Previous name:
Subsequent name:                   Avondale, Tracy Brothers, Chas.Kurz  

Official Number:                       216824                                                  

Class:                                      One of 4 American-ordered LEAF

Pennant No:

Laid down:
Builder:                                    Merchant Shipbuilding, Chester, Pennsylvania
Launched:                               16 March 1918
Into Service:                            Never served as an RFA
Out of service:
Fate:                                       Broken up at Nappa March 1948

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

16 March 1918 launched by Chester Shipbuilding Co, Chester, Pa as Yard Nr 342

June 1918 completed as AVONDALE for the USSB (Emergency Fleet Corporation)

17 March 1919 berthed at Philadelphia from Rouen

13 June 1919 sailed Philadelphia for Pablo Blanca

21 October 1919 sailed New York for Greenock, River Clyde

2 November 1919 in a radio call received at Halifax called for assistance with a total engine breakdown while on passage from New York to Greenock

6 January 1920 arrived at Greenock from New York

27 January 1920 arrived at St Michaels and sailed later the same day for New York

12 February 1920 while on passage from Greenock, River Clyde to New York radioed for assistance after her engines broke down while 500 miles off Sandy Hook. Taken in tow by the ss Eclipse which reported they were 350 miles off Virginia Capes – reported in the Evening World newspaper, New York

14 February 1920 the US Coast Guard Cutter Seneca sailed to assist the Avondale – reported in the New York Tribune newspaper

1925 purchased by M & J Tracy Inc, New York and renamed TRACY BROTHERS

5 January 1926 berthed at the Port of Boston

1933 purchased by Pensilvania Tankers Inc (Paco Shipping Co, Managers) Philidelphia and renamed CHAS KURZ

5 January 1940 sailed Houston

24 January 1940 sailed Houston

15 April 1940 sailed Houston

9 November 1941 sailed Houston

1943 acquired by the U.S. War Shipping Administration, name unchanged

1946 transferred to the U.S. Maritime Commission

March 1948 scrapped at Napa

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.