TNA ADM 199 790

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4. (contd.).
On completion when ship had been struck and water was
level with waist the question of scuttling ship came up but
Captain decided this was unnecessary and order was given to
abandon ship. I reached one of the spare Army boats two hundred
yeard away and after collecting survivors to limit of boats
capacity went to drifter. After collecting all but two floats
we went off to head off a destroyer for the remainder.
Particular merit:-
A.B. Rawstron courage, example & cheerfulness.
A.B!s Glover and Ord. Sea Mullins courage & cheerfulness.
P.O. Robinson took charge well on forecastle,
A.B. Davis. Torp, although badly burned took a lively interest
in remaining action taken.
Lieut. Sowry - for tenacity of purpose with Franch drifter
resulting in the recovery of seventy survivors and message passed
to destroyer for remaining fifty.
5. Surg. Lieut. A.W. McHaffie,
1st. Attack. In Sick Bay - which was reduced to chaos
from concussions. Casualties arrived after attack.
Soldier complaining of burns of arms.
Stocker complaining of burns of face.
Torpedoman complaining of extensive surface burns of
face, scalp, neck and both eyes.
Another rating complained of splinter wound of left arm.
L.S.B.A. reported A.B. Riddle lying under Pom-Pom platform. When
I arråved there I found him complaining of fracture of left feaur
and very extensive burns of face and shoulders - Dressed him and
then went down into engine room where I saw two BRA's dead.
Griffiths& Griffeth& Putt (stoker) was also dead.
L.S.B.A. reported four dead in boiler room.
port side Saw Mr. Francis of Pom-Pom platform call and
2nd. attack. Ordered to clear upper deck - and I went to
one alley He way. called for rest of crew and I passed on to
Captain on to platform to Mr. Francis and I went on to platform Gave
climbing in fore mess followed by rest of crew. Pom-Pom Was called by
ratings rating. deck. No hands came forward. Saw Captain
and found to Mr. attend Francis unconscious - splinter through lungs.
1/6th. morphine,
3rd. attack. Was still on Pom-Pom platform until shortly
after attack Mr. Francis died.
Evacuated During into water boat lying in and amidships Coxswain. on
when interval between 3rd. and water 4th. attacks.
Orders to do side. so were given by First bow
starboard wounded Was helped in this Lieutenant. by L.S.B.A
4th. attack. Most of Norew of motor, boarded ship lying including in all
Robertson wounded except stretcher A.B. a Riddle me on boat - two ratings
remained in
and Bomb hit water ship's side upsetting lost sight of other Riddle
boat. 10 yards off motor boat all and within wave upset -
disappeared smashed before boat against I could get to him and I
menbers of boat's crew.
Ship by this time was being abandoned.