RFADerwentdale(A221)was aDale-classMobile Bulk Tanker of theRoyal Fleet Auxiliary(RFA), the navalauxiliary fleetof theUnited Kingdom.She was on a long-term charter from 1967 to support theRoyal Navyeast of Suezand was at the time the largest ship in the RFA fleet.Derwentdalehad noreplenishment at sea(RAS) equipment and was later classed as a Mobile Reserve Tanker.[2]
 United Kingdom | |
|---|---|
| Name | RFADerwentdale |
| Operator | Royal Fleet Auxiliary |
| Builder | Hitachi, Innoshima, Japan |
| Cost | £2,290,000 |
| Yard number | 4009 |
| Launched | 8 January 1964 (asHalcyon Breeze) |
| Acquired | 17 June 1967 |
| In service | 23 November 1967 |
| Out of service | June 1974 |
| Renamed | 23 November 1967,Derwentdale |
| Identification | |
| Fate |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Dale-classmobile bulk tanker |
| Tonnage | |
| Displacement | 88,555 long tons |
| Length | 798 ft 11 in (243.51 m) |
| Beam | 117 ft 10 in (35.92 m) |
| Draught | 42 ft 6 in (12.95 m) |
| Depth | 55 ft 4 in (16.87 m) |
| Installed power | 20,700 brake horsepower (15,400 kW) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 15.5 knots (28.7 km/h; 17.8 mph) |
| Notes | [1] |
Construction
editDerwentdalewas built atHitachi,Innoshima,Japan, asHalcyon Breezefor Caribbean Tankers Ltd (Court Line (Ship Management) Ltd, Managers) London. She was launched on 8 January and completed in April 1964.[3]
Thebridge,accommodation and machinery were situatedaft,and she needed to undergo a refit to enable her to receive rigs fromfleet tankersin RFA service, therefore she was fitted with anasternfuelling rig and an abeam reception facility. On 23 November 1967 she sailed toTynesidefor these modifications by Swan Hunter (Dry Docks) Ltd, Wallsend, was renamed Derwentdale and became the largest ever ship in the RFA.[1]
Operational history
editOn 17 June 1967Halcyon Breezewas chartered by the Admiralty and two days later became the first of the Dale class to be formally accepted. The following day she arrived at Swan Hunter (Dry Docks) Ltd, Wallsend for modifications, which were completed by November. She was renamedDerwentdaleand became the largest ever ship in the RFA.[1]
References
editCitations
edit- ^abc"RFA Derwentdale - Historical RFA".historicalrfa.uk.Retrieved30 July2024.
- ^Puddefoot 2009,p. 193.
- ^Puddefoot 2009,p. 194.
Bibliography
edit- Puddefoot, Geoff (2009).The Fourth Force The Untold Story of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary since 1945.Barnsley,South Yorkshire,UK: Seaforth Publishing.ISBN978-1-84832-046-8.
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