RFA Fort Rosalie (A385)

RFA "Fort Rosalie" (A385) is a fleet stores ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. "Fort Rosalie" was originally named RFA "Fort Grange", but was renamed in May 2000 to avoid confusion with RFA "Fort George", a change which was not universally popular.

The ship was laid down in 1973, by Scott Lithgow on the River Clyde, launched in 1976 and commissioned the next year. The ship saw its first war service during the Falklands War, and also supported British forces in Balkans alongside at the port of Split from at least 1994-2000, being based at Cervena Luka (North Port) an area just outside Split, Croatia. "Fort Rosalie" also oversaw repairs to HMS|Tireless|S88|6 at Gibraltar later in 2000. She is affiliated to Tamworth and Lichfield Sea Cadets under her former name, "Fort Grange".

"Fort Rosalie" attended the HMNB Devonport Navy Days in August 2006, representing the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. HMS|Albion|L14 was berthed astern.

As of May 2008, the ship is being refitted at a cost of £28 million by Northwestern Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders based in Birkenhead's Cammell Laird yard [cite web | title = Shipyard wins new naval contract | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7270417.stm | work = BBC Website | accessdate = 2008-05-28] [cite web | title = Fort Rosalie In Refit | url = http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12829 | work = Royal Navy Website | accessdate = 2008-05-28] .

References

* cite book
last = Adams/Smith
year = 2005
title = The Royal Fleet Auxiliary
publisher = Chatham Publishing
isbn = 10:1861762593