RFA Sir Lancelot (L3029)

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RFA Sir Lancelot. San Carlos Water.1982
RFA Sir Lancelot. San Carlos Water. 1982.
Career Army Commissioned Ship EnsignRFA Ensign
Ordered:
Laid down:
Launched:
Commissioned: 1964
Decommissioned: 1989
Fate: Sold to become a floating casino in South Africa in 1989.
Struck:
General Characteristics
Displacement: 5,550 tons
Length: 126 m
Beam: 18 m
Draught: 4 m
Propulsion:
Speed: 17 knots
Range:
Complement: 69
Armament: 2 x 40 mm Bofors
Aircraft:
Motto:

RFA Sir Lancelot (L3029) was a Round Table class landing ship logistic of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the first of the class. Initially managed for the Army dept by British India SN Co. transferring to the RFA in 1970. In 1982 as part of the Amphibious Task Group, she entered San Carlos Water on 21 May and uniquely remained for the duration. Having received an unexploded bomb on 24 May which penetrated the starboard side, she was beached and temporarily evacuated pending its removal. Thereafter she remained in SCW providing accommodation and base facilities to a variety of military units. Following the cessation of hostilities and some repairs, she operated around the Falklands until 26 July, returning to Portsmouth on 20 August.

She was sold commercially in 1989 to the company Lowline in South Africa and was re-named Lowland Lancer. She initially operated as a cross-channel ferry on the Weymouth to Cherbourg route. This was followed by a spell as the replacement Royal Mail ship while the RMS St Helena was undergoing repairs. On arrival in Cape Town, the vessel stayed in South Africe and opened as a floating casino.

The ship was again sold in 1992, this time to Singapore, being renamed RSS Perseverance and put into service with the Republic of Singapore Navy.


Round Table-class landing ship logistics
Sir Lancelot | Sir Bedivere | Sir Galahad | Sir Geraint | Sir Percivale | Sir Tristram

List of amphibious assault ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary