TNA ADM 199 790

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Lynama 163.
H.M.S. "MARE",
HARWICH.
309
5th June, 1940.
Captain G.W.H. Heaton, D.S.O., R.N.,
HARWICH.
LAG OFFICER IN ORANGE
7 JUN 1940
*
HA
207
Sir,
I have the honour to report that the "MARE", "SARAH HIDE" (Lieut. J.I.
Cruickshank, R.N.V.R.), "STRIVE" (Skipper H.A. Catchpole, R.N.R.), "THREE KINGS"
(Skipper G.A. Smith, R.N.R.), "TWEENWAYS" (Skipper E. Fawcett, R.N.R.), "UNICITY"
(Skipper W.A. George, R.N.R.), "RIG" (Skipper E.F. Beckham, R.N.R.) and
"JACKEVE" (Skipper C.E.F. Reynolds, R.N.R.), sailed from the Cork Light Vessel
at midnight on Thursday, 30th May, and arrived at Ramsgate 0930 the following
morning.
The "SARAH HIDE", "STRIVE", "JACKEVE", "THREE KINGS" and "RIG" were
sent to Dunkirk by Captain E.L. Wharton, R.N., on Friday, 31st May, and separate
reports from their Commanding Officers are appended.
On Saturday, 1st June, I sailed for Dunkirk in "MARE" with "THREE
KINGS", "TWEENWAYS" and "UNICITY" in company. At 1248 when rounding the
S.E. Guter Ruytingen Buoy, observed three patrol trawlers being bombed by enemy
aircraft. The splashes made by these bombs, which must have been of large size,
were yellowish green in colour and quite as high as the funnels.
At 1300 saw the troop ship "SCOTIA" lying on her starboard side having
been bombed and set on fire by enemy aircraft. A British destroyer was lying
alongside taking troops on board and the mast of a two-funnelled paddler could
be seen about half a mile away. Altered course, and seeing several men in the
water, sent away a ship's lifeboat which had been borrowed at Ramagate. This
brought back nine French soldiers and six more were hauled on board the "MARE",
one of whom was restored by artificial respiration. These men were transferred
(together with two picked up by the "THREE KINGS" and one by the "TWEENWAYS"), to
the Ramsgate bound drifters "JACKETA" and "FIDGET".
When coming round full speed for Dunkirk a man was seen to wave a white
handkerchief on the poop of the burning troop ship, so proceeded alongside and
took him off with the boat. He was wounded in the face, and as there were no
more "homeward bounders", he was put below and made as comfortable as possible.
saw bomb trawler of which nothing could be seen when the smoke
While engaged in picking up these men the Skipper, Mr. A.H.W. Pendle, had
cleared a away. strike Another a trawler close by was also struck by a bomb but kept
afloat for some time.
soon afterwards passing a blazing motor doing launch,
came and at 1450 rounded No. shore battery and a heavy bomb was concussion shook
Proceeded on course, 5 Buoy in channel leading to Dunkirk. While dropped ahead, so
probably under intended fire from for a a German troop ship in company with us. The
the engines but did no damage.
off Dunkirk Piers at low water and seeing but a before large number
of British troops on the by East Captain of British destroyer steam lying hopper with proceed drifter
1540 arrived Pier, proceeded to go alongside, there to
making fast was ordered French and Belgian troops. A this pier.
"JEANNIE to West Pier MacINTOSH" and embark lying alongside here were already at
iron ladder astern of them, ordered "JEANNIE "TWEENWAYS" MACINTOSH". to
As another, the and "MARE" "THREE had went three KINGS" to long and ladders "UNICITY" these to four and go outside vessels "UNICITY" were having soon about filled 200 with in
French hopper troops and sailed, the "THREE paddler KINGS" were the next to leave and followed "MARE" them and
"TWEENWAYS" each at 1645. ship. The having The "MARE" destroyer taken also on put and board a 14 men about in 230 lifeboat French towed and Belgians, astern.
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