She was launched 17 January 1946 and was completed within a year. Participated in the Christmas Island nuclear test and fisheries dispute. In 1953 she ran aground at Swansea. She became an oil depot ship at Gan Island in 1971 (replacing Wave Victor) and was sold in 1975.
Hello Chris
The name of the tanker was Wave Victor, an old grey coloured ship. Not a big ship by any means compared to today's tankers. However, it served somee urpose back then.
I remember it arriving at Gan. It arrived under its own power.
I was working in the Marine Craft Section at the time. Sqdn Ldr Manson, our commanding officer, called all staff togethe and ttod us of the forthcomming arrival of the ship.
I served on Gan from Nov 1960 to Nov 1961. The ship was still afloat and being used for fuel storage, though its engines were decommissioned. I did not rtealise they sank the ship. Do you know when that happened.
Kind regards
Clinton
No don't know much about it. I was under impression she sunk on sight and was used by passing RN vessels as a fueling stop. I was there about February 1960. Thanks for your information. What is Gan now. Reverted to tourist resort I suppose, any idea.
Hello Chris,the old tanker was towed to India and scrapped up there..Regards Gan now,been a hotel there for nearly 20yrs,and several others starting to open up around the Atoll..Been back 3 times myself..Will send you a dvd of the place that we made..No charge just e-mail me your adress Larry
Hello Chris,,mind that is some adress,,will put in post tommorow,,Lonely men of coral command[1968 Anglia tv]and my own 69/o3/05..Hope you enjoy the memories....Larry
Hello Chris,looked at those dvds before I posted them,and there is a great picture of the said tanker on my own dvd..Watch with tears in your eyes...Larry...PS we are hoping to have a reunion on Gan 2010,try and get down from Thailand,,just keep an eye on the site for updates......
Hi Chris,
The Wave Victor was changed over to her sister ship the Wave Ruler some time during 1970. They were permanently moored there and used as glorified fuel tanks for the Navy ships.
Cheers,
Dick.
Just a side reference to Larry and the lonely men of Coral Command,see someone has posted it on U tube in 4 parts if anyone is interested, anyway best wishes to all good health and compliments of the season.Bob