Ol-class tanker (1918)

Last updated

RFA Olcades.jpg
Class overview
NameOl class
Operators British-Royal-Fleet-Auxiliary-Ensign.svg Royal Fleet Auxiliary
In service1918–1952
Completed6
Retired6
General characteristics
Type Tanker
Displacement10,200  DWT
Length444.1 ft (135.4 m)
Beam57 ft 2 in (17.42 m)
Draught27.2 ft (8.3 m)
Propulsion1 screw, triple expansion engine, 3100 hp; 3 Scotch boilers
Speed11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph)
Range10,000 nmi (19,000 km) at 16 kn (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Complement43

The Ol-class tankers were Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) replenishment oilers built from 1917 to 1919, tasked with providing fuel and other supplies to Royal Navy vessels around the world. There were six ships in the class. Until 1936 they were managed by Davies and Newman with RFA crews, after which time they were transferred to the British Admiralty.

Contents

The lead ship of the class, RFA Olcades, was originally built as British Beacon and acquired for RFA use in 1918. She was renamed in 1936. The six ships in the Ol class saw wide service during World War II as far afield as India, Singapore and the Far East.

Construction programme

NamePennantBuilderLaid downLaunchedInto serviceOut of serviceRef
Olcades (ex-British Beacon) X18 Workman Clark, Belfast 9 September 19189 October 1918April 1953 [1]
Oligarch (ex-British Lantern) X12191830 June 19181 August 191814 April 1946 [2]
Olynthus (ex-British Star) X11 Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Wallsend 20 June 191714 February 1918March 19181949 [3]
Olwen (ex-British Light) X09 Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Jarrow 19173 October 191717 April 19371947 [4]
Olna X47 His Majesty's Naval Base, Devonport 14 June 192021 June 192110 October 192118 May 1941 [5]
Oleander X46 Pembroke Dockyard, Pembroke Dock 1 December 192026 April 192220 October 192226 May 1940 [6]

See also

References

  1. "RFA Olcades - Historical RFA". historicalrfa.uk. 26 October 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  2. "RFA Oligarch - Historical RFA". historicalrfa.uk. 26 October 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  3. "RFA Olynthus - Historical RFA". historicalrfa.uk. 26 October 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  4. "RFA British Light - Historical RFA". historicalrfa.uk. 24 October 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  5. "RFA Olna - Historical RFA". historicalrfa.uk. 24 October 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  6. "RFA Oleander - Historical RFA". historicalrfa.uk. 26 October 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2024.