Previous name:
Subsequent name:

Official Number:                    168273

Class:                                     FRESH CLASS Water Carrier

Pennant No:                           X107 / A213

Laid down:                             19 June 1941
Builder:                                   Lytham Shipbuilding, Lytham

Launched:                              5 November 1941
Into Service:                           17 April 1942

Out of service:                        2 January 1946 ceased to be classed as an RFA

Fate:                                         Broken up

Items of historic interest involving this ship: -

Background Data:  There were 14 vessels in this Class, designed by H.M. Dockyard, Devonport to the order of the RFA. The design was based on that of the earlier BLOSSOM and FOUNTAIN CLASSES but with an additional salvage and fire-fighting capability. They were originally operated by the Director of Victualling and were maintained at RN bases in the U.K. and Mediterranean where they were employed principally in replenishing warships’ freshwater supplies and also, from time to time, in fire fighting and salvage work. A total of 236 tons of fresh water could be carried in 6 tanks. Most of them saw only limited service under the RFA ensign, manned by RFA crews working under Board of Trade (Home Trade) Agreements, before being transferred to the control of the Captains of the Dockyards on Yard Craft Agreements. In 1959 they were brought under the authority of the newly-formed Port Auxiliary Service which in turn became the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service. Originally all coal-fired, 4 of the Class were converted to oil-burning in 1961

5 November 1941 Launched by Lytham Shipbuilding & Engineering Co, Lytham as Yard Nr 868 named  FRESHBROOK for the Admiralty (Director of Stores)

12 March 1942 Mr W Leishman appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

14 March 1942 Captain E Owen appointed as Master

17 April 1942 completed at a cost of £29,330 and taken over by the RFA

24 April 1942 sailed Loch Ewe in convoy WN274 arriving at Methil on 26 April 1942

28 May 1942 sailed Loch Ewe in convoy UR26 under tow of tug Empire Larch to Reykjavik arriving on 2 June 1942

16 March 1943 Mr F Colyer appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

24 January 1944 Captain A Campbell appointed as Master

2 January 1946 ceased to be classed as an RFA and was taken over by the Director of Victualling

10 January 1963 offered for sale in the Times of this day "as lying" at H.M. Dockyard, Chatham

March 1963 purchased by Park Stanton & Co Ltd, London name unchanged

21 October 1963 arrived in the New Waterway in tow of the British tug KESTREL for demolition by Dutch  breakers