RFA Fort George Complete Story and Background

RFA Fort George is a British Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship that has a rich history dating back to 1955. The ship was originally built as a passenger liner for the Blue Star Line.

The ship's conversion to a fleet auxiliary was a significant one, involving major modifications to its cargo capacity and storage facilities. This transformation was completed in 1964.

RFA Fort George is 14,000 tons of ship, with a length of 534 feet and a beam of 72 feet. Its propulsion system consists of a single steam turbine.

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RFA Fort George has had a storied operational history, with several notable deployments and humanitarian efforts.

In March 2000, the ship was equipped with five Westland Sea King helicopters and sent to Mozambique to help with disaster relief work following devastating floods.

The ship played a crucial role in supporting British operations to restore stability to Sierra Leone in May 2000, accompanying the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious.

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Late in 2000, during a deployment in the Mediterranean, Fort George helped rescue passengers of the Greek ferry Express Samina, which had run aground and sunk during a storm on 26 September.

In September 2009, Fort George was involved in the largest ever drugs seizure to date by the Royal Navy, working with the Type 23 frigate HMS Iron Duke to seize 5.5 tonnes of cocaine from a converted fishing vessel MV Cristal in the Atlantic Ocean off South America.

RFA Fort George was identified for withdrawal in 2010 as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

She spent two years in Liverpool being stripped of stores and fittings before leaving the city on 16 January 2013.

Her final destination was a Turkish ship breaker, where she would meet her fate.

The RFA Fort George is a Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship that can accommodate up to 150 personnel.

This number includes crew, officers, and any additional personnel that may be on board.

The UK has seen its fair share of naval vessels come and go, but the RFA Fort George's final voyage from Plymouth on Tuesday, February 22, is a notable one. The ship has been serving the Royal Fleet Auxiliary for years, and it's hard to imagine the UK's naval operations without it.

The Fort George is a massive vessel, displacing more than the HMS Ark Royal or HMS Ocean, and its flexibility has been key to its success in various humanitarian and operational tasks. It's a multi-role ship that can do it all.

As the ship prepares for its final voyage, the crew is saying goodbye to the HM Naval Base, where it has been for the last time earlier this month. The ship has offloaded its remaining cargo and equipment, and several VIP events have been held to mark the occasion.

The ship's commanding officer, Captain Jamie Murchie, praised the Fort George's adaptability and flexibility, which have brought it many varied tasks throughout the years. It's a testament to the ship's capabilities that it has been the sole supply ship and command ship for a task group during the Auriga 2010 deployment.

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The Fort George has a crew of 95 officers and ratings, 24 civilian Defence Equipment & Support personnel, and 15 Royal Navy personnel for air operations. When a helicopter squadron is embarked, up to 90 more Royal Navy aircrew and support staff are carried on board.

Here's a breakdown of the ship's impressive capabilities:

The Fort George has served with distinction throughout the world, taking part in significant events like the handover of Hong Kong, the flood relief of Mozambique, and the Sierra Leone campaign. Its dedication to service has earned it the Commander-in-Chief's Royal Fleet Auxiliary Ship of the Year Trophy in 2010.

The Mayflower finally arrived in Plymouth on December 16, 1620, after a grueling 66-day journey.

Plymouth was chosen as the landing site due to its natural harbor and access to fresh water.

The Pilgrims were initially met with resistance from the local Wampanoag tribe, but eventually formed a tentative alliance with them.

The Pilgrims were exhausted and in poor health after their long journey, and many were already ill with diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis.

The Mayflower Compact, signed on November 11, 1620, established a framework for governing the Plymouth Colony and ensured the Pilgrims' safety and well-being.

The compact was a significant milestone in the history of American democracy, as it marked one of the first times a group of people came together to establish a system of government.

The Pilgrims' arrival in Plymouth marked the beginning of a new era for the colony, but it also brought many challenges, including harsh weather conditions and limited resources.