RFA Olmeda
replenishing HMS Invincible post-war (Courtesy - MOD,
Navy)
Vital Fleet Support -
Away from its few shore bases, the Navy simply could not
operate without the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, which like its
parent service sent a large proportion of its strength to
the South Atlantic before the end of the war - no less
than 22 of the 27 ships in commission. Civilian-manned and
flying the Blue Ensign, the RFA's usually supplied
warships underway by Replenishment at Sea (RAS)
techniques:
- Heavy furnace fuel oil for
older ships, diesel and aviation fuels and fresh water
were supplied through hoses
- Dry goods by jackstay and
- Most ships were equipped to
handle helicopters for vertrep, and if needed to provide
the RFA's own ASW screen.
The types of ships,
displacement tons, and helicopters embarked were:
Fleet
replenishment
ships supplied ammunition, food
and dry stores: |
|
|
|
|
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"Regent",
"Resource" |
22,800
tons |
Wessex |
|
"Fort
Austin",
"Fort Grange" |
17,200
tons |
Wessex/Sea
Kings |
|
"Stromness"
-
Stores support ship |
14,000
tons |
helicopter
deck |
|
|
Fleet
tankers carried all three types of
fuel as well as fresh water, and could
replenish three ships at a time,
including one astern: |
|
|
|
|
|
"Olmeda",
"Olna"
(plus "Olwen" - did not take part) |
36,000
tons |
Sea
Kings/Wessex |
|
"Tidepool",
"Tidespring" |
27,400
tons |
Wessex |
|
"Blue
Rover"
- one of five small fleet tankers; also
carries dry cargo |
11,500
tons |
helicopter
deck |
|
|
Support
tankers
normally transported ship and
aviation fuel between terminals and
depots, but could replenish the fleet
tankers and directly refuel other ships.
The two classes were considerably
supplemented by civilian tankers: |
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|
|
|
|
"Appleleaf",
"Brambleleaf", "Bayleaf" |
26,000
tons |
(no
flightdeck) |
|
"Pearleaf"
and
"Plumleaf" - older ships |
26,000
tons |
(no
flightdeck) |
|
|
Landing
ship
logistics (LSL's) were RO-RO
vessels equipped with bow and stern
doors and ramps for loading and
unloading troops and tanks: |
|
|
|
|
|
"Sir
Bedivere",
"SIR GALAHAD" (lost by air attack),
"Sir Geraint", "Sir Lancelot" (UXB
damage), "Sir Percivale",
"Sir Tristram" (UXB damage). |
5,500
ton |
helicopter
deck |
|
|
Helicopter
support
ship equipped for naval training
in the handling and maintenance of
helicopters: |
|
|
|
|
|
"Engadine" |
8,000
tons |
helicopter
deck |
|
Separate from the RFA was the Royal
Maritime Auxiliary Service with 400 civilian-manned
ships providing marine services in and around naval bases.
Two ships sailed south:
Ocean tug
"Typhoon" (1,030 grt)
Mooring, salvage and boom vessel "Goosander" (900 grt).
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