“RFA” Surf Pilot
Previous name: Kuroshio Maru, Yung Hao, HMS Yung Hao
Official Number: 45674 as YUNG HAO
Laid down: 21 January 1938
Builder: Harima Zosensho KK, Harima, Tokyo
Launched: 8 December 1938
Into Service: Never entered RFA service
Out of service:
Fate: March 1960 – broken up (but see below)
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: Two sister ships in this Class (RFA Surf Patrol and RFA Surf Pioneer) were originally ordered by Polish owners and both were commandeered by the Admiralty during the Korean War. They were initially used mainly for charter work, then carried Admiralty cargoes for a short while before being placed in reserve. There was to have been a third ship in this Class, to have been named SURF PILOT, which was also requisitioned by the Admiralty during the Korean War to prevent her being used by the Communists. She however commissioned instead as a tender to HMS TERROR at Singapore, before being laid up in very poor condition and she was never used by the RFA
21 January 1938 laid down
8 December 1938 launched
28 February 1939 completed by Harima Zosensho KK, Harima as Yard Nr 264 named KUROSHIO MARU for Tyugai Kaiun KK, Tokyo or Chigai Kisen KK, Tokyo
15 August 1941 requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy
22 August 1941 undergoes conversion at Tama Zosen shipyard
5 September 1941 registered as an auxiliary oil transport in the Sasebo Naval District
17 October 1941 completes conversion. Later, attached to the Combined Fleet
30 November 1941 sails Sasebo
5 December 1941 arrived at Sana, Hainan Island
6 December 1941 sailed from Sana
7 Dece,ber 1941 arrived at Camranh Bay sailing later the same day
8 December 1941 at Pulau Condore Island, Indochina on replenishment duty
13 December 1941 arrived at Camranh Bay
14 December 1941 sailed from Mako
28 December 1941 arrives at Mako
5 January 1942 sails Mako
10 January 1942 arrives at Davao
15 January 1942 at Davao refuelling the destroyer Ikazuchi with 87 tons of FFO. Supplies stores and bunkers to the oiler Naruto and the destroyer Arashio
10 February 1942 sails from Davao for Sasebo
16 February 1942 berths Sasebo, then to Kawasaki shipbuilding, Kobe. Undergoes refit . Assigned to the Ministery of the Navy
30 March 1942 Imperial Japanese Navy charter is terminated. Chartered by the Imperial Japanese Army Later enters dock at Harima ZoseC
September 1942 employed on feeder service for Imperial Japanese Army between Singapore and Sumatra
18 December 1942 sails Saeki in Transportation Movement No. 8
10 January 1943 arrives at Rabaul
5 March 1943 at anchor at Palembang
7 March 1943 sails Palembang
9 March 1943 berths at Singapore
19 March 1943 arrives at Palembang probably from Singapore accompanied by tanker KIKUSUI MARU
18 April 1943 arrives at Palembang
21 April 1943 sails Palembang
22 April 1943 berthed at Singapore
1943 ownership transferred to Towa Kisen K.K
15 June 1943 sails Sasebo
18 June 1943 at Takao
4 July 1943 sails Singapore in convoy No. 615 escorted and consisting of KUROSHIO, KINUGASA, KIRISHIMA, OMUROSAN, TEIKO, KACHIDOKI, AKI and MIIKE MARUs
5 July 1943 at Miri, Borneo
6 July 1943 at St Jacques, Indochina sailing the next day
11 July 1943 at Mako; sails the day and arrives at Takao
17 July 1943 at Ujina. Later docked for repairs by Hitachi Zosen
27 December 1943 sails Osaka
28 December 1943 at Iwakuni. Loads 12 aircraft on board and sails to Iwakuni
29 December 1943 arrives at Moji. Loads troops and military cargo
31 December 1943 sails Moji in convoy HI-29 escorted by kaibokan SADO
4 January 1944 convoy HI-29 arrives at Takao
6 January 1944 convoy HI-29 sails to Manila
9 January 1944 convoy HI-29 arrives at Manila
10 January 1944 sails Manila
16 January 1944 berths at Singapore. Loads amphibious troops and military cargo, and 16,000 cubic liters of crude oil
25 January 1944 sails Singapore for Moji in convoy HI-32 escorted by escort carrier CHITOSE and destroyer YUKIKAZE
4 February 1944 berths at Moji and loads water
5 February 1944 berths at Omishima. Discharges 16,000 cubic liters crude oil and 3000 cubic liters of fuel oil
7 February 1944 sails Omishima
8 February 1944 berths at Iwakuni. Loads 3,000 cubic liters of fuel oil and 10 aircraft
11 February 1944 sails Iwakuni for Moji
16 February 1944 sails Moji for Singapore in convoy HI-45 escorted by destroyer SHIOKAZE.
21 February 1944 suffers engine trouble and is detached for Takao, Formosa
28 February 1944 sails Takao in convoy HI-47 escorted by Kaibokan ETOROFU, SADO and IKI
5 March 1944 berths at Singapore and loads amphibious troops and military cargo, and 16,500 cubic liters of crude oil
11 March 1944 sails Singapore for Moji in convoy HI-48 escorted by kaibokan MIYAKE, SHIMUSHU and IKI
14 March 1944 berths at Van Phong Bay, French Indochina
15 March 1944 sails Van Phong Bay – suffers an engine breakdown and has to put into St Jacques
20 March 1944 sails St Jacques
24 March 1944 berths at Manila
27 March 1944 sails Manila
30 March 1944 berths at Takao and loads water
1 April 1944 sails Takao
2 April 1944 arrives at Mako
4 April 1944 sails Mako as part of convoy HI-50 escorted by destroyer SHIOKAZE and Kaibokan SADO
8 April 1944 berths at Iwakuni (Marifu refinery). Discharges 16,500 cubic liters of crude oil
12 April 1944 sails Iwakuni (Marifu)
14 April 1944 berthed at Omishima. Loads 3500 cubic litres of fuel oil
15 April 1944 sails Omishima and arrived at Iwakuni the same day. Loads 3500 cubic litres of fuel oil
18 April 1944 sails Iwakuni and berths at Kobe the same day
9 July 1944 refit completed – undocked. Sails Kobe and arrives at Iwakuni
10 July 1944 loads 10 aircraft and 300 tons of aircraft spares
12 July 1944 sails Iwakuni and arrives at Moji and loads 3,000 drums and embarks 483 IJA soldiers
13 July 1944 sails Moji for Singapore in convoy HI-69 escorted by escort carriers TAIYO and KAIYO, light cruiser KASHII and kaibokan CHIBURI, SADO, CD-7 and CD-17. TAIYO and KAIYO are loaded with aircraft for Luzon. SHINYO conducts air patrols
20 July 1944 berthed at Manila
25 July 1944 sails Manila for Singapore in HI-69 escorted by escort carrier SHINYO, light cruiser KASHII and kaibokan CHIBURI, SADO, CD-7, CD-9, CD-13 and CD-17
31 July 1944 berthed at Singapore and loads 14,590 cubic litres of fuel oil
4 August 1944 sails Singapore for Moji in convoy HI-70 escorted by escort carrier SHINYO, light cruiser KASHII, destroyer SHIMOTSUKI and kaibokan CHIBURI, SADO, CD-13 and CD-19
15 August 1944 berthed at Moji and discharges cargo
19 August 1944 sails Moji
20 August 1944 berthed at Iwakuni. Loads 8 aircraft and military equipment. The same day, sails Iwakuni and arrives at Ujina. Loads water
21 August 1944 sails Ujina
22 August 1944 berthed at Moji. Loads 250 tons of cement and 380 passengers
25 August 1944 sails Moji for Singapore in convoy HI-73 escorted by escort carrier UNYO, light cruiser KASHII and kaibokan CHIBURI, CD-1, CD-13, CD-19, CD-21 and CD-27. she carries 47 passengers
30 August 1944 berths at Takao, Formosa. apparently with engine trouble
14 September 1944 sails for Singapore with other ships escorted by escort carrier SHINYO, flying boat tender AKITSUSHIMA, DesDiv 30’s YUZUKI and UZUKI and kaibokan KANJU, MIYAKE and MANJU
20 September 1944 suffer engine problems, but the convoy remains intact
22 September 1944 berths at Singapore and loads 12,000 tons of oil, materials and troops
2 October 1944 sails Singapore for Moji in convoy HI-76 escorted by escort carrier SHINYO and kaibokan DAITO, KANJU, MANJU, MIYAKE, KURAHASHI, CD-9 and CD-28 and torpedo boat HIYODORI
10 October 1944 after receiving reports of an American task force striking Okinawa, convoy HI-76 diverts to Samah, Hainan Island
11 October 1944 arrives at Samah
18 October 1944 the convoy now escorted by escort carrier SHINYO and kaibokan KANJU, CD-8 and CD-32
21 October 1944 sails Mako for Moji
11 November 1944 at Singapore which suffered Allied air attacks – loads 11,500 tons of crude oil and 2,000 tons of machine oil
17 November 1944 sails Singapore in convoy HI-80 escorted by light cruiser KASHII (F), with Rear Admiral Yoshitomi Setsuzo, C-in-C, 5th Escort Group embarked, kaibokan MANJU, NOMI, KASADO, MIYAKE, UKURU, CD-17, CD-23 and CD-51 and minelayer NIIZAKI
4 December 1944 convoy HI-80 arrives at Sasebo and later at Moji
7 December 1944 sails Moji
11 December 1944 berthed at Kobe and later that day at Hikoshima
12 December 1944 enters dock at Kawasaki Heavy Industries for engine repairs
26 December 1944 undocked
27 December 1944 sails Kobe
31 December 1944 sails Moji in convoy HI-87 on the first part of its route via Formosa to Hong Kong and Singapore escorted by destroyers YUKIKAZE, SHIGURE, HATAKAZE and DesDiv17’s HAMAKAZE and ISOKAZE and kaibokan MIKURA, YASHIRO, KURAHASHI and CD-13. Light carrier RYUHO provides air cover
3 January 1945 the convoy anchors temporarily in the Chusan Islands group because of the threat of air attacks on Formosa
5 January 1945 convoy HI-87 departs the Chusan Islands anchorage
9 January 1945 sunk by US carrier-based aircraft at 22°00N, 120°05E in Takao harbour
1 May 1945 removed from the Army List
1946 salvaged and repaired
1947 allocated as a Prize to China for operation by China Merchants Steam Navigation Co, Shanghai. Repaired and rebuilt by Hong Kong & Whampoa Dockyard under ownership of China Tanker Co Ltd
1950 re-entered service named YUNG HAO for the above owners although she was claimed by the People’s Republic of China
12 March 1951 Hong Kong Government holds an emergency Cabinet meeting concering this ship.
16 March 1951 Communist Chinese People’s Government Minister for Communications declare that this ship is their property and the British Government would be held accountable for any interference in her movements. The CIA top secret report and cleared for public viewing on 3 January 2002 comments that the ship was manned by a Communist crew and had previously made an unauthorised attempt to sail from Hong Kong and had been detained by the British authorities. A nominal fine had been paid.
12 April 1951 Yung Hao, was requisitioned in Hong Kong to prevent her being used by the Communists by order from the Governor of Hong Kong. Acting on the requisition order the Dockyard Police boarded her – Operation Winkle. The Dockyard Tug Freedom berthed alongside the tanker at 12.02pm The crew and Captain W Y Tsoo offered no resistance. By 1.31pm the crew had packed their possesions and the Chinese flag was lowered by the Deputy Superintendent of the Marine Police. At 2.03pm the crew were leaving the ship. At 2.10pm a Royal Navy Passage crew had boarded the ship. At 3.45pm the Marine Police were clear of the vessel
reported in The Mercury newspaper, Tasmania
13 April 1951 she was found to be missing parts of her main engine preventing her sailing under her own power so she was towed to Singapore by RFA SALVALOUR under escort by HMS CHARITY. At 7.15am under way while under tow. At 7.30am was clear of the Harbour. At 10.50am the ocean tow commenced. At 2.15pm the Yung Hao was clear of Colonial waters. During the tow the SALVALOUR and HMS CHARITY were RAS’ed by RFA BROWN RANGER
HMS CHARITY
13 April 1951 subject to questions being asked in the UK Parliament (reported in Hansard) – the vessel had been seized on directions of the Governor of Hong Kong. It was reported that had the vessel been released it might well have been of assistance to the Chinese and North Korean troops by carrying oil in furtherance of the Korean campaign in which they are fighting the United Nations, including British Forces. In view of the security risks to our own and other United Nations Forces it was important, therefore, not to allow the vessel to proceed to China. The Governor of Hong Kong had power simply to detain the vessel or alternatively to requisition it. In view of our own requirements he decided to requisition
19 April 1951 The Newcastle Sun, an Australia newspaper reported …
24 April 1951 arrived Singapore where it was reported that she was to be made fit to proceed to the UK for eventual service as as a RFA Station Tanker to be renamed SURF PILOT
9 May 1951 instead she was commissioned as tender to HMS TERROR for service in Singapore. It was planned for her to sail to Trincomalee, Ceylon with a load a cargo of FFO and be commissioned as HMS YUNG HAO to facilitate her passage through the Suez Canal to Portsmouth. Her initial crew was 7 Officers and 71 ratings. Discussion in London were underway for the ship to be renamed as SURF PILOT and possibly be run taken over by the RFA
16 May 1951 sailed Singapore for sea trials. Due to an engine defect off Changi towed back to Singapore Dockyard by three tugs
23 May 1951 sailed Singapore on her 2nd sea trial. Due to her engine bearings over heating off Changi she was towed back to Singapore Dockyard
29 May 1951 sailed Singapore on her 3rd sea trials which were largely successful
31 May 1951 sailed Singapore for Trincomalee, Ceylon but suffered an engine defect off Ponggol Point and returned to Singapore Dockyard
3 June 1951 sailed Singapore initally for Penang at 7 knots
4 June 1951 suffered an engine defect and anchored off Tanjong Tohor – the defect was repaired
5 June 1951 sailed
6 June 1951 suffered a further engine defect and anchored NW of Port Swettenham
10 June 1951 sailed from her anchorage in the company of the Admiralty tug Enigma but suffered further engine defects resulting in her being towed back to Singapore Dockyard
Admiralty tug Enigma
3 July 1951 after reducing the crew to care and maintenance the remainder were returned home on the SS Empire Halladale
SS Empire Halladale
1958 her future was listed as “under consideration“
March 1960 was scuttled off the coast of Malaya at 2°33′N 104°40′E
5 June 1987 an agreement between the British Government and the Government of the People’s Republic of China was signed in Beijing, part of which dealt with mutual historical property claims relative to various matters including the requisitioning of the tanker Yung Hao. The agreement reached a final and comprehensive settlement of all claims between the two countries.
21 October 2011 reported that the ship had, in fact, been sunk off Pulau Aur, Malaysia and is currently being dived on by social divers
Enquiries into this continue at the National Archives – TNA050075135