TNA ADM 199 790

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one was destroyed by a shell.
power boat to containing control officers who ordered
While embarking the troops I was hailed by a
boats return to the beach closer to the harbour. my
troops, to tow these boats to the position indicated.. At
instructed & motor boat which came alongside me, also with I
this stage contact with "DORIENTA" was broken and I
presumed that she had proceeded as previously directed.
My boats having departed I made contact with
H.M.D. "FEASABLE" taking her in tow and proceeded to
Westward in search of further troops. When off the
harbour entrance I contacted three boat loads of troops
and took them aboard, as there were no boats crews I put
them in tow astern of H.M.D. "FEASABLE".
"BEN & LUCY" was now loaded to capacity and was
preparing to proceed homewards when I was hailed by a
naval rating alone in a waterlogged whaler, I took him
aboard abandoning the whaler, I was then hailed by a
fishing smack (?) "LETITIA" of Southend who requested a
tow as he was short of fuel, I told him to tail on, and
continued my passage, the time being approximately 0100
June 1st.
The channel was negotiated without event, two
destroyers being passed bound in. At approximately 0200
we turned to the North having rounded the Whistle bucy and,
when about six miles to the North of the channel aircraft
was heard overhead, while A.A. gunfire and searchlights had
been active for the last half hour. At approximately 0330
& very heavy explosion occured close to the port quarter
of "FEASABLE". The skipper and I were thrown across the
bridge with great violence. On looking aft I saw a large
column of smoke and water close astern of "FEASABLE".
Owing to the abnormal phosphorescence of the water I judged
this to be an aerial attack on what was thought to be a
large vessel, and as "FEASABLE" was still in tow and made
no signal for assistance I continued. (I was subsequently
informed by "LETITIA" that another smack named "ROWAN" which
had attached herself to the tow unknown to me had been sunk
by this explosion.)
at
"BEN & LUCY" was now making water & about one
foot per hour.
About 0700 I was overtaken and hailed by "VERNON"
Pinnace V.4. who requested & course for the North Goodwin
Light Vessel and then proceeded ahead of us.
At approximately 0745 we sighted North Goodwin to
port and headed for Ramsgate.
When approximately 3 miles to the N.E. of Ramsgate
"LETITIA" slipped her tow and under her own power began to
make off. I hailed her and when he informed me about the
loss of the "ROWAN" I ordered him to report to Naval Officer
whence he came. I repeated my previous instructions which
in Charge, Ramsgate. He replied that he was returned
I do not think he obeyed.
When a mile to the Northward of the harbour I
signalled