TNA ADM 199 790

2186
OPERATION DYNAMO.
NCLOSURE NO. 13.
SHIP: H.M.S. DOLPHIN's MOTOR BOAT.
OFFICER REPORTING: SUB-LIEUTENANT B.F. CORNISH-BOWDEN, R.N.
In company with H.M.S. EXCELLENT's Power Boat, this boat sailed from Dover harbour at 0240 on Friday,
31st May.
2.
Soon after passing the North Goodwin Light Vessel,
EXCELLENT's boat signalled to the effect that she was very doubtful whether she could get to the French coast at maximum speed owing to lack of petrol and so speed was reduced to about 8 knots, the speed over the ground being considerably less owing to considerable yawing in a following sea.
3. The two boats were routed to leave the usual course for Dunkirk some 20 miles from that place and proceeded through shallower water to La Panne and Bray.
About 15 miles N.W. of Bray an enemy floating mine was seen and an attempt was made to sink it by rifle fire.
This, however, failed, and the position of the mine was later reported.
4.
Owing to an error in navigation, caused largely by an inaccurate boat's compass, DOLPHIN arrived at Bray at
1100 and after enquiring as to our whereabouts proceeded to La Panne and attempted unsuccessfully to obtain petrol from H.M.S. HEBE.
5.
Owing to the shortage of petrol I returned to
Bray and to try and fill my tank. However, this again proved impossible and so I decided to use what petrol I
had and ask for a tow home when the tank was dry.
6. EXCELLENT's boat had damaged herself on a submerged object and was close inshore. I was about to go to her aid when I was informed that the depth of the water was only 3
feet and I was ordered not to go in tooclose. I therefore was unable to be of any assistance in embarking troops from the improvised pier. I therefore asked ships present if I
could be of any assistance to them, but unfortunately they were already getting all that they needed.
7.
I then proceeded back to La Panne but when almost there the enemy started shelling the ships which immediately weighed and proceeded to Bray. On return to Bray, I
consulted the Senior Officer present as to my usefulness and it was decided that I should obtain a tow back to Dover to refuel when I hoped to obtain a tow back to Dunkirk with a full tank and where I believed I could be more usefully employed.
8.
I left Bray at 1415 in tow of the dan-laying yacht
SARGOSSA, arriving at Dover Harbour at about 1930, since when I have been employed towing and carrying despatches in
Dover harbour.
(Signed) E.F. Cornish-Bowden
Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.
[OVER

25a
241
ST. CLEARS 428
LADY BRASSEY
130
DANLAYERS.
FOREMOST 87
ST. OLAF
GULZAR
GREY MIST
M.T.B's, M.A.S.B's.
SARGASSO
D.C.M.B. & W.D.M.I.
+39
COMFORT
NAUTILUS
M.T.B. 107 447
STARLIGHT RAYS
M.T.B. 68 405
THOMSONS
M.T.B. 67,
M.T.B. 16,
ECHO SOUNDING YACHTS.
M.T.B. 1020 459
CONIDAW
M.A.S.B. 10/474
D.C.M.B., 484
CHICO
M.A.S.B. 61468
RAMSGATE
M.L.
100 x476
M.A.S.M. No. 7x479
MOTOR BOATS.
W.D.M.L's 8V487 8 491
SMALL CRAFT UNDER CONTROL OF
DOVER M/S COMMAND.
193
CONTRABAND CONTROL BASE
VEYMOUTH.
LL. TRAWLERS.
M.B. FORTY TWO
THOMAS BARTLETT
LIGHTER Y.C.72
INVERFORTH
X
M.B. TWO RIVERS
LORD INCHCAPE
M.L. MERMAIDEN
OUR BAIRNS
LORD GREY
REPORTS OF SMALL CRAFT RECEIVED
CLYTHNESS
FROM, CAPTAIN, H.M.S. EXCELLENT,
RELONZO
PORTSMOUTH.
RESTRIVO
H.M.S. ST. FAGAN
OROPESA TRAWLERS.
D/C MOTOR BOATS.
H.M.S.EXCELLENT'S A.A. MOTOR BOAT
BOTANIC
HOPPER GALLION'S REACH
FYLDEA
MARETTA
VESSELS OWNED BY LONDON &
ARLEY
ROCHESTER TRADING CO. LTD.
POLLY JOHNSON
1493.
BROCK
THYRA
CALVI
PUDGE
JOHN CATTLING
CABBY
SEINE
"M" DRIFTERS
DETAILED FROM
YARMOUTH.
FEASIBLE
SWIFT WING
REED
JOHN AND NORAH
GENIUS
ALCMARIA
LORD HOOD
LORD BARHAM
OVERFALLS
JEANNIE MACINTOSH
GULA
REWGA
x
TARANSAY

CONFIDENTIAL
Drynams 375
Subject.
REPORT ON EVACUATION OF B.E.F.
583
68
From
The CAPTAIN, H.M.S. EXCELLENT. Portsmouth.
Date
24th JUNE 1940.
No. 781/4.
To
THE VICE ADMIRAL, DOVER.
The attached reports on the evacuation of the
B.E.F., by the Commanding Officers, H.M.S. ST. FAGAN, D/C
Motor Boats, H.M.S. EXCELLENT's A.A. Motor Boat and Hopper
"Gallions Reach" are forwarded in accordance with Confidential Portsmouth General Order 1700/40.
you ADMIRAL *
DOVER 26JUN 1940
RT
CAPTAIN.
wy.
just clear of the suit, throw a line to the pulling boats and then tow them out to the ships. One boat, heavily laden with men in full equipment capsised just as it we managed to recover one who revived after some was reaching us. most of the men sank like stones treatment. but
While this our screws became foul In of spite doing obstacle and rendered useless.
sunken the anchor and vain efferts by other boats, the strong surf of and ebbing tide soon drove us aground.

CONFIDENTIAL
Drynam 375 Bw/
Subject.
500
REPORT ON EVACUATION OF B.E.F.
563
}
From
The CAPTAIN, H.M.S. EXCELLENT, Portsmouth.
Date
24th JUNE 1940.
No. 781/4.
To
THE VICE ADMIRAL, DOVER.
The attached reports on the evacuation of the
B.E.F., by the Commanding Officers, H.M.S. ST. PAGAN, D/C
Motor Boats, H.M.S. EXCELLENT's A.A. Motor Boat and Hopper
"Gallions Reach" are forwarded in accordance with Confidenne tial Portsmouth General Order 1700/40.
OF ADMIRAL *
DOVER 26JUN 1940 RT
CAPTAIN.
DO
&
WAS a line to the pulling boats the is unustes is to the ships. One boat, heavily be acquipment capsised just as it the weat incompled medicare was made A Names a were the who men revived sank like after stones treatment. but in Lan, care 4. and I news became foul of some usba endered useless. In spite
Cani inho futae Herto by other boats, the strong
Business Exhand drove us aground.

604
2
569
H.M.B Excellent.
12 June.
Sir,
He
I have the honour to submit the following narrative of events covering the period 2200 Wednesday 29th May until the morning of saturday June 1st
In accordance with verbal orders, 9 sailed from
Portomouth in H.M.S' EXCELLENT'S A/A motor Boat about 2200 May 29th. The following afternoon it became necessary to put in to Dover owing to insufficient fuel to proceed to Ramsqate. While refuelling I received orders to remain at Dover.
about michight I got sailing orders to proceed at once to BRAY DUNES to assist with the terrying operations between the beach and waiting ships.
and went straight inshore. There was heavy sust
Early on Friday morning we arrived off BRAY
and many of the pulling boats which the soldiers were manning from a jethy of abandoned army transports appeared to be in difficulties. The general idea was for the power boats to nun in just clear of the suit, throw a line to the pulling boats and then tow them out to the ships. One boat, heavily laden with men in full equipment capsised just as it we managed to recover one who revived after some was reaching us. most of the men sank like stones treatment. but
While doing this our screws became foul In of spite obstacle and rendered useless.
sunken the anchor and vain efferts by other boats, the strong suit of and ebbing tide soon drove as aground.