Reproduced with permission of the MOD

Official Number:                     186278                                                              

Class:                                     Tide Class Fleet Replenishment Tanker

Pennant No:                            A96

Laid down:                               2 June 1953
Builder:                                    Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Wallsend

Launched:                               2 June 1954
Into Service:                            30 August 1955
Out of service:                         March 1978 – laid up at Portsmouth.

Fate:                                        Broken up

Items of historic interest involving this ship: –

Background Data:  The four ships in this Class were the first Admiralty-designed purpose-built Fleet replenishment tankers intended for enduring front-line support. They evolved from the valuable practical experience gained from HMS BULAWAYO, RFA OLNA (2) and from a number of the WAVE CLASS tankers. Their forward defensive armament fit was a gun platform designed to carry a 4-inch gun and it’s director. Single 20mm Oerlikon mounts were fitted to both bridge wings and twin 40mm Bofors, together with their directors, could be mounted to port and starboard of the funnel. Accommodation was also provided for DEMS Ratings, although in practice these guns were not mounted. All four vessels gave valuable world-wide service and were the pioneers of aspects of RFA life which later became standard. 3 of them were near Suez when the Suez Conflict broke out in 1956. One of them was short on fuel and was ordered back to Malta to replenish her tanks. Unfortunately the wrong one returned and it was discovered that in 2 of them their names were too similar so they were renamed in 1958.

1 January 1954 Mr David L S Hood DSC RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

18 May 1954 original launch date postponed

25 September 1954 at Swan Hunters, Wallsend on Tyne being fitted out

21 October 1954 at Swan Hunters, Wallsend on Tyne being fitted out

30 November 1954 at Swan Hunters, Wallsend on Tyne being fitted out

23 December 1954 at Swan Hunters, Wallsend on Tyne being fitted out

28 December 1954 at Swan Hunters, Wallsend on Tyne being fitted out

30 December 1954 at Swan Hunters, Wallsend on Tyne being fitted out

6 January 1955 at Swan Hunters, Wallsend on Tyne being fitted out

11 January 1955 at Swan Hunters, Wallsend on Tyne being fitted out

13 January 1955 at Swan Hunters, Wallsend on Tyne being fitted out

18 January 1955 at Swan Hunters, Wallsend on Tyne being fitted out

22 January 1955 Commodore Thomas H Card RFA appointed as Master when the ship was still at Swan Hunters, Wallsend on Tyne

5 February 1955 fitting out at Swan Hunters, Wallsend on Tyne

1 March 1955 fitting out at Swan Hunters, Wallsend on Tyne

17 March 1955 fitting out at Swan Hunters, Wallsend on Tyne

19 March 1955 fitting out at Swan Hunters, Wallsend on Tyne

24 March 1955 fitting out at Swan Hunters, Wallsend on Tyne

19 April 1955 fitting out at Swan Hunters, Wallsend on Tyne

19 May 1955 fitting out at Swan Hunters, Wallsend on Tyne

21 May 1955 fitting out at Swan Hunters, Wallsend on Tyne

25 June 1955 fitting out at Swan Hunters, Wallsend on Tyne

12 July 1955 sailed on builders trials from the River Tyne

15 July 1955 arrived at the River Tyne from builders trials and berthing on Wallsend Slipway

16 July 1955 sailed the River Tyne for further trials

17 July 1955 arrived the River Tyne after trials

23 August 1955 berthed at Swan Hunters (Wallsend), River Tyne

25 August 1955 berthed at Swan Hunters (Wallsend), River Tyne

26 August 1955 signed on a crew at the Newcastle Shipping Office

30 August 1955 accepted into RFA service

31 August 1955 sailed on maiden voyage from the River Tyne to Trinidad

6 October 1955 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on Flamorough Head sailing north and signalled she was bound for the River Tyne. Arrived at the River Tyne berthing on the tank cleaning berth. Discharged the crew at the North Shields Shipping Office

10 October 1955 signed on a fresh crew at the South Shields Shipping Office

14 October 1955 sailed the River Tyne for Invergordon

4 November 1955 arrived the River Tyne from Rosyth

5 November 1955 berthed on the Admiralty Quay, River Tyne

8 November 1955 berthed on the Admiralty Quay, River Tyne

16 November 1955 sailed the River Tyne

22 December 1955 berthed on the Admiralty Quay, River Tyne

3 January 1956 berthed on the Admiralty Quay, River Tyne

12 January 1956 sailed the River Tyne for Thameshaven

25 January 1956 arrived at Gibraltar

2 February 1956 sailed from Gibraltar

5 February 1956 arrived at Gibraltar

13 February 1956 sailed from Gibraltar

12 March 1956 arrived at Gibraltar

25 March 1956 arrived at Devonport

5 April 1956 sailed from Spithead

8 April 1956 sailed from Devonport

1 May 1956 berthed on the Admiralty Quay, River Tyne

3 May 1956 berthed on the Admiralty Quay, River Tyne

10 May 1956 sailed Invergordon

11 July 1956 arrived at Harstad

26 July 1956 arrived at the River Tyne from Rosyth

16  August 1956 berthed at Palmers Yard, Hebburn on Tyne together with RFA TIDERANGE

28 August 1956 berthed at Palmers Yard, Hebburn on Tyne together with RFA’s WAVE KING and WAVE RULER (1)

1 September 1956 Captain Thomas Elder DSC RFA appointed as Master

3 September 1956 engaged a crew at the Newcastle Merchant Shipping Office

17 September 1956 arrived at Invergordon

27 October 1956 arrived at Devonport 

6 November 1956 was deployed on Operation Musketeer – the Suez Crisis – until 22 December 1956 – entire crew qualified for Naval General Service Medal with the “Near East” clasp

24 December 1956 entered Grand Harbour, Malta with RFA’s BROWN RANGER, WAVE VICTOR and WAVE LIBERATOR after covering with RN units the Anglo-French Forces withdrawl from Port Said

3 January 1957 Captain Elder promoted Commodore and remained in command

26 January 1957 sailed Portland for Gibraltar

18 February 1957 sailed Gibraltar

24 February 1957 arrived at Gibraltar sailing later the same day for the UK

27 February 1957 arrived at Devonport

28 February 1957 sailed Devonport for the River Tyne

2 March 1957 berthed on No: 1 Tier, River Tyne together with RFA BLACK RANGER

4 March 1957 discharged the crew at the South Shields Shipping Office

6 March 1957 Mr John R Warne RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

Chief Engineer Officer John R Warne RFA

18 March 1957 arrived at Portsmouth

23 April 1957 at Rosyth

24 April 1957 at Plymouth

8 May 1957 berthed at Curaçao

9 May 1957 sailed Curaçao

16 July 1957 at the River Tyne

20 July 1957 berthed on the Admiralty Quay at Hebburn on Tyne

23 July 1957 berthed on the Admiralty Quay at Hebburn on Tyne

30 July 1957 berthed on the Admiralty Quay at Hebburn on Tyne

13 August 1957 berthed on the Admiralty Quay at Hebburn on Tyne

19 August 1957 at the River Tyne

3 September 1957 sailed Portsmouth and later passed the Lloyds Signal Station at Dover sailing east bound

5 September 1957 sailed Sheerness for Devonport

6 September 1957 arrived at Devonport

10 September 1957 sailed from Devonport

13 September 1957 along with RFA’s TIDERANGE and OLNA (2) she assembled on the River Clyde with other units for the Home Fleet Exercises with the Depot Ship HMS MAIDSTONE as the Flagship

12 October 1957 sailed from Devonport

24 October 1957 arrived at Devonport

27 October 1957 sailed from Devonport

2 November 1957 arrived at Plymouth from Rosyth

8 November 1957 arrived at Rosyth

18 November 1957 sailed Rosyth

5 December 1957 arrived the River Tyne from Rosyth. Discharged the crew at Newcastle Shipping Office

7 December 1957 berthed at Palmers Yard, Hebburn on Tyne together with RFA’s RESURGENT and WAVE KNIGHT (1)

14 December 1957 berthed at Palmers Yard, Hebburn on Tyne together with RFA’s RESURGENT and WAVE KNIGHT (1)

31 December 1957 berthed at Palmers Yard, Hebburn on Tyne together with RFA’s RESURGENT, WAVE EMPEROR and WAVE KNIGHT (1)

4 January 1958 discharged the crew at the Newcastle Shipping Office, River Tyne and engaged a fresh crew the same day

9 January 1958 moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderbury Oil Fuel Pier

14 January 1958 moved from Yonderbury Oil Fuel Pier to Plymouth Sound after RFA OLNA (2) 

31 January 1958 the Kingston Gleaner newspaper reported –

15 February 1958 berthed at Swan Hunders, Wallswnd, River Tyne

22 April 1958 berthed at the Admiralty Quay, River Tyne with RFA WAVE DUKE

26 April 1958 sailed the River Tyne for Portland

30 April 1958 passed Dover

2 May 1958 moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderbury Oil Fuel Pier

7 May 1958 moved from Yonderbury Oil Fuel Pier to Plymouth Sound

13 May 1958 arrived at Rosyth

16 May 1958 sailed from Rosyth

21 May 1958 passed Gibraltar

1 June 1958 arrived at Rosyth

9 June 1958 sailed from Rosyth for Oslo

30 June 1958 arrived at Devonport

9 July 1958 arrived at Plymouth

13 July 1958 sailed from Devonport

14 July 1958 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing west bound

15 July 1958 arrived at Lough Foyle, Northern Ireland

23 July 1958 discharged the crew at Newcastle Shipping Office

29 July 1958  berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne

18 August 1958 Mr G J Mathews RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

26 August 1958 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne

2 September 1958 arrived at Rosyth

15 September 1958 sailed from Rosyth

17 September 1958 arrived at Devonport

26 September 1958 arrived at Devonport

6 October 1958 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing west bound for Curaçao

21 October 1958 sailed from Curaçao for Gibraltar

6 November 1958 sailed from Casablanca, Morroco for Gibraltar arriving the same day

20 November 1958 arrived at Gibraltar

11 December 1958 sailed Devonport for the River Tyne

16 December 1958 berthed on the Admiralty Quay, River Tyne together with RFA EAGLESDALE

30 December 1958 engaged part of the crew at the South Shields Shipping Office

5 January 1959 engaged the rest of the crew at the South Shields Shipping Office

6 January 1959 berthed on the Admiralty Quay, River Tyne together with RFA EAGLESDALE

7 January 1959 arrived at Rosyth

4 February 1959 arrived at Gibraltar

23 March 1959 arrived at Plymouth Sound

2 April 1959 Captain F G Evans RFA appointed as Master

8 April 1959 sailed from Plymouth passing the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard west bound

20 April 1959 sailed from Trinidad for the UK

1 May 1959 arrived at Lough Foyle

14 May 1959 arrived at Rosyth

15 May 1959 in the North Sea RASed with HMS CENTAUR

19 May 1959 arrived at Rosyth

26 May 1959 sailed from Rosyth

6 June 1959 arrived at Rosyth

8 June 1959 sailed from Rosyth for Oslo, Norway

18 June 1959 together with HMS’s TYNE and VICTORIOUS and the submarines HMS/m TIRELESS and TALENT visited Oslo, Norway

12 August 1959 arrived at Plymouth

18 August 1959 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne together with RFA OLNA (2)

21 August 1959 Captain Walter L Holtam RFA appointed as Master

12 September 1959 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne together with RFA WAVE MONARCH

19 September 1959 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne together with RFA WAVE MASTER

19 October 1959 moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

29 October 1959 arrived at Plymouth Sound from Sea and made fast to ‘D’ Buoy

22 December 1959 moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

9 January 1960 deployed in support of RN units off Iceland during 1st Cod War until 11 January 1960

15 January 1960 at Devonport berthed at Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty with RFA BIRCHOL (2) outboard of her

18 January 1960 at Devonport berthed at Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty with RFA BIRCHOL (2) returning to berth outboard of her. RFA EDDYNESS also berthed outboard of her

22 January 1960 at Devonport sailed from Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound

1960 played the leading ship role in the film “Lifeline” about a Deck Cadet’s first trip to sea

26 February 1960 arrived at Devonport Dockyard from sea and berthed on Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

27 February 1960 RFA Birchol (2) moved from Plymouth Sound to alongside RFA TIDEREACH on Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

4 March 1960 RFA Eddyfirth moved from Plymouth Sound to alongside RFA TIDEREACH on Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty then moved to Turnchapel

5 March 1960 RFA Eddyfirth moved from Turnchapel to alongside RFA TIDEREACH on Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty returning later to Turnchapel

8 March 1960 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound

8 April 1960 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

13 April 1960 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to No: 9 buoy

19 April 1960 at Devonport while on No: 9 buoy RFA AIRSPRITE berthed alongside of her

26 April 1960 at Devonport moved from No: 9 Buoy to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty and later to Plymouth Sound

9 June 1960 in the North Sea the main Gyro failed which nearly caused a collision with HMS BERMUDA

9 September 1960 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

13 September 1960 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to No: 1 buoy

15 September 1960 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound making fast to ‘D’ buoy

18 October 1960 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

19 October 1960 at Devonport while berthed on Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty RFA BIRCHOL (2) moved alongside of her

20 October 1960 at Devonport  RFA BIRCHOL (2) sailed from alongside RFA TIDEREACH which then moved to Plymouth Sound

25 October 1960 at Gibraltar  

30 October 1960 entered Grand Harbour, Malta

15 November 1960 at Malta

19 December 1960 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

20 December 1960 at Plymouth

22 December 1960 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to No: 9 buoy

5 January 1961 at Devonport while on No: 9 buoy RFA EDDYNESS berthed alongside of her

14 January 1961at Devonport while on No: 9 buoy RFA IRCHOL (2) berthed alongside of her

25 January 1961 at Devonport moved from No: 9 buoy to Plymouth Sound

February 1961 sailed Gibraltar with HMS’s VICTORIOUS and BLACKPOOL bound for Cape Town – the deployment became known as The Old Vic Touring Company

South African brochure for the visit.

17 February 1961 to 28 February 1961 visited Simonstown, South Africa with HMS Victorious and HMS Blackpool.

6 March 1961 Surgeon Robert Noel McKinstry OBE RFA discharged dead. He is buried in the Simonstown Dido Valley CWG Cemetery, South Africa

5 May 1961 RASed with HMAS QUEENBOROUGH

7 May 1961 RASed with HMAS QUEENBOROUGH

20 May 1961 RASed with HMAS QUEENBOROUGH

3 June 1961 RASed with HMAS QUEENBOROUGH

7 June 1961 RASed with HMS BLACKPOOL and HMAS QUEENBOROUGH

26 June 1961 sailed Singapore with HMS VICTORIOUS, other RN units together with RFA’s RESURGENT and RELIANT (2) en route to Hong Kong

July/August 1961 saw service during Operation Vantage – the Kuwait Crisis – and supported the carrier HMS VICTORIOUS along with RFA’s OLNA (2), RELIANT (2) and RETAINER and 8 other RFA‘s.

4 September 1961 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

7 September 1961 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound

12 September 1961 Mr Hugh C F Sweenie RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

26 January 1962 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

2 February 1962 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound. RFA EDDYFIRTH berthed alongside her on arrival at Plymouth Sound

4 February 1962  at Devonport at Plymouth Sound with RFA EDDYFIRTH berthed alongside her

22 February 1962 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

23 February 1962 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound

1 March 1962 RASed with HMS BERMUDA while the cruiser was on passage from Hamilton, Bermuda to Gibraltar

6 April 1962 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Gravesend Mooring

26 April 1962 at Devonport moved from Gravesend Mooring to Plymouth Sound

9 May 1962 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Gravesend Mooring

17 May 1962 at Devonport moved from Gravesend Mooring to Plymouth Sound

27 June 1962 Captain Howard D Gausden DSO OBE RFA appointed as Master

6 July 1962 together with HMS’s HERMES and SCORPION and RFA FORT DUQUESNE visited Beirut, Lebanon

4 August 1962 at Gibraltar an Able Seaman from the ship appeared before the Magistrates’ Court charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and violent behaviour whereby a breach of the peace may have been occasioned. He pleaded Guilty to both offences and was fined £4. The seaman had been in a bar in Irish Town, Gibraltar and he threw a glass into the street through an open window. The glass struck a woman who was passing causing injury

17 August 1962 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

21 August 1962 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to No: 6 buoy

28 August 1962 at Devonport moved  Plymouth Sound from No: 6 buoy

5 September 1962 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

6 September 1962 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound

27 September 1962 arrived at Plymouth Sound from Sea, anchored and then moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

1 October 1962 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to No: 6 buoy

4 October 1962 at Devonport moved  from No: 6 buoy to Plymouth Sound

22 October 1962 at Devonport moved from Plymouth Sound to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty

26 October 1962 at Devonport moved from Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound and anchored

19 December 1962 Captain Norman R McLeod RFA appointed as Master

19 May 1963 Mr H W Jackinson RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

5 July 1963 anchored in the Outer Roads, Singapore

5 December 1963 entered Grand Harbour, Malta

12 December 1963 Mr W M Clements RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

3 January 1964 Captain J D G Gray RFA appointed as Master

20 January 1964 completed a refit at Southampton

19 March 1964 arrived at Singapore

11 April 1964 at Hong Kong – refuelled HMNZS Taranaki alongside while on a buoy

23 July 1964 at Singapore

16 December 1964 in the Indian Ocean RASed HMS MOWHAWK

21 January 1965 Captain E D J Evans RFA appointed as Master

January 1965 to 11 August 1965 supported naval units providing patrols off East Malaysia, Singapore and in the the Malacca Straits during the Indonesian Confrontation, along with RFA’s GOLD RANGER, EDDYROCK, FORT CHARLOTTE and WAVE SOVEREIGN

11 February 1965 at Portland

12 March 1965 in the Persian Gulf RAS’ed with HMS MOWHAWK

18 March 1965 in the Persian Gulf off Bahrain RAS’ed with HMS MOWHAWK

15 April 1965 at Singapore

24 April 1965 prior to anchoring off Port Dickson RAS’ed with HMAS’s YARRA and IBIS

30 April 1965 off Port Dickson RAS’ed with HMAS’s PARRAMATTA and IBIS

May 1965 in support of Operation Seahorse – a SEATO maritime operation in the South China Sea – along with RFA’s RELIANT (2), RETAINER and TIDEPOOL

10 June 1965 north of Kuching RAS’ed with HMAS YARRA

17 June 1965 Mr G Thompson RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

3 July 1965 in the Malacca Strait RAS’ed with HMAS PATTAMATTA with FFO

28 August 1965 south of Sibutu Passage RAS’ed with HMAS’s DUCHESS and VENDETTA

5 September 1965 south east of One Fathom Bank RAS’ed with HMAS DUCHESS

19 September 1965 refuelled HMAS IBIS

November 1965 engaged with RN, RAN and USN units in Operation Warrior in the Coral Sea

9 November 1965 in the Malacca Strait RAS’ed with HMAS DUCHESS during which the hose burst

12 November 1965 in the Singapore Strait RAS’ed with HMAS DUCHESS

24 November 1965 in the vicinity of Tanjong Ru RAS’ed with HMAS DUCHESS

21 December 1965 together with HMS DEVONSHIRE flying the flag of Vice Admiral P J Hill-Norton CB Officer Second in Command, Far East Station berthed at Fremantle. HMS DEVONSHIRE secured to North Wharf and RFA TIDEREACH secured to Victoria Quay

23 December 1965 sailed Fremantle and anchored in Gage Roads

27 December 1965 sailed from Gage Roads in company of RFA TIDESPRING with both ships bound for Singapore

28 March 1966 Captain C G D Barker RFA appointed as Master

27 April 1966 at Birkenhead – see note 1

1 August 1966 Mr D Meikle RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

3 November 1966 in the deep water off Penang took part in Exercise Rebel Maid with RN surface and submarine units and an RAN unit. After the exercise RASed with HMAS PARRAMATTA

24 December 1966 at Hong Kong with HMAS PARRAMATTA alongside being refuelled

17 February 1967 RASed with HMS RELENTLESS during the Beira Patrol

HMS RELENTLESS

22 February 1967 RASed with HMS RELENTLESS during the Beira Patrol

25 February 1967 RASed with HMS RELENTLESS during the Beira Patrol

20 March 1967 RASed with HMS RELENTLESS during the Beira Patrol

23 March 1967 RASed with HMS RELENTLESS during the Beira Patrol

29 March 1967 RASed with HMS RELENTLESS during the Beira Patrol

14 April 1967 RASed with HMS RELENTLESS during the Beira Patrol

17 April 1967 RASed with HMS RELENTLESS during the Beira Patrol

20 April 1967 RASed with HMS RELENTLESS during the Beira Patrol

22 April 1967 RASed with HMS RELENTLESS during the Beira Patrol

19 June 1967 Captain A L Paterson RFA appointed as Master

14 July 1967 RASed astern with HMS RELENTLESS during the Beira Patrol

26 September 1967 at Portsmouth in collision with dockyard tug GRINDER

22 January 1968 supported the destroyer HMS CAMBRIAN off Rodrigues Island when internal security platoons were landed to stop disturbances ashore

26 January 1968 visited RAF Gan

29 January 1968 conveyed 15 arrested Rodrigues Islanders to Port Louis, Mauritius after a mob stormed a jail on Rodrigues Island and who had been arrested by Patrols landed by the Royal Navy

15 March 1968 Mr J A Swallow RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

23 July 1968 Captain P J McCarthy RFA appointed as Master

16 May 1969 RASed with HMAS’s SYDNEY and VAMPIRE in the vicinity of Pulau Aur

13 August 1969 visited Auckland, New Zealand

30 October 1969 when on passage between Tahiti to Australia visited Pitcairn Island, Pacific Ocean

October 1969 visited Australia and New Zealand to celebrate the Cook Bicentenary along with RFA‘s STROMNESS and TIDESURGE

10 November 1969 off Jervis Bay, approx 100 nmiles south of Sydney, NSW engaged in a naval exercise together RFA STROMNESS, HMS’s LONDON, GALATEA, ROTHESAY, YARTMOUTH, HMS/M ROQUAL and warships from Australia, Canada and New Zealand

19 December 1969 while on passage from Japan to Singapore RASed with HMAS YARRA and HMAS DUCHESS

21 December 1969 while on passage from Japan to Singapore RASed with HMAS YARRA

20 May 1970 at Liverpool

28 June 1970 arrived at the Hook of Holland sailing inbound to Rotterdam

31 December 1970 at Singapore

30 April 1971 at the River Tyne

1 June 1971 at the River Tyne

26 August 1971 at Portsmouth

10 November 1971 berthed at Grand Harbour, Malta

March 1972 visted Jamestown, St. Helena

29 November 1972 when on passage to Recife, Brazil in company with TU27.8.4 RASed with USS Davis IV (DD937) and gained praise from Captain Claiborne S. Bradley USN for their “professionalism” – to which Tidereach responded: “Any time you want a tanker call on us”

31 January 1973 3rd Engineer Officer Cecil Hogarth Hill RFA discharged dead with the ship in refit at Wallsend – natural causes

13 March 1973 visited Tristan da Cunha with HMS APOLLO 

April 1973 visted Jamestown, St. Helena with HMS APOLLO and HMS RHYL

22 December 1973 in the Indian Ocean together with RFA TIDESPRING (1) RASed with USS Brumby (DE1044) and USS Koelsh (DE1049)

29 August 1974 arrived at Cape Town, South Africa with HMS FIFE and various RN ships together with RFA’s TARBATNESS and TIDESPRING (1) for exercises with the South African Navy

28 September 1974 berthed on Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty having arrived from the sea

11 October 1974 moved from Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound making fast to ‘C’ Buoy

14 October 1974 sailed from Plymouth Sound to sea

11 December 1974 sailed from Plymouth Sound to the sea

2 January 1975 sailed from Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty to sea

31 January 1975 3rd Engineer Officer Cecil Hogarth Hill (Pat) discharged dead

8 January 1976 off Iceland RASed with HMS BACCHANTE 

6 April 1976 deployed in support of RN units off Iceland during 3rd Cod War until 10 April 1976

11 April 1976 off Iceland RASed with HMS BACCHANTE

13 April 1976 RAS with HMS BACCHANTE in rough sea

15 April 1976 Captain Rex A Cooper RFA appointed as Master

24 December 1976 to 27 December 1977 at Grand Harbour, Malta

28 December 1976 anchored off Mgarr, Gozo 

11 January 1977 at Gibraltar

18 April 1977 entered Grand Harbour, Malta

1 June 1977 RAS’ed with HMS ARROW, HMAS’s BRISBANE and MELBOURNE and HMNZN CANTERBURY

June 1977 at the time of HM Queen’s Silver Jubilee together with HMS MOWHAWK visited RAF Akrotri, Cyprus with HMS MOWHAWK berthed stern to while TIDEREACH anchored off

RFA Tidereach off RAF Akrotri, Cyprus

Image donated by Roy Lambeth with thanks

10 July 1977 RAS’ed with HMAS BRISBANE during Exercise High Wood

12 July 1977 RAS’ed with HMAS BRISBANE during Exercise High Wood

14 July 1977 RAS’ed with HMAS BRISBANE during Exercise High Wood

16 July 1977 RAS’ed with HMAS BRISBANE during Exercise High Wood

18 July 1977 RAS’ed with HMAS BRISBANE at the end of Exercise High Wood

23 July 1977 at Rosyth

30 November 1977 berthed at Grand Harbour, Malta

4 December 1977 sailed Malta having been deployed to the Caribbean

28 January 1978 RASed with HMS FEARLESS

RAS with HMS FEARLESS

courtesy RFA Nostalgia

11 April 1978 at Portsmouth Harbour

5 June 1978 laid up in Portsmouth Harbour

24 November 1978 featured on a postage stamp from Tristan da Cunha along with RFA’s ORANGELEAF(2), RELIANT(2) and TARBATNESS

22 February 1979 sold for breaking up initially to Sparreboom Shipbrokers NV, Rotterdam and then resold to Remasa SA, Bilbao

16 March 1979 left Portsmouth under tow to Bilbao, Spain by the German Tug Peter Wessels

20 March 1979 arrived at Bilbao, Spain for breaking up

Notes

1, From the Discharge Book of Geoff Cushnet