RFA Volunteer

RFA Volunteer

Previous name:
Subsequent name:                 Volens    

Official Number:                       149159                                                      

Class:                                        Dockyard Mooring Vessel

Pennant No:                              1916 - X38      1918 - X77

Laid down:                                1916
Builder:                                      Charles Rennoldson, South Shields
Launched:                                 17 March 1916
Into Service:                               June 1916
Out of service:                           1947
Fate:                                           Sold out of Service

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.

28 February 1916 Engineer Lieutenant Albert Nicholls RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

17 March 1916 Launched by Charles Rennoldson & Co, South Shields as Yard Nr 177 named  VOLUNTEER

18 April 1916 Lieutenant  Robert Tanner RNR appointed in command

June 1916 completed. On Boom Defence duties at Devonport

26 October 1917 Engineer Lieutenant Isaac D Strachan RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

1918 Boom Defence duties ended and reverted to a Mooring Vessel

1 March 1918 Renamed Volens

1920 based at Haulbowline

January 1947 purchased for £3,500 by Tees Conservancy Commissioners name unchanged

13 January 1956 arrived Gateshead for demolition by J.J. King & Co

Notes: -

1 Nvay Lists 1916, 1917 and 1918 all shows her to be a tender to HMS Vivid