TNA ADM 199 790

154
Sheet 2. 159
At 0030 on Wednesday 29th. May I slipped and proceeded down harbour. After rounding No.6E whistle and bell buoy I found myself in among two or three
French destroyers, stopped in the channel, and as a result missed No.13 bouy and went aground on sandbank north of Zuydcoote Pass Engines were put to full astern and the ship slid off into about ten fathoms. In order to ascertain my exact position and wait until unlit bouys could be seen I anchored and very shortly picked up the
Nieuport buoy While waiting the ship was roughly fixed and found to be in position51 degrees 7 minutes 30 seconds
North, 2 degrees 28 minutes 48 seconds East, and clear of the channel. I proceeded without further incident to
Margate. Just before dawn gunfire was observed shead and shortly afterwards several destroyers passed ae proceeding towards the French coast. Later passing the Kwiente buoy one sunken destroyer and another badly down by the stern were passed.
At I000 ship secured alongside Margate pier and disembarked troops. Although no exact counting of troops was possible, about 450 in all were landed, including approximately 50 stretcher cases and 100 walking cases.
The arrangements for disembarkation of troops at Margate were most efficient.
At 1107 Wednesday 29th. may slipped and proceeded back to Dunkirk, being joined by Lydd at North Goodwin light vessel. At 1315 Lydd reported & submarine to starboard, although not observed by Pangbourne a warning was broadcast at 1321 Between 1645 and 1715 just off Nieuport bank several air attacks were directed against Pangbourne and all ships in the vicinity. Immediately after this two
British soldiers were picked up in an exhausted condition, apparently having been blown from the deck of some small ship. At approximately 1730 several enemy bombers appeared to be about to attack Pangbourne but passed overhead, and were distinctly observed to attack & hospital ship about a mile on the Starboard beam for & considerable period without registering any direct hits. Just before passing the Nieuport Bank buoy a large lifeboat containing some thirty Belgian soldiers was picked up and the boat taken in tow for use on the beach. On closing the beach 1 was ordered to proceed Alanasise the Clan MacAlister lying at anchor and embark the crew. This ship was on fire aft, and the ammunition round the after gun was continually exploding.
The Master reported to ae that there was no chance of saving the shipas all hoses were out and the steering gear out of action. The crew, including some 30 Lascars, and several
Naval ratings, - crews of motor boats - were all embarked.
I then proceeded and anchored about half a mile off the beach opposite the Sanatorium. All available boats were lowered and sent inshore in charge of Lieut. Tadman
R.N.R. and Rabbitts, Boatswain R.N.. Between
1860 and 1900 the ship was subjected to numerous low diving bombing attacks, although no direct hits were made there were several near misses. The hull was holed on both sidesabove and below the water line and the D.U. coil cut in several places. It was during this period that all casualties occurred, resultang in the death of of seven the ratings and six Belgian soldiers, and wounding seven

CONFIDENTIAL
320c. (For use with S. 13206).
NAVAL MESSAGE.
(Revised 356
October, 1935.)
te
ECRE
SS
1
55
An
Dynam
349
lasman 60
355
65
TER OF PROCEEDINGS - EVACUATION.
a
70
--339
May 28th, 1940. 1100
345
Search for Hurricane.
At approximately 1100 S.0.6 and 7
were instructed to search for Hurricane reported in sea, position
5 to 10 miles S.W. of Goodwins. Course was set S.3. from Dover until Goodwins bore N.E. Boats then opened up to approximately
2000 yards and swept 10 miles S.W. Course was then altered to S.E. and again to N.E. and sweep carried back to opposite Dover.
Much wreckage was examined but none that could have been aircraft.
May 28th, 1940. - 3117 to May 29th. 0255.
Instructions were received to find the S.S. Clan Macalister anchored somewhere in the Downs and in conference with the Captain of the ship and the Commander R.N. in charge of M.L.V.s to decide the best course for Clan Macalister to land her boats and to instruct her to procede accordingly. Subsequently to report to the Chief of Staff what action was being taken. Serious difficulty was experienced in finding Clan Macalister owing to large number of ships in the Downs and absence of examination vessel. Contact was made however at approximately 2500. Clan Macalister had no charts of consequently S.0.6.s were handed over to her.
La Panne, and she sailed accordingly. It would appear there. that she
It was decided Dunkirk she and could probably get within fifteen miles of
Two very much closer taken off being members of the crew of the got and unfortunately is still
M. L. V.s stretcher cases were down the hold of Clan Macalister. At approximately who had fallen S.0.6 set course for Dover, whaler and shortly in
This afterwards collided with to the whaler appearing close collision under the occurred port bow.
midnight motor launch Minekoi with tow.
Course occurred owing altered to starboard and of three with was immediately was previously not seen. The Stoker crew Macgill -
were R.E. rain squall work by
Sub/Lieut. the launch which A.B. Stewart and and slightly choppy resoued after did good of the jumping sea. overboard the one member launch's crew launch's crew who swim. I believe the launch.
subsequently sailad could not made for Dunkirk at 0255 in where another the stretcher cases were dispatched by ambulance.
May 29th, 1921 to May 30th. 0710.
received to
Anti-M.T.B. rendezvous Patrol. two at one 2100 hour off late the at Quint the buoy.
S.0.6 proceded with there at full the two M.T.B.S was arrived, connect and passed with
2230 who could not not made until
Contact will th due was caution to avoid approximately 0230 for an enemy craft. Much of the night was spent

CONFIDENTIAL
320c. (For use with S. 1320b).
NAVAL MESSAGE.
(Revised 356
October, 1935.)
ite
OSS
10
ECRE
55
1
An
Deptrains
60
355
65
STTER OF PROCEEDINGS - EVACUATION.
a
70
351
ay 28th. 1940. 1100 1400.
Search for Hurricane.
At approximately 1100 S.0.6 and 7
were instructed to search for Hurricans reported in sea, position
5 to 10 miles S.W. of Goodwins. Course was set S.E. from Dover until Goodwins bore N.E.
Boats then opened up to approximately
2000 yards and swept 10 miles S.N.
Course was then altered to S.E. and again to N.E. and sweep carried back to opposite Dover.
Much wreckage was examined but nome that could have been aircraft.
May 28th. 1940. 2117 to May 29th. 0255.
Instructions were received to find the S.S. Clan Macalister anchored somewhere in the Downs and in conference with the Captain of the ship and the Commander R.N. in charge of M.L.V.S to decide the best course for Clan Macalister to land her boats and to instruct her to procede accordingly. Subsequently to report to the Chief of Staff what action was being taken.
Serious difficulty was experienced in finding Clan Macalister owing to large number of ships in the Downs and absence of examination vessel. Contact was made however at approximately 2300. Clan Macalister had no charts of Dunkirk and consequently S.O.6.8 were handed over to her.
It was decided she could probably get within fifteen miles of
La Panne, and she sailed accordingly. It would appear that she
Two very much closer taken off being members of the crew At of the got and unfortunately is still there.
M.L.V stretcher cases fallen were down the hold of Clan Macalister.
approximately.9 who had S.0.6. get course for Dover. whaler and shortly in
This collided to the whaler appearing close under the occurred part bow.
afterwards midnight with motor launch with tow.
with was immediately which was previously not seen. The crew Madgill three
Course occurred owing altered to starboard and collision of
-
were R.E.Blows, difficulty owing to rain squall work slightly by
Sub/Lieut the launch R.N.V.R., A.B.Stewart and Stoker and choppy jumping sea. overboard AMEX and supporting I believe the one the member launch's of the crew XXX
resoued after Able-Seaman Shuttleworth did good launch's crew who not swim.
Return subsequently to Dover sailed was made at 0255 where the stretcher cases were could for Dunkirk in mother launhh.
dispatched by ambulance.
May 29th. 1921 to May 30th. 0710.
Instructions were received to
Anti-M.T.B. Patrol. M.T.B.S from Harwich at 2100 off the late Quint at the bouy.
rendesvous with there two at full speed but was one arrived, hour and passed
S.0.6. proceded 2230 the two M.T.B.S connect with approximately superior speed. Contact to avoid
ReV. At approximately half-a-mile from S.0.6. who could was not not made until being approximately mistaken 0230 for an enemy craft. Much of the spent them owing to their and this was done with due caution night was

OR CONVOY.
6/6/40. Dynamo 188.
or Barge Sherfield
#
185
Lighter Y.O. 63.
Lighter X.95.
Sub Dr. J.D.F. Kealy, R.N.
or Launch Nanette II.
On arriving at Sheerness Motor Boat Dook on Friday, 31st May, 1940, we ceived. command of the above convoy with instructions to pick up British Troops om the shores round Dunkirk as soon as possible. This was at 2 p.m; by 2.15 p.m.
were under way heading out to sea.
Good progress was made until later that night we lost contact with lighter X.95
though we spent some time in trying to locate her without success.
At 11 a.m. 1st June land was sighted, peniot Where were we? The one and cidedly irregular compass, the Deviation of which we never knew, which perhaps
B just as well, brought us to a buny round which was painted -"Ostend". This a a most salutary effect on us and putting the wheel to starboard we headed for e battle. The succession of sunken ships with the oil saturated water covered.
th junk and garbage of all sorts began to have a dampening effect on everybody.
wever, we fortified ourselves with large helpings of Mr. Machonicie's Irish Stew.
Continuing on passed Nieuport we found ourselves between two destroyers and shore battery in action;during this one of the destroyers was hit and the supertructure burst into flames. On closing in it was obvious that there was no one board and we drew away a magazine explosion. Shells then began to drop round us rom the remaining destroyer and to further our consternation at this moment at orpedo passed under the "Sherfield", disappearing up the beach; whether fired by submarine or the other destroyer is not known.
Next thing on the programs was the finding of a whole lot of chaps who had een in the oil-covered water for a considerable time and we experienced difficulty n getting them aboard as there were several wounded amongst them. These - were ostly off destroyers sunk during the day. During this interlule soldiers were een gathering on the foreshore, and owing to ebbing tide it was impossible to each the lighters and the motor boat. commenced to collect the soldiers and take chem to the lighters at twenty at a time. One young Army officer to whom great redit is due came along with a motor boat full of wounded, and after putting them aboard helped with the embarkation.
In the meantime one lighter continued to fish people out of the water and the ther went alongside the wrecked "Clan MacAlister" and took off 15 wounded survivors of the "Keith" and other ships.
All was going well when a number of enemy planes started to machine gun the beach and bombard the vicinity. It would be as well to mention that there were no other British ships or planes in sight, and being completely unarmed except for one Boer War rifle, we couldn't do much against them. As the last load was being gathered it appeared that the enemy were using Trench Mortars and machine guns from begind the Dunes.
During a lull the second lighter and motor boat made for the open sea; while the motor barge was receiving her last load of wounded enemy planes started paying further attention to her. She stopped all movement and drifted about for the next three quarters of an hour, hoping to be taken for a derelect, which thank God she wast At length the planes eased off and she made a dash (at 6 knots) for the open the familiar whine of a power bomber was heard, followed by a pattern of bombe sea, large quantities of tea being consumed. Peace reigned, but not for long;
exploding round the barge and a nice little machine gun attack followed.
The remainder of the trip was quite uneventful, entering Dover at 7 a.m. on
Sunday morning.
volunteers and the youngest being 17. A fine example was set by the fortitude
Too much praise cannot be given to the Civilian members of the crews, all being of the Troops waiting on the shore and in the water. All Naval members of the orews acted as expected.
missed On during the first night, had managed to get to Dunkirk and had had her full returning to Sheerness we found the third member of our convoy, whan - had share of excitement.

216
204
OPERATION DYNAMO.
22
ENCLOSURE NO. 17.
SHIP: BLUE BIRD - Motor Boat.
OFFICER REPORTING: G.B. EYRE, SUB-LINUTENANT, R.N.V.R.
On Saturday 1st June I received orders to proceed with Motor Boat BLUE BIRD to the M/S SANDOWN
to be towed to Dunkirk. M/S SANDOWN was relieved by
M/S EMPEROR OF INDIA and accordingly I changed to her.
2.
On reaching Dunkirk it was found impossible to start engines of BLUE BIRD so she was not used and came back to Dover in tow.
3. The Lifeboat MARY SCOTT was working in conjunction with BLUE BIRD, but remained behind in
Dunkirk to pick up EMPEROR OF INDIA's 1st Lieutenant who was on the pier, organising the troops to be embarked.
Note: This officer was previously in command of
A.L.C. No. 15, and had been employed ferrying troops off from Dunkirk beach for one day. When 8.9. CLAN MACALISTER
(A.L.C. parent ship) was bombed and set on fire he returned to Dover in company with A.L.Cs. 3 and 8 to refuel and proceeded to the beaches on completion.
A.L.C. No. 15 was driven on to the beach by the wash of a passing destroyer and as there was no hope of getting off,
Sub-Lieutenant Eyre set fire to her and returned to Dover in due course in
See ROIII, 12509
A.L.C. No. 3 and was then given Motor
Boat BLUE BIRD.

CONFIDENTIAL
Duprome 339 467
abject.
EVACUATION OF B.E.F. - NARRATIVE OF EVENTS.
468
rom...THE CAPTAIN A/S, H.M.S. "OSPREY", H.M. DOCKYARD
PORTLAND, DORSET.
ate. 17th June, 1940.
No. 0601/44/3.1170.
439 440
The Vice Admiral,
Dover,
(Copies to:- The Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth.
The Flag Officer-in-Charge, Portland.)
SADMIRAL
ADMIRAL
With reference to C.P.G.O. 1700, reports from Motor
18JUN475
Boats 6 and 7 and M.L.100 are submitted herewith.
Reports from "KINGFISHER" and Motor A/S Boat 10 were already survived
18
Forwarded direct to you.
Lieutenant Comman
Dynama for Captain A/S.
the
Downs
2300
Found "Clan Macalister". Embarked two stretcher cases
(approx)
on deck.
29th. 0015
Collided with and sank small motor launch "Mino MINEKOI Key" with whaler in tow. Saved crew of three.
0255
Secured Dover.
0441
Sailed from Dover to turn back to Ramsgate all small craft from Thames Estuary.
Rixx Took in tow six cutters and one whaler found drifting.
0630
Recalled to Dover.
Handed tow over to motor boat to
(approx)
take to Ramsgate. Fueled.
1921
Left Dover for anix anti M.T.B. patrol.
30th. 0710
Secured Dover.
0901
Left Dover with Lt-Comdr. (?) to marshal and instruct all small boats arriving from south coast.
1335
Secured Dover. Fueled. Carried out engine repairs.
31st. 1140
Sailed for Ramsgate to rendezvous with small boat convoy.
1220
Arrived Ramsgate. Off-loaded depth charges.
1453
Sailed from Ramsgate escorting five tugs and five drifters all towing open boats.
1930
Off Reutigen Bank. General bombing attack on shipping.
2100
Arrived off Dunkirk. Took on board Lt-Comdr Wynne- Edwards
Instructed open boats where to operate.
(from Keith)
2315
In collision with large yacht. Hole in starboard bow above water line.
Some ribs broken.
2400
Returned to Keith off La Panne. Took on board General
(approx)
Leese.
Imamo
0115 Arrived Dunkirk and embarked C.O's of block-ships and Captain Dangerfield.
Carried out reconnaissance of the harbour.
0200 returned to block-ships.

H.M. M. A/S. B.6.
468
Period May 23rd. to June 4th. 1940.
Bin/o/
1214
Time
440
3rd
1329
Sailed from Portland for Harwich.
2152
Arrived Dover - fuelled.
4th.
0857
Sailed from Dover.
1316
Arrived Harwich.
Fuelled.
5th.
6th.
Fitted quadrupia Lewis gun in place of port double
7th.
1307
Sailed for Dover in company with 3.0.7.
1753
Arrived Dover. Reported to M.A.Dover.
8th. 1100
Sailed with S.0.7. to search for Hurricane reported in the sea SeW. of Goodwins. Following air battle off Dover earlier.
1400
Returned to Dover. Search unsuccessful.
(approx)
2117
Sailed from Dover to find S.S. Clan Maclister in the Downs to give her instructions.
2300
Found "Clan Macalister". Embarked two stretcher cases
(approx)
on deck.
MINEKOI
29th. 0015
Collided with and sank small motor launch "Mino Key" with whaler in tow. Saved crew of three.
0255
Secured Dover.
0441
Sailed from Dover to turn back to Ramsgate all small craft from Thames Estuary.
**** Took in tow six cutters and one whaler found drifting.
0630
Recalle to Dover.
Handed tow over to motor boat to
(approx)
take to Ramsgate. Fueled.
1921
Left Dover for anix anti M.T.B. patrol.
30th. 0710
Secured Dover.
0901
Left Dover with Lt-Comdr. (?) to marshal and instruct all small boats arriving from south coast.
1335
Secured Dover. Fueled. Carried out engine repairs.
31st.
1140
Sailed for Ramsgate to rendezvous with small boat convoy.
1220
Arrived Ramsgate. Off-loaded depth charges.
1453
Sailed from Ramsgate escorting five tugs and five drifters all towing open boats.
1930
Off Reutigen Bank. General bombing attack on shipping.
2100
Arrived off Dunkirk. Took on board Lt-Comdr.Mynne- Edwards
Instructed open boats where to operate. (from Keith)
2315
In collision with large yacht. Hole in starboard bow above water line. Some ribs broken.
2400
Returned to Keith off La Panne. Took on board General
(approx)
Leese.
ynamo
On passage GO DUNKITK.
0115 Arrived Dunkirk and embarked C.O's of block-ships and Captain Dangerfield.
Carried out reconnaissance of the harbour.
0200 returned to block-ships.

May 28th. 1940. 1100 1400.
470
-
Search instuucted for Hurricane. to search for At approximately 1100 3.0.6 and 7
442
were miles S.W. of Hurricane reported in sea, position
5 to 10 bore N.E. Goodwins. Course was set S.B. from Dover until 2000 yards and swept 10 miles Boats S.W. then Course opened was up to then approximately altered
Goodwins to S.E. and again to N.E. and sweep carried back to opposite Dover.
Much wreckage was examined but none that could have been aircraft.
May 28th. 1940. 2117 to May 29th. 0255.
Instructions were received to find the S.S. Clan Macalister anchored somewhere in the Downs and in conference with the Captain of the ship and the Commander R.N. in charge of M.L.V.S to decide the best course for Clan Macalister to land her boats and to instruct her to procede accordingly. Subsequently to report to the Chief of Staff what action was being taken. Serious difficulty was experienced in finding Clan Macalister owing to large number of ships in the Downs and absence of examination vessel. Contact was made however at approximately 2300. Clan Macalister had no charts of Dunkirk and consequently S.0.6.s were handed over to her.
It was decided she could probably get within fifteen miles of
La Panne, and she sailed accordingly. It would appear that she got very much closer and unfortunately is still there.
Two stretcher cases were taken off being members of the crew of the
M.L.V.s who had fallen down the hold of Clan Macalister. At approximately midnight S.0.6. set course for Dover. and shortly afterwards collided with motor launch Minnekoi with whaler in tow.
This occurred owing to the whaler appearing close under the port bow.
Course was immediately altered to starboard and collision occurred with the launch which was previously not seen. The crew of three
Sub/Lieut. R.E.Blows, R.N.V.R., A.B Stewart and Stoker Madgill were rescued after difficulty owing to rain squall and slightly choppy sea. **** Able-Seaman Shuttleworth did good work by jumping overboard and supporting the one member of the launch's crew who could not swim.
I believe the launch's crew XXX
subsequently sailed for Dunkirk in another launhh.
Return to Dover was made at 0255 where the stretcher cases were dispatched by ambulance.
May 29th. 1921 to May 30th. 0710.
rendezvous with two M.T.B.s from Harwich at 2100 off the Quint bouy.
Anti-M.T.B. Patrol.
Instructions were received to
S.0.6. there at full speed but was one hour late at the
R.V. half-a-mile from S.0.6. who could not connect until proceded At approximately 2230 the two M.T.B.s arrived, and passed with approximately them their superior speed. Contact was not made avoid approximately being mistaken 0230 for an enemy craft. Much of the night spent owing to and this was done with due caution to was on passage to Dunkirk.
0115 Arrived Dunkirk and embarked C.O's of block-ships and Captain Dangerfield.
Carried out reconnaissance of the harbour.