Official Number: 180813
Class: WAVE CLASS Replenishment Oiler (modified)
Pennant No: X111 / A211
Signal Letters: GJLP
Laid down: 10 May 1944
Builder: Furness Shipbuilding Company
Launched: 20 November 1945
Into Service: 28 February 1946
Out of service: 1966
Fate: May 1967 broken up Singapore
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: A need for fast tankers to bring oil into the country had been envisaged early in the Second World War, but by the time the material had been collected and the Yards had space to build them, the need had largely passed and the original design of diesel-engined ships was abandoned. Instead, the standard 12000t Class being built were given sharper bows and sterns and turbine engines with water tube boilers. In all, 21 of this type were built and were offered to the Admiralty, who wanted faster tankers for the Pacific Fleet Train. The Admiralty took 20 of them (the final vessel being completed commercially for Oil and Molasses Tankers Ltd, London as BEECHWOOD) and renamed them with the WAVE nomenclature. Performance varied considerably from ship to ship and they underwent various modifications in their rigs for RAS work. The 8 best ones were finally given an extensive refit, with extra accommodation added to the Bridge Deck and extra turbo cargo pumps and derricks to make them more satisfactory for Fleet work. Initially expensive to run, they recouped some of their expensive repair bills by earning revenues from charter work after the Korean War. From this Class was evolved the TIDE CLASS oilers.
29 May 1943 ordered by the MoWT
1 November 1945 Mr Harold M Pearson RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
20 November 1945 launched by Furness Shipbuilding Co Ltd., Haverton Hill as Yard Nr: 364 named WAVE SOVEREIGN. Captain Donald B C Ralph DSC* RFA appointed as Master
28 February 1946 completed
10 March 1946 arrived at Portland
14 March 1946 sailed Portland to Gibraltar
17 March 1946 sailed Gibraltar for Port Said and Abadan
23 March 1946 arrived at Port Said
30 March 1946 sailed Port Said
1 April 1946 sailed Suez for Aden
5 April 1946 sailed Aden
10 April 1946 arrived at Abadan
13 April 1946 sailed Abadan for Bombay, India arriving 18 April 1946
19 April 1946 sailed Bombay, India
22 April 1946 arrived Colombo, Ceylon
28 April 1946 sailed Colombo, Ceylon for Trincomalee, Ceylon arriving the next day
3 May 1946 sailed Trincomalee, Ceylon for Singapore and Hong Kong
7 May 1946 arrived Singapore
9 May 1946 sailed Singapore for Hong Kong arriving 13 May 1946
31 July 1946 sailed Hong Kong for Singapore
6 August 1946 sailed Singapore for Colombo, Ceylon
12 August 1946 arrived Colombo, Ceylon
18 August 1946 sailed Colombo, Ceylon for Trincomalee, Ceylon arriving the next day
23 August 1946 sailed Trincomalee
30 August 1946 arrived at Hong Kong
5 September 1946 sailed Hong Kong for Yokohama, Japan arriving 10 September 1946
25 September 1946 with HMS CAMPERDOWN, RFA FORT ROSALIE (1) and RFA FORT CONSTANTINE sailed Yokohama, Japan returning 29 September 1946
8 October 1946 at Yokohama, Japan HMAS BATAAN alongside being refuelled
HMAS BATAAN
26 October 1946 sailed Yokohama for Kure, Japan arriving 28 October 1946
1 November 1946 sailed Kure, Japan for Hong Kong arriving 5 November 1946
12 November 1946 sailed Hong Kong for Singapore arriving 16 November 1946
19 November 1946 sailed Singapore for Colombo arriving 23 November 1946
26 November 1946 sailed Colombo for Abadan arriving 3 December 1946
4 December 1946 sailed Abadan to Suez arriving 13 December 1946
14 December 1946 transitted the Suez Canal and sailed from Port Said for Gibraltar arriving 20 December 1946
21 December 1946 sailed Gibraltar for Londonderry arriving 25 December 1946
5 January 1947 sailed Londonderry for Port Said
10 January 1947 passed Gibraltar sailing east
15 January 1947 arrived at Port Said
24 January 1947 transitted the Suez Canal and sailed Suez for Aden arriving 27 January 1947
28 January 1947 sailed Aden for Abadan arriving 3 February 1947
4 February 1947 sailed Abadan to Suez arriving 13 February 1947
14 February 1947 transitted the Suez Canal and sailed Port Said for Gibraltar
20 February 1947 arrived at Gibraltar
22 February 1947 sailed Gibraltar for Malta arriving 27 February 1947
1 March 1947 sailed Malta for Trieste
3 March 1947 arrived at Trieste
7 March 1947 sailed Trieste
11 March 1947 arrived Port Said and transitted the Suez Canal
12 March 1947 sailed Suez for Aden
16 March 1947 arrived at Aden sailing the same day
21 March 1947 arrived at Abadan
24 March 1947 sailed Abadan
30 March 1947 arrived Aden
31 March 1947 sailed Aden for Suez arriving 4 April 1947. Transitted the Suez Canal and sail from Port Said
10 April 1947 arrived at Gibraltar sailing the next day
15 April 1947 arrived at Invergordon
17 April 1947 sailed Invergordon
18 April 1947 arrived at Rosyth
23 April 1947 sailed from Rosyth for Scapa Flow
26 sailed from Scapa Flow
28 April 1947 berthed at Stanlow
9 May 1947 sailed Stanlow for Swansea
10 May 1947 arrived at Swansea for refit
12 June 1947 Mr Ronald C Putt RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Ronald C Putt RFA
9 August 1947 sailed Swansea for Milfor Haven arriving the same day
19 August 1947 arrived Port Said from Swansea
20 August 1947 sailed Port Said for Abadan
29 August 1947 arrived at Abadan
30 August 1947 sailed from Abadan for Kure, Japan
16 September 1947 arrived at Hong Kong from Abadan
27 September 1947 sailed from Kure, Japan for Yokohama, Japan
1 October 1947 sailed Yokosuka, Japan for Singapore
9 October 1947 sailed Singapore for Abadan
21 October 1947 sailed Abadan for Gibraltar
31 October 1947 arrived at Suez from Abadan
1 November 1947 sailed from Port Said
6 November 1947 arrived at Gibraltar from Abadan
17 November 1947 sailed from Gibraltar for Curaçao
29 November 1947 sailed Curaçao
13 December 1947 in dock at Hull
15 December 1947 sailed Hull
10 January 1948 at Tilbury
27 January 1948 sailed Curaçao for LEFO
11 March 1948 Mr Harry G May RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
13 March 1948 at Tilbury
28 March 1948 arrived Curaçao from Tilbury
29 March 1948 sailed Curaçao
23 April 1948 arrived Port Said from Bowling
28 April 1948 passed Aden
11 May 1948 passed Aden
15 May 1948 arrived at Suez
16 May 1948 sailed from Port Said for Rosyth
9 June 1948 Captain Alfred W Camamile DSC RFA appointed as Master
5 August 1948 arrived at Gibraltar from Rosyth
6 August 1948 sailed from Gibraltar for Abadan
11 August 1948 arrived at Port Said
12 August 1948 sailed Suez
22 August 1948 sailed from Abadan for the UK
1 September 1948 arrived Suez from Abadan
3 September 1948 sailed Port Said
8 September 1948 passed Gibraltar sailing west bound
20 September 1948 entered Portland Harbour
23 September 1948 sailed Portland Harbour
29 September 1948 in the North Atlantic joined deployment of HMS DUKE OF YORK and other RN ships enroute to Freetown. RASed with HMS JUTLAND at 35°24N 25°22W. Also RASed with HMS ALAMEIN – 300 tons FFO transfered – at 34°45N 25°00W
1 October 1948 in collision with HMS SLUYS during a replenishment – slight damage caused
HMS SLUYS
3 October 1948 at sea 24°47N 38°53W Bosun Lok Pong Wing discharged dead from pneumonia
22 November 1948 berthed at Bermuda together with HMS DUKE OF YORK and other RN Ships
24 November 1948 sailed from Bermuda
9 December 1948 sailed Fayal for Portsmouth
15 December 1948 berthed at Portsmouth Harbour
4 January 1949 entered ‘D’ Lock, Portsmouth Harbour from No: 6 Buoy
20 January 1949 sailed from ‘D’ Lock, Portsmouth Harbour to the Outer Spit Buoy
15 February 1949 sailed Abadan for LEFO
6 March 1949 berthed at Gibraltar
12 March 1949 berthed at the River Tyne on the Jarrow Oil Wharf
17 March 1949 sailed Abadan
26 March 1949 arrived at Port Said for LEFO
17 May 1949 berthed at Pamers (Hebburn) River Tyne together with RFA WAVE BARON
11 July 1949 sailed from Suez
24 August 1949 Mr Charles Scott DSC RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
29 August 1949 Captain Arthur J D Gosney RFA appointed as Master
17 September 1949 at Plymouth (see note (2) below)
11 October 1949 Captain Henry F Colbourne RFA appointed as Master
17 October 1949 passed Gibraltar on passage from Devonport to Port Said
20 October 1949 berthed at Malta
RFA Wave Sovereign at Malta in October 1949
28 October 1949 arrived at Port Said transitted the Suez Canal sailed Suez
1 November 1949 passed Aden
7 November 1949 arrived at Abadan
29 November 1949 sailed Abadan for Singapore
21 December 1949 sailed Hong Kong for Abadan
28 January 1950 sailed Malta for Abadan
13 February 1950 sailed from Abadan for Port Said
24 February 1950 sailed from Port Said
23 March 1950 arrived at Abadan
9 April 1950 arrived at Singapore
10 April 1950 two seaman Wong Kim Sze, aged 37 years and Yee Sing On, aged 35 appeared before Singapore Second Police Court charged with being found in possession of nine pounds of opium. The case was committed to the District Court with both being remanded on bail of $5,000 each
1 May 1950 sailed from Colombo, Ceylon for Abadan
10 May 1950 arrived at Abadan
12 May 1950 sailed from Abadan for Singapore
28 May 1950 sailed Seletar for Abadan
9 June 1950 arrived at Abadan
13 June 1950 sailed Abadan for Colombo, Ceylon
25 June 1950 to 27 July 1953 saw service during the Korean War along with 18 other RFA’s and was awarded the Korea 1952-53 Battle Honour
6 July 1950 sailed Abadan for Singapore
11 August 1950 at Singapore (see note (2) below)
21 August 1950 sailed from Sasebo, Japan escorted by HMAS BATAAN
23 August 1950 refuelled HMAS BATAAN
6 September 1950 arrived at Singapore
19 October 1950 arrived on the River Tyne from Sheerness
27 Octover 1950 berthed on Wallsend Slipway, River Tyne
15 November 1950 at North Shields (see note (2) below)
24 November 1950 berthed on Wallsend Slipway, River Tyne
29 November 1950 Captain T G Hill RFA appointed as Master
5 December 1950 sailed from the River Tyne
17 December 1950 arrived at Port Said
15 July 1951 passed Malta
27 June 1951 while on passage from Singapore to Abadan was diverted to Aden to load cargo after a dispute between the Persian Government and the British employees of the Anglo – Iranian Oil Company resulted in no ships loading cargo at Abadan
24 July 1951 Captain Frank C Holt RFA appointed as Master and Mr W A Rowland RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Captain Frank C Holt RFA
8 August 1951 arrived at Curaçao
17 September 1951 arrived in New York with a cargo of oil for the Royal Navy; the Master was served with Immigration papers detaining the non UK crew who were without adequate immigration papers to satisfy the US Immigration authorities. Some of the crew were not detained by the Master and deserted thus entered the US illegally. Litigation against the Master resulted in a decision that the ship was a vessel of H.M. Government and was entitled to immunity from the jurisdiction of the US Courts
29 October 1951 on passage from Invergordon to the River Tyne
31 October 1951 berthed on the TIC Hebburn Quay, River Tyne
5 November 1951 berthed at Palmers (Hebburn) on the River Tyne together with RFA WAVE MONARCH for repairs or refit
13 November 1951 berthed at Palmers (Hebburn) on the River Tyne together with RFA WAVE MONARCH for repairs or refit
28 November 1951 berthed at Palmers (Hebburn) on the River Tyne
30 November 1951 berthed at Palmers (Hebburn) on the River Tyne
6 December 1951 berthed at Palmers (Hebburn) on the River Tyne
20 December 1951 berthed at Palmers (Hebburn) on the River Tyne
28 December 1951 berthed at Palmers (Hebburn) on the River Tyne
31 December 1951 berthed at Palmers (Hebburn) on the River Tyne
Between 1950 and 1953 was engaged in the Korean War with other RFA tankers and RFA MAINE (4) – Hospital ship. Was later awarded the “Korea 1952 – 1953” Battle Honour
3 January 1952 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne for refit or repairs
5 January 1952 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne for refit or repairs
10 January 1952 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne for refit or repairs
15 January 1952 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne for refit or repairs
19 January 1952 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne for refit or repairs
22 January 1952 sailed the River Tyne for Curaçao but had to put back through engine trouble berthing again at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne
9 February 1952 arrived at Curaçao
1952 supported Operation Hurricane 1 – the first British test atomic bomb explosion at Monte Bello Islands off NW Australia – along with RFA’s FORT BEAUHARNOIS, FORT CONSTANTINE, FORT ROSALIE (1), GOLD RANGER, WAVE PRINCE and WAVE RULER (1)
13 June 1952 at anchor off Taechong Do, Korea with HMAS WARRAMUNGA alongside being refuelled with 244 tons of FFO
15 June 1952 at anchor off Taechong Do, Korea with HMAS WARRAMUNGA alongside being refuelled with 230 tons of FFO
17 June 1952 at anchor off Taechong Do, Korea with HMAS WARRAMUNGA alongside being refuelled with 173 tons of FFO
6 July 1952 at anchor off Taechong Do, Korea with HMS BELFAST and HMAS WARRAMUNGA alongside being refuelled
14 July 1952 at anchor off Taechong Do, Korea with HMAS WARRAMUNGA alongside being refuelled
3 November 1952 at anchor off Taechong Do, Korea with HMAS ANZAC alongside being refuelled
HMAS ANZAC
9 November 1952 at anchor off Taechong Do, Korea with HMAS ANZAC alongside being refuelled
17 December 1952 at anchor off Taechong Do, Korea with HMAS ANZAC alongside being refuelled
30 December 1952 at anchor off Taechong Do, Korea with HMAS ANZAC alongside being refuelled
1 February 1953 sailed from Ras Tanura
7 February 1953 sailed from Aden
11 February 1953 arrived at Suez
15 February 1953 arrived at Malta
17 February 1953 sailed Malta for the UK
19 February 1953 passed Gibraltar sailing west bound
24 February 1953 Mr J D B Payne RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
24 February 1953 at Falmouth Magistrates’ Court three seaman from the ship appeared charged with an offence of stealing spirits – the press report is –
Press report from the Aberdeen Evening Express of the 24 February 1953
15 March 1953 Captain Donovan J S Newton MID RFA appointed as Master
2 May 1953 sailed Malta for Naples
7 May 1953 sailed Naples for Singapore
12 May 1953 sailed from Suez
15 June 1953 off Taechong Do refuelled HMAS CULGOA alongside
18 June 1953 off Taechong Do refuelled HMAS CULGOA alongside
26 June 1953 off Taechong Do refuelled HMAS CULGOA alongside
29 June 1953 off Taechong Do refuelled HMAS CULGOA alongside
27 July 1953 off Taechong Do refuelled HMAS CULGOA alongside
22 October 1953 off Taechong Do refuelled HMAS CULGOA alongside
26 October 1953 off Taechong Do RASed with HMAS CULGOA astern
7 December 1953 at Kure refuelled HMAS SYDNEY with FFO and AVGAS
13 December 1953 at Kure refuelled HMAS MURCHISON alongside
28 December 1953 at Kure refuelled HMAS MURCHISON alongside
17 March 1954 Mr David C Leathley RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer David C Leathley RFA
9 April 1954 arrived on the River Tyne from Gibraltar
12 April 1954 discharged the crew at South Shields Shipping Office
12 April 1954 Mr William J Brown OBE DSC RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
20 April 1954 berthed on the Admiralty Quay, Hebburn on Tyne
22 April 1954 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne in refit together with RFA EAGLESDALE
27 April 1954 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne in refit together with RFA EAGLESDALE
6 May 1954 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne in refit together with RFA EAGLESDALE
17 June 1954 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne in refit together with RFA ECHODALE
24 June 1954 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne in refit together with RFA ECHODALE
3 August 1954 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne in refit
17 August 1954 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne in refit
7 September 1954 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne in refit
8 September 1954 Mr D G Edgar RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
14 September 1954 Captain E Payne RFA appointed as Master
25 September 1954 berthed at Palmers, Hebburn on Tyne in refit at the same time as RFA RETAINER was also in refit
7 October 1954 at the Newcastle on Tyne Shipping Office engaged a crew
2 November 1954 arrived at Trinidad
2 December 1954 sailed Gibraltar for Aruba
13 December 1954 sailed Aruba for Trinidad
15 December 1954 sailed Trinidad for LEFO
5 January 1955 arrived at Palmers Yard, Hebburn, River Tyne from Rosyth
7 January 1955 discharged the crew at Newcastle on Tyne Shipping Office and engaged a new crew
11 January 1955 at Palmers Yard, Hebburn, River Tyne together with RFA’s RETAINER and OLNA (2)
13 January 1955 at Palmers Yard, Hebburn, River Tyne together with RFA’s RETAINER and OLNA (2)
18 January 1955 at Palmers Yard, Hebburn, River Tyne together with RFA’s RETAINER and OLNA (2)
3 February 1955 arrived at Gibraltar
23 February 1955 sailed Gibraltar
18 March 1955 arrived at Malta
22 March 1955 sailed from Malta for Gibraltar
12 May 1955 passed Ushant
17 June 1955 sailed Gibraltar for Trinidad
18 July 1955 passed the Lloyds Signal Station at Dover sailing east bound
9 August 1955 berthed at Palmers Heburn on Tyne together with RFA’s WAVE KNIGHT and OLNA (2)
24 October 1955 sailed from Gibraltar for the UK
3 November 1955 arrived River Tyne making fast to the tank cleaning berth
5 November 1955 made fast to the tank cleaning berth on the River Tyne
8 November 1955 in refit at Palmers, Hebburn along with RFA’s WAVE KING and WAVE PRINCE
1 December 1955 in refit at Palmers, Hebburn along with RFA’s WAVE KING and WAVE PRINCE
10 December 1955 in refit at Palmers, Hebburn along with RFA’s WAVE KING and WAVE PRINCE
14 December 1955 Captain William F Curlett RFA appointed as Master
19 December 1955 at Newcastle Shipping Office signed a new crew on
29 January 1956 sailed Malta
2 February 1956 arrived at Malta
5 March 1956 sailed from Malta for Gibraltar
30 March 1956 arrived at Malta
13 April 1956 sailed Malta
20 April 1956 arrived at Malta
5 May 1956 sailed from Malta
13 May 1956 sailed from Malta
4 June 1956 arrived at Suez
11 June 1956 sailed from Malta for Port Said
14 June 1956 arrive at Port Said
27 June 1956 arrived at Aden sailing later the same day for Bahrein
2 July 1956 arrived at Bahrein
3 July 1956 sailed from Bahrein
14 July 1956 arrived at Suez
15 July 1956 sailed Port Port Said for Malta
21 July 1956 sailed from Malta
4 August 1956 arrived at Trincomalee, Ceylon
6 August 1956 sailed from Trincomalee, Ceylon for Singapore
19 August 1956 sailed from Trincomalee, Ceylon for Singapore
23 August 1956 arrived and berthed at Singapore
1 September 1956 Able Seaman James Paterson appeared before a Colony Magistrate in Singapore and pleaded Guilty to being unlawfully absent from the WAVE SOVEREIGN. He was fined $15. The ship sailed from Singapore later the same day for Trincomalee, Ceylon
15 September 1956 sailed Trincomalee, Ceylon
23 September 1956 arrived at Aden
4 October 1956 sailed Aden for Bahein
12 October 1956 arrived at Bahrein from Aden
17 October 1956 arrived at Aden
28 October 1956 sailed from Aden for Bahrein
31 October 1956 in support of Operation Toreador in Task Force 324 – the Red Sea Group – until 13 December 1956 – the entire crew qualified for the award of the Naval General Service Medal with the “Near East” Clasp
16 December 1956 arrived at Aden
13 January 1957 sailed from Aden
25 March, 1957 sailed Trincomalee, Ceylon for Singapore
26 Jun 1957 arrived at Curaçao
15 July 1957 berthed at Leith
25 July 1957 Mr G W H Neil RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
26 July 1957 sailed from Leith
8 August 1957 arrived at Curaçao
27 August 1957 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on Flamborough Head sailing north bound
28 August 1957 arrived the River Tyne from Devonport
3 September 1957 berthed at Smiths Dock & Co., River Tyne
4 September 1957 Captain A H Mackenzie RFA appointed as Master
7 September 1957 passed Dover Signal Station sailing west bound
14 September 1957 sailed Malta for Bahrein
18 September 1957 arrived at Port Said
27 September 1957 arrived Bahrein
29 September 1957 sailed from Bahrein
9 October 1957 arrived at Suez, transitted the Canal and sailed Port Said
13 October 1957 arrived at Malta
25 October 1957 sailed Suez
6 November 1957 sailed Bahrein
5 December 1957 arrived at Bombay
18 December 1957 sailed Bombay for Singapore
31 December 1957 sailed from Singapore to carry relief supplies to Trincomalee after Ceylon had been hit by a typhoon
20 January 1958 arrived at Trincomalee, Ceylon
22 January 1958 Seaman B Crow appeared before a court in Singapore and was sentenced to 6 weeks imprisonment for desertion – reported in the Straits Times of 23 January 1958
23 January 1958 Seaman J Brogan appeared before a Singapore Court and pleaded Guilty to absenting himself since 15 January 1958. He was sentenced to two months imprisonment and was ordered to be placed on the first ship to take him back home
2 February 1958 arrived at Aden
11 February 1958 arrived at Malta
19 February 1958 sailed from Gibraltar for the River Tyne
4 March 1958 Mr G Thompson RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
29 March 1958 at Smith Dock, River Tyne for repairs or refit
22 April 1958 at Smith Dock, River Tyne for repairs or refit
15 May 1958 at Smith Dock, River Tyne for repairs or refit
20 May 1958 passed the Lloyds Signal Station at Dover sailing west bound
28 May 1958 deployed for duties in support of Operation Grapple on Christmas Island with 103 tons 5cwt of cargo
15 June 1958 in transit through the Panama Canal for Christmas Island
22 August 1958 was present at the Operation Grapple – the British H-bomb tests at Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean – along with RFA FORT BEAUHARNOIS. 16 other RFA’s were also involved in this Operation at various times
21 September 1958 arrived at Singapore
7 October 1958 arrived at Hong Kong
9 October 1958 sailed from Hong Kong for Singapore
17 October 1958 sailed Singapore Roads
26 October 1958 arrived Colombo, Ceylon
31 October 1958 arrived at Karachi
20 November 1958 sailed from Karachi
2 December 1958 arrived at Aden sailing later the same day
8 December 1958 sail from Port Said for Malta. Captain J W Cunningham RFA appointed as Master
11 December 1958 arrived at Malta
14 December 1958 sailed Malta
18 December 1958 sailed from Suez
6 January 1959 arrived at Singapore
7 March 1959 sailed Singapore Roads
17 March 1959 arrived at Bahrein
4 April 1959 sailed from Singapore for Bahrein
17 April 1959 sailed from Bahrein for Singapore
27 April 1959 arrived at Singapore
2 May 1959 sailed from Singapore
14 May 1959 arrived at Abadan
16 May 1959 sailed from Abadan
26 May 1959 sailed from Port Said
29 May 1959 arrived at Malta
17 June 1959 arrived at Malta
23 June 1959 a Spanish stowaway – Antonio Lopez – who had stowed away on RFA WAVE SOVEREIGN while she was at Barcelona was returned from Malta to Spain via Gibraltar on HMS FORTH
17 June 1959 berthed at Malta after taking part in exercise Sardex with units of the Royal Navy and RFA’s FORT LANGLEY, FORT DUQUESNE and WAVE VICTOR
4 August 1959 sailed from Malta for Augusta
9 August 1959 arrived at Malta
11 August 1959 sailed Malta to Cannes with HMS BIRMINGHAM
HMS BIRMINGHAM
28 September 1959 involved in a collision – no details currently known
19 October 1959 deployed in support of RN units off Iceland during 1st Cod War until 31 October 1959
6 November 1959 Mr J A Swallow RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
26 November 1959 deployed in support of RN units off Iceland during 1st Cod War until 21 December 1959
15 January 1960 Captain C N Rennels RFA appointed as Master
20 January 1960 Captain Edward E Laurence RFA appointed as Master
29 March 1960 at Portsmouth
26 August 1960 at Portsmouth
27 October 1960 at Southampton
20 February 1961 RASed with HMAS QUEENBOROUGH SW of Sunda Strait
26 February 1961 RASed with HMAS’s MELBOURNE and QUICKMATCH during Exercise Jet 1961
1 March 1961 RASed with HMAS MELBOURNE and other RAN and RNZN warships during Exercise Jet 1961
7 March 1961 RASed with HMAS MELBOURNE during Exercise Jet 1961
15 April 1961 RASed with HMAS’s MELBOURNE and QUEENBOROUGH
19 April 1961 RASed with HMAS’s MELBOURNE and QUEENBOROUGH
24 April 1961 RASed with HMAS MELBOURNE
8 June 1961 within Portland Harbour in collision with HMS KEPPEL
19 June 1961 sailed Portland Harbour
17 July 1961 Captain H W Lawford RFA appointed as Master
31 July 1961 Mr I M MacFarlane RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
11 December 1961at Tawau Hospital, North Borneo Fireman Lee San discharged dead from heat stroke
20 March 1962 Seaman Choi Choong Sam appeared before the Ninth Magistrates’ Court, in Singapore having been found with $250 worth of raw opium strapped between his thighs. He was fined $1,000 or 4 months imprisonment.
22 May 1962 RFA Wave Sovereign, the cruiser HMS TIGER and the destroyers HMS CARYSFORT and HMS CAVALIER visited Inchon, Korea on a three day courtesy visit. The ships later visited Japan
20 June 1962 at sea at 21°22N 118°13E Pumpman Lai Chan discharged dead apparently from cardiac failure. Buried at sea
3 July 1962 at Singapore the Master and Officers held a cocktail party with various RN, RAN and RNZN Officers as guests
27 August 1962 Mr S P Awati RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
8 October 1962 Captain William R Town RFA appointed as Master
15 November 1962 with RFA WAVE RULER (1), RFA FORT CHARLOTTE and several RN units headed by HMS TIGER attended the Commonwealth Games at Perth Western Australia – ships of the RAN and RNZN were also present
2 December 1962 in company with RFA FORT CHARLOTTE, RN, RAN and RNZN ships in Exercise Dinkum 3 & 4 while on passage from Freemantle to Singapore
September 1963 in refit on the River Tyne
2 September 1963 Captain Ronald V Warren DSC RFA appointed as Master
Captain Ronald V Warren DSC RFA
image kindly donated by Mrs Susan Henry
9 October 1963 was at North Shields
19 October 1963 sailed River Tyne to Devonport then Aden and then to Gan
1 November 1963 Mr E Burke RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
12 November 1963 covered at RAF Gan while the RFA Wave Victor (as a hulk) was away for refit until 14 February 1964
24 January 1964 crew member – Chang Pook – fell overboard in the middle of the Indian Ocean. He was rescued within five minutes by HMS DIANA
14 February 1964 RFA WAVE VICTOR returned to her duties at RAF Gan from refit releasing WAVE SOVEREIGN
24 February 1964 sailed from RAF Gan
6 March 1964 during Exercise Jet RAS’ed with HMAS YARRA
19 March 1964 arrived at Singapore for refit
31 March 1964 Captain Walter Gibb MBE RFA appointed as Master
27 May 1964 at Subic Bay, Phillippines together with RFA’s TIDESPRING (1), RETAINER, RELIANT (2), FORT ROSALIE (1) and FORT CHARLOTTE arrived and together with HMAS SUPPLY formed Task Group 490.7. RFA TIDEFLOW which should have joined the Task Group remained at Singapore due to a mechanical breakdown
26 July 1964 was at Singapore
8 September 1964 a planned visit to Australia by RFA WAVE SOVEREIGN and three RN ships was cancelled at short notice due to hightened tension between Malaysia and Indonesia .
13 October 1964 Mr D Meikle RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
10 November 1964 while at anchor off Tawau refuelled HMAS IBIS alongside
14 November 1964 while at anchor at Wallace Bay refuelled HMAS IBIS alongside
16 November 1964 while at anchor off Tawau refuelled HMAS IBIS alongside
22 November 1964 while at anchor off Tawau refuelled HMAS IBIS alongside
January 1965 to 11 August 1965 provided support to Naval units operating patrols off East Malaysia , Singapore and in the Malacca Straits during the Indonesian Confrontation, along with RFA’s GOLD RANGER, EDDYROCK, FORT CHARLOTTE and TIDEREACH
26 January 1965 at Singapore Dockyard at No: 8 berth with HMAS IBIS alongside being refuelled
15 February 1965 RAS’ed with HMAS DUCHESS
16 February 1965 in the Singapore Exercise Area RAS’ed with HMAS DUCHESS
19 February 1965 in the Singapore Exercise Area RAS’ed with HMAS DUCHESS
11 March 1965 together with RFA’s FORT ROSALIE (1) and TIDFESURGE (1) joined in the Singapore Exercise area with HM Ships ALAX, LINCOLN, ZEST, BARROSA, CAESAR, CARYSFORT and WHITBY plus HMAS PARRAMATTA for exercises
26 March 1965 off Singapore RAS’ed with HMAS PARRAMATTA
27 March 1965 off Singapore RAS’ed with HMAS DERWENT
27 April 1965 off Pu Sialu refuelled and transferred stores to HMAS IBIS
30 May 1965 alongside at Singapore
2 June 1965 off Tanjong Tohor a member of the crew who had crushed his arm was transferred to HMS CHICHESTER for medical treatment. Later refuelled HMAS IBIS.
7 July 1965 off Singapore RAS’ed with HMAS PARRAMATTA
12 July 1965 Mr E S Brazier RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
15 July 1965 Captain J Gulesserian RFA appointed as Master
30 July 1965 suffered a minor collision with HMS EURYALUS
23 August 1965 refuelled HMAS IBIS in the Singapore Straits
27 August 1965 refuelled HMAS IBIS
3 September 1965 near Pulau Undan RAS’ed with HMAS DUCHESS
14 September 1965 alongside at Singapore
22 November 1965 RAS’ed with HMAS DUCHESS
11 December 1965 refuelled HMAS IBIS in the Malacca Straits
13 December 1965 refuelled HMAS IBIS in the Malacca Straits
24 December 1965 refuelled HMAS IBIS in the Malacca Straits
6 January 1966 withdrawn from service, destored and laid up at Singapore
20 and 27 April 1967 advertised in the Times of these days for sale ‘As lying’ at HM Naval Base Singapore by the Ministry of Transport
May 1967 broken up at Singapore by local ship breakers
Notes
- The ship crest (above) is an unofficlal crest and has not received MOD approval
- From the Discharge Book of Fred W J Raddon