TNA ADM 199 788 B

2nd June 1940
To V.a. Dovel
From S.I.O. Folkestone
Sailing orders even given by me on the evening of 1st June to the Maati some delay had arisen and he informed of malines /o leave here for at 18. me 30.
he could not have steam before 20" 00, in the meantime Ben my Charee came alongiade and was visited by Master of Malines, I
presume they had same conversation about conditions at Durkque. about 20 00 I
called on master Ben my Charl and asked definite "no and the Masti Malines if he world sail, he gave me a agreed Later I sent orders is 'Lywoold'
to sail which he accepted but did not obey, In clone comespendence Thone had today which will perhaps give an idea of what caused at 10 10 this liday refusal the Maline sailed without order, and to me her destination is unknown
Chea E Stocks
Lient RaR.
VIOE DOVO 2- JUN ADMIR 1940

737
213
ISLE OF MAN STEAM PACKET COMPANY.
Personnel Vessels.
Dynamo sb, 814/0/121
Sea Transport Office
Lord Warden Hotel,
212
et.
Dover.
5th.June 1940.
236
The Vice Admiral,
The Castle, rth
Dover.
OPERATION DYNAMO.
Submitted:
ne,
The following cases of ships refusing to by sail occurred.
1. At Dover.
29th.May S/S"Canterbury" Special report.
3
29th.May S/S"Ngaroma" (Sailed when Armed Guard arrived)
ally
30th.May S/S"St.Seiriol"
3rd.June S/S"Manxman" Special report.
ag.
hat
2. At Folkestone.
2/3rd.June S/S"Ben-my-Chree. On the afternoon of the 2nd.
the Guard had to force the crew back on board at the point of the bayonet in order to keep them on board until the relief crew arrived.
DW
2nd.June S/S"Tynwald" and S/S"Malines"
S/S"Tynwald" subsequently sailed in accordance with instructions. S/S"Malines" proceeded to Southampton, without the orders.
at pt ng
VIOE ARE
12
0
to
6- JUN 1940
DOVER
Commodore,R.N.
PRINCIPAL SEA TRANSPORT OFFICER DOVER.
it
145/2.
thout
Leferance on
3 separate occasions. on the last occasion, SU 1740/2, she produced an engine breakdown as excuse.
Was given up as hopeless and other ships made use of instead.

737
213
ISLE OF MAN STEAM PACKET COMPANY.
Personnel Vessels.
These were MONA'S QUEEN, MANXMAN, TYNWALD,
MANX MAID, FENELLA, BEN MY CREE and LADY OF MAN.
of the 29 personnel vessels employed in the
MONA'S QUEEN was sunk by a mine on her second voyage operation, none of these 7 came through with a clean so sheet.
excluded from the comments which follow. FENELLA
likewise is was sunk in Dunkirk harbour on her first voyage.
TYNWALD.
Transported 7534 troops in 5 voyages. Should have completed 6 voyages. When due to commence her fourth voyage at 1945/2, refused to sail and did not sail again until 1945/2.
On 8 written enquiry from the S.T.O., Folkestone, the 2nd June, whether or not the ship would sail for
Dunkirk on if required, the Master, W. Qualbrough, replied by letter as follows:-
Dear Sir,
Your letter received. I had a signal from the master of the MALINES last night to say him and the master of the BEN MY CREE had considered it hopeless to proceed to Dunkirk. Our crews have been continually on their feet all the week and especially the deck officers who have had to be on their feet for so long.
I myself have had 4 hours rest for the week and am at present physically unfit for another trip like what we have had. If it is absolutely necessary to go
I will abide with the masters of the other ships decision.
P.S. There is two more of the crew going ashore now absolutely nervous wrecks and certified by the naval doctor.
Meantime relief crews had been sent for for the
TYNWALD and an armed naval guard was placed alongside at
Folkestone where the ship lay. The crew did not attempt to leave the ship but contented themselves with shouting abuses at the sentries. Relief crews arrived at 1950/2
and the old crew were then allowed to leave. Complete list of their names and addresses were taken and given to the S.T.O., Folkestone. Those who stayed of the old crew were the Chief Officer as Master, Second Officer,
Purser, W/T Operator and Carpenter.
A naval officer and 10 naval ratings were put on board as moral stiffeners and the ship sailed at 1945/2.
Completed a round trip which was repeated next day without incident.
MANX MAID.
Never completed a trip. Should have sailed on
3 separate occasions. On the last occasion, at 1745/2, she produced an engine breakdown as excuse.
Was given up as hopeless and other ships made use of instead.

214
BEN MY CREE.
Transported 408 troops in 8 trips. Should with have completed of the TYNWALD and the MALINES. On failing written to
4. The master was evidently in league the masters during the night 1/2nd June, in reply to & not he enquiry sail, George Woods, Master, replied in Dunkirk sail from the S.T.O., Folkestone, whether writing or -
would "I beg to state that after our experience at yesterday, my answer is 'No'."
1850/2 BEN MY CREE came alongside Folkestone. the
Naval As the ship was berthed the crew were and on guards At were placed on the gangways and demonstrating abreast and the being run out, they attempted to do so with come on ship. shouting that they were going to leave the ship their kits. and advance up the Drow. The crew thereupon relief returned prow Leading Stoker Booth ordered his men to guard board at once, where they remained until the on arrived. The Captain and crew left the ship, the
Chief and the W/T Operator. Otherwise the ship was manned crew Officer stayed as Captain, together with 3 greasers with
BEN new MY CREE was in collision and did not complete the trip.
the crew. Unfortunately on sailing, at 1905/2,
LADY OF MAN.
Carried out 4 trips and transported 2902 troops.
the ship was ordered back from Dunkirk before entering that
One trip was abortive through no fault of the Master, as harbour. The last 2 trips were carried out with a Naval officer and 10 Naval ratings on board as an insurance, but there is no suggestion that the LADY OF MAN did not attempt to play her part.
MANX MAN.
Transported 233 troops in 3 voyages. Should have completed 5.
On her fourth trip, due 2115/2, MANX MAN refused to sail from Folkestone. New crew put on board, the engineers remaining. She started a trip but failed to make Dunkirk. On return, the original Captain rejoined with some of the original crew. She should then have sailed at 2010/3, but the Captain reported 3 engineers short at the last minute. It was not considered necessary to wait for the engineers and the Master and crew disembarked and the new crew provided. Before use could be made of her, however, the evacuation terminated.