With thanks to Clyde Built Ships

Lothbury as a Q ship, dazzle painted, prior to entering RFA Service as RFA Argo

Previous name:
Subsequent name:                Lothbury  Sarusan Stead

Official Number:                     124142                                                           

Class:                                       Coastal Stores Carrier /Ammunition Hulk

Pennant No:                            N 13 / N 08

Laid down:
Builder:                                    John Shearer & Sons, Kelvinhaugh

Launched:                               5 October 1906

Into Service:                            16 April 1919
Out of service:                        1921
Fate:                                         Broken up

Items of historic interest involving this ship: -

Background Data:

This small stores carrier was initially chartered by the Admiralty for service as a Q-ship during WW1 and while serving as such under the names of LOTHBURY, SARUSAN and STEAD, she was purchased by the Admiralty for service as a stores carrier. She finally ended her days as a munitions hulk and was replaced by RFA ROBERT DUNDAS

5 October 1906 launched by John Shearer &  Sons  Ltd, Kelvinhaugh as Yard Nr 44 named ARGO for J. & P. Hutchinson, Glasgow

25 October 1906 completed and served on her Owners’ French trade

14 November 1906 picked up the crew of of the ss Ross which had run aground near North Bishops and landed them at Dublin

22 January 1917 attacked by a submarine in the North Sea - the U Boat open fire with a gun. The Argo escaped out of range with an increase in speed

9 June 1917 chartered by the Admiralty for service as a Q-ship renamed Lothbury

23 July 1917 at Pembroke Dock alongside Carr Jetty in Dockyard Hands fitting out for 'Special Service' - i.e. as a 'Q' ship, Lieutenant S Wilkinson DSC RNR in command. Engineer Lieutenant J A King RNR as Chief Engineer

5 August 1917 sailed Pembroke Dock on trials. Anchored off Milford Haven. Returned to Pembroke Dock

21 August 1917 at Pembroke Dock  - Fireman J Sullivan MMR discharged to Carmarthen Jail for 42 days with hard labour

4 September 1917 while on Special Service defect in the ships engines became apparent. Anchored off Hollyhead Harbour to effect repairs

11 September 1917 sailed Pembroke Dock on Special Service. Anchored off Milford Haven. Observed sea plane in difficulties. Sea plane landed and was taken in tow to Milford Haven 

21 September 1917 on Special Service. Anchored off Fishguard Harbour. Underway to off Milford Haven - anchored. Then underway to Pembroke Dock - made fast to 'A' Buoy. Coaling lighter made fast to ship.

19 December 1917 purchased by the Admiralty

1 September 1918 at Leith Docks

14 September 1918 sailed Leith to anchor at Granton Roads

22 September 1918 sailed Granton Roads to anchor at Hull Roads arriving the next day

24 September 1918 sailed Hull Roads to Granton Roads arriving 26 September 1918

30 September 1918 sailed Granton Roads to Immingham arriving on 2 October 1918

10 April 1919 Q-ship service ended and name reverted to Argo

16 April 1919 entered RFA service as a Coastal Stores Carrier name unchanged

21 July 1919 Stoker George R Graham discharged dead - buried in Portsmouth (Kingston) Cemetery

1921 RFA service ended

1926 to 1933 Captain E Smith appointed as Master

16 July 1937 William Uphill Gibbs, 1st Class Master (Yard Craft), RFA Argo, Portsmouth Dockyard awarded the Imperial Service Medal 

12 October 1938  Arrived Rosyth where she was reduced to a hulk for the temporary storage of munitions. Afterwards she was towed to the Medway and was moored there

1947 hulked at RN Armaments Depot at Fort William and placed on the Disposal List

September 1949 Sold to BISCO for scrap and broken up at Troon

Ships of the same name

Argo. 6th Rate of 28 guns and 601 bm built by Bird of Rotherhithe, launched on the 20 July 1758.  The ship was broken up at Portsmouth 1776.

Argo. A Schooner of 10 guns purchased in June 1780. Sold in April 1783.

Argo. A 5th Rate of 892 bm and 44 guns built by Baker at Howden Dock, launched on the 7 June 1781.  Sold out of service on the 11 January 1816.

Battle Honours for this Vessel: MINORCA 1798.

Argo. A 5th  Rate built by Chatham Dockyard on the 14 November 1799 and launched as ‘Active’, she was 150 x 41 ft, 1.055 bm with 38 guns, she was reduced to harbour service in February 1826.  The ship was renamed Argo on the 15 November 1833. And broken up at Plymouth in October 1860.