RFA Eddyrock

History
United Kingdom
Builder	Blyth Shipbuilding Company, Blyth, Northumberland, England
Launched	16 December 1952
In service	7 June 1953
Out of service	27 June 1967
Identification	IMO number:  5096860 Pennant number: A198
Fate	Sold commercially to Singapore on 27 June 1967
Notes	[1]
General characteristics
Class & type	Eddy-class coastal tanker
Tonnage	2,224  GRT 901  NRT 2,286  DWT
Displacement	4,165 long tons (4,232 t) full load
Length	287 ft 8 in (88 m)
Beam	46 ft 4 in (14 m)
Draught	17 ft 3 in (5 m)
Installed power	two scotch boilers 1,750 ihp (1,300 kW)
Propulsion	3 cylinder triple-expansion steam engine single shaft
Speed	12 knots
Complement	38
Notes	[2]

RFA Eddyrock (A198) was an Eddy-class coastal tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), the naval auxiliary fleet of the United Kingdom, built by the Blyth Shipbuilding Company, in Blyth, Northumberland, England and launched in 1952. Sold commercially to Singapore on 27 June 1967.

Design and construction

These vessels were originally small tankers intended for fleet support operations; however, after the post-war restructuring of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, they were swiftly repurposed for harbour and coastal activities. Designed with two Scotch boilers and a steam-powered, three-cylinder, triple expansion engine connected to a single screw, she was capable of reaching a speed of 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph). Her overall length was roughly 290 feet (88 m), with a beam measuring about 45 feet (14 m) and a displacement of 4,165 long tons (4,232 t)s. ^[3]

RFA Eddyrock possessed a cargo capacity of 1,650 long tons (1,680 t)s and was engineered to transport a variety of fuels across four cargo tanks, which were managed by four cargo pumps. Furthermore, she was capable of housing two different grades of lubricating oil in specially designed tanks and had the ability to carry a limited amount of dry cargo and some ammunition. The cargo areas were outfitted with two three-ton and two one-ton derricks for efficient cargo handling, making her particularly practical in small harbours or at anchorages. She was staffed by a crew of around 38 and offered comfortable living accommodations for her size. Nevertheless, due to the low freeboard, she, like her sister ships, frequently appeared to be on the brink of being swamped when navigating with a full load. ^[4]

RFA Eddyrock was launched by the Blyth Shipbuilding Company on the south bank of the River Blyth on 16 December 1952. ^[1]

References

• Eddy-Class Coastal Tankers
• Historical RFA

Citations

1. "RFA Eddyrock - Historical RFA". historicalrfa.uk. 26 October 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
2. Puddefoot 2009, p. 183.
3. Adams & Smith 2005, p. 91.
4. "Eddy Class Vessels". historicalrfa.uk. 9 May 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2025.

Bibliography

• Adams, Thomas A; Smith, James R (2005). The Royal Fleet Auxiliary A Century of Service. London, UK: Chatham Publishing. ISBN   1-86176-259-3.
• Puddefoot, Geoff (2009). The Fourth Force The Untold Story of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary since 1945. Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN   978-1-84832-046-8.