RFA Sunhill

RFA Sunhill

RFA Sunhill

Previous name:                        General Havelock,  Kennet
Subsequent name:   

Official Number:                        104354                                                                        

Class:                                         Accommodation Ship

Pennant No:

Laid down:
Builder:                                       Messrs J Laing , Sunderland
Launched:                                 25 May 1895
Into Service:                              1916
Out of service:                           20 June 1920
Fate:                                           1928 Broken up at Inverkeithing

 

Items of historic interest involving this ship: -

Background Data:  Some official lists, marked as  “Lists of RFA’s” show vessels which spent some time as RFA’s during the First World War. These records are extremely sketchy and some of these vessels were “Yard Craft”, partially or wholly Dockyard manned, partly by RNR or Reserve Fleet personnel. Some of the Depot Ships staffed by skilled civilian Dockyard workers were for a time White Ensign. The Director of Stores was understood to be concerned with their manning and operationally they remained under Admiralty control

 

 

25 May 1895 Launched by Messrs J Laing , Sunderland as Yard Nr 541 named GENERAL HAVELOCK for Messrs R.M. Hudson & Sons, Sunderland

July 1895 completed

14 September 1895 sailed Sunderland to Shadwell Basin, London - sailing advertised in the North Eastern Daily Gazette

26 July 1896 involved in a collision at South Docks, Sunderland with the ss County Durham, a collier. The ss County Durham sank and damage was caused to the General Havelock bows. No injuries or fatalities.

26 June 1897 sailed Southampton Docks with passengers to view the Royal Naval Review at Spithead - the Company contracted to provide catering for the 290 passengers was not paid and litigation followed in the High Court on 30 April 1898.

24 October 1897 grounded while on passage up the River Thames in foggy weather. Refloated within 2 hours

20 November 1899 while on passage up the River Thames off Rainham was in collision with the ss Fishren of Manchester causing damage to both vessel. Both ships continued up River.

1901 Purchased by Royal Mail Steam Packet Co, London and renamed KENNET

1915 Purchased by Sun Shipping Co Ltd ( Mitchell, Cotts & Co, Managers) London and renamed  SUNHILL

23 September 1915 chartered by the Admiralty for use as an Accommodation Ship

10 June 1916 Lieutenant Ernest Clarke RNR appointed in command

18 June 1916 Engineer Lieutenant Stephen Carter RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

8 August 1918 Rigger Murdo Macleod MMR and Diver George Precious MMR both discharged dead. They are buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France

30 August 1918 Junior Officer Alfred Nash RFA appeared before a court martial charged with desertion The charge was found proved. He was adjudged to be dismissed his ship and severely reprimanded

23 September 1918 Engineer Sub Lieutenant William Brown RNR appeared before a court martial charged with being drunk on shore The accused pleaded guily. He was adjudged to be dismissed his ship and severely reprimanded

26 November 1918 Assistant Motor Engineer Sydney Christie MMR discharged dead. He is buried in Bedford Cemetery, Foster Hill Road, Bedford in Grave E/3.17

December 1918 was being used an 'accommodation' ship with the following officer being borne

2 Engineer Commander RNR

2 Engineer Lieutenant Commander RNR

9 Lieutenant RNR

23 Engineer Lieutenant RNR

14 Sub-Lieutenant RNR

91 Engineer Sub-Lieutenant RNR

4 Lieutenant RNVR

5 Sub-Lieutenant RNVR

2 May 1919 Sub Lieutenant William Dalziel RNR discharged dead . He is buried in Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Malta

 

image courtesy British War Graves

2 June 1919 Engineer Sub Lieutenant Alfred E Oakley RNR discharged dead - illness - he is buried in Dalmeny And Queensferry Cemetery, West Lothian, Scotland in plot 439

14 July 1919 2nd Mate Harry S F Turnbull MMR  appeared before a court martial charged with (a) drunk on board  (b) Guilty of conduct unbecoming the character of an officer in sleeping in a bunk with a Third Engineer MMR. Pleaded guilty to the first charge and the second charge was found proved. He was adjudged to be dismissed from His Majesty's Service. The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty were pleased to annul the sentence on the ground that the Court had no jurisdiction to try the second charge.

18 July 1919 3rd Engineer Henry Gregory MMR  appeared before a court martial charged with being guilty of conduct unbecoming the character of an officer in sleeping in a bunk with a Second Mate MMR. The charge was found not proved and the defendant was acquitted. . The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty were pleased to annul the proceedings on the ground that the Court had no jurisdiction

26 July 1919 Boatswain W J Harvey MMR 502056 discharged dead He is buried in Sunderland (Ryhope Road) Cemetery, Co Durham in grave 6. A. 8013. C

20 June 1920 decommissioned at Portsmouth

June 1920 returned to owners

June 1928 sold for £20000 to T.W. Ward Ltd, Sheffield for breaking up