RFA Green Ranger

Coordinates: 50°58′19″N 4°32′06″W / 50.972°N 4.535°W / 50.972; -4.535 (wrecksite of RFA Green Ranger)
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50°58′19″N 4°32′06″W / 50.972°N 4.535°W / 50.972; -4.535 (wrecksite of RFA Green Ranger)

History
RFA EnsignUnited Kingdom
NameGreen Ranger
Ordered1939
BuilderCaledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company, Dundee
Launched21 August 1941[1]
Out of service17 November 1962
FateWrecked on Gunpath Rock, Devon 17 November 1962
General characteristics
Class and typeRanger-class fleet support tanker
Displacement6,700 long tons (6,808 t) full load
Length355 ft 3 in (108.28 m) o/a[1]
Beam47 ft (14 m)[1]
Draught20 ft 2 in (6.15 m)[1]
Propulsion
  • 1 × 6-cylinder B&W diesel
  • 3,500 shp (2,600 kW)
  • 1 shaft
Speed13 knots (15 mph; 24 km/h)
Range6,000 nmi (11,000 km) at 13 kn (15 mph; 24 km/h)
Complement40

RFA Green Ranger was a Ranger-class fleet support tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

On 24 September 1946, Green Ranger was struck by a torpedo in Portland Harbour, Dorset. Although holed belowe the waterline, she remained afloat.[2] She was wrecked on the Hartland peninsula, on a large rock, called Gunpath Rock, on 17 November 1962. She broke her tow from the tug that was taking her to be refitted in Cardiff, and drifted onto the rocks. Her skeleton crew of seven were rescued by the Hartland Lifesaving Company, with their breeches buoy.[3] The ship became a total loss, and her remains are still visible at low tide.[4]

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Blackman 1962, p. 262.
  2. ^ Arkin, William M.; Handler, Joshua (June 1989). "Naval Accidents 1945 - 1988" (PDF). Greenpeace / Institute for Policy Studies. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  3. ^ Tovey, Ron. "A Chronology of Bristol Channel Shipwrecks" (PDF). Swansea Docks. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  4. ^ "Ships aground in Mortehoe Woolacombe, Devon". Retrieved 14 April 2017.

References[edit]

  • Blackman, Raymond V. B. (1962). Jane's Fighting Ships 1962–63. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd.