RFA Ashleaf
Previous name: Olga
Subsequent name:
Official Number 139185
Class: Emergency Wartime Construction -- LEAF Group Freighting Tanker
Pennant No: Y 7. 156
Laid down: 1916
Builder: Ropner, Stockton on Tees.
Launched: 12 September 1916
Into Service: 1916
Out of service: 29 May 1917
Fate: Sunk
Items of historic interest involving this ship: -
Background Data: During WW1, 18 vessels of varying types were acquired second-hand and converted or purchased and converted while on the stocks, or in a few cases building as tankers. Some were converted after serving with the Dummy Battleship Squadron by the insertion of cylindrical tanks in their holds. All were originally intended to operate as RFA’s, however owing to reasons of international law and the operation of the US Neutrality Act, these oilers became Mercantile Fleet Auxiliaries being renamed with the LEAF nomenclature and placed under civilian management although operationally they remained under Admiralty control
12 September 1916 launched by Ropner & Sons Ltd, Stockton-on-Tees as Yard Nr 505 named RFA OLGA
1917 Completed and placed under management of Lane and MacAndrew Ltd, London as an oiler transport renamed ASHLEAF. Base port Devonport
1 February 1917 berthed at Port of Spain, Trinidad
16 April 1917 Captain William L Phillips was Master
17 April 1917 Bosun Henry Morel and Seaman John Harper both logged for desertion. They had both signed on the previous day.
29 May 1917 Sunk when topedoed by U88 (Kapitanleutnant Walther Schwieger) in the North Atlantic 150 miles west of the Bishops Rock at 48.40N, 09.30W while sailing from Trinidad to Falmouth loaded with petrol. The value of her lost cargo was placed at £92,000
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