RFA Reliant - Air Stores Support Ship

Designed as a grain carrier and built by Sir J. Laing & Sons in Sunderland for Ropner Shipping. Launched in 1953 as MV Somersby she traded for two years between the United Kingdom, Persian Gulf and Mexico before being purchased in 1957. At the time there was a growing belief amongst naval circles that aircraft carriers should spend longer at sea and be more independent of shore support. So Somersby underwent a conversion at North Shields and commissioned as RFA Reliant, the first Air Victualing Stores Issuing Ship capable of replenishing aircraft carriers at sea. She sailed from Chatham for the Far East on November 4th 1958.

When fully loaded Reliant displaced 13,737 tons. Measuring 468ft in length, 61ft in breadth and 26ft in draught she had a complement of 110 officers and men. She was powered by Doxford Diesel Engines and had a speed of 18 knots. She had six cargo holds and was air conditioned for service in the Tropics. A helicopter deck was constructed over her poop deckhouse.

During her career Reliant was very much the pride of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary- she was affectionately referred to as 'the Yacht' and kept in immaculate condition. Placed in reserve at Rosyth in 1972 and broken up at Inverkeithing in 1977.

Ship	Pennant No.	Builder	Laid Down	Launched	Commissioned
Reliant	A84	Sir J. Laing & Sons, Sunderland		September 9th 1953

RFA Reliant (A84)

Above: RFA Reliant (A84). Thanks to Dan Muir for providing this picture.

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