WAVE CLASS TANKERS
By the early part of 1943 the Admiralty had decided to take over two 15 knot tankers of the standard “Fast” type, to supplement their overworked tanker fleet. These two tankers were being built by Harland and Wolff as the “Empire Sheba” and “Empire Venus”, arrangements were made to take them both over once completed.
These two tankers were to be placed in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary fleet and as such their main duty would be the fuelling at sea of ships of the Royal Navy, so some consideration had to be given to the special arrangements needed to equip these ships to fulfil this function.
Because both these ships were needed with some urgency, little alteration was made to the original design or their fitting out, though for fuelling at sea, two 60 foot pole derricks, one on either beam were fitted in the after well deck, each of these derricks had a working load of 2 tons and could carry one hose trough at their head.
To enable the ships to fuel warships by the stern method, a clear passage was made from the centre castle, through the after accommodation to the poop, the accommodation was moved out to the ships sides. A flying bridge arrangement was built between the Forecastle and aft to the poop to provide a straight lead fore and aft.
The ships had stern chutes fitted so that they could stream hoses astern for refuelling, on the starboard quarter arrangements were made to stream two 5 inch rubber hoses and from the port quarter a single 3 inch hose for transfer of petrol. On completion “Empire Sheba” was renamed as RFA Wave King and “Empire Venus” became RFA Wave Monarch, both were completed in time to sail to the Far East to join the newly formed British Pacific Fleet operating with the US Navy against the Japanese.
By the end of 1946 nineteen ship had been completed, six were in service with the RFA, with another thirteen in commercial service until the RFA could take them over and the final vessel which would have made a fleet of twenty ships was sold to J. I. Jacobs as it was not needed, they were all completed to the same basic design, with slight differences in replenishment arrangements.
The final ship, that was not taken over by the Admiralty was named “Beechwood”, she did not enjoy a very long career with her new owner being sold to L. Monta of Italy and was converted to a dry cargo ship and chartered to Ellerman lines as the “City of Athens”.
Two other Wave class tankers were completed in time to serve in the Far East with the British Pacific Fleet, these were RFA Wave Governor and RFA Wave Emperor.
The class as a whole gave good service to the RFA serving in many theatres around the world, seven of them winning the Battle honour for Korea between 1951 and 1953. Unfortunately the ships of the class were said to be not very satisfactory ships, with the design of their machinery spaces giving rise to large repair bills, they also had a somewhat heavy fuel consumption, something that needed a high degree of skill to get around, though lessons learned from this class were incorporated in the later highly successful “Tide” class.
Details of ships in the class
Batch 1
Wave King
Builder: Harland and Wolff, Govan
Launched: 6 April 1944 Completed: 21 July 1944
Yard No: 1222g Official No: 179897
Tonnage: 8,159 grt, 4,545 nett
Length: 473.8 feet Beam: 64.3 feet Draught: 35.4 feet
Machinery: 2 x Double reduction geared turbines by Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Co Ltd, Newcastle. Single shaft.
Speed:
Pennant Numbers: X 82 (1944), B 525 (BPF), A 182 (Post 1947)
Call Sign 1944: GSNX
Laid down as “Empire Sheba” for the Ministry of War Transport, name changed on completion. Served as part of the replenishment group for the British Pacific Fleet, though suffered stern gland problems whilst off Okinawa and had to be towed to Hong Kong in the middle of a typhoon, she was out of service for nearly a year. Sold to H. G. Pounds Ltd at Portsmouth for scrap. Arrived at Barrow in Furness for breaking up on the 16 April 1960.
BATTLE HONOURS: No battle honours recorded for this vessel.
RFA Wave King with full armament prior to 1947
Wave Monarch
Builder: Harland and Wolff, Govan
Launched: 6 July 1944 Completed: 3 November 1944
Yard No: 1223g Official No: 169962
Tonnage: 8,159 grt, 4,545 nett
Length: 473.8 feet Beam: 64.3 feet Draught: 35.4 feet
Machinery: 2 x Double reduction geared turbines by Barclay Curle and Company Ltd, Glasgow. Single shaft.
Speed:
Pennant Numbers: X 108 (1944), B 526 (BPF), A 108 (Post 1947)
Call Sign 1944: GJKQ
Laid down as “Empire Venus” for the Ministry of War Transport, name changed on completion. Served with Wave King as part of the British Pacific Fleet. Sold in 1960 to H. G. Pounds Ltd, Portsmouth who chartered her to Societe Miroline for use as a fuel hulk at Le Havre with the name “Noema”, she arrived at Bilbao for breaking up on the 8 April 1964.
BATTLE HONOURS: No battle honours recorded for this vessel.
RFA Wave Monarch
Wave Governor
Builder: Furness Shipbuilding Company Limited, Haverton Hill.
Launched: 30 November 1944 Completed: 8 March 1945
Yard No: 362 Official No: 180489
Tonnage: 8,190 grt, 4,568 nett
Length: 473.8 feet Beam: 64.3 feet Draught: 35.4 feet
Machinery: 2 x Double reduction geared turbines by Richardson, Westgarth and Company Limited, Hartlepool. Single shaft
Speed:
Pennant Numbers: X 103 (1945), B 524 (BPF), A 247 (Post 1947)
Call sign 1945: GJKV
The ship ran aground in Tsuruga Bay, Japan, and when she was eventually refloated it was found that she had damaged her bottom plating. Arrived at Rosyth for breaking up on the 9th August 1960.
BATTLE HONOURS:No battle honours recorded for this vessel.
RFA Wave Governor entering Grand Harbour, Malta
Wave Emperor
Builder: Furness Shipbuilding Company Limited, Haverton Hill.
Launched: 16 October 1944 Completed: 20 December 1944
Yard No: 361 Official No: 180034
Tonnage: 8,196 grt, 4,566 nett
Length: 473.8 feet Beam: 64.3 feet Draught: 35.4 feet
Machinery: 2 x Double reduction geared turbines by Richardson, Westgarth and Company Limited. Single shaft.
Speed:
Pennant Numbers: X 100 (1944), B 523 (BPF), A 100 (Post 1947)
Call Sign 1944: GJKT
Sold to the British Iron and Steel Company for scrap and arrived Barrow in Furness for breaking up on the 19 June 1960.
BATTLE HONOURS: No battle honours recorded for this vessel.
RFA Wave Emperor
Wave Regent
Builder: Furness Shipbuilding Company Limited, Haverton Hill
Launched: 29 March 1945 Completed: 31 May 1945
Yard No: 363 Official No: 180564
Tonnage: 8,184 grt, 4,554 nett
Length: 473.6 feet Beam: 64.3 feet Draught: 35.4 feet
Machinery: 2 x Double reduction geared turbines by Richardson, Westgarth and Company Limited, Hartlepool. Single shaft.
Speed:
Pennant Numbers: X 110 (1945), B 522 (BPF), A210 (Post 1947)
Call Sign 1945: GJLB
Arrived at Faslane for breaking up on the 29 June 1960.
BATTLE HONOURS:No battle honours recorded for this vessel.
RFA Wave Regent
Wave Sovereign
Builder: Furness Shipbuilding Company Limited, Haverton Hill.
Launched: 20 November 1945 Completed: February 1946
Yard No: 364 Official No: 180813
Tonnage: 8,182 grt, 4,554 nett
Length: 473.6 feet Beam: 64.3 feet Draught: 35.4 feet
Machinery: 2 x Double reduction geared turbines by Richardson, Westgarth and Company Limited, Hartlepool. Single shaft.
Speed:
Pennant Numbers: X 111 (1946), A 211 (Post 1947)
Arrived at Singapore for breaking up in June 1967.
BATTLE HONOURS: Korea 1952 – 53
RFA Wave Sovereign with RAS rigs as originally fitted
RFA Wave Sovereign with the position of her RAS rigs as changed
RFA Wave Sovereign in the middle 1960’s
Wave Class Batch 2
Wave Victor
Builder: Furness Shipbuilding Company, Haverton Hill
Launched: 30 September 1943 Completed: February 1944
Yard No: 356 Official No: 169126
Tonnage: 8,128 grt, 4,597 nett
Length: 473.8 feet Beam: 64.3 feet Draught: 35.4 feet
Machinery: 2 x Double reduction geared turbines by Richardsons, Westgarth and Company Limited, Hartlepool. Single shaft.
Speed: 14.5 knots
Pennant Number: A 220
Callsign 1944: GCBT
Launched as “Empire Bounty” for the Ministry of War Transport, Middlesbrough and under management of Anglo Saxon Petroleum Ltd. Handed over the Admiralty in 1946 and became RFA Wave Victor. 17 January 1954 suffered a serious engine room fire while in the Bristol Channel. In 1961 she became a fuel hulk at Gan, Maldives Islands
BATTLE HONOURS: No battle honours recorded for this vessel.
RFA Wave Victor
Wave Conqueror
Builder: Furness Shipbuilding Company, Haverton Hill.
Launched: 27 November 1943 Completed: March 1944
Yard No: 357 Official No: 169132
Tonnage: 8,128 grt, 4,597 nett
Length: 473.8 feet Beam: 64.3 feet Draught: 35.4 feet
Machinery: 2 x Double reduction geared turbines by Richardsons, Westgarth and Company Limited, Hartlepool. Single shaft.
Speed: 14.5 knots
Pennant Number: A 245
Call Sign 1944: GFWM
Launched as “Empire Law” for the Ministry of War Transport, Middlesbrough and managed by Anglo Saxon Petroleum Limited. Became an RFA in 1946 as RFA Wave Conqueror. Sold to H. G. Pounds Ltd. of Portsmouth in 1959, she became a fuel hulk at Le Havre France
Arrived Spezia for breaking up on the 23 April 1960.
BATTLE HONOURS:No battle honours recorded for this vessel.
RFA Wave Conqueror in the late 1940’s
Wave Duke
Builder: Sir James Laing and Sons Limited, Sunderland.
Launched: 16 November 1944 Completed: April 1945
Yard No: 755 Official No: 180048
Tonnage: 8,199 grt, 4,644 nett
Length: 473 feet Beam: 64.1 feet Draught: 35.6 feet
Machinery: 2 x Double reduction geared turbines by Metropolitan Vickers Electric Company Limited, Manchester. Single Shaft
Speed: 14.5 knots
Pennant Numbers: X 138 (1945), A 246 (Post 1947)
Call sign 1945: GBRL
Launched as “Empire Mars” for the Ministry of War Transport, Sunderland. Under management of British Tanker Co Ltd. Became RFA Wave Duke in 1946.
Arrived at Bilbao on the 25 December 1969 for breaking up.
BATTLE HONOURS:No battle honours recorded for this vessel.
RFA Wave Duke
Wave Liberator
Builder: Furness Shipbuilding Company, Haverton Hill.
Launched: 9 February 1944 Completed: June 1944
Yard No: 358 Official No: 169143
Tonnage: 8,135 grt, 4,604 nett
Length: 473.8 feet Beam: 64.3 feet Draught: 35.4 feet
Machinery: 2 x Double reduction geared turbines by Richardsons, Westgarth and Company Limited, Sunderland. Single shaft.
Speed: 14.5 knots
Pennant numbers: X 146 (1944), A 248 (Post 1947)
Call sign 1945:
Launched as “Empire Milner” for the Ministry of War Transport, Middlesbrough and managed by British Tankers Limited. Became RFA Wave Liberator in 1946. Sold in 1956 to the Hong Kong Towage and Salvage Co, at Bombay.
Arrived at Hong Kong for breaking up on the 2 May 1959.
BATTLE HONOURS:No battle honours recorded for this vessel.
RFA Wave Liberator
Wave Commander
Builder: Furness Shipbuilding Company, Haverton Hill.
Launched: 21 April 1944 Completed: August 1944
Yard No: 359 Official No: 169146
Tonnage: 8,141 grt, 4,604 nett.
Length: 473.8 feet Beam: 64.3 feet Draught: 35.4 feet
Machinery: 2 x Double reduction geared turbines by Richardsons, Westgarth and Company Limited. Single shaft
Speed: 14.5 knots
Pennant number: A 244
Call sign 1944: MQJX
Launched as “Empire Paladin” for the Ministry of War Transport, Middlesbrough and managed by Athel Line Limited. Became RFA Wave Commander in 1946.
Arrived Inverkeithing for breaking up on the 9 May 1959.
BATTLE HONOURS:No battle honours recorded for this vessel.
RFA Wave Commander in the 1950’s
Wave Protector
Builder: Furness Shipbuilding Company, Haverton Hill
Launched: 20 July 1944 Completed: October 1944
Yard No: 360 Official No: 169147
Tonnage: 8,148 grt, 4.609 nett
Length: 473.8 feet Beam: 64.3 feet Draught: 35.4 feet
Machinery: 2 x Double reduction geared turbines by Richardsons, Westgarth and Company Limited, Hartlepool. Single shaft.
Speed: 14.5 knots
Pennant numbers: X 136 (1944), A 215 (Post 1947)
Call sign 1944: MQKD
Launched as “Empire Protector” for the Ministry of War Transport, Middlesborough and managed by Anglo Saxon Petroleum Company Limited. Became RFA Wave Protector in 1946. The ship was sold to Italian breakers in 1963 after lying at Ras Hanzir, Malta as a fuel hulk for a number of years.
Arrived at La Grazie in August 1963 for breaking up.
BATTLE HONOURS: No battle honours recorded for this vessel.
RFA Wave Protector
Wave Master
Builder: Sir James Laing and Sons Limited, Sunderland.
Launched: 25 May 1944 Completed: December 1944
Yard No: 754 Official No: 180146
Tonnage: 8,199 grt, 4,544 nett
Length: 473 feet Beam: 64.1 feet Draught: 35.6 feet
Machinery: 2 x Double reduction geared turbines by North Eastern Marine Engineering Company Limited, Newcastle. Single shaft.
Speed: 14.5 knots
Pennant number: A 193
Call Sign 1944: GJMQ
Launched as “Empire Salisbury” for the Ministry of War Transport, Sunderland under management of the Eagle Oil Company Limited. Became RFA Wave Master in 1946.
Arrived at Singapore for breaking up in April 1963.
BATTLE HONOURS:No battle honours recorded for this vessel.
RFA Wave Master
Wave Baron
Builder: Furness Shipbuilding Company, Haverton Hill.
Launched: 19 February 1946 Completed: June 1946
Yard No: 378 Official No: 180885
Tonnage: 8,182 grt, 4,580 nett
Length: 473.6 feet Beam: 64.3 feet Draught: 35.4 feet
Machinery: 2 x Double reduction geared turbines by Richardsons, Westgarth and Company Limited, Hartlepool. Single shaft.
Speed: 14.5 knots
Pennant numbers: X 137 (1946), A 242 (Post 1947)
Call sign 1946:
Laid down as the “Empire Flodden” for the Ministry of War Transport, but launched as RFA Wave Baron in June 1946. 27 – 31 January 1968 supported HM Ships in abortive search for the missing Israeli submarine ‘Dakar’
Arrived at Bilbao for breaking up on the 23 April 1972.
BATTLE HONOURS: Korea 1952
RFA Wave Baron in June 1947
RFA Wave Baron in late 1950 or early 1960’s
RFA Wave Baron in 1968
Wave Prince
Builder: Sir James Laing and Sons Limited, Sunderland.
Launched: 27th June 1945 Completed: March 1945
Yard No: 761 Official No: 181127
Tonnage: 8,197 grt, 4,564 nett
Length: 473 feet Beam: 64.1 feet Draught: 35.6 feet
Machinery: 2 x Double reduction geared turbines by Barclay Curle and Company Limited, Glasgow. Single shaft
Speed: 14.5 knots
Pennant number: A 207
Call signs 1946: GDNX
Launched as “Empire Herald” for the Ministry of War Transport, Sunderland and managed by Athel Line Limited. Became RFA Wave Prince in 1946.
Arrived at Burriana for breaking up on the 16 December 1971.
BATTLE HONOURS: Korea 50 – 53
RFA Wave Prince
Wave Ruler (1)
Builder: Furness Shipbuilding Company Limited, Haverton Hill.
Launched: 17 January 1946 Completed: April 1946
Yard No: 373 Official No: 180849
Tonnage: 8,138 grt, 4,554 nett
Length: 473.6 feet Beam: 64.3 feet Draught: 35.4 feet
Machinery: 2 x Double reduction geared turbines by Richardsons, Westgarth and Company Limited, Hartlepool. Single shaft.
Speed: 14.5 knots
Pennant Numbers: A 212
Signal Letters: GKNR
Laid down as “Empire Evesham”, she was completed for the Ministry of Transport, London. Became RFA Wave Ruler in 1947. Became a fuel hulk at RAF Gan, Maldives Island in 1971
Arrived at Kaohsiung for breaking up in 1977.
BATTLE HONOURS:No battle honours recorded for this vessel.
RFA Wave Ruler
Wave Laird
Builder: Sir James Laing and Sons Limited, Sunderland.
Launched: 3 April 1946 Completed: October 1946
Yard No: 767 Official No: 180967
Tonnage: 8,187 grt, 4,645 nett
Length: 473 feet Beam: 64.1 feet Draught: 35.6 feet
Machinery: 2 x Double reduction geared turbines by Metropolitan Vickers Electric Company Limited, Manchester. Single shaft.
Speed: 14.5 knots
Pennant numbers: X 129 (1946), A 119 (Post 1947)
Signal letters: GKLW
Launched as “Empire Dunbar”, but completed as RFA Wave Laird.
Arrived at Gandia, Spain for breaking up in February 1970.
BATTLE HONOURS: Korea 1950 – 51
RFA Wave Laird
Wave Knight (1)
Builder: Sir James Laing and Sons Limited, Sunderland
Launched: 22 October 1945 Completed: May 1946
Yard No: 764 Official No: 180875
Tonnage: 8,187 grt, 4,545 nett.
Length: 473 feet Beam: 64.2 feet Draught: 35.6 feet
Machinery: 2 x Double reduction geared turbines by North Eastern Marine Engineering Company Limited, Wallsend. Single shaft.
Speed: 14.5 knots
Pennant numbers: X 139 (1946), A 249 (Post 1947)
Signal letters:
Launched as “Empire Naseby” for the Ministry of War Transport, under management of Athel Line Limited. Became RFA Wave Knight in 1947.
Arrived Willebroek, Belgium for breaking up on the 19th October 1964.
BATTLE HONOURS: Korea 1951 – 53
RFA Wave Knight
Wave Chief
Builder: Harland and Wolff, Govan
Launched: 4 April 1946 Completed: 27 August 1946
Yard No: 1306g Official No: 180935
Tonnage: 8,097 grt
Length: 473.6 feet Beam: 64.3 feet Draught: 35.4 feet
Machinery: 2 x Double reduction geared turbines by Metropolitan Vickers Electric Company Limited, Manchester. Single shaft.
Speed: 14.5 knots
Launched as “Empire Edgehill” for the Ministry of Transport and renamed on completion as RFA Wave Chief. The only ship of the class with a complete foremast with topmast. 13 November 1957 ran aground on a sandbank at Batu Puteh, off Ferry Point, Changi, Singapore
Arrived Inverkeithing for breaking up on the 13th November 1974
BATTLE HONOURS: Korea 1951 – 53
RFA Wave Chief in Malta in the 1960’s
RFA Wave Chief in the 1970’s
Wave Premier
Builder: Furness Shipbuilding Company Limited, Haverton Hill.
Launched: 27 June 1946 Completed: December 1946
Yard No: 389 Official No: 181515
Tonnage: 8,175 grt,
Machinery: 2 x Double reduction geared turbines by Richardsons, Westgarth and Company Limited, Hartlepool.
Speed: 14.5 knots
Pennant numbers: X 65 (1946), A 129 (Post 1947)
Laid down as “Empire Marston” but launched as RFA Wave Premier.
Sold to the British Iron and Steel Company and arrived at Inverkeithing for breaking up on the 11 June 1960.
BATTLE HONOURS: Korea 1950 – 52
RFA Wave Premier