The Royal Navy's long path to replenishment at sea

When did the Royal Navy begin replenishment at sea?

General replenishment dates back centuries; oiling developed with oil-fired warships and expanded sharply for Second World War Pacific service.

Navies had practised general underway replenishment for centuries, while the transfer of fuel oil posed a newer and more specialized problem. Oiling techniques developed as destroyers and battleships adopted oil-fired machinery. Britain's global base network reduced the prewar incentive to match American at-sea capacity. Indian Ocean and Pacific operations then forced rapid expansion of oilers, equipment, and working methods.