TNA ADM 199 790

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ENCLOSURE III. TO FORD'S LETTER NO. 541 of 17th. June, 1940.
REPORT BY LEADING SEAMAN H. COOK, COXSWAIN OF MOTOR
BOAT "ANDORRA".
9th. May.
Ordered to proceed to Newhaven, left approx. 1930 in
company with 275, arrived Newhaven 2130 approx. stopped
by examination vessel after about 2 hours of exchange of
signals allowed to enter harbour. Boat running well.
Oth.May.
Officer in charge of boats gave orders to leave Newhaven
at 0600 for Ramsgate. Arrived Ramsgate about 1630.
Instructed to berth alongside West Wall. Filled boats with
petrol, oil and water wireless and arms taken out of boats.
Officer and T.A.G. making trip returned to Littlehampton.
No further orders. Boat running well.
1st. May.
Boat ready for sea, needed Officer and charts. Noticed and
Officer looking at "Andorra". I asked him if he would take
us to Dunkirk and he replied that he would be pleased to.
At noon took whaler in tow and received provisions and 3
rifles and 100 rounds, left for Dunkirk. Boat running well
at 1800 revs. Arrived at destination at 1630. Ran whaler
alongside telling Papworth and Kettle to proceed inshore
and lead with soldiers. About one minute after this order
a raid started all vessels were under way in view of this
we decided it would not be sensible to ferry as boats would
have been smashed alongside owing to big surf. The whaler
returned with 12 French soldiers. Took them aboard Andorra
and sent whaler inshore again, raid was still on, whaler
returned with II more French soldiers. They were also taken
aboard Andorra making total load of 29 men and whalers in
tow empty, decided whaler was too much for boat to tow so
decided to slip it to another boat in need of a whaler.
Raid had ceased. 1805 left Dunkirk for Ramsgate. Boat
running well at 1800 revs. but load had robbed her of about
4 knots. About 12 miles out second raid started, 3 bombs
dropped close astern badly shook boat, all aboard very cool.
Decided to increase speed owing to the fact that we had
no light for compass and wished to make Ramsgate before dark
as we had no challenge signals. At about 2130 near North
Goodwin Lighthouse, starboard port engine broke down;by this
time it was pitch dark. C.E.R.A. Milford had been working
on engine all this time and managed to get it running again.
We were unable to find entrance owing to a warning in
Ramsgate, no entrance lights were on. Arrived in Ramsgate
harbour 0300 on the 1st. June, discharged 23 French soldiers.
1st. June.
Working on engines, filling up and cleaning boat in general.
Saw 275 leave harbour.
2nd.
June
Working on engines.
3rd. June.
Working on engines A.M. Trial. P.M. engines running well, but
boat not doing the proper speed. C.E.R.A. Milford decided
the damage was outside the boat.
4th.
June.
Boat lifted, discovered port screw badly damaged, this was
put right; boat given another trial and found to be back running at
well. Reported to S.N.O. i/c at 1530 told to report
1700. Officer detailed to take us back to Littlehampton. Sub-
5th. June. 0900 left Ramsgate arrived Littlehampton 1900, boat running
Lieutenant from Portsmouth.
well except for bad petrol.
(SIGNED) H. COOK. L/SEA.