Reproduced with permission of the MOD
RFA Regent at Hobart, Tasmania in 1968 © Noel Brown
RFA Regent at Friedrickshgaven in April 1981 © Mark Nugent
Subsequent name: Shahzadelal
Official Number: 305574
Class: REGENT CLASS Armaments Stores Ship
Pennant No: A486
Laid down: 4 September 1964
Builder: Harland & Wolff, Belfast
Launched: 9 March 1966
Into Service: 6 June 1967
Out of service: October 1992
Fate: Sold for breaking up at Alang, India
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: There were two Admiralty-designed ships in this Class and although the order for them was officially announced at the beginning of 1963, it was not until the 13 August that year that the builders were named. They cost a total of £15 million and carried a full range of ammunition and armament stores, with limited stores and provisions. In 1966, this Class became the first RFA’s to be allocated permanent Flights and carried Wessex HU5 helicopters from 829 NAS until April 1987 as they were fitted with full aviation facilities. Affectionately known in the Fleet as Regret and Remorse, their proud boast was that they were designed to sink upright
24 January 1963 ordered as A.E.F.S. 02
8 February 1966 planned launch date delayed
9 March 1966 launched by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast as Yard Nr: 1658 named REGENT.The Lady Sponsor was Mrs Lucy Faulkner, w/o the Northern Ireland Minister of Commerce
18 December 1966 Captain Henry O L’Estrange DSC RD RFA appointed as Master
16 May 1967 in to service
8 June 1967 Captain Henery O L’Estrange DSC RD RFA was the Master
September 1967 at Grand Harbour, Malta
31 July 1968 with RFA TIDEFLOW and RN, RAN and RNZN ships engaged in a 36 hour Exercise – “Bagpipes” – in the practice area off Singapore
1 August 1968 to 5 August 1968 with RFA TIDEFLOW and RN, RAN and RNZN ships engaged in an Exercise – “Slug Pie” – in the practice area off Singapore
13 August 1968 Captain Alexander S McWilliam RFA appointed as Master
Captain Alexander S McWilliam RFA
18 August 1968 to 28 August 1968 together with RFA OLNA (3) and RN and RAN ships engaged in Exercise “Winged Foot” off Penang
21 August 1968 RFA’s TARBATNESS and FORT ROSALIE (1) joined in Exercise “Winged Foot” with RFA’s OLNA (3) and REGENT
25 November 1968 off Hong Kong RASed with HMAS DUCHESS
December 1968 berthed at Hobart, Tasmania
8 January 1969 at Singapore
14 May 1969 at Falmouth
19 August 1969 Captain Sydney E Clench RFA appointed as Master
13 October 1969 at Plymouth (see note 1)
October 1969 humanitarian aid – received a request from the British cargo ship CYCLOPS which was 200 miles ahead of her in the South Atlantic, for medical assistance for a suspected case of gangrene on a Chinese steward. Her helo transported the patient to REGENT for treatment
21 November 1969 at Singapore
2 January 1970 arrived at Plymouth from Cape Town
5 January 1970 at Plymouth water ship Freshpond alongside supplied 108 tons of water
7 January 1970 at Plymouth NAV Kinterbury alongside – cargo work
13 January 1970 at Plymouth oiler C604 alongside supplying bunkers
15 January 1970 at Plymouth water ship Freshburn alongside supplied 195 tons of water
16 January 1970 at Plymouth water ship Freshburn alongside supplied 210 tons of water
19 January 1970 sailed Plymouth to Portland
21 January 1970 sailed Portland to Gibraltar arriving on 23 January 1970
25 January 1970 to 30 January 1970 involved in exercises in the Gibraltar area
26 January 1970 anchored off Gibraltar until 4 February 1970
5 February 1970 until 6 February 1970 involved in exercises in the Gibraltar area
7 February 1970 anchored off Gibraltar
9 February 1970 moved to Number 50 berth in Gibraltar Harbour
20 February 1970 sailed Gibraltar to Malta arriving 22 February 1970
2 March 1970 sailed Malta to Gibraltar
5 March 1970 berthed at Number 51 berth in Gibraltar Harbour
14 March 1970 Captain Alexander S W McWilliam RFA appointed as Master
25 June 1970 at Plymouth
28 July 1970 while on passage from Cork, Ireland to Swansea, Wales the 40 ton yacht Margaret Mary II with a crew of 7 having had engine failure was towed for 41 miles to safety by the ship to Pembroke Dock – reported in the South Wales Evening Post
10 September 1970 at Plymouth
19 October 1970 berthed at Grand Harbour, Malta
17 February 1971 Captain James D G Gray RFA appointed as Master
2 March 1971 at Falmouth
29 March 1971 Captain C A Mitchell RFA appointed as Master
30 July 1971 at Falmouth
4 August 1971 along with RFA OLMEDA she starred in Operation Lymelight – a live BBC TV programme from the English Channel
13 September 1971 at Plymouth
14 January 1972 at Plymouth
16 January 1972 at Plymouth
20 January 1972 Wessex HU5 helicopter no: XS513 joined ship as Flight 846 NAS
10 June 1972 at Plymouth
30 June 1972 at Plymouth
25 August 1972 at Plymouth
25 October 1972 at Rosyth
18 January 1973 on the River Tyne
21 January 1973 Captain Samuel C Dunlop MBE RFA appointed as Master
7 March 1973 on the River Tyne
26 March 1973 humanitarian aid – along with HMS INTREPID, she assisted in fighting a fire aboard the Liberian registered tanker NAESS SPIRIT 60 miles off Brest
1 June 1973 Captain George Robson RFA appointed as Master
8 June 1973 along with RFA TIDESPRING (1) she sailed Portsmouth as part of Task Group 317.1 – the first Group Deployment – led by the cruiser HMS TIGER
20 August 1973 sailed from Singapore to take part in Exercise Green Light with RFA TIDESPRING (1) and RN Units
20 December 1973 at Plymouth
18 January 1974 at Portland
10 July 1974 to 30 July 1974 with RFA OLWEN (2) she supported the carrier HMS HERMES with 41 Commando, Royal Marines standing by off Cyprus after a coup d’etat attempt and the subsequent Turkish invasion. Other ships standing by were RFA’s GOLD ROVER and OLNA (3)
29 August 1974 sailed from ‘D’ Buoy at Plymouth Sound to Sea
12 September 1974 arrived at Plymouth Sound making fast to ‘D’ Buoy
16 September 1974 sailed from Plymouth Sound to Sea
30 September 1974 arrived at Plymouth Sound making fast to ‘D’ Buoy
8 October 1974 sailed from ‘D’ Buoy, Playmouth Sound to sea
13 January 1975 Captain Charles W P Sumner RFA appointed as Master
26 January 1975 arrived at Plymouth Sound
27 January 1975 from Plymouth Sound moved to No: 1 Jetty in Devonport Dockyard. PAS Oilman moved from Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty to alongside RFA REGENT
12 February 1975 Captain Angus Paterson RFA appointed as Master
24 February 1975 at Glen Mallen
23 July 1975 Captain James McLoughlin RFA appointed as Master
22 December 1975 at Portland Dockyard
23 January 1976 anchored off Harstad together with HMS HERMES and RFA PLUMLEAF (2)
30 January 1976 berthed at Amsterdam
6 February 1976 sailed Amersterdam to Plymouth Sound arriving the next day
13 February 1976 sailed Plymouth Sound ‘C’ Buoy and RAS’ed with HMS BRISTOL
14 February 1976 on ‘C’ Buoy at Plymouth Sound
18 February 1976 sailed Plymouth Sound. Engines broke down and was towed back into Plymouth Sound
20 February 1976 towed to Number 1 Jetty, Devonport Dockyard for repairs
1 March 1976 on ‘C Buoy, Plymouth Sound
9 March 1976 sailed Plymouth Sound for sea trials to check out the ships engines returning to ‘C’ Buoy, Plymouth Sound
10 March 1976 sailed Plymouth Sound again
21 March 1976 again made fast to ‘C’ Buoy, Plymouth Sound
29 March 1976 sailed Plymouth Sound on West Atlantic deployment
1 April 1976 passing the Azores
2 April 1976 reversed course so the ships helicopter could deploy to a commercial ship to remove their Chief Cook with a suspected fractured skull for treatment in the Azores
10 April 1976 alongside at Mayport Florida with RFA OLMEDA. The USS Kalamazoo was the host ship
12 April 1976 sailed Mayport and had a Vertrep with HMS ARK ROYAL
13 April 1976 RAS’ed with RFA’s OLMEDA and RESOURSE and a Vertrep with HMS ARK ROYAL
14 April 1976 RAS’ed with RFA LYNESS
15 April 1976 berthed alongside in Fort Lauderdale
21 April 1976 sailed Fort Lauderdale sailing east
1 May 1976 arrived Plymouth Sound
3 May 1976 sailed Plymouth Sound and RAS’ed with HMS LONDON. Returned to Plymouth Sound
7 May 1976 sailed Plymouth Sound and anchored in Mounts Bay
8 May 1976 RAS’ed with HMS ANTRIM
9 May 1976 anchored in Cardigan Bay
11 May 1976 in Plymouth Sound
16 May 1976 sailed Plymouth Sound
19 May 1976 RAS’ed with HMS INTREPID
21 May 1976 alongside at Glen Douglas to de-store cargo prior to refit
16 June 1976 sailed Glen Douglas
18 June 1976 in Plymouth Sound
24 June 1976 sailed Plymouth Sound for exercises in the Atlantic returning to anchor on 30 June 1976 in Mounts Bay
2 July 1976 in Plymouth Sound on ‘D’ buoy
5 July 1976 berthed on number one wharf in Devonport Dockyard
6 July 1976 Captain James G M Coull RFA appointed as Master
9 July 1976 moved and anchored in Plymouth Sound sailing later in the day
11 July 1976 arrived at Harland & Wolff, Liverpool for refit
9 September 1976 RNAS 772 Squadron C Flight aboard
21 October 1976 at Liverpool
4 November 1976 at Plymouth
4 January 1977 at Plymouth
3 February 1977 Captain Gerald E B Harbombe RFA appointed as Master
9 February 1977 at Plymouth
5 April 1977 with RFA OLWEN (2) and RN units anchored at Marsaxlokk, Malta
7 April 1977 Captain James G M Coull RFA appointed as Master
1 July 1977 having sailed from Plymouth on passage across the Atlantic
2 July 1977 off Flores in the Azores
8 July 1977 off Grand Turk
11 July 1977 while on exercises off One Man Cay, Belize
13 July 1977 at Belize Anchorage with engines at 4hrs notice
14 July 1977 sailed from Belize Anchorage
15 July 1977 engines stopped north east of Sandbore Cay
19 July 1977 anchored at Belize anchorage
22 July 1977 anchored 2.2 nmiles off Robinson Point
26 July 1977 on passage to the Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown, Virginia
29 July 1977 berthed at the Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown, Virginia discharging cargo
1 August 1977 Assistant Steward Iain Douglas Blaikie discharged dead from a motor vehicle accident ashore. The ship sailed the Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown, Virginia
10 August 1977 secured to Buoy D at Plymouth Sound. Received 1,352 tons of bunkers and fresh water
11 August 1977 at Plymouth Sound received 48.3 tons of fresh water from PAS Waterfowl
PAS Waterfowl
15 August 1977 at Plymouth Sound received 133 tons of fresh water from PAS Waterfowl
23 August 1977 at Plymouth Sound received 70 tons of fresh water from PAS Waterfowl
29 August 1977 at Plymouth Sound received 98 tons of fresh water from PAS Waterfowl
31 August 1977 at Plymouth Sound received 109 tons of fresh water from PAS Waterfowl
9 September 1977 at Plymouth Sound received 125 tons of fresh water from PAS Waterfowl
15 September 1977 at Plymouth Sound received 202 tons of fresh water from PAS Waterfowl
17 September 1977 sailed Plymouth Sound
19 September 1977 off Cape St Vincent
20 September 1977 arrived in Gibraltar Bay
25 September 1977 off Pantelleria Island later anchored on the Hurd Bank to the east of Malta
4 December 1977 joined a RN & RAN Task Group sailing from Singapore to Western Australia together with HMS TIGER and RFA TIDEPOOL
8 December 1977 together with HMS TIGER and RFA TIDEPOOL and with HMAS STALWART berthed in Fremantle.
18 December 1977 RASed with HMAS SUPPLY
4 May 1978 at Plymouth
5 May 1978 at Plymouth
27 May 1978 berthed on the River Tyne
26 July 1978 Captain Gilbert P Overbury RFA appointed as Master
28 November 1978 and 29 November 1978 in the Mediterranean RASed with HMS ARK ROYAL receiving her ammunition prior to the aircraft carrier’s last commission ending
8 May 1979 along with RFA’s BLACK ROVER and OLMEDA sailed Portsmouth as part of Task Group 317.8 led by the guided missile destroyer HMS NORFOLK
3 July 1979 Captain James C Foster RFA appointed as Master
4 March 1980 at Southampton 1st Electrical Officer Brian Mulhulland RFA discharged dead having been electricuted
11 March 1980 the funeral took place at Southampton Crematorium of 1st Electrical Officer B Mulhulland RFA
17 June 1980 Captain James A D Bailey RFA appointed as Master
21 March 1981 berthed at Rosyth
April 1981 at Friedrickshaven
April 1981 deployed together with HMS’s BACCHANTE, HMS MINERVA and RFA PEARLEAF (2) on the Armilla Patrol
14 January 1982 Commodore Chief Engineer Officer George S Burnett RFA discharged dead
12 March 1982 at Wallsend, River Tyne
1 April 1982 at Rosyth
2 April 1982 sailed Rosyth for Glen Mallen Jetty
9 April 1982 sailed Glen Mallen Jetty for Plymouth Sound
12 April 1982 arrived at Plymouth Sound. Loaded 1,436 tons pf bunkers. RMAS KINTERBURY berthed alongside loading stores
16 April 1982 still at Plymouth Sound. Loaded a further 515 tons of bunkers
19 April 1982 sailed Plymouth Sound for service during Operation Corporate – the Falkland’s Conflict – with 2 x Wessex 5 helicopters from A Flight 848 NAS embarked
28 April 1982 RASed with RFA PLUMLEAF (2) at 3°30N 16°31W receiving 790 tons of bunker fuel
30 April 1982 anchored off Ascension Island
2 May 1982 sailed from Ascension Island
8 May 1982 entered the TEZ (Total Exclusion Zone) around the Falkland Islands
13 May 1982 RASed with HMS GLAMORGAN and VERTREP with HMS BRILLIANT
15 May 1982 received 249 tons of bunkers
18 May 1982 received 337 tons of bunkers
11 June 1982 anchored at King Edward Cove, South Georgia with STUFT ship m.v. Saxonia berthed alongside
12 June 1982 commenced loading cargo from STUFF ship m.v. Geestport
15 June 1982 sailed King Edward Cove, South Georgia
17 June 1982 returned to anchor at King Edward Cove, South Georgia. Loaded 828 tons of bunkers
RFA Regent at South Georgia during Operation Corporate
28 June 1982 sailed from South Georgia
10 July 1982 at anchor at Port William, Falkland Islands with STUFT ship m.v. Avelona Star berthed alongside
11 July 1982 at anchor at Port William, Falkland Islands with STUFT ship m.v. Lycaon berthed alongside
12 July 1982 at anchor at Port William, Falkland Islands with STUFT ship m.v. Geestport berthed alongside to port
13 July 1982 sailed from Port William, Falkland Islands
RFA Regent at the Falkland Islands
31 July 1982 at anchor at Port William, Falkland Islands
2 August 1982 at anchor at Port William, Falkland Islands with STUFT ship m.v. Geestport berthed alongside
3 August 1982 at anchor at Port William, Falkland Islands with RMAS TYPHOON berthed alongside
5 August 1982 at anchor at Port William, Falkland Islands with STUFT ship m.v. Wimpy Seahorse berthed alongside
7 August 1982 at anchor at Port William, Falkland Islands with STUFT ship m.v. Avelona Star berthed alongside
8 August 1982 sailed Port William, Falkland Islands
21 August 1982 at anchor in Berkeley Sound, Falkland Islands
23 August 1982 at anchor at San Carlos Water, Falkland Islands with RFA FORT GRANGE berthed alongside
24 August 1982 received 238 tons of bunker. Sailed San Carlos Water, Falkland Island for Ascension Island
2 September 1982 anchored off Ascension Island. Received 849 tons of bunkers before sailing for the UK
15 September 1982 secured to No. 3 buoy, Firth of Forth on completion of Operation Corporate duties
17 September 1982 at Rosyth Captain James C Foster RFA appointed as Master
September 1982 Captain Archie E T Hunter RFA in command
24 September 1982 sailed No. 3 buoy, Firth of Forth for Plymouth Sound
27 September 1982 secured to D Buoy, Plymouth Sound
23 December 1982 Wessex HU5 helicopter no: XS516 – on ships flight, marked with Playboy bunny motif
11 January 1983 at Rosyth
25 May 1983 at Rosyth
2 August 1983 at Rosyth
19 August 1983 at Rosyth
18 January 1984 at Singapore
25 January 1984 humanitarian aid – along with RFA OLMEDA she transported their doctors across to the container ship KOWLOON BAY and transferred a patient back to RFA REGENT
17 April 1984 at Portland
3 July 1984 at the River Tyne
10 September 1984 Captain Rex A Cooper RFA appointed as Master
20 December 1984 was presented with her Falkland Islands 1982 Battle Honour at Rosyth by Rear Admiral J Burgess LVO, Port Admiral
11 May 1985 Wessex HU5 helicopter no: XS511 – returned from Ascension Is to UK in ship
3 June 1985 at Plymouth
25 June 1985 at Rosyth. Captain John D Roddis RFA appointed as Master
18 August 1985 at Gibraltar
18 December 1985 at Glen Douglas
3 June 1986 Captain Roy B Mathews RFA appointed as Master at Belfast
12 August 1987 sailed Rosyth for Operation Cimnel – mine clearance operations in the Persian Gulf area
18 May 1988 Captain Peter J Lannin RFA appointed as Master
Captain Peter J Lannin RFA
26 May 1988 Captain A E T Hunter RFA appointed as Master
9 June 1988 Captain Peter J Lannin RFA appointed as Master
14 October 1988 back-RASed with HMS SOUTHAMPTON’s Naval Armanent stores
27 February 1989 Captain J D Roddis RFA appointed as Master
6 September 1989 while in layup Chief Officer David M Gerrard RFA appointed as Master
22 February 1990 Captain ?? Wright RFA appointed as Master
13 March 1990 at North Shields. Captain Alan T Roach RFA appointed as Master
Captain Alan T Roach RFA
14 March 1990 Captain Alan A Roach RFA appointed as Master
29 August 1990 berthed at Glen Mallan
7 September 1990 at Rosyth and Captain Rex A Cooper RFA appointed as Master
7 January 1991 along with RFA OLMEDA, was allocated to the HMS ARK ROYAL Group following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait
8 January 1991 at Plymouth
10 January 1991 sailed UK for service during Operation Granby – the Gulf War – in company with RFA OLMEDA, the carrier HMS ARK ROYAL and the frigate HMS SHEFFIELD
2 March 1991 at Naples
12 June 1992 Captain C A Mitchell RFA appointed as Master
5 July 1992 at Plymouth
October 1992 on the Disposal List at Devonport
6 November 1992 at Glen Mallen
6 January 1993 arrived at Plymouth
15 January 1993 purchased for £870,000 by Treusha Investments Ltd, Singapore and renamed SHAHZADELAL for the delivery run to Indian ship breakers
21 Janury 1993 sailed Devonport under her own power at a speed of 8 knots to conserve fuel and with a crew of just 14
19 February 1993 arrived Alang for demolition
Notes
1. Locations kindly provided by Bosun George Collings RFA (Retired) from his Discharge Book
Ships of the same name
Regent. Brig of 350 bm, 97 x 29 feet, armed with 10 x 12 pdr carronade, 2 x 9 pdr, 2 x 6 pdr. Purchased in 1816. Transferred to the revenue service in 1831.
Regent. “S” class submarine of 1,475 tons, 260 x 30 feet, built by Vickers Armstrong, Barrow and launched on the 11 June 1930. Sunk by a mine in the Taranto Strait on the 16 April 1943.
Battle Honours for this Vessel: MEDITERRANEAN 1940-41