The Invergordon Archive
No: 548 Contributor: Pat Swanson Year: 1975
RFA Tug 
This Steam Reciprocating tug was to be permanently based in Invergordon but was here for only a short time in 1970. She went to Rosyth for a boiler clean, was decommissioned, then was re-commissioned under PAS (Port Auxilliary Service) for a time. She ended her days as a Target where she was sadly sunk.
Picture added on 22 January 2005
Regarding the final fate of this vessel, I have information that she was beached at Stranraer in 1977, and broken up there, but would be interested to have confirmation.
Added by Ronald Stewart on 18 March 2006
I have wondered what her fate was after seeing the pic of her beached. The details above about ending her days as a target was unsubstantiated. I too would like more details about her.
Added by Pat Swanson on 19 March 2006
Further info. Empire Rosa was used as a moored Range Boundary Marker in Luce Bay from 1972. On 3rd December 1977 she was torn from her mooring in bad weather and grounded. She was refloated by Mandarin and sold on to Arnott Young breakers of Dalmuir. It is not clear where the breaking up took place, although according to the Admiralty, breaking was completed at Troon.
Added by Ronald Stewart on 20 March 2006
Pat, I know who Jimmy Dick is, but am wondering who Dodo Ross is? Would it be Dodie Ross?
Added by Harry O'Neill on 21 March 2006
The Sea
There were others but I can't recall their names. We took a barge from a tug at Corpach through the Canal. The Rosa had a little too much draught for the Canal and sucked leaves from the bottom into the condenser and blew tubes - thus sealing her fate when we took her down to Rosyth.
A happy little vessel and a lot of very happy memories!