RFA Ennerdale (A173)

RFA "Ennerdale" (A173) was a fleet tanker and landing ship (gantry) of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Taken over by the Admiralty and completed as a Landing Ship Gantry carrying 15 LCMs with accommodation for 150 military personnel. Took part in th North African, Italian and Far East landings.

In August 1943, Captain ST Dunster was awarded the OBE. Citation -"The ship [RFA Ennerdale] played a vital part in carrying oil and petrol to forces operating off the coast of North Africa and was the focus of sustained and heavy air attacks. So skillfully was she handled by her Master and so efficient was her barrage that she sustained no damage, and performed invaluable work. In addition to this service, her Master did well in two Malta convoys earlier in the war. His courage and resource have been unfailing."

In December 1945 she was damaged by a mine at Port Swettenham and returned to UK for repair.After the war she resumed freighting duties as a tanker. Ran aground while on Beira Patrol and assisted by HMS Andromeda (F57).

References

cite book
last = Captain E.E. Sigwart
year = 1969
title = Royal Fleet Auxiliary
publisher = Adlard Coles
isbn = 229-98581-5

cite book
last = Adams/Smith
year = 2005
title = The Royal Fleet Auxiliary
publisher = Chatham Publishing
isbn = 10:1861762593

cite web
last = Houterman
first = Hans
title = RFA Officers
url=http://www.unithistories.com/officers/RFA_officers.html
accessdate = 2007-08-29