TNA ADM 199 790

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NARRATIVE OF M.V. "RIKA" DURING THE PERIOD 27TH MAY TO
5TH JUNE, 1940, ENGAGED IN EVACUATION OF B.E.F.
FROM ... The Commanding Officer, M.V. "Rika".
DATE
...
6th June, 1940.
No.1/6.
.
TO
...
The Vice Admiral, Dover Command.
(Copy to :- The Commander-in-Chief, The Nore.)
27th May, 1940.
0930.
Assumed command of M.V. "Rika" at Tilbury Landing
Stage and commissioned with 1 officer and 10
ratings from Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham.
Day spent in wiping, storing and provisioning ship.
Owing to negative wiping, the operation was carried out
three times and was eventually satisfactory for a
depth of over 50 feet.
28th May, 1940.
0600.
Left Tilbury Landing Stage and embarked pilot off
Gravesend. Proceeded to Southend for compass
adjustment.
1130.
Compass adjustment completed; proceeded to Sheerness
for orders.
1300.
Arrived alongside Sheerness for additional stores.
Storing continued throughout the day.
2000.
Received orders from D/M Commander to proceed at
daybreak by 'y' Channel to Le Paine Beach.
La lawne
29th May, 1940.
0500.
Left Sheerness and proceeded as directed.
1644.
Off Middlekerke Buoy - attacked by enemy dive
bombing aircraft. 4 bombs were dropped on ship
which fell approximately 100 yards off starboard
quarter. Aircraft repeated attack; this time the
bombs fell approximately the same distance off
the portbeam. No damage was sustained although
the vessel was severely shaken.
As the ship was unarmed, no defensive action could
be taken.
1815.
Observed H.M.S. "Jaguar" had been hit by enemy bomba
and proceeded to render assistance. Embarked
approximately 280 B.E.F. survivors from "Jaguar" and
proceeded at full speed to the Downs.
30th May, 1940.
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