TNA ADM 199 790

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it, Cdr. V.G. Boaks.
With after guns until motor boat lowered and then went
ward to make quite sure coxswain of boat (Hicks) understood
orders reference embarking troops and collection of drifting
is, Just as we got the beat clear I heard & bomb whistling
a and dived under Pom-Pom platform. About six, possibly more,
DS dropped, one of which was presumably the one that went
ough the engine room - this very seriously wounded and burnt
rating and seriously burnt another but I escaped the full
CO of the back flash although thrown heavily against Pom-Pom
: overhead and almost knocked out.
I than went to the bridge to see what the position was
0, but there were no casualties there and I than went aft to
after guns to find en route that deck was buckled by mainmast.
The after magazine and shell room were flooding and
ided to close down. I then went down to my cabin and passed
about eight spare torches (placed there for use in disembark-
troops previous day - night) as all lights were out and
go daylight few were carrying torches on them. I found
eral chaos in Captain's Cabin flat and sent extra hands down
resecure deadlights as this compartment being next to the
cled part was rather important.
I then went forward to supervise tow forward. In the
st of this another heavy attack was made and most hands took
Iter, some in forecastle locker. I then found all but three
the cordite rounds from "A" gun had been jettisoned and in
V of the nature of the attack ordered these three to be thrown
rboard. After this attack we came out and then started to
wide cordite again. I then went aft to see what damage had
a done during which the fishing drifter returned and I again
c forward to rig now tow lines and also ordered individual
is to turn out and lower boats and carley floats into water
by then it was known ship could not move and drifter could not
a towed faster than say four knota. I also placed one hand
a a lead line aft to keep check on amount of water ship was in
a point of view of grounding and stationed hands ready to cast
boats' painters should ship sink without warning.
Then to the forecastle to get up the after hemp and
D 35th wire during course of which the third attack developed
I went aft to the after guns and with one round of cordite
II forward fired the remaining round in Y gun myself at at
sing homber but not enough aim off in field of view to hit
a with full deflection. After firing this round I went forward
noticed that X gun had a round left but was unable to fire as
oil cylinder had been emptied in preparation for firing and
ring gun out of mounting overboard. This cylinder was re-
Led but on going forward I discovered that the crack in deck
eared to have widened and gave orders that after guns were on
account to be fired in view of probable breaking off of after
I then ordered every possible container of water to be
Led from only remaining water left in hot water tank in galley
tore up soldiers ground capes to provide covers to prevent
3 or contamination of this water. Boats' anchors were then
ced in spare boats alongaide and cars provided, sailing gear
bed in whaler, after steering compase unshipped and placed in
re motor boat, torches distributed to boats, the after life-
flare placed in whaler for possible use. After steering
y detailed and party to clear the flat of weeckage. I then
forward for third time to take in tow during which the fourth
ok developed - dive bombing - and upper deck was cleared.