TNA ADM 199 790

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mánoeuvring one rating near was the slightly wall fairly heavy shelling was in progress58 k.
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and the harbour wounded by a splinter.
hemp at the entrance soon as I was just clear
outside round the bearing I found - so as the port paddle had many On fathoms arriving of
wreck with knives to the port, I stopped and got of the of
hands on and I was able to clear it. The bearing was a number
cleared light to proceed though only at half practically speed. In
the increasing of the ship was shelled from a gun position
coast I picked up a Service motor launch and also a lifeboat and
to the west Dunkirk, but was not hit. Soon after leaving the
towed them back to the North Goodwin.
H.M.S. "CRESTED EAGLE"
I have not yet seen the report from
the Commanding Officer of H.M.S. "Crested Eagle" but from the
evidence of a survivor it appears that, after I had ordered her
to Dunkirk on May 29th, she proceeded alongside the eastern side
of the East Mole at Dunkirk and embarked troops and casualties
including many from H.M.S. "Grafton" and a transport which
had both been sunk alongside by bombs. Heavy bombing and shell
fire was experienced but "Crested Eagle" was unhit until the
evening when she had just left the Mole to proceed home with her
load of troops and casualties and was hit by a bomb in the engine
room. A fire was started and it appeared that as the engines were
still working slowly the Commanding Officer decided to beach the
ship. Before or after she was beached it is believed she was hit
again by two bombs. It is thought that only a small proportion of
the ship's company were casualties but that many of the stretcher
cases who were accommodated in the wardroom and after part of the
ship were lost in the fire.
H.M.S. "GOLDEN" EAGLE". I would like to add the following remarks
in respect of th report of proceedings forwarded by Lieutenants
Newman and Lucas. Although technically Lieut. Lucas is second in
command of the ship (as an R.N.R. Officer - Lieut Newman being an
R.N.V.R. Officer), Lieut. Newman has carried out the duties of
First Lieutenant and there is no doubt that the initiative and
good work done by the ship during the absence of her Commanding
Officer was due almost entirely to Lieutenant Newman who took
upon himself the command and was loyally supported by the two
R.N.R. Officers-Lieutenants Lucas and Dent, who did excellent work
once Lieutenant Newman had decided what was to be done. Lieut. J.
C. Newman is 54 years of age and quite inexperienced in Naval
matters - but I consider that the part he played in these operations
is worthy of the highest commendation and I am convinced that had it
not been for his leadership and initiative "Golden Eagle" would not
have taken any active part in the proceedings.
I would like also to mention the goods work done by Lieut.
Lucas R.N.R. who handled the ship with great skill, and on the
occasion on which the ship was in Dunkirk harbour at night. I
consider that the fact that she got out safetly was in a great
measure due to his personal efforts on the springs, etc, as well
as his handling of the ship.
To the list of men recommended I would like to add Fredk.
J. Shirley, Acting Leading Telegraphist R.N.V.R. C/WRX84, whose
efficiency and extreme devotion to duty has been of the utmost
assistance to me as Senior Officer of the flotilla and also that
rely upon to take with degree of competency during
of Able Seaman Scott S.T. TD/X1406, who was the only man I could
the night visit to the Dunkirk. wheel I thoroughly any endorse the recommendations
given to C.P.O. Seaman and Utton, Seaman R.N.R.