RFA Eddyness (A295) was an Eddy-class coastal tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), the naval auxiliary fleet of the United Kingdom, built by the Blyth Shipbuilding Company, in Blyth, Northumberland, England and launched in 1953. She was taken out of service at the beginning of 1963 and was eventually broken up at Valencia, Spain, in 1970.
Design and construction
These vessels were initially small tankers designated for fleet support tasks; however, following the post-war transformation of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, they were quickly redirected towards harbour and coastal operations. Engineered with two Scotch boilers and a steam-driven, three-cylinder, triple expansion engine coupled with a single screw, she could achieve a speed of . Her length was approximately , with a beam of about and a displacement of .
RFA Eddyness possessed a cargo capacity of and was designed to transport various fuels across four cargo tanks, which were operated by four cargo pumps. Additionally, she could accommodate two distinct grades of lubricating oil in specially designed tanks and had the capability to transport a limited quantity of dry cargo and some ammunition. The cargo areas were equipped with two three-ton and two one-ton derricks for cargo handling, rendering her exceptionally practical in small harbours or at anchorages. She was crewed by a complement of approximately 38 and provided comfortable living quarters for her size. However, due to the low freeboard, she, as with her sister ships, often appeared as though she was on the verge of being swamped when navigating with a full load.
Eddyness was launched by the Blyth Shipbuilding Company on the south bank of the River Blyth on 22 October 1953.