Leaf Class

Appleleaf was the first of several merchant vessels loaned to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary on long term bareboat charters to replace the Dale Class and Later Leaf Class freighting tankers. Their principle role was the transportation of fuel between MoD depots and fuel terminals, but they also kept the Tide and Ol Class Fast Fleet Tankers supplied. They had a limited capability to replenish warships at sea and Pearleaf and Plumleaf were used in this role during the 1982 Falklands Conflict.

Appleleaf displaced 22,980 tons (full load) and measured 577ft in length, 68ft in breadth and 29ft in draught. Powered by Droxford Diesel engines she had a speed of 15 knots. Pearleaf displaced 25,790 tons and measured 173.2 metres in length, 21.9 metres in breadth and 9.2 metres in draught. Plumleaf was slightly heavier, displacing 26,480 tones and measuring 170.8 metres in length, 22 metres in beam and 9.2 metres in draught. She was fitted for refuelling from abeam and astern. Both vessels had a complement of 55 and had a speed of 16 knots. Plumleaf was powered by a 6-Cylinder Droxford Diesel Engine.

Rod Harrison transferred to Plumleaf from Cherryleaf in 1975 "One thing I can say for sure about the Cherry is that she had excellent sea keeping qualities and was the quietest, smoothest ship I ever sailed on. Even in a rough sea. She was another ship that was always imaculately kept too. Oh yes, she also had the biggest and best fully tiled swimming pool in the fleet!"

Bayleaf and Brambleleaf displaced 17,960 tons and measured 556ft in length, 71ft in breadth and 30ft in draught. Powered by Droxford Diesel Engines they had a speed of 14 knots. Orangeleaf displaced 17,475 tons and measured 556ft in length, 71ft in breadth and 30ft in draught. Powered by Doxford Diesel engines she had a speed of 15 knots.

Although both Pearleaf and Plumleaf were scheduled for disposal, a series of small refits kept them in service well into the 1980s. Plumleaf was withdrawn from service upon the arrival of Oakleaf in the active fleet.

Above: RFA Bayleaf (A79). Thanks to George Mortimore for providing this picture.

Above: RFA Orangeleaf (A80). Thanks to George Mortimore for providing this picture.

Ship	History
Appleleaf	Built as the MV George Lyras for Marine Enterprises. Completed in September 1955 she was taken over on April 17th 1959. She was returned to her owners in July 1970.
Cherryleaf	Built as the Laurelwood for Molasses General Transport Co. Completed in December 1953. Returned to her owners in 1966 and sold to Greek interests.
Pearleaf	Built at Glasgow for Jacobs & Partners but chartered to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) in 1960. Served in the Falklands Conflict under the command of Captain J. McCulloch. Returned to owners in 1985 and sold the following year to Saudia Arabia as a Static Oil Tanker.
Plumleaf	Built for W.M Corey & Co. Chartered to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) in 1960, initially on a twenty year lease. In 1975 Plumleaf became the first vessel to pass through the Suez Canal since it had been cleared of mines. Her lease was renewed in 1982 and Plumleaf served in the Falklands Conflict under the command of Captain R.W.M. Wallace. During the period before, after and including the Falklands Conflict Plumleaf spent 85 days, issued 20,000 tons of fuel in 55 operations, received 11,000 tons of fuel herself (from BP tankers) and steamed 26,000 miles . When the conflict arose she had been participating in Exercise Springtrain and was preparing to voyage to the Far East with Frigates and Broadsword. However she was ordered to undergo Replenishment at Sea (RAS) trials with two civilian vessels that had been taken up from trade for the war- MV Elk and RMS Canberra. Plumleaf sailed to Portland where she took on supplies before leaving on April 19th with frigates Ardent and Argonaut and supply ship Regent. Arriving at Ascension Island on May 1st she underwent a 'real' RAS with RMS Canberra, transferring 2000 tons of fuel. Leaving Ascension Island on May 3rd she joined Fearless and the LSLs. Plumleaf transferred most of her fuel to Pearleaf before she rendezvoused with British Dart and resupplied. Through the rest of May and June she served as a 'motorway station' refueling ships sailing North or South including Cable Ship Iris, RFA Fort Austin, HMS Glasgow, HMS Alacrity and HMS Argonaut. She was then appointed to another station near the Canary Islands where she refueled vessels returning from the conflict. Her final RAS were with assault ships Fearless and Intrepid on July 10th. The following day she arrived at Gibraltar. Returned to owners in May 1985, when Oakleaf entered service, and broken up in Taiwan. See RFA Plumleaf and the Falklands.
Bayleaf	Built for London & Overseas Freighters Ltd as MV London Integrity. Chartered to the RFA between 1959 and 1973.
Brambleaf	Built for London & Overseas Freighters Ltd as MV London Loyalty. Chartered to the RFA between 1959 and 1972 .
Orangeleaf	Built for South Georgia Co. Ltd as MV Southern Satellite. Chartered to the RFA between 1959 and 1978. In 1969 she suffered a tank explosion whilst at Falmouth. Returned to her owners and sold for breaking up in 1979.

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Ship	Pennant Number	Builder	Laid Down	Launched	Commissioned
Appleleaf	A83	Bartram
Cherryleaf	A82	Sir James Laing
Pearleaf	A77	Blytheswood, Scotstoun		October 15th 1959	January 1960
Plumleaf	A78	Blyth Drydock, Northumberland		March 29th 1960	July 1960
Orangeleaf	A80	Furness Shipbuilding Co.		February 8th 1955
Bayleaf	A79	Furness Shipbuilding Co.		October 28th 1954
Brambleleaf	A81	Furness Shipbuilding Co.		April 4th 1953