RFA Tidespring (A75)
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| Career |  |
|---|---|
| Ordered: | 28 February 1961 |
| Laid down: | 24 July 1961 |
| Launched: | 3 May 1962 |
| Commissioned: | 18 January 1963 |
| Decommissioned: | 13 December 1991 |
| Fate: | Sailed Portsmouth in tow on 20 March 1962 for breakers. Arrived Port Alang, India for demolition on 2 July 1992 |
| Struck: | |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 27,400 tons |
| Length: | 583' 08" |
| Beam: | 71' 03" |
| Draught: | 32' 01" |
| Propulsion:
2 Foster Wheeler watertube steam boilers, 2 x Parmetrada steam turbines, double reduction gearbox, single shaft |
|
| Speed: | 17 knots |
| Range: | |
| Complement: | |
| Armament: | |
| Aircraft: | Three Westland Wessex helicopters |
| Motto: | |
RFA Tidespring (A75) was a fast fleet tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. As an "oiler," its main purpose was to refuel other ships. The ship had a long career in the RFA, entering service in the early 1960s, and finally being decommissioned in 1991. Tidespring took part in the Falklands War, particularly in the recapture of South Georgia. At the time, it was carrying M Company (Captain Chris Nunn Royal Marines) of 42 Commando Royal Marines. The ship accommodated prisoners of war taken during operations. The Falklands provided a reprieve of ten years for Tidespring which had been due to decommission in 1982.
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