Ranger Class Attendant Tankers

These small fleet tankers were the first class of tanker built for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary since the First World War. They displaced 3,500 tonnes, were diesel powered and had a 12 knot speed. Gold and Green Rover measured 339.5ft in length, 47ft in breadth and 20ft in draught. Black, Blue and Brown Ranger measured 349ft in length, 47ft in breadth and 20ft in draught. The funnel was positioned on the port side and they were fitted with a derrick at the beam to facilitate fuelling at sea.

The Ranger Class could carry 2,600 tons of fuel oil, 550 tons of diesel and 90 tons of petrol. They were designed to carry a derrick and a 9-ton barge on their fo'c'sle, which would be hoisted into the water and used to refuel Royal Air Force (RAF) flying boats. None were ever carried and instead the fo'c'sle space was used to carry drums of lubricating fluid. However, until 1945 Green Ranger did carry a 30ft boat on her fo'c'sle in order to refuel flying boats.

Ship	Pennant No.	Builder	Laid Down	Launched	Completed
Gold Ranger	A130	Caledon Shipbuilding Co.	May 14th 1940	March 12th 1941	September 1941
Green Ranger	A152	Caledon Shipbuilding Co.	June 24th 1940	August 21st 1941	December 1941
Grey Ranger		Caledon Shipbuilding Co.	September 23rd 1940	1941	September 1941
Black Ranger	A163	Harland & Wolff (Govan)	October 12th 1939	August 22nd 1940	January 1941
Blue Ranger	A157	Harland & Wolff (Govan)	October 26th 1939	January 29th 1941	June 1941
Brown Ranger	A169	Harland & Wolff (Govan)	October 28th 1939	December 12th 1940	April 1941

Ship	History
Gold Ranger	Between 1949 and 1950 Gold Ranger was based in the West Indies and during this period she made a number of excursions to the Antarctic in support of various expeditions. Later Gold Ranger was based in the Far East and during the 1950s she participated in Korean War operations and in the 1960s she served with the Inshore Squadron during the Borneo Operations. Sold to Singapore owners in 1973.
Green Ranger	Based for many years at Mombassa while she operated east of Suez. Ran aground on November 17th 1962 off Hartland Point whilst under tow. She had been heading to Cardiff for a refit.
Grey Ranger	Fitted with 'self tensioning' replenishment gear for underway refueling. On September 22nd 1942, whilst part of Russian Convoy QP14, Grey Ranger was torpedoed and sustained serious damage to her engines. She was subsequently scuttled.
Black Ranger	During the Second World War, Black Ranger served with the Arctic Convoys. Based at Portland for much of her post war career. Involved in a collision with submarine Thule in November 1960. Sold in 1973 to a Greek interest and renamed Petrola XIV.
Blue Ranger	Spent most of her service life based in Malta. Sold in 1971.
Brown Ranger	During the Second World War, Brown Ranger served with the Malta Convoys and in the Pacific. Following the war attached to either Home and Mediterranean stations. Broken up in Spain in 1975.

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