RFA Trefoil

RFA Trefoil

Previous name:
Subsequent name:  

Official Number:             139085                                                               

Class:                               FIRST 2000t CLASS Harbour Tanker

Pennant No:                     N 93 / X 11 / X 73

Laid down:                       15 January 1913
Builder:                             H.M. Dockyard, Pembroke
Launched:                       27 October 1913
Into Service:
Out of service:                 1935
Fate:                                  Broken up

Items of historic interest involving this ship: -

Background Data:   The 5 ships in this Class, although not sister ships, were similar and were all Admiralty-designed. RFA MIXOL and RFA THERMOL were both unsatisfactory as far as their stability went, and 200 tons of permanent ballast was always carried in nos 1 and 3 tanks, which were never pumped out. RFA TREFOIL and RFA TURMOIL (1) were experimental ships which were mechanically unsatisfactory and they were little used

27 October 1913 launched by HM Dockyard, Pembroke Dock as Yard Nr      by Mrs E J Maginness, wife of the Chief Constructor at the Dockyard named TREFOIL but was considerably delayed during construction as warships had priority

8 September 1916 Engineer Lieutenant Charles McTaminey RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

7 March 1917  Her engines had been built by Vickers at Barrow and had already been installed in her. This engine had to be removed just before her builders trials. RFA Thermol engine's, had been manufactured by J. Samuel White at  Cowes to a MAN of Ausburg, Germany design. Both of these sets of engines were requisitioned for use in the monitors HMS MARSHAL SOULT and HMS MARSHAL NEY.

1917 finally completed by Vickers Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness

13 June 1917 Lieutenant Hermann R Elsby RNR appointed in command

9 January 1918 Lieutenant John Gow RNR appointed in command

5 June 1918 Able Seaman Cyril Chapman MMR 816636 discharged dead. He died in the Royal Informatory, Liverpool. He had signed on on 3 August 1917

6 August 1918 Fireman Chas H Gibbs MMR 897013 logged for deserting. He had signed on on 21 November 1917

9 August 1918 Able Seaman Samuel Clayton MMR 961046  logged for deserting. He had signed on on 8 June 1918

16 August 1918 Second Officer George E Wilson RFA appeared before a court martial charged with being absent without leave  The accused pleaded guilty and was adjudged to be dismissed his ship and forfeit 6 months seniority. Junior Engineer Officer Charles H Mitchell RFA appeared before a court martial charged with being absent without leave  The accused pleaded guilty and was adjudged to be dismissed his ship and forfeit 3 months seniority

24 September 1918 Fireman Francis McGuinness MMR 896106 logged for deserted. He had signed on on 12 August 1918

13 November 1919 Able Seaman Chas Millar MMR 993429 logged for deserting. He had signed on on 28 October 1919

14 January 1920 Captain J Gow RFA appointed as Master

29 January 1920 at Rosyth alongside HMS Castor refuelling her with 185 tons of FFO

9 February 1920 Mr Henry Baker DSO RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

12 November 1920 Captain R D Williams RFA appointed as Master

18 February 1921 arrived at Arosa Bay, Villagarcia, Spain to refuel units of the Royal Navy anchored there 

4 July 1921 at Sheerness alongside HMS Dunedin which was at anchor to refuel her

14 November 1921 at Devonport alongside HMS Durban on No 5 buoy to refuel her

January 1929 to May 1935 in reserve at Rosyth as she was mechanically unsatisfactory

21 May 1935 RFA Trefoil offered for sale by tender by the Admiralty in the Times of this day. Vessel lying at Rosyth

28 June 1935 arrived Bo’ness for demolition by P & W McClellan after sale for £5,854

August 1935 demolition begun