Surf Class Oilers

These two vessels, originally named Tatry and Beskily, were ordered from Bartram's by Poland but purchased whilst under construction at the time of the Korean War and renamed Surf Patrol and Surf Pioneer.

They displaced 15,800 tons and measured 496ft in length, 60.5ft in breadth and 27.5ft in draught. Powered by Droxford 4 Cylinder Diesel engines they had a speed of 13.75 knots.

Ship	Pennant No.	Builder	Laid Down	Launched	Commissioned
Surf Patrol	A357	Bartram		February 7th 1951
Surf Pioneer	A365	Bartram		April 23rd 1951

RFA Surf Patrol (A357)

Above: RFA Surf Patrol (A357). She was originally named Tatry and destined for service in Poland. Photo courtesey of George Mortimore, who served on her in 1961.

Can you help identify the mystery 'Surf Pilot' ??

I recieved the following email from Peter Maddison:

"During my 10 years or so in the RFA as an Engineering Officer Cadet rising to Second Engineer on such ships as "Wave Knight", "Hebe", "Tide Spring", "Tide Reach", "Olna", "Olwen" and "Olna" again between 1961 and 1971 we often used the officers club at HMS Terror in Sembawang, Singapore. Laid up in a small creek next to the swimming pool was a very rusty tanker I was led to believe was the "Surf Pilot". This ship had either been captured or otherwise acquired during the Korea war and used locally in the far east. I was serving on the Hebe at the time with Capt. McCarthy who had sailed on her in the late 50's. He said a special guard was kept around the ship at all times because of local loyalty to the Chinese. I have never seen this ship mentioned in any RFA history. I believe she was towed out to sea and sank as a target somewhere near the Horsborough Light about 1968 or so. I would be interested in your views on the subject and any further information on this mystery RFA. "

Update- John McFadyen (Ex RFA) writes:

Re comments on RFA SURF PATROL in Singapore - according to Capt. E.E. Sigwart's book (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) this was the YUNG HAO (Ex Kurosio Maru) sunk during the war and salvaged and operated by the China Merchants S.S. Commandeered for political reasons at the same time as the polish vessels. She was never actually named and apparently never operated as an RFA.

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