TNA ADM 199 790

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H.M.T. cleared "Fyldea" harbour leading. of H.M.T. "Polly Johnson", "Brock" and with
I then astern passed ahead inside of H.M.S. "Grenade"
who faster informed owing to trouble megaphone that she was unable to proceed
When me clear by of harbour I closed on H.M.T. "Polly Johnson"
reduced she to slow charts had been shattered. We were by as then
to reported all her up position about m/d of a mile ahead of keep her
her. I took in the engineroom. and would I close any
faster. "Polly Johnson" I received was in difficulties and could not proceed any
speed, and I informed H.M.T. "Fyldea" that
Johnson", I did, keeping about me of a mile ahead of her.
which orders from "Fyldea" to stand by "Polly
Although I was only proceeding at slow speed, the "Polly Johnson"
still dropped astern.
I then received a message from H.M.T. "Fyldea" that if
"Polly Johnson" could not proceed I was to take her crew and
scuttle her clear of the channel and act independently. I
ordered this message to be sent to "Polly Johnson" as relayed from
"Fyldea". By this time we had reached a position half way between
Nieuport Buoy, and Middlekerke Buoy, and I stopped engines until
"Polly Johnson" came within hail. During this period several
more raids were carried out by German Aircraft on the Destroyers
and other craft close to us.
When "Polly Johnson" closed on me, the Skipper informed
me he was already to abandon ship; his confidential books etc.
were packed ready to pass to me. I then closed on her and lashed
alongside until the two stretcher cases and all the other members
of her crew and passengers were safely on board. I then cast off
and moved away from her.
The Skipper of "Polly Johnson" - Skipper Lieutenant
Lake R.N.R. (ret) informed me that the water in engineroom had
gained up to the platforms, and in the stokehold the water was
about to put her fires out.
After leaving "Polly Johnson" I requested one of our
Destroyers to sink her as she had been abandoned, but as I received
no satisfactory reply, I returned to her and fired two shots of
common shell into her at waterline.
As I had by now about 90 men on board, including several
wounded, I decided to make all speed for Dover. The tide was
setting to East North East, and assuming the "Polly Johnson" would
drive away from the channel, I left her, the Skipper agreeing that
she would sink in about two hours.
Soon after leaving "Polly Johnson" I received an 8.0.8.
from a Paddle Steamer who had been badly bombed whilst I had been
taking off from "Polly Johnson". I decided I could not take all
her men, so I steamed and intercepted one of the scouts, and two
French trawlers, and directed them to go to the paddler, which
they did. There was also one drifter standing by her and one of
our destroyers heading for her, so I decided nothing further could
be done, and returned to harbour forthwith.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Skipper Lieutenant R.D.,R.N.R.
ske Lieut G Kobinson RD RNR
HMT. "arley"