RFA Sparkler after her sale in 1957 and being renamed Alfred Lamey

Previous name:                     
Subsequent name:               Alfred Lamey, Marie Lamey    

Official Number:                   167522                                               

Class:                                    Miscellaneous Harbour Tug

Pennant No:                          A504

Laid down:
Builder:                                  Yarwood, Northwich
Launched:                             19 February 1940
Into Service:                          25 May 1940

Base Port:                              Londonderry
Out of service:                       11 June 1957 sold commercially

Fate:                                        Broken up     

Items of historic interest involving this ship: –

Background Data:  There were a number of vessels which fell into the category of Miscellaneous Harbour Tugs which all belonged to different Classes and which were based at various Naval Bases for general duties

19 February 1940 Launched by W. J. Yarwood & Sons (1938) Ltd, Northwich as Yard Nr 625 and named SPARKLER

25 May 1940 completed

1941 based at Loch Alsh

10 September 1941 deployed to tow HMS BARDALE after the later had been refloated to Fladda Chauin with the Dutch tug Hector – source Admiralty War Diary

3 June 1949 vide AFO 1872/49 allocated to Londonderry as her Base Port

2 October 1953 grounded along with RFA EMPIRE DEMON when attending the French Steamer Formigny – also grounded – on a mud bank at Londonderry by the Aberfoyle Light

ss Formigny

3 October 1953 all three vessel refloated undamaged

13 April 1955 the Shields Daily News reported …

2 July 1955 was replaced at Londonderry at the shore base HMS FERRET by RFA EMPIRE FRED

8 April 1957 advertised for sale in the Times newspaper “as lying” at Londonderry

11 June 1957 sold to J H Larney, Liverpool and renamed ALFRED LAMEY

1966 renamed MARIE LAMEY by her owners

1967 purchased by Northern Slipway Co Ltd, Dublin then resold

16 August 1967 arrived Troon for breaking up by West of Scotland Shipbreaking Co Ltd. 

29 December 1967 work commenced

12 February 1968 hulk was beached

26 August 1968 breaking up completed