Constructed by Fairfield S&E, the vessel was laid down in March 1962, launched on 25 June 1963, and commissioned on 16 January 1964. As the first of the Round Table class, it also became known as Sir Lancelot class.
Background
The ship was initially operated by the British-India Steam Navigation Company, then was transferred to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 1970. Round Table class ships were exclusively manned by Hong Kong Chinese sailors from their introduction in 1963 until 1989, when Sir Lancelot was the last RFA to be crewed in this way.
Sailing out of Singapore, Sir Lancelot delivered 300 tons of relief supplies for the victims of the West Malaysian flood, which had been donated by the Government and people of Singapore.
In 1982, as part of the Amphibious Task Group engaged in the Falklands war, she entered San Carlos Water on 21 May and uniquely remained there for the duration of the conflict. On 24 May at around 10:15, she was hit by a bomb, which failed to explode, from one of four Argentinian Air ForceA-4 Skyhawks. This bomb penetrated her starboard side of the ship and she was temporarily evacuated for eight days, pending its removal. The crew were transferred initially to Red Beach, then RFA Stromness the next day, and RFA Sir Tristrama day later. Thereafter she remained in San Carlos Water providing accommodation and base facilities to a variety of military units. Following the cessation of hostilities and some repairs, she operated around the Falklands until 26 July, returning to Portsmouth on 18 August, and dumping 25 tons of Argentine munitions into the ocean en route.
Sir Lancelot was decommissioned on 31 March 1989, and sold in June 1989 to the British company Lowline, which renamed the vessel Lowland Lancer. She initially operated as a cross-channel ferry on the Weymouth, Dorset to Cherbourg route. This was followed by a spell as the replacement Royal Mail ship while RMS St Helena was undergoing repairs. On arrival in Cape Town, the vessel stayed in South Africa and opened as a floating casino.
Service in Singapore
1990s
The ship was sold on in 1992 to the Republic of Singapore Navy, was renamed RSS Perseverance, and was commissioned on 5 May 1994 following a two-year refit. Perseverance was deployed to East Timor as part of the Australian-led INTERFET peacekeeping taskforce from 9 January to 17 February 2000.
Glenn Defense
2000s
In December 2003, the ship was sold to Glenn Defense Marine Asia, which renamed the ship Glenn Braveheart. According to US Court records relating to the extensive corruption scandal and convictions of very senior US Navy officers and other personnel involving bribery, fraud and "Sex-for-secrets" on the part of Glenn Defense relating to the service and resupply of Navy ships at Asian ports, the vessel would often deploy alongside the USS Blue Ridge, the 7th Fleet’s flagship. When in port, the Braveheart would serve as "a giant party boat, with prostitutes in the wardroom to entertain US officers."
