TNA ADM 199 790

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Dynom. 120,
363
Admiralty House,
341
Sheerness.
8th June, 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to report that on Monday 27th May,
after getting final instructions from the Vice Admiral,
Dover, I proceeded to Sheerness and commenced duty as
"Dynamo" Maintenance Officer; my staff consisted of
Commander H.R. Troup, R.N,, who accompanied me from
Economic Warfare Division, and Lieutenant Commander D.E.
Holland-Martin, R.N. We had the invaluable assistance of
the Fleet Engineer Officer, Captain T.E. Docksey. Lieutenant
Commander Guinner, R.N. in command of the Schuit "Princess
Juliana" which had broken down, helped for the first day,
he then left to join N.O.I.C. Ramsgate whose need was
greater. Lieutenant Commander Filleul, R.N., from Weymouth
Contraband Base, also joined but was sent away in charge of
a lighter with petrol cans of water and subsequently joined
N.O.I.C. Margate. Lieutenant R.S. Hellby R.N.R. who came from
Weymouth Contraband Base, but was not fit enough to go to
sea, took his place.
2. Officers, ratings, volunteers and boats commenced to
arrive on Tuesday, and the work of preparing boats for
service occupied the whole of daylight hours for the remainder
of the week.
3. The first group consisting of 20 cutters with half crews
sailed for Dover on Tuesday in tow of the"st. Clears" and
"Sun V". The first group of motor boats sailed for Dover on
Wednesday. Subsequent groups were sent either to Ramsgate or
direct to the beaches, as directed by the Vice Admiral, Dover.
When there were insufficient Officers available, boats were
sailed in groups with at least one Officer trained in
navigation in each. Lighters were as far as possible given
motor boats to attend them.
4. Officers and Coxswains were given broad instructions that
failing orders and guidance from Officers on the spot they
were to find the places where troops were waiting, ferry them
off to the ships off shore, and continue the work as long as
possible, retaining enough fuel in reserve to get back to
Ramsgate. As far as I have been able to judge, good use was
made of the wide discretion given.
5. Requests were made from time to time for rafts, ladders,
lifebuoys and water. These and all the other demands were
met wholeheartedly by the Dockyard and H.M.S. "Wildfire".
6. Most of the owners and crews who brought boats
volunteered to serve in them; more would have done so had
what they were wanted to do. Many volunteers who had
it been possible to tell them before sailing for Sheerness
commitments went away to clear themselves and came back to
who lost their boats joined others at Dover and Ramsgate,
join, although their own boats had already sailed. Crews
or back to Sheerness to find another. There were I
am came glad to be able to say, very few exceptions to the general
at In Dardanelles, did all he could to get away and induce
enthusiasm. X213 the Master, a man of 60 years who had served
his the to take her. They went away to Chatham. S,N.S.O on
me and I suggest that the Dockyard would be well
sent drivers them back. They made a most unfavourable impression advised to
get rid of them. I feel sure that they could not be relied
on in any emergency and would have a bad effect on others.
One I regret to add, is an ex-service man.