British Admiralty took measures fur fuel oil reserve according to the Dutch magazine Marineblad dated 1904-1905 no. 7

An item referred to the Practical Engineer dated 8 July 1904 reported that the consumption of fuel oil by the British Navy was such high that measures to have a sufficient fuel oil reserve were to be taken. Four old iron-built gunboats of the Mastiff type were converted into floating oil tanks and a large tanker hired to follow the Channel Fleet and supply if necessary the HMS Mars and Hannibal with oil.