RFA Fort Victoria (A387)

RFA "Fort Victoria" (A387) is a combined fleet stores ship and tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

"Fort Victoria" was ordered from Harland and Wolff in 1986, and was launched in 1990. Just a few weeks after being christened, on September 6, she became the target of two IRA bombs, one of them successfully defused. The other device exploded, causing extensive damage inside the engine room and several floods, which were only brought under control after hours of work by emergency teams. [From an interview to shipbuilder Sir John Parker published by "Sunday Times", 13 March 2006:
* "The contract for Fort Victoria was won, but the ship became a target for the IRA. “She was afloat in the dock when we got the call from the IRA. Later that day the bomb went off and blew a hole in the engine room of the ship. The ship heeled over to about 45 degrees and we thought we were going to lose her. Fortunately some very courageous engineers went on board and lowered pumps in to clear the engine room so we could save the ship.” The next day there was a call about a second bomb. It took two weeks to find it and make it safe — valuable time lost. Such incidents moulded Sir John and taught him patience and resolve, the like of which is rare in many boardrooms."] This incident and other problems with the construction of the vessel meant it was not delivered until 1993, three years after originally planned. In 1998, the ship was fitted with the Phalanx CIWS. The vessel took part in Operation Telic during early 2003.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary "Fort Victoria" was adopted by the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley and has been affiliated with the borough for over ten years.

A battle ensign was presented to the borough in 2003 following the vessels participation in military operations in the Gulf. The ensign can be seen in the foyer of Barnsley Town Hall.

With its ability to supply anything from humanitarian supplies to fuel and ammunition, the ship proved itself as a vital ship in peacetime and war. A recent example of this the recent trouble in the Lebanon region where it played a key role supplying the Royal Navy and giving air support with a flight of Merlin MK1 helicopters from 814 squadron.

From May 2007 she has been placed in "extended readiness" at Portsmouth.

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