Naval Tankermen Association

HMCS PROTECTEUR

HMCS PRESERVER

HMCS PROVIDER

HMNZS ENDEAVOUR

HMNZS Otago Association

GUNPLOT

Vietnam Vets

Mururoa Veterans

HMAS Leeuwin JRTE

Australian War Memorial

HMAS SUPPLY

HMAS WESTRALIA

HMAS SUCCESS

HMAS SIRIUS

US Naval Tankers

Haslar Naval Hospital UK

USS FISKE

Tanker Registry

The history of the Australian Navy Fleet Auxiliary is a wide and varied  one indeed from the early beginnings with HMS Supply a stores ship of the first fleet in 1788, (the namesake of our famous grey lady HMAS Supply), to the modern tankers of the RAN today

Several ships at the start of World War One were requisitioned for service to the Australian fleet, one of note was the fleet Oiler  HMAS Kurumba

Although built for the RAN Kurumba served with the Royal Navy in the early stages of 1917 to the start of 1919. She was then transferred to RAN control on March 13 1919 and finally arrived in Sydney during July of that year.

   HMAS Kurumba

Displacement: (Tons) 7,806 Dimensions: (Feet) Length 378 Beam: 45.6 Draught: 23.3    

Machinery:   Triple expansion 2,300hp    Speed: (Knots) 10    Range (Miles) N/A     Armament: One 4" Gun.

Much like the collier Biloela, Kurumba was considered at the time to be suitable for conversion to carry an operational detachment of a pair of seaplanes but after some time the scheme was scrapped in 1923. Up until to June 1928 when Kurumba payed off into reserve, she had made some 13 voyages to Borneo and New Guinea. The Oiler remained out of commission until the New Year in 1939. Kurumba was eventually sold on January 30th 1948 but was not scrapped until 1966.

   HMAS Biloela

Was unfortunately completed too late for war service but served as a Fleet Collier from 1920 till 1927. During her short career in the R.A.N. HMAS Biloela made several voyages to New Guinea and the New Hebrides until the disposal of the RAN's squadron of  coal burning Cruisers and Destroyers necessitating her decommissioning on November 14th 1927. During the early 1920's plans were formulated for Biloela's conversion as a seaplane carrier embarking twelve aircraft, but along with similar plans for Kurumba, the scheme was scrapped as it would divert the ships from their primary task of Fleet support. The originally planned armament of two 4" guns were never mounted.

After her sale in March 1931 Biloela was renamed WOLLERT (1932), IVANHOE  (1937), then YOH SING and finally CREE. She was sunk on November 21st 1940 by an enemy submarine.

Displacement: (Tons) 9390 Dimensions: Length 382.ft Beam: 54ft Draught: 22.2ft

Machinery: Triple expansion single screw, 2,300hp. 

Speed: (Knots) 11, Range: (Miles) 5,000 @ 10 knot

Ships Company: 70 Armament: Nil.

HMAS Biloela was built at Cockatoo Island Dockyard and it took 1 year and 8 months to complete on 5.7.1920.

Requisitioned Ships

Overall there were thirteen ships requisitioned for service with the Royal Australian Navy and for a fleet at war the lone Kurumba was unable to meet all replenishment needs. To meets the needs of the fleet and the heavy demand for Oil, 13 auxiliary oilers were placed  at the disposal of the RAN for varying periods.

                                                AASE MAERSK      RFA Bishopdale

Ships Details:

Name:                     Details:                                Status:

Aase Maersk          6184 Gross Tons                Built: 1930

                                407 x 54.7feet                    USN 6.10.1942

                                489hp = 11 knots               RAN WW2

                                1 x 4" Gun + 1 x 12 Pdr     Returned 1945

RFA Bishopdale     17,357 Gross Tons             Built 1937

X66                         481.7 x 61.9                        Req - April 1942

                                490 NHP = 11.5 knots       RN 1945

British Sailor          Built -                                 Req Jan 1 1942

                                 Returned May 12 1942    Req May 21 1942   Returned Oct  6 1942

Capsa                     Built -                                    Req August 1942

Cedar Mills                      -                                     -

Colina                              -                                     -

Falkefjell                7927 gross tons  Built 1931  462 x 59.7 feet  Req Dec 12 1941

                                778 nhp = 11 1/2 knots    Ret April 20 1942

Gadila                     Storage Vessel  Built - Req - June 20 1942  Returned Aug 21 1942

Madrono                Storage Vessel   Built - Req - May 25 1942  Returned June 4 1942

Ostav                     Storage Vessel    Built - Req - June 20 1942 Ret    July 2 1942

Peak                      Storage Vessel    Built - Req - May 28 1942 Ret     June 22 1942

Vera                        -                          Built - Req - September 1942

Yamhill                    -                        Built - Req - 

Refueling at sea can be a precarious and arduous task and requires expert seamanship from both skippers for such a manouevre.

But a steady course brings RFA Wave Sovereign along side H.M.A.S Sydney to commence refueling in Korean waters.
 

Photo courtesy of  www.kmike.com 

The Tankers are the energy source for the Navy. Without them, the fleets would all become immobile, as the Japanese Navy found out during WWII.

Refueling at sea can be a precarious and arduous task and requires expert seamanship from both skippers for such a manouevre.
 

HMAS Supply ( ex RAFA Tide Austral ) RAS'ing RFA Derwentdale 1974

For More Information Contact:
Naval Tankermen Association ( Secretary/Treasurer )                                                  

108 East Street 

Bega NSW 2550  tanker73@bigpond.net.au

Home: 02 64923060
Mobile: 0428 500407

Main Gangway

                                  Copyright © {2007} {WitchWeb NSW}. All Rights Reserved