TNA ADM 199 788 A

Dynaino Duplicate
16
Dynams 22H
13
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H.M.S. Dolphin,
16
Gosport.
June 6th.I940.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following report of the proceedings of HM.S.Dolphin's Power Boat.
2.
The boat sailed from Gosport at 1915 on Wednesday 29th.
May with orders to proceed to Ramsgate with all despatch, remaining overnight at Newhaven, or if it should not be possible to reach there before dark, to make Littlehampton. Owing to delay in sailing and to adverse weather conditions it was only possible to make the latter port at 2200. The Dutch motor launch M73 had arrived about 15 minutes previously.
3.
80 gallons of petrol were embarked from H.M.S. Peregrine and the motor boat proceeded to Ramsgate in company with M 73.
On arrival off Dover at 1400, owing to shortage of petrol combined with the uncertainty of navigation by the boat's compass in the prevailing fog, it was decided to enter the harbour to refuel. Considerable delay was necessary at the contraband control ship before entering and also before fuelling at the petrol jetty, and it was not before 1900 that orders were received from the
Naval Base that the boat was not to proceed to Ramsgate but was to be held in readiness to proceed to sea at short notice.
4.
Orders were given at 0030 on 31st. May for.M.S.Dolphin's boat to proceed with a similar boat from H.M.S. Excellent to La
Panne and Bray Dunes, respectively, the two boats to remain in company until within a short distance of the French coast. Charts and the route were supplied to each boat and information was obtained that if there was a shortage of petrol on reaching the destination it could be obtained from H.M.S.Hebe.
5.
Shortly after passing the North Goodwin Light Vessel it
10
was found that more petrol was being consumed than had been estimated, mainly due to yawing caused by a considerable stern sea and swell, and "Excellent's" boat found it necessary to reduce speed to about 8 knots.
6.
Some 8 miles North West of Bray an enemy floating mine was seen

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17 14
was seen and an attempt was made to sink it by rifle fire but this was impracticable owing to the unsteadiness of the boat. The approximate position of the mine was later reported.
7.
At 1115 the boat arrived off La Panne, and, being short of petrol, closed H. M.S. Hebe but was unable to obtain any from her. As there were no other ships carrying petrol off La Panne, it was thought desirable to return to Bray in order to have a reasonably safe margin of petrol before conveying troops. On arrival at Bray, "Excellent's" boat signalled that she had struck a submerged object and required assistance. As I had been told by a destroyer that the depth of water in that position was 3 feet and had also been told by the Senior Officer at Bray to be extremely careful not to get into shallow water, it was not considered advisable owing to the state of the sea to risk the loss of a second boat. Another shallower draughted boat did, in fact try to assist but ran aground.
8.
20 gallons of petrol were obtained at Bray and the boat proceeded back to La Panne. Before reaching there, however, all ships weighed and left under shell fire from shore batteries from the town which was shortly afterwards OCC-
upied by the enemy. In consequence the motor boat returned to Bray.
9.
Enquiries were made at destroyers and other vessels present as to whether "Dolphin's" boat could be of any assistance, but again, owing to the shallowness of the water and state of the sea it was not possible to go alongside the improvised pier from which all troops were being embarked
(no troops were at this time wading out to boats), nor was there a demand for a boat for towing purposes.
10. as to the usefulness of this boat under the circumstances,
After consultation with the senior officer present it was decided to obtain a tow back to Dover to refuel, and there it was hoped that another tow could be obtained back to Dunkirk, where, it was believed, the boat could be more usefully employed. A tow was obtained from H.M.S.Sargossa at 1415

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at 1415 and a return was made to Dover, where,after fuelling the boat's return was reported to the Operations Room.
Instructions were given to stand by for further orders which were to be given at 0400 next morning. These instructions were cancelled and no movement was made on Saturday 1st.June.
11.
On 2nd. June "Dolphin's" boat was attached to the officer in charge of small boats for towing and despatch purposes in Dover harbour. She was so employed until noon on June 4th.
12.
The crew of the boat were keen to return to Dunkirk if a tow could be obtained, but after several enquiries it appeared that the boat was considered unsuitable for the workand the boat had, unfortunatly, to remain employed in
Dover harbour. On 4th. June Able Seaman Stephans was lent as coxswain of the Walmer lifeboat at his request, but shortly afterwards all operations were cancelled.
13. for Littlehampton, arriving there at 2115. The following morn-
The motor boat sailed from Dover at 1315 on June 4th.
ing 50 gallons of petrol were taken in and at 0915 the boat sailed for Portsmouth. A certain amount of engine trouble was experienced of a minor nature. The boat arrived at Fort
Blockhouse at 1245.
14. in charge of the engines and also to Lag. Saunders, both of
Considerable credit is due to Ldg. Sto. Morris who was them working tirelessly to keep the motors in the best of condition, especially as the outward journey to Dover was made at maximum revolutions and no engine trouble was experienced until the return journey. Credit is also due to Ldg. Sea.
Cobley, the coxswain of the boat.
I have the honour to be,
Sir, your obedient servant
Captain (st,
H.M.S. Dolphin,
Gosport.
Bowden
CAP RAIN IN (S)
* VICE ADMIRA sub Leviten and R.N.
A5th
8 JUN1940
12 JUN 1940
SUBMARINE
2198/199
FLOTH
*
DOVER
WOD
extracted from the Deed

Dynam. 118.
Buyo/
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1182
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H.M.S. "Dolphin"
Gosport,
Hants.
6th June 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to report the following proceedings of H.M.S. "Dwarf" inconnection with evacuation of the
B.E.F.from Dunkirk.
2) H.M.S. "Dwarf" sailed from Portsmouthuat 2100 on
Wednesday 29th May. 1940. for Ramsgate. During the passage there was nothing of interest to note, and' Dwarf" arrived at 1700 on Thursday 30th May.
3) After provisioning, coaling and embarking two Lewis guns, "Dwarf" sailed for Dunkirk at 2000 using route "X"
4) At about 0030 on Friday "Dwarf was some 6 miles
North West of Dunkirk, so waited till daylight before attempting to enter the buoyed channel to Dunkirk.
During the passage up the channel a formation of
German reconnaissaice aeroplanes appeared overhead.
Every ship in the vicinity, as well as the soldiers an the beach, 2 opened fire. "Dwarf": 'starboard Lewis gunner registered several tracer bullets in one of the machines which turned away to the South.
5) On reaching Dunkirk "Dwarf" was ordered by a destroyer to proceed to La Panne However, after steaming for about & mile the motor barge "Viking "hailed for assistance. She had 150 soldiers on board, and in attempting could to get off the heach, burnt out her clutches. She now go in the astern direction.
6) only time there was a fresh North West wind and At the tide, as well as several wrecks and ships in at anchor, rising which made operations in order to get her tow very difficult.