The Eddy-class coastal tankers were a series of eight replenishment oilers used by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), the naval auxiliary fleet of the United Kingdom. They were built from 1951–1953 tasked with transporting and providing fuel and other liquids to Royal Navy vessels and stations around the world.

Class overview
NameEddy class
OperatorsRFA Ensign Royal Fleet Auxiliary
In commission1951–1981
Planned10
Completed8
Cancelled2
Retired8
General characteristics
TypeCoastal tanker
Tonnage2,200 long tons deadweight (DWT)
Length286 ft 5 in (87.3 m)
Beam46 ft 4 in (14.1 m)
Draft17 ft 3.5 in (5.3 m)
Propulsion3-cylinder triple expansion steam engine
Speed12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement38

History

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There were originally ten ships planned in the class, although the final two were cancelled in 1952. Originally designed to act as fleet attendant oilers, in this role the ships were obsolete almost as soon as they were built due to the increasing prevalence of replenishment at sea, and their role was refocused to coastal transport duties.[1]

Most of the class had relatively short service careers, although Eddyfirth remained in service until 1981. Several of the vessels were based at Gibraltar in the Mediterranean for most of their service years.

Ships

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Name Pennant Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Decommissioned
Eddybeach A132 Caledon Shipbuilding Co., Dundee 20 March 1950 24 May 1951 8 December 1951 27 May 1962
Eddybay A107 Caledon Shipbuilding Co., Dundee 23 March 1951 29 November 1951 25 April 1952 9 November 1962
Eddycliff A190 Blythswood Shipbuilding Company Limited, Glasgow 25 August 1952 10 February 1953 August 1963
Eddycreek A258 Lobnitz, Renfrew 19 January 1953 11 September 1953 25 July 1960
Eddyrock A198 Blyth Shipbuilding Company 16 December 1952 7 June 1953 March 1967
Eddyreef A202 Caledon Shipbuilding Co., Dundee 28 May 1953 23 October 1953 1958
Eddyfirth A261 Lobnitz, Renfrew 28 April 1952 10 September 1953 25 April 1954 April 1981
Eddyness A295 Blyth Shipbuilding Company 22 October 1953 11 October 1954 29 January 1963
Eddycove cancelled 1952
Eddymull

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Eddy Class Vessels". Historical RFA. Retrieved 29 November 2023.