From Saint to Ship: The Story of HMAV St George

A Cappadocian Greek, Saint George served in the Roman Army during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian and is venerated as a military patron saint of soldiers, as well as of being the patron saint of England.

As such there have been a long line of British warships and military vessels to carry the title St George, including Her Majesty’s Army Vessel St George (pennant number A382), a Throsk class Ammunition Ship Logistic (ASL).

Built in Devon by Appledore Shipbuilders, she commissioned into the Royal Corps of Transport Fleet on Thursday 1^st October 1981, serving with 20 Maritime Regiment RCT. And despite being an Army vessel, she was granted permission by the Royal Navy to continue the heritage of the preceding eight warships to carry the name HMS St George, with RCT officers being allowed access to the Royal Navy’s trophy store to select material to demonstrate this continuation of maritime history.

An Ammunition Ship Logistic (ASL), she could transport approximately 724 tonnes of palletized ammunition and crates, primarily on runs between the United Kingdom and Germany in support of the British Army of the Rhine, although she did conduct longer voyages during her career, including supply runs to Cyprus.

One of her most ambitious voyages saw her depart Portsmouth in January 1984 for an 11-day voyage transporting material to Wilmington, South Carolina, USA, before returning the following month via Gibraltar. The round voyage saw the crew of St George face rough seas, engine problems and issues regarding onboard sanitation which required the crew to bathe in the icy waters of the Atlantic. However, despite setbacks, the mission was regarded as a complete success and laid the foundations for further voyages to North America during her career.

HMAV St George served with 20 Regiment until 1989 when she was transferred to Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service, eventually being scrapped in 2006.

Alexander Crisp – Curator