RFA Thornol

MFA Thornol

Previous name:                      Liselotte Essberger, Empire Tegyika
Subsequent name:                Caroline M, Kyllini  

Official Number:                     180797                                                            

Class:                                       Harbour Tanker

Pennant No:                            A261

Laid down:

Builder:                                    H.C. Stulcken Sohn, Hamburg
Launched:                              7 March 1935
Into Service:                            5 June 1947
Out of service:                        17 June 1948
Fate:                                         1980 Broken up

Items of historic interest involving this ship: -

Background Data:  There were 4 ships in this Class, all Admiralty-designed as harbour oilers. A fifth vessel, the ex-German LISELOTTE ESSBERGER which had been captured at Trondheim in April 1945 and was taken as a War Prize, was handed over to the MOWT and was renamed EMPIRE TEGYIKA. In 1947 she was transferred to the Admiralty and was renamed THORNOL, but remained under commercial management and was never RFA-manned

7 March 1935  launched by H.C. Stulcken Sohn, Hamburg as Yard Nr 695 named LISELOTTE ESSBERGER for John T. Essberger & Co, Hamburg

25 April 1935 completed

1940 requisitioned by the German Navy

15 March 1944 in collision with a cargo ship EUROPA near Bragen - the EUROPA, was sunk

.14 April 1945 Seized by Allies at Trondheim, Norway taken as a War Prize and handed over to the MoWT who renamed her EMPIRE TEGYIKA under management of Metcalf  Motor Coasters Ltd (T.J. Metcalf, Managers) London

27 June 1946 at Greenock alongside HMS VANGUARD refuelling her

2 July 1946 at Greenock alongside HMS VANGUARD refuelling her

3 July 1946 at Greenock alongside HMS VANGUARD refuelling her

1947 transferred to the Admiralty but remained under commercial management

5 June 1947 renamed THORNOL

5 June 1948 Sold out of service to Metcalfe Motor Coasters Ltd

17 September 1948 renamed CAROLINE M by her owners

January 1958 re-engined with 2 x 8 cyl diesels by Blackstone Marine Ltd

4 March 1966 in collision with the aggreate dredger Sand Star in Southampton Water. The Sand Star sank and her crew were rescued by the Caroline M.

1966 purchased by C. Diamantis, Piraeus and renamed KYLLINI

1966 resold to Greek Tankershipping Co Ltd, Piraeus name unchanged

15 February 1980 purchased by Greek breakers

15 December 1980 Scrapped by Salamis S.A., Salamis Island, Greece.

Notes:

1. The above image is of the Caroline M the name of MFA Thornol after she went out of service.