TNA ADM 199 790

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"

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

left Ramagah in taw of three skelfs for Duskinh at
2.45pm.
as 4pm her were off the Sandethe Bany, other
550
good Yes o
-
520
From:- Act. Sub. Lieut. MacIntyre.
Date:- 5th June, 1940.
To:-
Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
28th May.
2000
Reported to S.N.O. Ramsgate.
2200
Left in Silver Moon for beaches three miles to eastward of Dunkirk.
29th May.
0800
Arrived at beaches - bombed.
Ferried soldiers to ships at anchor.
1400
No ships left. Departed for England. No charts or compass.
1800
Off Calais; shelled for twenty minutes.
2230
Arrived Ramsgate.
30th May.
?312r
0900
Took over Balaquain.
0930
Proceeded for beaches.
1300
Arrived off beaches; ferried soldiers during continued shelling.
1700
Rope round port screw.
1710
Given tow by drifter.
1730
Arrived Dunkirk; loaded up with soldiers.
1740
Left for Ramsgate.
2230
Arrived Ramsgate.
31st May.
0900
Reported to Lt. Cdr. Wilson.
1600
Left in "Encore" with him for Dunkirk.
2000
Picked up soldiers in lifeboat.
2200
Arrived Dunkirk. Filled up with soldiers.
2215
Proceeded for Ramsgate.
1st June.
0545 Arrived Ramsgate.
2nd June.
1900
Took out "Santosy"; broke down; returned 2000.
3rd June.
0945
Took over "Letitia".
1630
2300
Arrived Left off Dunkirk; proceeded inside harbour and 9 took in tow with tugs.
off troops under the orders of Commodore ---
2400
Arrived alongside gunboat and embarked demolition party.
(presumably Rear-Admiral Taylor).