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RFA Dewdale (A129)

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History
United Kingdom
NameMV Edenfield
OwnerHunting (Eden) Tankers Ltd
BuilderHarland & Wolff, Belfast
Yard number1659
Launched5 March 1965
Completed2 July 1965
In service1965, 1977
Out of service1967, 1978
United Kingdom
NameRFA Dewdale
OperatorRoyal Fleet Auxiliary
AcquiredJuly 1967
In service14 August 1967
Out of serviceSeptember 1977
Identification
Fate
  • Returned to owners subsidiary Field Tank Steamship Co Ltd
  • Broken up 6 August 1982
General characteristics
TypeMobile Bulk Tanker
Tonnage
Displacement67,000 long tons
Length
  • 747 ft 0 in (227.69 m) PP
  • 774 ft 6 in (236.07 m) LOA
Beam107 ft 10 in (32.87 m)
Draught41 ft 5 in (12.62 m)
Depth55 ft 0 in (16.76 m)
Installed power17,000 brake horsepower (13,000 kW)
Propulsion
  • 1 x H&W/B&W 9-cylinder diesels
  • 1 x shaft
Speed15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement51
Notes[1]

RFA Dewdale (A129) was a Mobile Bulk Tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), the naval auxiliary fleet of the United Kingdom. She was on a long-term charter from 1967 to support the Royal Navy east of Suez and was at the time one of the largest ships in the RFA fleet. Dewdale had no replenishment at sea (RAS) equipment and was classed as a Mobile Reserve Tanker.[2]

Construction[edit]

Dewdale was built at Harland & Wolff, Belfast, as Edenfield for Hunting (Eden) Tankers Ltd, managed by Hunting & Son Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne. She was launched on 5 March and completed on 2 July 1965.[3]

The bridge, accommodation and machinery were situated aft, and she needed to undergo a refit to enable her to receive rigs from fleet tankers in RFA service, therefore she was fitted with an astern fuelling rig and an abeam reception facility. On 14 August 1967 she was bareboat chartered by the Admiralty and sailed to Birkenhead for these modifications, which were completed by Cammell Laird & Co.[4]

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ Moore, John, ed. (1974). Jane's Fighting Ships. London: Jane's Yearbooks. p. 362. ISBN 0354005065.
  2. ^ Puddefoot 2009, p. 193.
  3. ^ Puddefoot 2009, p. 194.
  4. ^ "RFA Dewdale - Historical RFA". historicalrfa.uk. Retrieved 2 July 2024.

Bibliography[edit]