Dale-class oiler

RFA Abbeydale underway in 1952
Class overview
Name	Dale class
Builders	Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd Blythwood Shipbuilding Company Ltd Cammell Laird Furness Shipbuilding Company Harland and Wolff, Govan Hawthorn Leslie and Company Lithgows
Operators	Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Preceded by	Ol class
Succeeded by	Sprite class
Subclasses	3
Built	1936–1941
In commission	1937–1969
Completed	18
Lost	5
Retired	13
General characteristics : First group
Type	Replenishment oiler
Displacement	Abbeydale and Arndale: 17,210 long tons (17,486 t) Aldersdale: 17,231 long tons (17,508 t) Bishopdale: 17,357 long tons (17,636 t) Boardale and Broomdale: 17,388 long tons (17,667 t)
Length	Abbeydale, Arndale and Bishopdale: 481 ft (147 m) Aldersdale: 482 ft (147 m) Boardale and Broomdale: 483 ft (147 m)
Beam	Abbeydale, Arndale and Aldersdale: 62 ft (19 m) Bishopdale: 61 ft (19 m) Boardale and Broomdale: 61 ft 8 in (18.80 m)
Draught	27 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
Propulsion	Abbeydale and Arndale: Droxford Diesel Engines Bishopdale and Broomdale: Burmeister and Wain Engines
Speed	11.5 knots (13.2 mph; 21.3 km/h)
Range	880 tons of fuel oil
Capacity	11,650 long tons (11,837 t)
Complement	40
General characteristics : Second group
Displacement	17,000 long tons (17,273 t)
Length	483 ft (147 m)
Beam	58 ft 6 in (17.83 m)
Draught	27 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
Propulsion	Burmeister & Wain 8-clylinder diesels with a single shaft
Speed	13 knots (15 mph; 24 km/h)
Range	1000 tons of fuel oil 75 tons of lubricating oil
Capacity	12,000 long tons (12,193 t)
Complement	40
General characteristics : Third group (as second group except:)
Displacement	17,210 long tons (17,486 t)
Length	Darkdale, Denbydale, Derwentdale, Dewdale, Ennerdale and Echodale: 483 ft (147 m) Dingledale, Dinsdale, Eaglesdale and Easedale: 479 ft (146 m)
Beam	Darkdale, Denbydale, Derwentdale, Dewdale, Ennerdale and Echodale: 59 ft 4 in (18.08 m) Dingledale, Dinsdale, Eaglesdale and Easedale: 61 ft 3 in (18.67 m)
Draught	27 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
Propulsion	Darkdale, Denbydale, Derwentdale, Dewdale, Dingledale, Dinsdale and Echodale: Burmeister & Wain eight-cylinder diesels with a single shaft Eaglesdale, Easedale and Ennerdale: triple-expansion steam engines with one shaft

The Dale class were a class of replenishment oilers taken up for service with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, supporting the Royal Navy during the inter-war period. They went on to see action during the Second World War and supported British and allied fleet units in Cold War conflicts such as the Korean War.