 June 1920 at Colombo moored alongside RFA WAR NIZAM to load fuel and stores then to breakwater berth
6 August 1920 at Colombo alongside HMS CAROLINE to refuel her
10 August 1920 at Colombo alongside HMS CAROLINE to refuel her – supplied 291 tons of FFO
11 August 1920 and 12 August 1920 at Colombo with divers from HMS COMUS examining her keel
16 August 1920 Mr Ernest K Horsley RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Ernest K Horsley RFA
16 August 1920 to 30 August 1920 at Colombo divers from HMS CAROLINE inspected the keel of Rapidol
16 September 1920 sailed from Colombo for Trincomalee
18 September 1920 at Trincomalee alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her – 739 tons FFO supplied
28 September 1920 at Trincomalee divers from HMS CAROLINE continued working on Radidol’s keel
8 October 1920 off Trincomalee was the target for a cruiser training torpedo attack
11 October 1920 off Trincomalee took HMS COMUS in tow and RASed astern between 1340 and 1700hrs transfered 68 tons of FFO. Also towed HMS CAROLINE and transferred 58 tons of FFO
22 October 1920 at Trincomalee a working party from HMS CAROLINE on board repairing the taget
27 October 1920 at Trincomalee alongside HMS CAROLINE refuelling her with 160 tons of FFO
29 October 1920 at Trincomalee alongside HMS COMUS refuelling her – 504 tons FFO supplied
22 November 1920 at Trincomalee alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her – 128 tons FFO supplied
8 January 1921 at Trincomalee alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her – 277 tons FFO supplied
11 and 12 January 1921 at Trincomalee alongside HMS MALAYA refuelling her
14 February 1921 off Trincomalee subject to training torpedo attack from HMS CAROLINE. One torpedo recovered a second torpedo was lost
20 February 1921 Captain William F Clay RFA appointed as Master
Captain William F Clay RFA
25 February 1921 at Bombay alongside HMS MALAYA refuelling her
8 April 1921 at Bombay alongside HMS CAROLINE refuelling her
5 May 1921 sailed Trincomalee Harbour towing a target
9 May 1921 at Trincomalee alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her – 440 tons FFO supplied
12 May 1921 off Trincomalee towing a target for HMS CAROLINE to fire at
20 May, 1921 at Trincomalee alongside HMS CAROLINE to refuel her
28 May 1921 at Trincomalee alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her – 219 tons FFO supplied
6 June 1921 at Colombo alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her – 138 tons FFO supplied
22 June 1921 at Colombo alongside HMS CAROLINE to refuel her
11 July 1921 at Colombo alongside HMS CAROLINE to refuel her
28 July 1921 berthed at Mauritius alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her – 627 tons FFO supplied
31 July 1921 berthed at Mauritius alongside HMS CAROLINE to refuel her
1 August 1921 sailed Port Louis, Mauritius for Colombo
10 August 1921 at Colombo alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her – 290 tons FFO supplied
11 August 1921 at Colombo alongside HMS CAROLINE to refuel her
12 August 1921 at Colombo alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her – 253 tons FFO supplied
23 August 1921 at Trincomalee alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her – 457 tons FFO supplied
9 September 1921 at Trincomalee alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her – 287 tons FFO supplied
13 September 1921 at Madras
22 September 1921 off Trincomalee HMS CAROLINE in tow and RASed astern transfered 50 tons FFO
10 October 1921 off Trincomalee took HMS COMUS in tow and RASed astern between 0810 and 1145hrs transfered 121 tons of FFO. Returned to harbour, berthed alongside HMS COMUS and supplied a further 314 tons of FFO
22 November 1921 at Bombay alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her – 444 tons FFO supplied
24 November 1921 at Bombay alongside HMS RENOWN to refuel her
HMS RENOWN
9 January 1922 at Bombay alongside HMS RENOWN to refuel her – 699 tons of FFO supplied
24 February 1922 at Colombo alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her
28 February 1922 dressed overall in Colombo Harbour on the occasion of the wedding of Princess Mary, the daughter of King George V and Queen Mary and Viscount Lascelles, later the 6th Earl of Harewood. Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was one of the bridesmaids
23 March 1922 at Colombo alongside HMS COMUS to refuel her
24 March 1922 arrived at Trincomali and anchored
29 March 1922 and 30 March 1922 off Trincomali towed a target for HMS COLOMBO’s sub-calibre firing exercise
5 April 1922 berthed alongside HMS COLOMBO
20 May 1922 at the Military Hospital, Bombay Captain William Frederick Clay RFA discharged dead from natural causes
28 May 1922 at Trincomalee alongside HMS RENOWN to refuel her
6 June 1922 at Colombo alongside HMS CAIRO to refuel her
HMS CAIRO
15 June 1922 between Colombo and Trincomalee was the training target of a night attack by HMS CAIRO
4 July 1922 at Colombo as oiler to the East Indies Squadron
14 July 1922 at Colombo alongside HMS CAIRO to refuel her
17 July 1922 at Colombo alongside HMS COLOMBO to refuel her
21 July 1922 at Colombo received returned stores from HMS COLOMBO
24 July 1922 09:00hrs sailed from Colombo
20 August 1922 berthed at Colombo
2 September 1922 off Trincomalee towed target for HMS COLOMBO
6 September 1922 off Trincomalee towed target for HMS COLOMBO’s sub-calibre target practice
3 October 1922 arrived at Trincomalee and anchored
5 October 1922 off Trincomalee took HMS CAIRO in tow to RAS with her. Oil transferred over 2 hours 40 minutes. Also towed HMS COLOMBO to RAS with her – 215 tons of FFO supplied
11 October 1922 off Trincomalee towed target for HMS COLOMBO’s sub-calibre target practice
13 October 1922 off Trincomalee two runs towing target for HMS COLOMBO’s 6″ target practice
19 October 1922 at sea off Trincomalee with HMS’s CAIRO, COLOMBO and SOUTHAMPTON. Towed a target which was attacked by the cruisers
23 October 1922 at Trincomalee alongside HMS’s CAIRO and COLOMBO to refuel them. Supplied 382 tons of FFO to HMS COLOMBO
14 November 1922 arrived at Colombo
18 November 1922 at Colombo alongside HMS COLOMBO to refuel her with FFO
5 January 1923 Mr Alexander D Scott RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Alexander D Scott RFA
5 February 1923 off Trincomalee served as a target for two of HMS CAIRO’s torpedo firing trials
10 February 1923 sailed Trincomalee to Colombo arriving the next day
17 February 1923 sailed Colombo
26 February 1923 berthed at Colombo
6 March 1923 sailed Colombo
20 March 1923 and 21 March 1923 off Trincomalee towing a target which HMS COLOMBO fired on
22 March 1923 at Trincomalee berthed alongside HMS COLOMBO embarking stores from the cruiser
24 March 1923 at Colombo alongside HMS CAIRO to refuel her
16 April 1923 at Mahe, Seychelles with HMS COLOMBO alongside her
HMS COLOMBO
20 April 1923 berthed at Port Louis, Mauritius
21 April 1923 at Port Louis, Mauritius alongside HMS CAIRO to refuel her
30 July 1923 at Colombo berthed alongside HMS COLOMBO
17 August 1923 at Colombo alongside HMS CAIRO to refuel her
30 August 1923 at Colombo alongside HMS CAIRO to refuel her
6 September 1923 at Colombo alongside HMS CAIRO to refuel her
12 September 1923 sailed Colombo with HMS COLOMBO
17 September 1923 at Trincomalee with working party onboard from HMS CAIRO painting a target
18 September 1923 at Trincomalee with working party onboard from HMS COLOMBO
28 September 1923 at Trincomalee berthed alongside HMS COLOMBO
3 October 1923 at sea of Trincomalee towing a target for HMS COLOMBO to carry out a 6″ full calibre shoot
21 October 1923 sailed Trincomalee
6 November 1923 sailed Colombo
14 November 1923 at Bombay berthed alongside HMS COLOMBO on B2 Buoy
27 November 1923 at Bombay berthed alongside HMS COLOMBO
15 January 1924 arrived at Colombo with 11 ratings for HMS COLOMBO
27 January 1924 at Trincomalee alongside HMS DUNEDIN and refuelled her
HMS DUNEDIN
19 January 1924 sailed Colombo
20 May 1924 at the Military Hospital, Bombay Captain William Frederick Clay RFA discharged dead from natural causes
17 July 1924 Captain Charles L Cutsforth RFA appointed as Master until 14 November 1926 when he became Master of RFA Slavol
Captain Charles L Cutsforth RFA
21 September 1924 at Trincomalee, Ceylon Oilman Ebrahim Mahomed Jaffer discharged dead from natural causes
13 November 1924 Mr George T Beed RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer George T Beed RFA
8 February 1925 at the General Hospital, Colombo Butler Nasmeuth Noronha discharged dead from natural causes
28 August 1925 sailed Colombo to Trincomalee to refuel HMS HERMES
5 January 1927 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty at Portsmouth Harbour
6 January 1927 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty at Portsmouth Harbour
7 January 1927 sailed from Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, Portsmouth Harbour returning to her berth the next day
8 January 1927 made fast to No: 9 Buoy in Portsmouth Dockyard
11 January 1927 made fast to No: 9 Buoy in Portsmouth Dockyard
12 January 1927 made fast to No: 9 Buoy in Portsmouth Dockyard
21 January 1927 in No: 13 Dock at Portsmouth Dockyard
27 January 1927 in No: 13 Dock at Portsmouth Dockyard
10 February 1927 in No: 13 Dock at Portsmouth Dockyard
11 February 1927 in No: 13 Dock at Portsmouth Dockyard
19 February 1927 in No: 13 Dock at Portsmouth Dockyard
21 February 1927 in No: 13 Dock at Portsmouth Dockyard
26 February 1927 in No: 13 Dock at Portsmouth Dockyard
4 March 1927 in No: 13 Dock at Portsmouth Dockyard
26 March 1927 in No: 3 Basin at Portsmouth Dockyard – RFA MARINER also in No: 3 Basin at the same time
22 April 1927 in No: 3 Basin at Portsmouth Dockyard
25 April 1927 in No: 3 Basin at Portsmouth Dockyard
16 May 1927 in No: 3 Basin at Portsmouth Dockyard
18 May 1927 in No: 3 Basin at Portsmouth Dockyard – NAV UPNOR also berthed in the same basin
24 May 1927 in No: 3 Basin at Portsmouth Dockyard
6 June 1927 in No: 3 Basin at Portsmouth Dockyard
4 July 1927 in No: 3 Basin at Portsmouth Dockyard
7 July 1927 in No: 3 Basin at Portsmouth Dockyard
13 July 1927 in No: 3 Basin at Portsmouth Dockyard
14 July 1927 in No: 3 Basin at Portsmouth Dockyard
19 July 1927 in No: 3 Basin at Portsmouth Dockyard
30 July 1927 in No: 3 Basin in Portsmouth Dockyard
3 August 1927 in No: 3 Basin in Portsmouth Dockyard together with RFA PETRONEL
6 August 1927 in No: 3 Basin in Portsmouth Dockyard together with RFA PETRONEL
8 August 1927 in No: 3 Basin at Portsmouth Dockyard
12 August 1927 in No: 3 Basin in Portsmouth Dockyard together with RFA PETRONEL
19 August 1927 in No: 3 Basin at Portsmouth Dockyard together with RFA PETRONEL
25 August 1927 in No: 3 Basin at Portsmouth Dockyard
27 August 1927 in No: 3 Basin at Portsmouth Dockyard
31 August 1927 in No: 3 Basin at Portsmouth Dockyard
5 December 1927 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour returning to her berth the next day
20 January 1928 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
11 February 1928 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
1 March 1928 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
27 March 1928 passed the Lloyds SIgnal Station on the Lizard sailing westwards
5 April 1928 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
11 April 1928 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
1 May 1928 Captain Stanley G Kent RFA appointed as Master
Captain Stanley G Kent RFA
image taken after WW2
11 May 1928 Mr John H Collings RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer. In post until 3 August 1928
Chief Engineer Officer John H Collings RFA
19 May 1928 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
22 May 1928 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
2 June 1928 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
4 June 1928 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
11 June 1928 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
16 June 1928 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
19 July 1928 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
27 July 1928 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
2 August 1928 Mr George C Dunning RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer George C Dunning RFA
15 September 1928 at 36°59N 9°08W Greaser Edwin Charles Howell discharged dead – found missing from the ship at sea – presumed drowned. Previously he had sailed on RFA SERBOL
Greaser Edwin Charles Howell – lost at sea
16 July 1929 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa as Station Oiler
14 April 1930 in collision with HMS CALCUTTA on the South African Station
26 June 1930 sailed Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
18 July 1930 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
21 August 1930 sailed Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
15 September 1930 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
13 December 1930 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
25 June 1931 sailed Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
8 July 1931 Captain Reginald J Harland RFA appointed as Master and Mr Sydney J M Esson RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Captain Reginald J Harland RFA
Chief Engineer Officer Sydney J M Esson RFA
30 July 1931 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
7 September 1931 sailed Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
9 September 1931 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
26 September 1931 sailed Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
6 October 1931 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
July 1933 laid up at Simonstown, South Africa then at Rosyth until 1935
24 May 1934 Mr G A Calvert RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
24 March 1937 Mr Matthew Blair RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
22 April 1937 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
28 August 1938 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
28 September 1938 Chief Officer Richard H Mayhew RFA appointed as Temporary Master
24 August 1939 Captain Albert E Curtain RFA (Lieutenant Commander RNR) appointed as Master
25 August 1939 docked at Selborne Graving Dock, Simonstown Dockyard
9 September 1939 undocked from Selbourne Graving Dock, Simonstown Dockyard
27 December 1939 at Simonstown alongside HMS NORFOLK refuelling her
21 February 1940 Mr John Cook RFA appointed as Chief Engineering Officer
29 February 1940 sailed from Simontown Dockyard for gunnery and target towing exercises in False Bay returning to Simonstown on completion
12 March 1940 sailed from Simonstown Dockyard
13 March 1940 as station oiler and with rigid economy in the use of water at Simontown being exercised Rapidol distilled water for her own use, the use of locally based minesweepers and HM Tug St Dogmael
14 March 1940 berthed at Simontown Dockyard and docked at Selborne Graving Dock
15 March 1940 undocked from Selbourne Graving Dock, Simonstown Dockyard
16 March 1940 sailed from Simonstown Dockyard
4 April 1940 at 21.27hrs sailed Cape Town having refuelled HM Transport Queen Mary with 6,498 tons of FFO
5 April 1940 berthed at Simontown Dockyard
6 April 1940 boiler cleaning at Simonstown Dockyard
15 April 1940 sailed from Simonstown Dockyard for Freetown
28 April 1940 arrived at Freetown
21 July 1940 Mr J Cook RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
29 March 1941 arrived at St. Helena from Freetown while on passage to Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
8 April 1941 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard
1 May 1941 sailed Simonstown Dockyard
11 May 1941 sailed Simontown Dockyard for Cape Town at 1530hrs
12 May 1941 arrived at Cape Town at 0540hrs to dock
4 June 1941 sailed Cape Town for St. Helena and Freetown (source Admiralty War Diary for this day)
27 June 1941 in the London Gazette of this day on page 3737 Captain Albert Edward Curtain RFA (Lieutenant Commander RNR) was appointed an Officer of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)
30 August 1941 sailed Freetown in company of the cruiser HMS DUNEDIN and rendezvoused with the battle cruiser HMS REPULSE (source Admiralty War Diary for this date)
5 September 1941 RAS’ed with HMS DUNEDIN
6 September 1941 in an extraordinary incident, HMS DUNEDIN and Rapidol almost collide. Only Dunedin’s engines slammed astern avert a disaster
7 September 1941 signalled HMAS NESTOR that she had insufficient FFO to refuel both her and HMS REPULSE. HMAS NESTOR diverted on 8 September 1941 to Bathurst to refuel (source HMAS NESTOR’s Report of Proceedings)
15 September 1941 arrived at Freetown in convoy WS11S which she had joined at sea on 8 September 1941
3 October 1941 2nd Engineer Officer Andrew Nicol Porteous RFA and 4th Engineer Officer Cecil Douglas Buchanan RFA both awarded the Polar Medal in Bronze for (in the case of Porteous) services onboard the RRS DISCOVERY and RRS DISCOVERY II during 1925 to 1939 and (in the case of Buchanan) services onboard the RRS DISCOVERY II and RRS WILLIAM SCORESBY also during 1925 to 1939. Awards published in the London Gazette of this day – page 5786 and in AFO4830/1941
6 November 1941 sailed Freetown in escorted convoy SL92 (a convoy from Freetown to Liverpool) – during which she trialed the concept of convoy escort oiler
13 November 1941 joined escorted convoy OS10 a convoy from Liverpool to Freetown where the concept of convoy escort oilers was proved. The convoy arrived at Freetown on the 18 November 1941
19 November 1941 equipped for fuelling escorts, she sailed Freetown with her own escort of the corvette HMS BERGAMOT to join Convoy SL93, transferring to Convoy OS11 with the Freetown Escort Force for the passage back to Freetown – source Admiralty War Diary of this day – page 863
18 January 1942 sailed escorted by HMS JASMINE from Bathurst on orders of C in C South Atlantic
22 January 1942 off Cape Verde Islands while being escorted by HMS JASMINE to refuel HMS RESOLUTION but due to the sea state this was not possible. The vessels moved to south in the lee of Sal Island. The sea state was still unsuitable until the next day when the battleship was refuelled
25 January 1942 refuelled HMAS NORMAN alongside
3 February 1942 arrived off Jamestown, St Helena to refuel three ships before departing the next day
23 February 1942 at Mordeira Bay, Sal Island Cape Verde Islands alongside HMS RESOLUTION to refuel her. HMS VANSITTART followed and was refuelled at the same location on the same date
11 July 1942 at Freetown 3rd Engineer Officer John Alexander Manners discharged dead – drowned
27 July 1942 sailed Freetown escorted by HMS SNOWDROP to St. Helena arriving on 8 August 1942
6 August 1942 refuelled escorts of convoy WS21 near position E (10.10S 8.22W) then HMS SNOWDROP escorted RAPIDOL to position X (6.00S 9.35W) then to position A (7.50N 14.06W) where they were joined by HMS BOREAS. HMS VIMY from Freetown joined at position X. Both HMS’s BOREAS and VIMY topped up with fuel and were then detached to join HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH and HMS MAYALA at about 7.00S on 10 August 1942. HMS SNOWDROP continued escorting Rapidol to Freetown though position A eventually returned to Freetown on 19 August 1942. Source Admiralty War Diary of 6 August 1942 page 346
14 September 1942 sailed Freetown in convoy SL 122 arriving the Clyde 5 October 1942
28 October 1942 Captain Robert H Venning RFA appointed as Master and Mr John H Dawe RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Office John H Dawe RFA
7 January 1943 at Southern General Hospital, Glasgow Tindal Sk Abdooraman Malkd Joffer discharged dead – cancer of the larynx and lung
26 January 1943 at Belfast while berthing alongside HMS UNICORN to refuel her badly bent both No: 2 Cutters gantries and damaged the tankers starboard wing of her bridge
7 March 1943 Mr Graham W Martin RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Graham W Martin RFA
28 March 1943 arrived Reykjavik in convoy UR68 which had sailed from Loch Ewe
29 March 1943 at Hvalfjord, Iceland alongside HMS HOWE refuelling her
7 April 1943 at Hvalfjord, Iceland alongside HMS HOWE refuelling her
13 April 1943 at Hvalfjord, Iceland alongside HMS HOWE refuelling her
14 April 1943 at Hvalfjord, Iceland alongside HMS HOWE refuelling her
22 April 1943 at Hvalfjord, Iceland alongside HMS HOWE refuelling her
27 April 1943 at Hvalfjord, Iceland alongside HMS HOWE refuelling her
3 May 1943 at Reykjavik harbour, Iceland – USS Stansbury (DMS8) alongside refuelling – received 50,251 gallons of FFO. Dragged anchor, ran aground on Engey Island but was refloated
8 May 1943 at Havlfjord, Iceland alongside HMS ANSON refuelling her with 382 tons FFO
11 May 1943 at Havlfjord, Iceland alongside HMS ANSON refuelling her
30 May 1943 escorted by HMS Ships LLANDUDNO, BEAUMARIS, ARDROSSAN, and PETERHEAD sailed Hvalfiord for Akureyri. C in C Home Fleet had advised that the Royal Navy required 8,000 tons of FFO plus an operational margin of 2,000 tons to be available at Akureyri between 2 to 11 June 1943
1 June 1943 1943 RAPIDOL and escort arrived Akureyri
20 July 1943 at Havlfjord, Iceland alongside HMS ANSON refuelling her with 678 tons FFO
30 July 1943 at Hvalfjord, Iceland alongside HMS LONDON refuelling her
5 August 1943 at Hvalfjord, Iceland alongside HMS LONDON refuelling her
25 November 1943 at Hvalfjord, Iceland alongside USS Forest (DD461) refuelling her – she received 81,480 gallons of fuel oil
20 February 1944 in Operation FX- the passage of Arctic Convoy JW 57 from Loch Ewe to Northern Russia, which consisted of 40 freighters, 2 tankers doubling as oilers, a rescue ship, 3 Russian manned coastal minesweepers and 3 Patrol Craft being delivered to their new owners
2 March 1944 at Leith
9 March 1944 sailed Reyjavik in convoy RU111 arriving Loch Ewe on 12 March 1944 – escorted by HMT QUADRILLE and HMT COTILLION
13 April 1944 sailed from Methil to Loch Ewe in escorted convoy EN371
15 April 1944 arrived at Loch Ewe
3 May 1944 in Belfast Lough with USS Forest (DD461) alongside being refuelled
11 June 1944 sailed the Solent in convoy RTM6 arriving Seine Bay on 12 June 1944
15 June 1944 berthed at Portmouth Harbour and then sailing later in the day to sea
22 June 1944 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
24 June 1944 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour escorted by USS Thompson (DD305) for duty off Utah beach, Normandy
30 June 1944 in Mulberry A, off Omaha Beach, Normandy USS Cormorant (ATO133) alongside to refuel. Also USS ATR-13 alongside to refuel supplied to her 39,497 gallons of fuel oil
2 July 1944 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
4 July 1944 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
5 July 1944 arrived Seine Bay in convoy ECM 22 which had sailed from Falmouth
11 July 1944 during Operation Neptune sailed to Portsmouth Harbour carrying 320 survivors from LST 508 – 210 stretcher cases and 86 walking (source Admiralty War diary of this day)
12 July 1944 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
14 July 1944 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
18 July 1944 sailed Barry to Seine Bay in escorted convoy EBC45
20 July 1944 Mr Allan A Wooley RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer and the ship arrived at Seine Bay
1 August 1944 in Cherbourg Harbour with USS Maloy (DE791) alongside being refuelled. Suffered damage to port side which was repaired at Plymouth between 16 and 23 August 1944.
2 August 1944 at Seine Bay alongside USS Chimo (ACM-1) refuelling her 17,250 gallons of fuel oil supplied
5 September 1944 sailed the Solent in convoy EPM53
16 September 1944 sailed Seine Bay in convoy FBC84 to Portsmouth Harbour arriving 17 September 1944
21 September 1944 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
6 November 1944 Mr William H MacFarlane RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer William H MacFarlane RFA
8 November 1944 sailed from Portsmouth Harbour
20 December 1944 Captain William R Parker RFA appointed as Master
17 February 1945 sailed Liverpool in escorted convoy OS111KM which also contained RFA SERBOL and then convoy KMS85G arriving at Gibraltar 25 February 1945
25 February 1945 sailed Gibraltar independently to Port Said arriving 4 March 1945
12 March 1945 sailed Suez independently to Aden arriving 17 March 1945
18 March 1945 sailed Aden independently to Colombo arriving on 25 March 1945
9 April 1945 sailed Colombo
1 May 1945 sailed Colombo independently arriving Darwin 14 May 1945
19 May 1945 sailed Darwin 1945 arriving Port Moresby 23 May 1945
23 May 1945 sailed Port Moresby independently arriving Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands on 27 May 1945
31 May 1945 the Officer in Charge of the Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands return of RFA ships at the base together with Rapidol were RFA’s ARNDALE, BACCHUS (2), BROWN RANGER, CEDARDALE, GREEN RANGER, WAVE EMPEROR, WAVE KING & WAVE MONARCH
30 June 1945 the Officer in Charge of the Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands return of RFA ships at the base together with Rapidol were RFA’s BACCHUS (2), BROWN RANGER, GREEN RANGER and WAVE MONARCH
7 July 1945 at Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands with HMAS PIRIE alongside to refuel
HMAS PIRIE
8 July 1945 at Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands with HMAS BENDIGO alongside to refuel
HMAS BENDIGO
August 1945 was attached to the British Pacific Fleet along with numerous other RFA’s and was finally based at Hong Kong
12 August 1945 at Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands with HMAS’s LAUNCESTON and BENDIGO alongside to refuel
HMAS LAUNCESTON
30 August 1945 sailed Manus together with RFA’s GREEN RANGER and SALVICTOR and SAN SALVESTOR and escorted by HMAS’s GAWLER, LAUNCESTON and TAMWORTH to Hong Kong from ‘Position Cootie’ as TU 112.5.5
4 September 1945 RASed with HMAS’s GAWLER and LAUNCESTON using the buoyant hose method off Hong Kong
5 September 1945 refuelled HMAS TAMWORTH alongside while at anchor off Basilan Island
9 September 1945 arrived at Hong Kong
From 19 September 1945 to 3 April 1948 in port at Hong Kong
6 November 1946 Captain Rowland K Hill RFA appointed as Master
Captain Rowland K Hill RFA
9 November 1946 Mr Charles Scott DSC RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
1948 sold out of service to Moller & Co, Hong Kong
22 July 1949 suffered weather damage while on way to Osaka.
1 August 1949 while berthing struck the quay.
28 October 1949 under RN escort entered the Yangste Estuary and ran the Shanghai sea blockade maintained by a Nationalist gunboat to deliver ½ million gallons of diesel oil for Caltex. She claimed to the gun boat that she was RFA Black Ranger
1950 renamed LOUISE MOLLER by her owners
1 June 1950 at San Carlos, Phillipine Islands Quartermaster Lam Kok Sui discharged dead – heart attack
1951 owners became Mount Line Ltd with Mollers as Managers and she was renamed MOUNT CAMERON and was engaged in running the Chinese Blockade in the Formosa Straits to Communist China
17 December 1951 alongside in Singapore Harbour
23 January 1952 alongside in Singapore Harbour
7 June 1952 alongside in Singapore Harbour
12 July 1952 alongside in Singapore Harbour
4 December 1952 alongside in Singapore Harbour
11 March 1953 anchored in the Inner Roads, Singapore
26 March 1953 alongside in Singapore Harbour
10 July 1953 anchored in the Inner Roads, Singapore
2 September 1953 anchored in the Outer Roads, Singapore
26 February 1954 at Hong Kong Captain Robert Cook discharged dead – natural causes
3 October 1955 arrived Hong Kong for demolition by Chip Hua
Notes:
Was part of the British Pacific Fleet Train – hence the B-pennant number