TNA ADM 199 790

(copy)
Inprove 124 100.
220
- 235
H.M.S. "VERNON".
portsmouth.
6th June, 1940.
From: ACTING LTRIFT. Galls P.U.V.R.
Dynam. 12th 3234 1185
$15 VERRON.
PORTSHOUTH
8th June, 1940.
mit the following as "BEN & LUCY" and
Report of Movements of "DORIENTA" and
Tuesday, June 4th.
"BEN LUCY".
IS received from
Id from "VERION"
To: 136/49.
tay aboard "BST & LUCY",
DOVER, HE VICE ADMIRAL, its.
rul, the visibility very
(Copy to:- The Commander-in-Chief, we passed Dover
Portsmouth).
at 1645. I reported
I to stand by for orders, us day.
reference to
General Order 1700.
by,
I
received orders lag boats in tow,
L1 craft). We proceeded
1 to the remainder of the
Magerton
Low. At 2000 # were to Dunkirk channel when
1 us from the East flying our fighters and driven aff,
CAPTAIN.
had been dropped among the lerve that two vessels were
. vessel was towed back)
med was sunk. During this our two machine cune, the
VICE ADMIRAL
ed by one of our fighters.
we proceeded into the channel
1940
kirk harbour at 2100,
00 fathers. I ordered both
$ the boats in shore with ships if possible.
on the boats were inshore and the bay, I therefore
INSTA" to return independently as soon as she was loaded.
R.N. V.R. who requested a tow as his engines had been I disabled
I was then hailed by H.M.D. "FEASABLE", Lt. Turner by a shell, I replied that I would do so as soon as had filled with troops.
As my four boats were returning I observed that one was destroyed by a shell.
boat control officers who ordered my boats to boat return which
While embarking the troops I vas hailed by a power to name beach closes also with troops, to tow these "DORIENTA" boats to the containing to the harbour. I instructed a motor the position and I prosumed indicated. that she had proceeded as previously alongside me, At this stage contact with directed. was broken

Page 2.
236
My boats having departed I made contact with
H.M.D. "FEASABLE" taking her in tow and proceeded to Westward in search boat loads of troops and took then aboard, as there were no boat of further troops. When off the harbour entrance I contacted three crews I put them in tow astern of H.M.D. "FRASAHLE".
"BSN & 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 (9) "LETITIA" of
Southend who requested a tow as he was short of fuel, I told him
0100 June 1st.
to tail on, and continued my passage, the time being approximately
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 Asha gunfire and searchlights had been active for the last half hour.
At approximately 0330 a very heavy explosion occurred close to the port quarter of "FEASABLE", The skipper and I were thrown across the bridge with great violence. On looking art 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 largevessel, and as
"FEASABLE" was still in tow and made no signal for assistance
I continued. (I was subsequently informed by "LETTTIA" that another smack named "ROWAN" which had attached herself to the tow unknown to me had been sunk by this explosion).
"BBH & LUCY" was now making water at about one foot per hour.
About 0700 I was overtaken and hailed by "VERNON"
Pinnace Va4 who requested a course for the North Goodwin
Light Vessel and then proceeded ahead or US.
At approximately 0745 we sighted North Goodwin to part and headed for Ramagate.
When approximately 3 miles to the N.E. of Ramagate
"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 "ROWAN" I ordered him to report to Naval Officer in Charge,
Ramsgate. I repeated my previous instructions which I do not think he obeyed.
He replied that he was returning whene he came.
while my to do this the tow rope was picked up by a length
"FEASABLE" intention a to two her in Iashed alongside & LUCY".
When mile to the Northward of the harbour "BSN I signalled of attempting which apparently had been foul of our propeller fouled since we Portsmouth. to anchor. I signalled disabled. A had leaving sweep wire Our propeller became hopelessly Pierhead that I 80
100 were troops, both including obliged two wounded and that We remained I was at anchor until launch by Monday came into "RENASCENT" in contacting acetylene harbour off morning and At outter. and to took the having 1000 clear at skipper the low on While made the troops Monday, tide of screw. unsuccesful this succeeded "DORIENTA". ashore. June the operation explosion 3rd, attempts in He we clearing was were reported of on to a hand towed our obtain shell to screw I in but me succeeded a by that tow that drifter he broken his had managed engines the joints has to return been in damaged several at reduced blooked by steam speed pipes up the (the causing bilge boiler pumps flooding had with moved in ashes). the and to engine I room, which in turn R.N. who instructed "DORIENTA" no to return was
Portsmouth reported to and crew with me as "wrecked"

Page 3.
237
238
"wrecked", but on the assurance of her skipper that he was confident he could bring her back to Portsmouth I returned to Captain Wharton and sought permission to bring "DORINITA" back, as, if it proved necessary, I could have taken her in tow. This permission WELES
granted and at 0600 on Tuesday, June 4th we weighed snohor and made passage to Portsmouth, arriving at 2100,
I wish to place on record, and draw attention to, the perfect discipline and devotion to duty of all members of both crews, with particular mention of Skipper Were Whatling, R.N.R.
Skipper W.F. Reynolds, R.N.R. and the engine room staff of
H.M.D. "DORIENTA" whose coolness in maintaining way on the ship in most arduous conditions undoubtedly prevented the abandonment of this ship.
Thave the honour to be, sir,
Your obedient servant,
(Sgd) Gello ILES.
Acting Lieutenant, R.N.V.R.
the
Unit Officer,
100
State, The Which WA one of
Date: The fall & rings abservants the unly the machine
Lov firths transft, James the
DUE Mission and repaired.
MA myor* and there raze TO
INF decli vid.
Yts Elging).
Bideford Ind at LOVES 1750
The 10, for of ENTRY ADMINIST, for the at WGO the first bost Inke of sroops, the
4.7 mon were Presch, ES20 Inco
You were overcrawied and several
The my DEF from store, 9n arrivaleloneside 120
all 300 annount us 100 twin bists start off N
Position THE 10st overboard readaring the Date toas Ws and ordered 50
toit any earty The maler NOB
will

int
- 315
HM DRIFTERS
DORIENTA.
BEN They
KINDRED STAR
THRIFTY.

Dyram 100
339
From Actual A. 317
RNVR.
To. Captain H.M.S. Veriou
H.M.S. "VERNON",
Binfel uss
Portsmouth.
5th June 1940.
H.M.S. "VERNON,"
311
PORTSMOUTH.
8th June, 1940.
Report of Movements of "DORIENTA" and
"BEN LUCY".
unit the following ifters *HEN & LUCY" and
136/49.
a to Tuesday, June 4th.
VICE ADMIRAL,
OVER.
rs received from
(Copy to:- The Commander-in-Chief, sailed from "VERNON"
Portsmouth).
29th May aboard *300 &
nd for Remogate.
ful, the visibility Tory
Submitted with reference to
May we passed Dover onfidential Portsmouth General Order 1700
arbour at 1645. I
ge and was told to stand en until the following è
Maelon
May I received orders pulling boats in tow,
: small craft). No
CAPTAIN.
peed was adjusted to the
Loh was necessarily slow.
1 of the West entrance to
VICE AD MIRAL 1940
10 of enemy bombers at high altitude; they driven off, but not
*
ad been dropped mong the
DOVER
to observe that two
.D. "LORD HOOD" (this
"FAIRBREEZE" which I
this attack I angaged one guns, the destruction one of our fighters, ged and No proceeded into to the East of Dunkirk harbour at 2100, approaching the shore to a depth of three fathoms. I ordered both my vessels to ship their boats nshiment the boats in shore with instructions to return
S
sparent ships if possible.
11 when eat was now dark, and when the heats were inshore the beach emmenced shelling the beach and the bay, I
08 and instruant my ship moving and instructed "DORTENTA"
soon SA she allependently as soon SA she N&S loaded.
14 by H.M.D. wytons then bailed by H.M.D. "PEASABLE", It. Turner
& sow B.S. his anginwequested & sow as his angines had been replied
.D. shell, I replied that I would do so as soon troops.
4. "Pited with troops.
four returning 10JUN
recev four boats were returning I observed that une was

Dynam. 124
339
From Acting Ar.
To. Captain H.M.S. Veriou
RNSR.
H.M.S. "VERNON",
Portsmouth.
6th June 1940.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following report of the movements of H.M.Drifters "BIDIV & LUCY" and
"DORIENTA" from Wednesday, May 29th to Tuesday, June 4th.
In accordance with orders received from
Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, I sailed from "VERNON"
North Pier at 2400 on Wednesday, 29th May aboard "EIGN &
LUCY", "DORIENTA" in company, bound for Ramsgate.
The passage was uneventful, the visibility very bad. At 1405 on Thursday, 30th May we passed Dover arriving at anchor off Ramsgate Harbour at 1645. I
reported to Naval Officer in Charge and was told to stand by day. for orders, which were not given until the following
Friday, 3180.
At 1350 on May I received orders to proceed to Dunkirk taking four pulling boats in tow,
("DORIENTA" in company also towing small craft). We proceeded by route 15 W. Our speed was adjusted to the remainder of the large Armada' which was necessarily slow.
At 2000 we were just to the North of the West entrance to
Dunkirk channel when a large force of enemy bombers attacked us from the East flying at high altitude; they were engaged by our fighters and driven off, but not before a large number of bombs had been dropped among the assembled shipping. I was able to observe that two vessels were struck, namely, H.M.D. "LORD HOOD" (this vessel was towed back) and H.M.D. "FAIRBREEZE" which I
was informed was sunk. During this attack I engaged one dive bomber with our two machine gune, the destruction of this machine was completed by one of our fighters.
Neither of my two units was damaged and we proceeded into the channel arriving off the bay to the East of Dunkirk harbour at 2100, approaching the shore to a depth of three fathoms. I ordered both my vessels to sRip their boats and sent the boats in shore with instructions to return to their parent ships if possible.
It was now dark, and when the boats were inshore the enemy commenced shelling the beach and the bay, 1
therefore kept my ship moving and instructed "DORIENTA"
to return independently as soon as she was loaded.
I was then hailed by H.M.D. "FEASABLE", It.Turner
R.N.V.R. who requested & tow as his engines had been disabled by & shell, I replied that I would do so as soon as I had filled with troops.
As my four boats were returning I observed that one was

340
318
Page 2, 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

341
319
Page 3.
signalled "FEASABLE" my intention to tow her in lashed alongside "BEN & LUCY". While attempting to do this the tow rope was picked up by a length of sweep wire which apparently had been foul of our propeller since leaving Portsmouth. Our propeller became hopelessly fouled so we were both obliged to anchor. I signalled
Pierhead that I had 100 troops, including two wounded and that I was disabled. A launch came off and took the troops made unsuccessful attempts to obtain a tow into harbour to ashore. We remained at anchor until Monday morning having clear the screw.
At 1000 on Monday, June 3rd we were towed in by drifter "RENASCENT" and at low tide succeeded in clearing our screw by acetylene cutter. While this operation was on hand I succeeded in contacting the skipper of "DORIENTA". He reported to me that his engines had been damaged by the explosion of a shell but that he had managed to return at reduced speed (the boiler had moved and broken the joints in several steam pipes causing flooding in the engine room which in turn blocked up the bilge pumps with ashes). I reported to Captain Wharton R.N.
who instructed me to return to Portsmouth and take "DORIENTA's"
crew with me as "DORIENTA" was'wrecked", but on the assurance of her skipper that he was confident he could bring her back to Portsmouth I returned to Captain Wharton and sought permission to bring "DORIENTA" back, as, if it proved necessary, I could have taken her in tow. This permission was granted and at 0600 on Tuesday, June 4th we weighed anchor and made passage to Portsmouth, arriving at 2100.
I wish to place on record and draw attention to, the perfect discipline and devotion to duty of all members of both crews, with particular mention of Skipper
W.A. Whatling R.N.R., Skipper W.F. Reynolds R.N.R, and the engine room staff of H.M.D. "DORIENTA" whose coolness in maintaining way on the ship in most arduous conditions undoubtedly prevented the abandonment of this ship.
I have the honour to be,
CAPT H.M.S. -7 1940 2
Sir,
Your Obedient Servant,
"VERNON"
LM.Shs
Acting Lieutenant, R.N.V.R.
Unit Officer.

Lynamo 203.
342
320
From Acting Lieutenant F.G.M. Iles, R.N.V.R. Unit Officer.
Date... 7th June 1940.
COPY
To
VICE ADMIR AL, DOVER,
To
Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth.
Thro. Captain, Hrs.
Sir
In accordance with paragraph 2 of C.P.0.1691,
I have the honour to submit the names of the following officers and men who I consider greatly distinguished themselves during the evacuation of the B.S.F. from
Dunkirk.
H.M. Drifter "BEN & LUCY".
Skipper W.A. Watling, R.N.R.
His 0001 bearing and demeanour throughout the operation and especially during the time H.M. Drifter "FEASABLE" was taken in tow under heavy fire contributed most materially to the saving of both ships.
A. Frampton. A.B. H.O. Official Number not known.
T.W. Turner.
A.B. H.O. LT/JX/167136.
E.C.Winney. д.в. H.O. LT/JX/167132.
Ayers.
A.B. H.O. LT/JX/167128.
The above four seamen manned the two Lewis guns continually in a most steadfast manner and without any protection whatsoever for five hours under heavy bombard ments both from the air and land.
H.M. Drifter "dorienta".
Skipper W.F.Reynolds.
This officer and great initiative when ordered to extreme showed great coolness throughout the proceed whole operation He navigated his ship with chart skill and his in the engines nerrow partially disabled, thus, undoubtedly independently. channel off Dunkirk without any saving his ship and the troops on board.
A."mention
W.Kennedy. Engineman R.N.R. X/369.
H.O. LT/KX/101797.
J.Smith.
Engineman Stoker H.O. Official Number not
J.J. Shone.
Stoker R.N.R. x/104158.
J.Pirie. the ship was damaged by & shell by the bursting explosion close to sundry the When stern, steam the pipe boiler joints was steam were so and rocked blown hot and water the 00 feed fly cheked in all with directions, pump that ashes. damaged the so The bilges 9.9 initiative, to cause became flooded skill and and energy the pumps shown by these
P.T.O.