Official Number: N/A
Class: TRINCULO Class Dockyard Mooring Vessel
Pennant No: X69
Laid down:
Builder: William Simons & Co., Renfrew
Launched: 30 March 1916
Into Service: 18 April 1916
Out of service: 17 July 1940
Fate: Mined and sunk
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data:
Some official lists, marked as “Lists of RFA’s” show vessels which spent some time as RFA’s during the First World War. These records are extremely sketchy and some of these vessels were “Yard Craft”, partially or wholly Dockyard manned, partly by RNR or Reserve Fleet personnel. Some of the Depot Ships staffed by skilled civilian Dockyard workers were for a time White Ensign. The Director of Stores was understood to be concerned with their manning and operationally they remained under Admiralty control.
Career Data:
6 March 1916 Engineer Lieutenant Charles H Thirkell RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
7 March 1916 Lieutenant William D Brymer RNR appointed as Commanding Officer
30 March 1916 launched by Wm Simons & Co, Renfrew as Yard Nr: 571 named STEADY
18 April 1916 completed
9 June 1917 and 10 June 1917 involved with HM Tug Enterprise, Motor Lighter X23 and working parties in the salvage of ss Mahopac. Salvage money awarded and paid – London Gazette 20 June 1919 page 7829 refers. Ss Mahopac owned by the Atlantic Transport Line (the same owners as RFA MAINE (1)) was torpedoed and damaged by the German U-Boat UB40 in position 50°44N 00°12W while on passage from London to Philadelphia with a general cargo. She was beached and then refloated by those salvaging her.
12 December 1917 to 14 December 1917 involved with HMS’s MAGNET and SEAHORSE, HM Tugs Pert, Sprite, Swarthy, Grappler and Enterprise, Motor Lighter X23, X73 and X134 and working parties from RN Barracks, Portsmouth in the salvage of ss La Perouse. Salvage money awarded and paid – London Gazette 16 January 1920 page 721 refers
Between 5 March 1918 and 7 March 1918 involved with HMS’s URE and SEAHORSE, HM Yacht MAID OF HONOUR, HM Tugs Grappler, Enterprise, Sprite and Swarthy and working parties in the salvage of ss Clan Mackenzie. Salvage money awarded and paid – London Gazette 12 December 1919 page 15482 refers. Ss Clan Mackenzie had been torpedoed and damged on 5 March 1918 off St. Catherine’s Point while on passage from Liverpool with the loss of six lives. She was beached then salavaged and taken to Southampton for repairs to be undertaken
March 1918 Lieutenant William D Brymer RNR in command
24 March 1918 the British steamer War Knight turned and crashed into the side of the ss O B Jennings causing a massive explosion killing 3 of the crew of the War Knight. The ss O B Jennings was towed into Sandown Bay where she continued to burn for 10 days. RFA Steady sailed from Portsmouth to provide salvage assistance under the direction of the Salvage Officer. ss O B Jennings was then finally torpedoed and sunk by friendly fire. The ship was later refloated and returned to service.
ss War Knight and ss O B Jennings after their collision
25 March 1918 at Sandown Bay towed ss Petingaudet to Stokes Bay
26 March 1918 providing salvage assistance to ss O B Jennings which was still on fire at Sandown Bay
27 March 1918 sailed to provide salvage assistance to ss O B Jennings which was still on fire at Sandown Bay but the sea was to rough to go alongside her
28 March 1918 ss O B Jennings was still on fire at Sandown Bay
Between 24 March and 29 March 1918 involved with HM Tugs Enterprise, Pert and Grappler and working parties in the salvage of ss Petingaudet. Salvage money awarded and paid – London Gazette 14 December 1920 page 12299 refers. On 24 March 1918 the ss Petingaudet was in collision with HM Hospital Ship Warilda when the Hospital Ship was on passage from Le Harve to Southampton with patients. In a subsequent case before the Admiralty Division of the High Court and confirmed by the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords the collision was due to the negligent navigation of the Hospital Ship
30 March 1918 anchored off ss O B Jennings which was still on fire at Sandown Bay
31 March 1918 attended to provide salvage assistance to ss India in Stokes Bay
1 April 1918 secured alongside at Portsmouth Harbour
2 April 1918 to 4 April 1918 anchored off ss O B Jennings and providing salvage assistance under the direction of the Salvage Officer
5 April 1918 berthed alongside Fountain Lake Jetty, Portsmouth
6 April 1918 anchored off ss O B Jennings and providing salvage assistance under the direction of the Salvage Officer
7 April 1918 anchored off ss O B Jennings and providing salvage assistance under the direction of the Salvage Officer then berthed alongside Fountain Lake Jetty, Portsmouth
8 April 1918 to 13 April 1918 anchored off ss O B Jennings and providing salvage assistance under the direction of the Salvage Officer
14 April 1918 due to bad weather salvage assistance ceased and so berthed alongside Fountain Lake Jetty, Portsmouth
15 April 1918 berthed alongside Fountain Lake Jetty, Portsmouth
16 April 1918 anchored off ss O B Jennings and providing salvage assistance under the direction of the Salvage Officer also commenced towing ss O B Jennings
17 April 1918 towed ss O B Jennings further, anchored her and returned to alongside Fountain Lake Jetty, Portsmouth
Between 11 May 1918 and 17 May 1918 involved with HM Tugs Enterprise, Pert and Sprite and working parties in the salvage of ss Fir Tree. Salvage money awarded and paid – London Gazette 31 August 1920 page 8872 refers
4 April 1931 at Portsmouth Harbour Stoker Samuel Charles Groves discharged dead having fallen into the harbour and drowned
17 April 1931 the Hampshire Telegraph and Post reported –
28 June 1932 the Scotsman Newspaper reported –
18 August 1933 the Portsmouth Evening News reported –
17 July 1940 mined off Newhaven, broke in two and sank in shallow water in position 50°46.45 N 00°03.45 E with six of the crew being killed
15 October 1942 wreck sold for demolition in situ.
Notes:
Her sisterships were ANCHORITE, BUFFALO, MESSENGER and VOLENS.