RMAS Typhoon in Port Stanley during the Falklands War |
|
| Career (United Kingdom) | |
|---|---|
| Name: | RMAS Typhoon |
| Builder: | Henry Robb & Co Ltd, Leith[1] |
| Launched: | 14 October 1958[1] |
| Commissioned: | 1960[1] |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Ocean-going tug |
| Displacement: | 800 tons standard 1380 tons full load[1] |
| Length: | 200'[1] |
| Beam: | 40'[1] |
| Draught: | 13'[1] |
| Propulsion: | 2 turbocharged ASR 1 Vee-type 12 cylinder diesels; single shaft Cp propeller, 150 rpm 2750 bhp[1] |
| Speed: | 16+ kts[1] |
| Complement: | 15 (est.)[2] |
| Armament: | None |
| Notes: | Bollard pull 32 tons. Fitted for fire-fighting, salvage and ocean rescue. |
RMAS Typhoon (A95) was an ocean-going tug of the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service (RMAS). It was designed for ocean towing, rescue, salvage and fire-fighting. It is notable as being the first ship to leave the United Kingdom ahead of the task force for the South Atlantic during the 1982 Falklands War, and for its fishery protection role in the Cod Wars.[2]
The ship was repaired at Falmouth ship repair yard on 19 October 1979,[3] and was also involved in the rescue of the Spanish butane tanker, MV Butaseis, which was aflame and drifting towards the village of Brixton, Devon.[4] The tug stayed as part of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary until included in the RMAS.
Typhoon saw service in the Falklands War until May 1987 under Captain J N Morris with an all-civilian crew from Portland Harbour.[5] It was the first ship – albeit a civilian vessel – to leave the UK ahead of the task force, and a member of the crew placed the Welsh flag on board RFA Sir Galahad just before Typhoon towed it out to sea to be scuttled by a submarine.[6] During the war, the ship was heavily involved in logistic duties, transferring fresh water to the task force at a rate of 18 tons per trip, and loading part of 17 Brigade onto the MV Norland in preparation for the San Carlos landings.[7]