Name RFA Tidespring Laid down 24 July 1961 Decommissioned 13 December 1991 Length 178 m Launched 3 May 1962 Operation Falklands War | Ordered 28 February 1961 Commissioned 18 January 1963 Fate Broken up, 1992 Construction started 24 July 1961 Draft 9.78 m | |
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RFA Tidespring (A75) was a Tide-class replenishment oiler of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. As a replenishment oiler, her main purpose was to refuel other ships. The ship had a long career in the RFA, entering service in the early 1960s, and finally being decommissioned in 1991.
Tidespring took part in the Falklands War, particularly in the recapture of South Georgia. At the time, she was carrying M Company (Captain Chris Nunn Royal Marines) of 42 Commando Royal Marines. The ship accommodated prisoners of war taken during operations. The Falklands provided a reprieve of ten years for Tidespring which had been due to decommission in 1982.
She eventually sailed from Portsmouth in tow on 20 March 1992 for the breakers, arriving in Alang, India for demolition on 2 July 1992.
