RFA Sunhill before RFA service as General Havelock
Previous name: General Havelock, Kennet
Subsequent name:
Official Number: 104354
Class: Accommodation Ship
Pennant No:
Signal Letters: NVST
Laid down:
Builder: Messrs J Laing , Sunderland
Launched: 25 May 1895
Into Service: 1916
Out of service: 20 June 1920
Fate: 1928 broken up at Inverkeithing
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
25 May 1895 launched by Messrs J Laing, Sunderland as Yard Nr: 541 named GENERAL HAVELOCK for Messrs R.M. Hudson & Sons, Sunderland
27 May 1895 the Newcastle Daily Chronicle newspaper reported –
July 1895 completed
14 September 1895 sailed Sunderland to Shadwell Basin, London – sailing advertised in the North Eastern Daily Gazette
17 May 1896 sailed Sunderland for London
26 July 1896 involved in a collision at South Docks, Sunderland with the ss County Durham, a collier. The ss County Durham sank and damage was caused to the General Havelock’s bows. No injuries or fatalities
27 July 1896 the South Shields Daily Gazette reported the collision (see above) thus –
4 November 1896 sailed the River Tyne for Portsmouth
26 June 1897 sailed Southampton Docks with passengers to view the Royal Naval Review at Spithead – the Company contracted to provide catering for the 290 passengers was not paid and litigation followed in the High Court on 30 April 1898.
24 October 1897 grounded while on passage up the River Thames in foggy weather. Refloated within 2 hours
12 November 1898 sailed Sunderland for London – delayed by fog
20 November 1899 while on passage up the River Thames off Rainham was in collision with the ss Fishren of Manchester causing damage to both vessel. Both ships continued up River.
1901 purchased by Royal Mail Steam Packet Co, London and renamed KENNET
16 April 1911 sailed Aberdeen for Methil
22 June 1911 berthed at Dundee from Riga
23 June 1911 at Dundee firemen and sailors gave notice and left the ship in an industrial dispute shortly before it was due to sail to Archangel
26 June 1911 at Dundee in furtherance of the industrial action the engine room crew refused to operate the engines astern when the ship was being moved to the coal berth. The ship sailed later in the day with only half of the normal crew to Leith Roads and then onto Archangel
20 October 1911 sailed Methil for Libau
8 February 1912 sailed Dundee for Methil
1915 purchased by Sun Shipping Co Ltd (Mitchell, Cotts & Co, Managers) London and renamed SUNHILL
23 September 1915 chartered by the Admiralty for use as an Accommodation Ship
10 June 1916 Lieutenant Ernest H Clarke RNR appointed in command
18 June 1916 Engineer Lieutenant Stephen Carter RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
6 March 1917 the Yorkshire Post newspaper reported –
29 September 1917 Fireman Edward Carney MMR discharged dead. He is buried in Haslar Naval Cemetery in Area B, Row 33, Grave 5
1 July 1918 Able Seaman T G Rodway RNVR discharged dead. He is buried in Normanton Upper Cemetery in grave L 9 12
8 August 1918 Rigger Murdo Macleod MMR and Diver George Precious OBE MMR both discharged dead. They are buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France
30 August 1918 Junior Officer Alfred Nash RFA appeared before a court martial charged with desertion The charge was found proved. He was adjudged to be dismissed his ship and severely reprimanded
23 September 1918 Engineer Sub Lieutenant William Brown RNR appeared before a court martial charged with being drunk on shore The accused pleaded guily. He was adjudged to be dismissed his ship and severely reprimanded
26 November 1918 Assistant Motor Engineer Sydney Christie MMR discharged dead. He is buried in Bedford Cemetery, Foster Hill Road, Bedford in Grave E/3.17
December 1918 was being used an ‘accommodation’ ship with the following officer being borne
image courtesy British War Graves
2 June 1919 Engineer Sub Lieutenant Alfred Ernest Oakley RNR discharged dead – cardiac failure – he is buried in Dalmeny and Queensferry Cemetery, West Lothian, Scotland in plot 439
2 July 1919 berthed at Albert Dock, Hull
14 July 1919 2nd Mate Harry S F Turnbull MMR appeared before a court martial charged with (a) drunk on board (b) Guilty of conduct unbecoming the character of an officer in sleeping in a bunk with a Third Engineer MMR. Pleaded guilty to the first charge and the second charge was found proved. He was adjudged to be dismissed from His Majesty’s Service. The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty were pleased to annul the sentence on the ground that the Court had no jurisdiction to try the second charge
2nd Mate Harry S F Turnbull MMR
18 July 1919 3rd Engineer Henry Gregory MMR appeared before a court martial charged with being guilty of conduct unbecoming the character of an officer in sleeping in a bunk with a Second Mate MMR. The charge was found not proved and the defendant was acquitted. . The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty were pleased to annul the proceedings on the ground that the Court had no jurisdiction
26 July 1919 Boatswain W J Harvey MMR 502056 discharged dead He is buried in Sunderland (Ryhope Road) Cemetery, Co Durham in grave 6. A. 8013. C
Courtesy and © of The War Graves Photographic Project
3 September 1919 Mr Henry A Lang RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
25 October 1919 Captain Graham G Deuchar DSC RFA appointed as Master
19 February 1920 Mr Frederick C Pavitt RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
20 June 1920 decommissioned at Portsmouth
June 1920 returned to owners
12 August 1920 arrived at Victoria Dock, Hull
June 1928 sold for £20000 to T.W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking up