TNA ADM 199 790

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Dynam 103 814/0/1152 B14/0
1156
...Vice Admiral Dover.
148
From. Commanding Officer H.M.S.Shikari.
Date.7th June 1940.
REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS;
The following is submitted in accordence with Signal
2001/4/40.
Tuesday 28th May.
Returned from night Convoy to Cherbourg at 1400.
Landed S.P's and fuelled. 1430 Sailed independently for
Dover at 28 knots. 1930 Arrived off Dover. Instructed to
join Malcolm. 2000 Sailed under Captain D.16's Ordersto
carry out evacuation.
Wednesday 29th May.
0100 Arrived off Beach at La Panne. Commenced
work, using Motorboat and Whaler. Heavy Surf running.
Whaler capsized owing to military rushing boat in the
Surf. With daylight evacuation speeded up and this Y88
greatly assisted by Naval Landing Graft. As in subsequent
work, drifting boats were being towed in by the Motor-
boat with Boatkeepers from Shikari. Kedge anchors were
used when Surf was heavy and boats veered to the shore.
During all operations, hands not required at the Guns
were in boats or assisting to embark the military. Supply
Parties only closing up when the Guns fired. 1215. Ship
full. Returned to Dover. Disembarked troops, fuelled.
1745. Left Dover for La Panne. Many bombing attacks on
Ships in vicinity, when near Dost Dyok buoy. Closed
Paddle Steamed "Gracie Fields* who had been hit, but as
sufficient craft were available to take off her troops,
proceeded. Zig-Zagging at high Speeda was employed when-
ever bombing attacks took place or were threatened.
Thursday 30th May.
Ran aground on approaching the Coast but got
off on the rising tide, three hours later, at Dawn. Contin
-ued embarking troops. 0800 Full. Returned to Dover. On
passing Nieuport Bucy came under fire from a battery
behind Nieuport for seven minuted. It is thought that
the fire was controlled by an observation Baloon over
Nieuport. This fact was reported by signal but the
Baloon was up for the next few days. No hita were
registered. Smoke screen and Zig-Zagging was commenced
after the first Salvo. 1300. Arrived Dover. Disembarked.
Many of these troops from the Beaches had only Half
Kits and were wet through. The Ship's Company did all
they cuold for the Soldiers and now in consequence
have deplated Kits, The Coxswain, his Staff and the
Cooks and Stewards did Great work in supplying the
Soldiers with food and drink, under most trying circum-
keep the Galley fire going when steaming at high speeds.
stances; especially as in Shikari it is impossible to
A burst steam pipe to one of the oil fuel pumps
necessitated proceeding to & buoy while Sandhurst made
repairs. This was rapidly done. 1930. Ready for sea
again. Sailed for La Panne. Gyro Compass failed when
approaching Dunkirk by "X" Route for the first time.
2230 Darkness slowed down evacuation considerably, close and
our boats took Soldiers to light draught Ships This
inshore when uncertain of Shikari's position.
added considerably to the time spent off the Beaches.