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Logistics Question Tanker Refueling

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 1:54 am
by Carl Schwamberger
Quite a while ago I saw a photo in a magazine, of a oil tanker in harbor & a cruiser alongside refueling. The caption text indicated this was in a harbor in the Pacific. It also referred to the tanker as a 'floating fuel depot'. I don't recall if the tanker was a ordinary transport, or a fleet oiler. If it were a common transport it must have been set up with equipment suitable for refueling other ships?

So, heres the question. Were there cases where ships were refueled in harbors or other anchorages from common transports? Not specialized underway oilers, but from transports acting as depots where storage tanks ashore were unavailable or other circumstances. If so what are some sources describing this practice?

Re: Logistics Question Tanker Refueling

Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 5:43 pm
by Fatboy Coxy
Hi Carl

Common Transports? are you suggesting a modified cargo ship, or are you talking about a tanker, but not a fleet oiler.

What little I can give is, in 1941
Hong Kong had RFA Ebonol – 1175t, 11 kts, crew 19, RFA Port Tanker, only stationary refuelling.

While same time in Singapore
RFA Francol - 2623t, b1917 port tanker/oiler,
RFA War Sirdar - 5518t, b1920 port tanker/oiler,
RFA Ruthenia – 11850t, b1900, used as stationary oil fuel jetty, Woodlands, Singapore

Regards
Fatboy Coxy

Re: Logistics Question Tanker Refueling

Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 9:51 pm
by OpanaPointer
The OBBs were used at floating tankage at Espiritu Santu while the new BBs were waltzing around the Solomons. From memory. :stubborn:

There was nothing to stop a tanker from refueling other ships in port, that was basically what yard oilers did from the first days of oil-burners.

More may be found here: https://www.history.navy.mil/research/l ... k-oil.html

Re: Logistics Question Tanker Refueling

Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 12:19 am
by OpanaPointer
Now I'm delving into dusty corners. IIRC tankers that received government subsidies were supposed to be able to refuel USN and Coast Guard ships. This was, again from memory, just a matter of having appropriate couplings and hoses. As the tankers weren't usually expected to refuel warships they weren't practiced in UNREP.

For fun, compare with IJN underway refueling procedures.

Re: Logistics Question Tanker Refueling

Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 4:22 pm
by OpanaPointer
Another breadcrumb: Merchant Marine Act of 1936.

The attic makes me sneeze. :(

Re: Logistics Question Tanker Refueling

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2020 3:42 am
by Carl Schwamberger
OpanaPointer wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2019 4:22 pm Another breadcrumb: Merchant Marine Act of 1936.

The attic makes me sneeze. :(
Hope the dusty attic did not cause lung disease.

Its looks at this point the answer is a qualified yes. Still, examples of common tankers refueling ships in ports or sheltered water would be useful for the question. Wonder if there are discussion boards for the oil tanker industry?

Re: Logistics Question Tanker Refueling

Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2020 7:38 pm
by OpanaPointer
Carl Schwamberger wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2020 3:42 am
OpanaPointer wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2019 4:22 pm Another breadcrumb: Merchant Marine Act of 1936.

The attic makes me sneeze. :(
Hope the dusty attic did not cause lung disease.

Its looks at this point the answer is a qualified yes. Still, examples of common tankers refueling ships in ports or sheltered water would be useful for the question. Wonder if there are discussion boards for the oil tanker industry?
The "advance rear area"* for the Guadalcanal operations was Espiritu Santu IIRC. The OBBs were there in reserve and acting as resupply points. You may find reference to civie tankers providing the battleships with Bunk B "for further transfer."

*Love that term :think: :dance:

Re: Logistics Question Tanker Refueling

Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2020 2:00 am
by Carl Schwamberger
Thanks.

Re: Logistics Question Tanker Refueling

Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2020 11:54 am
by pgollin
.

In the Atlantic, the Escort Oiler Force was established in 1943 to ensure that escorts were not restricted in running down contacts, or high speed running. From late 1943 there was at least one, and normally two oilers in each convoy. In addition, Escort Carriers could refuel escorts.

The oilers used the astern floating hose method and in addition most were equipped to transfer depth charges to escorts by cargo derrick.

.

Re: Logistics Question Tanker Refueling

Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2020 2:19 am
by Carl Schwamberger
pgollin wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 11:54 am In the Atlantic, the Escort Oiler Force was established in 1943 ...
Thanks, but that is underway refueling. Not what I was referring to.

Re: Logistics Question Tanker Refueling

Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2020 5:35 pm
by HvKleist
You might try looking at the history of the ESSO tanker GEORGE G. HENRY, and her involvement in the PacWar w/the old Asiatic Fleet, etc. out in Oz.
She later became USS VICTORIA (AO-46), but as GGH she did not/could not conduct UNREPS, as far as I know. Nonetheless, she was a valuable asset to the allied forces in that early period of the war. (I do not know much about her career as USS VICTORIA.)

Re: Logistics Question Tanker Refueling

Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2020 3:12 pm
by Carl Schwamberger
Thanks H.. that looks interesting.