RFA Brambleleaf (A81) was a Leaf-class support tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), the naval auxiliary fleet of the United Kingdom. Originally built as MV Hudson Deep she was chartered by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 1980.

RFA Brambleleaf at Portsmouth Harbour
History
Royal Fleet Auxiliary EnsignUnited Kingdom
NameRFA Brambleleaf
Ordered30 April 1973
BuilderCammell Laird, Birkenhead
Laid down23 July 1974
Launched22 January 1976
Commissioned20 February 1980
Out of serviceSeptember 2007
Identification
Honours and
awards
FateScrapped August 2009
General characteristics
Class and typeLeaf-class tanker
Displacement40,870 t (40,225 long tons) full load
Length170.7 m (560 ft 0 in)
Beam25.9 m (85 ft 0 in)
Draught11 m (36 ft 1 in)
Propulsion2 Crossley-Pielsticks pc 2 v14 on one shaft
Speed15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement56 RFA

Operational history

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In April 1982, Brambleleaf was diverted from Armilla patrol duties in the Persian Gulf for service during the Falklands Conflict. Due to damage sustained due to severe weather, Brambleleaf transferred her cargo to RFA Tidespring off South Georgia and returned to the UK for repairs during May prior to returning to the South Atlantic in June, and again in August.[1]

On 18 November 1983, Brambleleaf sailed along with the assault ship HMS Fearless to support Operation Offcut, providing naval support for British troops in the multi-national force in Lebanon.[1]

In 2003, Brambleleaf was one of 13 RFA ships deployed in support of the second Gulf War.[1]

On 18 August 2009 she was towed to Ghent for scrapping.[1]

Battle honours

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On 29 August 1984 Brambleleaf received her Falklands Islands 1982 Battle honour, presented by Mr A. Kemp, Director Ships and Fuel (DST (SF)).[2][3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "RFA Brambleleaf (3)". historicalrfa.org. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Operation Corporate Battle Honour Awards - Historical RFA". historicalrfa.uk. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  3. ^ "MOD Acronyms and Abbreviations" (PDF). assets.publishing.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2024.