Subsequent name: Overbrook
Official Number: 216157
Class: One of 4 American-ordered LEAF
Pennant No:
Laid down:
Builder: Merchant Shipbuilding, Chester, Pennsylvania
Launched: 17 November 1917
Into Service: Never entered service as an RFA
Out of service:
Fate: 26 April 1928 destroyed by explosion
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background: – In 1917 the Admiralty ordered a further four tankers from the Chester Shipbuilding Co, which later became known as the Merchant Shipbuilding Corporation , Chester, Pa and these were to have been named SPRINGLEAF, SUMMERLEAF, AUTUMNLEAF and WINTERLEAF. All four were however taken over whilst building and were completed for the United States Shipping Board. Their subsequent careers have been researched purely as a matter of interest
17 November 1917 launched by Chester Shipbulding Co, Chester, Pa as Yard Nr: 341
April 1918 completed as OVERBROOK for the USSB (Emergency Fleet Corporation)
23 April 1920 while at anchor in fog was hit by the freighter Jamestown of the Old Dominion Line off Robins Reef in Lower Bay, New York. Hit amidships and holed above and below the water line. She began to settle but managed to steam to shallow water off Tompkinsville, Staten Island where she was beached (details from the New York Tribune, 24/4/1920)
26 April 1928 while on passage from Texas City to New York with a cargo of 70,000 barrels of crude oil, she suffered an explosion and subsequent fire. The 34 members of the crew abandoned ship and the ship was taken in tow but sank off the coast of Florida in position 28.55N 79.30W. The ship was under charter to Standard Oil Company of New Jersey from the Gladstone Transportation Company
Press report from The Evening Independent of 26 April 1928
Notes:
1. Ordered by the Admiralty as an RFA but taken over by the US on or shortly before launch. Never served at sea as a Royal Fleet Auxiliary.