TNA ADM 199 790

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On return X channel was taken at dead low water and owing
to rounding No.5 Buoy Dunkirk roads too close, grounded
on a shoal 337° 2.5 cables from that buoy. Then the
ship was refloated it was discovered that 18 - 20 knots
was the maximum safe speed.
Occasional firing was carried out on enemy
aircraft in the vicinity during the evening of the
30th May.
Journey 5. As soon as ship had refuelled and
had the propellers examined by divers a passage was made
at 18 knots to the beaches which were reached at dusk on
the 31st May.
East pier was full at this time and it was
evident that difficulty was being experienced in getting
men to the minesweepers already at the beaches. I visited
all the beaches in turn finally anchoring at LAPANNE.
The minesweepers further inshore were getting small loads
but none came the greater distance to WORCESTER. At
dawn WORCESTER came under shell fire from shore batteries
and I decided to slip the cable and proceed to East pier
where a full load of troops was embarked.
Journey 6. June 1st. On approaching X xhannel
about 1500 in the vicinity of No.5 buoy, two recent wrecks
of transports were sighted; small craft and destroyers
were picking up survivors. A few survivors were picked up.
At this time a signal was received from V.A.Dover to
return to harbour forthwith. It seemed however not worth
while to return so close from Dunkirk and so I continued
my course through the roads where some French soldiers
were picked up from an open boat and the crew of a small
service motor launch which had broken down.
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