TNA ADM 199 788 A

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Dynamo 312.
63
COPY.
Royal Naval Hospital,
57
Chatham.
To: Rear-Admiral Taylor, O.B.E..
13th June, 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to forward the narrative of
events whilst in command of m.v. "NEW PRINCE OF WALES"
Bray. until she was believed sunk at 1415 at the beaches near
A.M. Wednesday 29th May I was ordered to proceed
to Sheerness to report to the Commodore at H.M.S. "WILDFIRE"
Arrived Sheerness about 1700 was ordered to proceed in
m.v. "NEW PRINCE OF WALES" leading flotilla of seven light
craft. Left camber at H.M.S. "WILDFIRE" proceeded to sea
through boom. Two boats appeared to be in difficulties
and did not leave the boom. I was met by escort yacht
and formed astern of her.
Had to slow down to keep boats in company. First
three boats astern kept good station, remaining one fell
astern but owing to urgency of getting boats to destination
flotilla did not decrease speed any further.
About 2200 yacht escort was challenged from shore.
She informed me an officer was required to go in to
Margate for orders, so proceeded myself in fast motor boat
"MARSAYRA". Established my identity and was told to
push on to Ramsgate. While away one boat "QUEEN
BOADACEA" broke down, after some delay she was taken in
tow by escort yacht. My port engine broke down, speed.
greatly reduced. One boat lost contact in darkness. I
went back to look for her off Longrose, search
unsuccessful, rejoined escort. Fog came down at dawn and
escort anchored with "NEW PRINCE OF WALES", "QUEEN BOADACEA"
and "MARSAYRA", off Ramsgate exact position uncertain.
After an hour fog cleared enough to show buoy ahead so
proceeded with "MARSAYRA" in company escort yacht following
with "QUEEN BOADACEA". Engines misfiring badly and
stopped just outside Ramsgate, anchored and proceeded into
harbour in "MARSAYRU". Reported to Naval Officer-in-
Charge Ramsgate received charts and orders to proceed to
beaches between Bray and La Panne and to carry on
ferrying troops from shore to ships until only enough fuel
remained to return. Boats were towed in, repairs started
on "NEW PRINCE OF WALES" immediately.
Engines ready for use at 1630 so proceeded to sea 30/5
at once by route 'X' for Dunkerque. Arrived off French
coast 2230 (Thursday 30th). Port engine failed again
shortly after turning parallel to coast. Dunkerque burning
fiercely and heavy pall of smoke covered the channel to the
borth. Endeavoured to find beach with boat hardly making
eny way through the water. Attempts to locate troops were
insuccessful and I was lost in smoke, saw green light buoy
ДРО established approximate position, immediately fterward
voptboard engine failed, had to drop anchor.
E.R.A. reported ammount of fuel remaining and I
we could not return to Ramsgate even if we did no
I. пливет BO determined to carry on until fuel ran out. The
& atco LETUS efforts of E.R.A. hite and the stoker assisting
commendable and before dawn both engines
though firing badly the boat was making three