TNA ADM 199 788 A

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Half a dozen Thames river launches resembling nothing so much
as the upper decks of elongated motor-buses with their rows
of slatted seats, but given a tang of the waterside by rows of
white-painted lifebuoys slung around the upper rails.
The very names of these latter craft are redolent of the
quiet of Richmond, Teddington and Hampton Court; "Skylark",
"Elizabeth" and "Queen Boadicea". A strange flotilla indeed
to be taking an active part in what has been described as "the
greatest naval epic in history".
The crews and their officers too were as miscellaneous an
assembly as the craft they manned. First arrived a trickle
of R.N.V.R. Sub-Lieutenants direct from training school, taken
from their class-rooms often in the midst of a lecture on the
"practical pilotage" they were soon to put to such good account.
Many of these were entering a naval dock-yard for the first
time in their lives, yet they clambered over the little ships,
bawled for their requirements in food, fuel and water and set
to work to prepare for the task in hand, as if to the manner
born.
Next came another thin trickle - this time junior Royal
Navy officers who but a short time before were midshipmen on
war vessels of various types; little more than schoolboys, yet
each possessed of that indescribable sangfroid and cheerful
discipline which is the hall-mark of the British naval officer
whatever his age or rank.
Lastly - and only a matter of minutes before the time of
departure - came the crews; Royal Fleet Reserve men this first
batch - tough, stout-hearted and disciplined. No time to pick
or choose; stoker ratings first, to man the little engines -
one man to each boat; then the seamen - "Swarm over those
boats men and wherever you find an officer aboard ask him if he
needs a crew! Three men to the larger boats and two each to
the smaller".
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