TNA ADM 199 790

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CONFIDENTIAL
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H.M.S. "SALAMANDER".
5th June, 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to report the action taken to remendy urgent
defects sustained during enemy air attack on the 1st June, 1940.
The defects were caused by delay action bombs, exploding near
the part side of the ship in the region of 34 station. At the time of
the occurrence the whole of the messdecks and vaists were arowded with
soldiers standing up, and a number of wounded were on stretchers on the
mess tables. Approximately 450 soldiers were on board, including about
20 stretcher cases. This rendered passage between the Engine Room and
Boiler Rooms extremely difficult.
The first effect was to throw the ship heavily to the starboard
side, at the same time apparently lifting her out of the water about two
feet. She then rolled to part, and eventually took a alight list to part.
The effects on the machinery were as follows: The steam dynamo
came aff the board, putting the ship in darkness, and began vibrating
badly. Steps were immediately taken to start the Diesel dynamo and
lights were available in less than three minutes. In the meantine steam
pressure had fallen, as the forced draught fan in each boiler room had
stopped. It WELLS found that both fan oil sumps were aracked badly round
the base, and the oil had drained into the fan flate. In addition
the impellors were fouling the casings. The fans had been running about
half speed at the time, The after fan vas first of all restarted, after
shoring it aft with wooden wedges to keep the impellor clear, and a chain
of Stokers sent for oil to keep reclenishing the sump to prevent the fan
seising up. Steam was raised for alow speed, and the ship got under
way about 15 to 20 minutes after the explosion, The cylinder was then
shored down from the deck above to keep the crankcase from fracturing
completely. A similar action was taken with the forward fan, and
afterwards attempts were made to plug the creaks to help stem the flow
of oil. Both fans were used for leaving Dunkirk, but when clear of
Dunkink Roads the forward fan was stopped owing to the danger of fire
from the quantity of oil flung into the boiler road. The draught marks
were sighted as soon as possible, and it was observed that the ship had
gained approximately & foot forward, which remained constant. It TRUE
found that compartments forward had taken in small quantities of water,
and compartments 32 and 37 had flooded up to the lower deck. In view
of the fact that the ship had been under almost continual attack for
about three hours, and that this was the third heavy attack in four days
at Dunkirk, the morale of the Engine Room ratings was excellent.
The following ratings were exceptionally steady in carrying
out their duties:
E.R.A. O.H.Andrew, M 26768. In starting w the Diesel and main engine
and restarting the auxiliaries
engines when steam was available.
Leading Stoker A, Hussey, D/XX 62678. In assisting B.R.A.Andrew
Stoker letty Officer T.Rochford, D/IX 61034. By restarting steam in the the
damaged after fan, and raising
after boiler.
Stoker H.Rogers, D/KX 82058. By his coolness in No.1 the Boiler explosion. room
when on watch during and after
Stoker H.J. Thompson, D/KX 93732. Consistently duty volunteared watches. to man
the whaler during his off