TNA ADM 199 790

Raw OCR

Unformatted machine-generated OCR for document page 827.

"KINDRED 29th "THRIFTY" during DUNKIRK OPERATIONS DRIFTERS
REPORT STAR" & FROM OFFICER IN CHARGE OF
321
May to 5th June 1940.
May
29th.
Having all received orders to proceed to Dover on
and duty, M/S gear was landed, the ships were coaled special
provisioned and left Portland Harbour at 1900
ay
30th.
Arrived off Dover at 1730. Reported arrival to
off examination vessel and was told to anchor about 10/4 mile
breakwater and await instructions.
May 31st.
Having waited outside Dover Harbour all night We finally
received instructions to enter harbour and berth
alongside Prince of Wales Pier at 1400.
I reported in person to Vice Admiral Dover and was
instructed to stand by for sailing orders.
June 1st. At 0430 orders were received to report to H.M.S. "Lynx"
for final instructions. We were then given orders to
take in tow 6 Lifeboats or similar craft with each ship
and to proceed to the beach 1 mile east of Dunkirk by
route "Y".
We left Dover Harbour with boats in tow at 07 00 for
Dunkirk via North Goodwin Light Vessel.
113 O.
Passed "W" Buoy Saw floating Mine destroyed by gun fire
from another vessel.
1330.
Passed several vessels returning from direction of
Dunkirk - some with a few troops on deck, others
apparently empty.
1400.
Passed """ Buoy. Speed made good approximately 4 knots.
1430g
Saw large Ship on her side on fire and boat blazing in the
water. Shells falling very near from shore batteries.
1530.
Attacked by dive hombers. Sent out message # attacked by
aircraft" on R/T. Our lewis guns in action.
Several vessels were seen trying 10 enter Dunkirk Roads
but all were driven back by action of enemy aircraft and
shore batteries. We altered course to bring us outside
range of shore guns.
1610.
Again attacked by dive bombers. R/Teall sent and Lewis
Guns were again inaction.
One salvo of 4 bombs struck the water just ahead of the
"Kindred Star" scorching the paint and scattering small
There was another salvo of 6 bombs dripped - 3 each side
fragments on the deck but doing no aparent damage.
of the "Thrifty". These bonbs burst under water throwing
Two hands were washed overboard ut these were picked up
up and decks to a depth of several feet.
great columns of water and flooding the top bridge
by lifeboats.
The was seen to be badly it by & bomb to pieces. - afterwards
tows were slipped for greatel safety.
One Trawler Another unknown vessel as blown to
We sinking. did not stop as there were oth- ships nearer these
1620.
vessels. "Kindred Star"reportedhat the and boiler feed pipes was
Engineer losing water on rapidly also the mainiteam
1730.
were cracked. to collect tow which indepenintly. had attered, all except
3 Returned lifeboats signal having to Dover returned asking received. for nstructions re these
1800.
Sent R/T reply was request. aircra,
attheir dive bombing
near
"V"
buoy.
1830.
Lewis Guns aircraft, but sustained. "Kindred
Again attacked again in action, no also further two her amage attacks was by
Star" Entered in order to effect
high bombing Ramsgate Harbour and repairs. blew dowboiler on