TNA ADM 199 790

616
OG of the m.v.s "SEINE" Official No.160693 of Roohester.
580
j
8
Crow:-
Master - C.V. Cogger.
Mate - H.L. Stafford.
Engineer L. Godden.
Deck Hands J. Lawson and J. Kirby.
May 22nd 1940
Sailed from Rochester at 7. O-a.m. for S.R.O. Jetty, ednesday
Deptford, for stores for North France; arrived
579
HEAD OFFICE
MAIDSTONE OFFICE
BRICK WORKS
REGISTERED OFFICE
TELEGRAMS "BARGES" ROCHESTER
EARL STREET
OTTERHAM QUAY
12 13. WATER LANE. E.C.S.
TELEPHONE: STROOD 7295-6-7
TELEPHONE
RAINHAM. KENT
TELEPHONE ROYAL 421415
NEAREST STATION STROOD.SOUTHERN RY
MAIDSTONE 4022.3
TEL
TELEGRAMS COASTING BILGATE
LONDON & ROCHESTER TRADING COMPANY LIMITED
DIRECTORS: E.A.GILL M.I.N.A. GILL A.A.HUTSON PEARSON
BRICK MANUFACTURERS
SAILING & MOTOR SHIPOWNERS
CANAL ROAD
SAND BALLAST
LIGHTERMEN AND
GRAVEL AND
GENERAL FREIGHTAGE
CONTRACTORS
ROCHESTER
GENERAL MERCHANTS
DATE
OUR REF
YOUR REF.
EAG/CC
15th June 1940
Commander L.F.N. Ommaney.
Assistant King's Harbour Master,
H.M. Dockyard,
CHATHAM.
Dear Commander Ommaney,
You said you would like to have a sight of the reports of our men who were employed on the Dunkirk episode.
Three of our auxiliary barges the were service so the employed, in touch "CABBY" with the was him "THYRA" ordered a to Coaster find "PUDGE" Southwards In out addition of what and about report. "CABBY". he so 220 to we did. these, tons have d.w. been After our motor was unable also vessel to get employed "SEINE" which and I is enclose also, his consider they are worth the them notice on of the C. in C. perhaps you If you will be good enough to pass to him.
Yours sincerely,
VICE ADMIRAL
payid
27 JUN 1940
*
DOVER

583
On the Sunday June 2nd. we were loaded up with stores with orders
6
to tow to Dunkirk and slip the barge into Harbour and leave her, which order was cancelled during Sunday morning, and on Monday morning they discharged the cargo again and I was ordered on
Monday afternoon to proceed to Strood, arriving at 10.30 on
Tuesday night, the 4th June under sail.
Wages received - Master £8.8s.10d.
Mate £5.14s.1d.
All the time we were at or near the shore, from 5. 0 a.m. to 2. 0 p.m.
enemy bombing continually went on and we were the target for machine gunfire three times but luckily missed the fire. About 12 noon ten R.A.F. Fighters came over and drove off about 30 bombers. I
SaW them shoot down four. Although all sorts of guns were firing all round, not one piece of shrapnel fell on board. But five bombs fell very close between us and a trawler on the way back and the barge was lifted out of the water about a foot.
ed
Damage to barge in sundry places, grazed and spintered, bollard on the port bow badly strained and also on the starboard quarter.
The engine was also damaged,
1 - 7" and 2 - - 4" Bass ropes broken.
My full name and address is:-
Edward Walter "Rosme", Filley. 86 Jersey Road, Strood. Kent.
Mate's name:- James Doherty.
87 Dickens Road, Maidstone.