TNA ADM 199 790

Collection details

TNA ADM 199 790

Admiralty records concerning Operation Dynamo and the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk, dating from 1940.

Holding archive: TNA
Collection reference: ADM 199 790

View the archive catalogue entry ↗

Source: The National Archives, Kew, ADM 199/790. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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Page	Image	OCR text	OCR tags
695	Log in to enlarge	2186 OPERATION DYNAMO. NCLOSURE NO. 13. SHIP: H.M.S. DOLPHIN's MOTOR BOAT. OFFICER REPORTING: SUB-LIEUTENANT B.F. CORNISH-BOWDEN, R.N. In company with H.M.S. EXCELLENT's Power Boat, this boat sailed from Dover harbour at 0240 on Friday, 31st May. 2. Soon after passing the North Goodwin Light Vessel, EXCELLENT's boat signalled to the effect that she was very doubtful whether she could get to the French coast at maximum speed owing to lack of petrol and so speed was reduced to about 8 knots, the speed over the ground being considerably less owing to considerable yawing in a following sea. 3. The two boats were routed to leave the usual course for Dunkirk some 20 miles from that place and proceeded through shallower water to La Panne and Bray. About 15 miles N.W. of Bray an enemy floating mine was seen and an attempt was made to sink it by rifle fire. This, however, failed, and the position of the mine was later reported. 4. Owing to an error in navigation, caused largely by an inaccurate boat's compass, DOLPHIN arrived at Bray at 1100 and after enquiring as to our whereabouts proceeded to La Panne and attempted unsuccessfully to obtain petrol from H.M.S. HEBE. 5. Owing to the shortage of petrol I returned to Bray and to try and fill my tank. However, this again proved impossible and so I decided to use what petrol I had and ask for a tow home when the tank was dry. 6. EXCELLENT's boat had damaged herself on a submerged object and was close inshore. I was about to go to her aid when I was informed that the depth of the water was only 3 feet and I was ordered not to go in tooclose. I therefore was unable to be of any assistance in embarking troops from the improvised pier. I therefore asked ships present if I could be of any assistance to them, but unfortunately they were already getting all that they needed. 7. I then proceeded back to La Panne but when almost there the enemy started shelling the ships which immediately weighed and proceeded to Bray. On return to Bray, I consulted the Senior Officer present as to my usefulness and it was decided that I should obtain a tow back to Dover to refuel when I hoped to obtain a tow back to Dunkirk with a full tank and where I believed I could be more usefully employed. 8. I left Bray at 1415 in tow of the dan-laying yacht SARGOSSA, arriving at Dover Harbour at about 1930, since when I have been employed towing and carrying despatches in Dover harbour. (Signed) E.F. Cornish-Bowden Sub-Lieutenant, R.N. [OVER	Aid Boat Dolphin Excellent's Hebe Cornish Dover Light May Miles Senior

Raw OCR

Unformatted machine-generated OCR for document page 695.

2186
OPERATION DYNAMO.
NCLOSURE NO. 13.
SHIP: H.M.S. DOLPHIN's MOTOR BOAT.
OFFICER REPORTING: SUB-LIEUTENANT B.F. CORNISH-BOWDEN, R.N.
In company with H.M.S. EXCELLENT's Power Boat,
this boat sailed from Dover harbour at 0240 on Friday,
31st May.
2.
Soon after passing the North Goodwin Light Vessel,
EXCELLENT's boat signalled to the effect that she was very
doubtful whether she could get to the French coast at
maximum speed owing to lack of petrol and so speed was
reduced to about 8 knots, the speed over the ground being
considerably less owing to considerable yawing in a
following sea.
3. The two boats were routed to leave the usual
course for Dunkirk some 20 miles from that place and
proceeded through shallower water to La Panne and Bray.
About 15 miles N.W. of Bray an enemy floating mine was
seen and an attempt was made to sink it by rifle fire.
This, however, failed, and the position of the mine was
later reported.
4.
Owing to an error in navigation, caused largely
by an inaccurate boat's compass, DOLPHIN arrived at Bray at
1100 and after enquiring as to our whereabouts proceeded
to La Panne and attempted unsuccessfully to obtain petrol
from H.M.S. HEBE.
5.
Owing to the shortage of petrol I returned to
Bray and to try and fill my tank. However, this again
proved impossible and so I decided to use what petrol I
had and ask for a tow home when the tank was dry.
6. EXCELLENT's boat had damaged herself on a submerged
object and was close inshore. I was about to go to her aid
when I was informed that the depth of the water was only 3
feet and I was ordered not to go in tooclose. I therefore
was unable to be of any assistance in embarking troops from
the improvised pier. I therefore asked ships present if I
could be of any assistance to them, but unfortunately they
were already getting all that they needed.
7.
I then proceeded back to La Panne but when almost
there the enemy started shelling the ships which immediately
weighed and proceeded to Bray. On return to Bray, I
consulted the Senior Officer present as to my usefulness and
it was decided that I should obtain a tow back to Dover to
refuel when I hoped to obtain a tow back to Dunkirk with a
full tank and where I believed I could be more usefully
employed.
8.
I left Bray at 1415 in tow of the dan-laying yacht
SARGOSSA, arriving at Dover Harbour at about 1930, since
when I have been employed towing and carrying despatches in
Dover harbour.
(Signed) E.F. Cornish-Bowden
Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.
[OVER