TNA ADM 199 790

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

2.
364
342
Greatly to the Master's disappointment, X 213's machinery was not in a good enough condition for her to be used.
78. Owing to a misunderstending, not here, which I have been unable to trace, the motor boats which should have hours later. Suspecting that the fifth column was at work reached Sheerness from the Thames Adid not arrive until 24 Lou 30ᵗʰ hi
I informed your Chief of Staff, D.S.V.P., V.A. Dover,
N.O.I.C.s Ramsgate and Margate of the circumstances, and of my intention to ignore any such messages. No possible harm could have been done by sending boats on, at any rate as far as Ramsgate. Had these boats not been delayed, they would have been available on the last day on which evacuation from the beaches was still going on. Some of them were employed on the last two days in the vicinity of Dunkirk.
8. The type of machinery fitted in many of the boats and its defective state, presented F.E.O. and Sheerness Dockyard with some difficult problems and a great deal of hard work, which was tackled, night and day, with great zeal and energy.
Some of the boats broke down later on, much to the disappointment of their crews, who had done their best. Most of them, I think succeeded in joining other boats and msking at least one trip to the French coast.
9. The total number of craft prepared for service and sent out from Sheerness was as follows:-
100 Motor Boats
10 Lighters
7 Schuits
1 Oil tanker
6 Paddle Steamers
10. On Sunday June 2nd, having got away all the personnel and everything afloat that was sufficiently in good condition to do useful service, I went to Ramsgate with Commander Troup, arriving about 1600, in order to help N.O.I.C. and to endeavour to assist in the cooperation of motor boats with larger vessels.
I went in with a group of Schuits and slow motor boats to the beach at St. Malo les Bains, where a British Officer who had just got back reported that there were British troops who had been unable to get into Dunkirk. None were found. I
have no doubt however from later enquiries that they had got into the town. A volunteer whose name I have not yet been able to get, landed from one of the Schuits and walked along the beach to make sure there were none left. We brought him off and his boat's crew, and a number of French soldiers who were pulling for England in a small boat.
Commander Troup took the fast Army motor boats into
Dunkirk alongside the centre pier and brought off 79 French troops when his boat was rammed by a French tug and had to be abandoned.
11.
On Monday night I took a group of slow motor boats up to the Quay Felix Faure, at the top of Dunkirk harbour.
I went on ahead in the fast boat "Marlborough" to identify the quay. The motor boats were led in by the "Mermaiden",
Sub Lieut who did very well to find the place in the dark, 300 French Marines were embarked in the motor boats and a French Trawler. Their bearing was excellent.
As the quay was now clear, and machine gun fire was getting a little near, I decided not to get the motor boats back on the chance of another load of troops. At this period through no fault of the Officer at the wheel, we had the misfortune to scrape over some masonry that had fallen from the quay, losing our propellers and rudder.
Sidmonth- willing (Sea cadel Great

2.
368
/
Quai Felix Faure, June 3rd - 4th.
- 346
For the final evacuation, 12 of the best slow motor boats were to proceed on tow to Dunkirk and thence to the
Quai Felix Faure some way up the main harbour. I started in the leading motor boat but transferred to the Army fast boat "Marlborough", in order that I might if possible get into contact with the French Naval Authorities and make sure we had got to the right places, and also to give us a boat to get away in, leaving the motor boats free for ferrying.
2. Our quay was not easy to identiy, even in the light that remained, and I was very glad that I had gone ahead of the tow. The quay was deserted, but after a time some troops passed along the road in rear, on their way to the Avant
Port. Sub Lieutenant Karminsky who came ashore with me as interpreter, tried to find someone to tell me whether we had got to the right place but received the reply # sorry
I'm a stranger" Eventually we found we were correct.
About 2300, 300 French Marines arrived and explained that they were all we had to take off. Then followed a good bad.
half hour of waiting for the motor boats, which had been delayed on passage. I sent the "Marlborough" to look for them, and soon after 2330 was relieved to see them coming.
The leading boat "Mermaiden" Sub Lieutenant
Beale had done very well to find the place in the dark. Some of the boats had missed their way and no doubt went into the Avant Port where I expect they did good work. My anxieties were entirely relieved by the arrival of a large
French trawler, who took all that the motor boats could not and had room for more. Sub Lieut. Karminsky tried to induce the Officer of some troops returning along the road to embark, but they said they had their orders and could not vary them.
3. By about 0200 the quay was clear and as machine-gun fire was getting a little near I decided not to get the motor boats alongside this part of the harbour on the chance of another load and so re-embarked in the "Marlborough" and started to move down harbour. In avoiding two French vessels, we had the misfortune to strike a heap of fallen masonry which removed our propellers and rudder. After some adventures fully described in the attached narrative by
Sub Lieut. Edge-Partington, we got a tow and returned to
Dover.
4.
The three Officers in the boat with me were Sub
Lieuts. Don, Edge-Partington, and Pool. All did well, and showed coolness and resource in the somewhat interesting situation in which we found ourselves.
5.
The report from "Mermaiden" has not yet been received. The Sub Lieut. in command did well, and his name also deserves mention.
Rear Admiral.
D.M.O.
Sheerness.
8th June, 1940.

390
-
(-2-)
367
Sub.Lieuts.Don, Edge-Partington and Pool, Coptain, good and remained cool and resourceful in the in which officers sailed on 3rd.-4th. All these showed themselves
Navigator I and Coxswain of the Army fast boat "Marlborough"
somewhat interesting situation in which we found ourselves.
Sub. Lieut. Pool, while I was ashore looking for the
French Marines, took a rench motor Bicycle, started it with the help of the Stoker and rode round to see what was happeming. I would not have allowed him to go but
B
I am delighted to find we have young Officers of his spirit.
Sub.Lieut.
on 3rd.took the motor yacht "Mermaiden", leading the rest, up to the
Quai Felix Faure under very difficult conditions. He took off one load of Marines and came back again in wait time to tow out an Admiral's barge that had broken down.
I have not yet received the report which will be forwarded when it comes.
26.
landed from the Schuit on
2nd.-3rd, walked along the beach at St. Malo les Bains to make sure no troops were there. Subsequently went to help the motor launch "Singapore" which was aground, although it was daylight, and finally came away with me.
This gentleman was a member of one of the yachting accociations and I hope it may be possible to trace him.
6. Although the following Officers did not come under my personal observation, I was in close touch with them at
Sheerness, and draw attention to their names in case their names have not been brought forward elsewhere.
CommanderE.C.Cordeaux, Senior Officer. "Eagle"
minesweepers. He was of much assistance to me personally in promulgating the instructions given to the motor boats.
from his full knowledge of the situation on the beaches.
Lieutenant A. Tyson, in command of Schuit "Neiger".
He did at least five trips between Sheerne and the beaches, he missed the operation on 2nd-3rd and I did
"A, not therefore meet him in action, but I formed a very favourable impression of him.
7.
A
list of all R.N.,R.N.R.,R.N.V.R. taking part and civilians who signed on for the operation is attached.
(Sgd) Taylor.
*Sea Cadeb Sidmoult Willing

4.
.
37194
33.
Lieut. "Mermaiden Nimmo, back R.N.R. to Weymouth. - Took "Filleul" yacht
/.
34.
Lieut. J.S. Seal, R.N.R. - in "Queen Boadicea picked up three seamen survivors from' Janis"? II"
Dunkirk Pier. The latter's Captain Sub Lieut. off Bell by a bomb on Friday may 31. The survivors were
R.N.V.R.? and a stoker had been killed outright landed at Ramsgate.
35,
Mr. C.V. Cogger - signed in "Seine" at Rochester.
Left her on Wednesday full of water for the aches
( Lieut. Cdr Filluel in command). Brought hack
350 British and French troops to Ramsgate. Sailed again for Dunkirk and brought back 300 troops.
36.
Sub Lieut. W.E. Mercer, R.N.V.R. of "Strathelliot" -
saw the"Mary Rose" and "Skylark" sink in mid ocean, crew all brought back. Following were seen abandoned as Dunkirk:- "Malden" "Annie IV" and "Empress".
The former was used as a pier.
37.
"Scene Shifter" was swamped by French troops on
Wed. June 29th. "Triton" was cast off while in tow with foul screw.
38.
Lieut. W.B. Whitworth, R.N. did 6 trips in "Aeger".
39.
Mr. R. Brown - went over in "Madame Sansgene" on night of Monday June 3rd. Elgar H. Jefferey and his brother were also in the boat. Towed over by "Tanjar"
(Tug) with another Motor boat. On way back boats fouled a rope, which had been veered by the "Tanjar"
to stutch it as it was new, and the boats had to be abandoned. The "Madame Sansgene" claimed to have shot down a bomber.
40,
P.O. E. Wells, R.N.R. - went over in "Nanette II", who had a Lieut. R.N.V.R. in charge. They went to
Ostende an then to Dunkirk and brought back mostly
French troops, some of whom had been in the water for 12 hours. "Nanette" was finally returned to
41.
Dover.
Sub Lieut. Church, R.N.R. - In "Portsdown"
see separate report.
42
Coxn. George Senior, O.N. 239990 - In YC 78
Wed, May 29th for Ramsgate. Sailed from Ramsgate at at
(Lieut. Mortimer R.N.R. 1/c). Left Sheerness on
2245 Thursday night and arrived at Dunkirk
1100 on Friday. The only soldiers on the beaches vessels there, They left Dunkirk about 1830 towing on 45 of them, were ferried off in the YC 71
and a about midnight and anchored. H wever, and skiff. Thornycroft motor boat. The YC 72 broke down the herself boat managed to start up again about must
Thornycroft informed Ramsgate for a tug came out 0700
have and towed YO 78 and YC 71 back to Ramsgate.

398
5.
exception of the one I towed back (MERMAIDEN).
(a) As during regards these recommendations for officers and ratings who did well: but I am operations, unable the following officers known to me well did others who must of to say whether they did better than time to collect necessity remain anomymous, since there many ion, spirit, both of young officers and ratings was the names. I can only say that, frompersonal observat- was no ient. One had only to ask for volunteers for crews to receive magnific- more applications than were necessary.
(b) Officers names.
Lieutenant J.V. WILKINSON R.N.J
Lieutenant R.E. LLOYD R.IN.
Lieut. Commander MILLER D.S.O. R.N.R.J
Lieut. Commander SHERWOOD R.N.R.J
Lieutenant WALKER R.IN.V.R.
Lieutenant J.E.L. MARTIN R.N. (late "Pelican")
Lieutenant FLETCHER R.N.R. (late at Invergordon)
(a) I also respectfully submit for Their Lordships consideration that letters of appreciation might be written as follows:-
To The London Fire Brigade
.) for the services of their fire-float LADY MASSEY (?)
The Alexander Towage Company ) for the services of their
H.J. Alexander Ltd St John: Wharf- Wapping- E.I. tugs SUN, SUN IV, & SUN IV.
The Watkins Tug & Towage Company) for the services of their
Natkurs Ltd 112 Funchusch st- London E.C.S.
tug
TANGA.
(b) As regards the tug RACIA of the Watkins Company, the master of this vessel was obviously unwilling to go over to Dunkirk, although he did actually go on the nights of 31st. May and 3rd. June. On the 3rd of June he was under the orders of Lieut. Commander MILLER D.S.JO.
R.N.R.
(c) The spirit of the masters and crews of the other tugs (especially the SUN tugs) was excellent. The owner of the Alexander Tug
Company was himself the captain of the tug SUN IV, and a young
Trinity House pilot volunteered to navigate this tug throughout.
Unfortunately I cannot remember his name.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your obedient servant,
Managina to inectes
Edward. K.
Commander R.N.)

er contd.
and steering and was with tola jury the rmudder. craft would Berthed in Ramsgate naroo morning that with be repaired,8,8 soon
I again left in the evening a War Dept Motor Boat arri
Dunkirk late evening and troops were again transfe the larger ships. When this operation was completed at sb
2am a return was made to Ramsgate. On Tuesday the 4th Jun ordered to return to sheerness, out a few minutes before the Petty Officer on the Mermaiden" advised me he was nel having an officer to navigate the vessel back to weymout myseli to Commander ----- R.N. for this Job and was told we left at 8pm that night and arrived and pertned at wey the next day wednesday 5th June 1940.
Lee

588
556
H.A.S. HORNE LDG. Six
R.F.R. B.16726,
JUNE 13TH 1940.
M.L. MERMAIDEN, c/o HOTER EDNARD
Dury PERFORMED By M.A. MERMAIDEN WEYMOUTH DORSET
AT EVACUATION OF DUNKIRK.
eft Heyminth of 6.30PM.St procusses to.) met May
& 2 D.10
ymouts
Wed 29/5/40, went to There 80/5/40, of was put
555 advist resuain of a small open motor boat named Two Revers:
RX, of fto known) (Christian to drive name the & motor, off be and not Sea known) forris and RNR of howshoff 90%
itly Ldg sho Williams of Devenport RNB. Christian name to allowal ach, 2008 b Dunkish to help evacuak she Goldiers molored from the in sharted arriving to at Dunkirk early hours of Frid morning bring of Proofes HMS.W.ell
Lighter Y 12
553
offree in charge dent Mortimore RNR
We Left Sheenen about 1.20PM on the 30/5
&
arrive at Ramsale X ancher about 8PM weath food
We left arain about 10PM for Dundur, but the weather became jerry we ancher about IAM
About JAM, the per lifted of we proceed an our every to Dunkuk were we non Saf arrived East End of Dunkuk about # ats
+ anchored, the weather was a With chaffer.
about 5PM Sat the solders started comin in the sheff to get about & when we left then wouldn't be a salder -1 be thout seen for about 50 yds when side of us, so got out and Dunkin, we brake took 2 Boats ss - we Your
7.15PM sat. we got up ankson of just as we about JAM. 1.6.40 we down, and or + of waited for & lug I come about from
Ramsgele + tow us we arrive theerness 0.6.60 8AM
We left Ramigabe in your for took when we got, to theemess we
Considery the the young ye crew they were very good
Yc a chalhan

or
83
contd.
morning and steering and was with tola jury the rmudder. craft would Berthed in Ramsgate hardour left that evening with be repaired 8.B soon as
I Dunkirk again late in the evening and a War Dept Motor Boat arrivi
When this troops were again transfer the larger ships. operation was completed at sho
2am a return was made to Ramsgate. On Tuesday the 4th June ordered to return to Sheerness, out a few minutes before 0
the Petty Officer on the" Mermaiden" advised me he was neld having an officer to navigate the vessel back to weymouth, myself to Commander ----- R.N. for this Job and was told 1
we left at 8pm that night and arrived and berthed at weym the next day wednesday 5th June 1940.
LeaR

588
556
W.A.S. HORNE LDG. SFO
R.F.R. B.16726,
JUNE 13th 1940.
M.L. MERHAIDEN, c/o HOTER EDNARD
WEYMOUTH
DUTY PERFORMED 34 M.A. MERMAIDEN DORSET.
AT EVACUATION OF DUNKIRK.
Yesp Heyminth of 6.30 procuses to.) met Maria
& 1 Maid RNR
n Wed 29/5/40, went to Sharmes, There 80/5/40, of was put
555 advical reswain of a small open moha boat named Two Revers:
with Ldg Sho Williams of Devenport RNB. Christian name to allowal
R.H. of the known) Christian to drive name the & mober, off be and not Sea known) forris and RNR of howshoff roby b Dunkish to help evacuak she goldiers molored from she
1
in ach, i sharted arriving to at Dunkirk early hours of Frid morning l bring of Prooper b Winchelsea
Dauting
Lighter Y 72
offree in charge Lent Mortimore RNR
We Left Sheeness about 1.20PM on the 30/5 4a
&
arrive at Ramsgale X anoher about 2PM weath good
We left asain about 10PM for Dundur, but the weather became jerry we ancher about 14M
About JAM, the per lifted a we proceed an our every to Dunkuk were we non Saf arrived East End of Dunkuk about # or / civel
+ anchored, the weather was a lettle chapper.
about 5PM Sat the solders started comin in the sheff to get about of when we left then wouldn't be a salder 1 be seen for about 50 yds when side of us, so thout
7.15PM. sat. we got up ankon of just as we got + about out and 3AM. Dunkin, 1.6.40 we we brake took down, 2 Boate ss - we Your and or of waited for a bug In come from
Ramsgele + tow us we are ine theerness about 0.6.40 8AM
We left Ramiyabe in Tow for took when we got, to theerness we
Considery the the young crew they were very good
Yc 72 k chalhan

or contd.
and steering and was with told jury the rmudder. craft Berthed in Ramsgate har morning left that would be repaired.8.8 8001
I again evening with a War Dept Motor Boat ar
Dunkirk late in the when evening and troops were again trans the larger ships. this operation was completed at
2am 8. return was made to Ramsgate. On Tuesday the 4th J
ordered to return to Sheerness, out a few minutes befor the Petty Officer on the Mermaiden" advised me he was n having an officer to navigate the vessel back to weymou myseli to Commander ----- R.N. for this Job and was tol we left at 8pm that night and arrived and perthed at we the next day wednesday 5th June 1940.
Lic

588
556
W.A.S. HORNE LDG.S
R.F.R. B.16726,
M.L. MERHAIDEN,
JUNE 13th 1940.
c/o HOTER EDNARD
WEYMOUTH
DUTY PERFORMED 34 M.A. MERMAIDEN DORSET
AT EVACUATION OF DUNKIRK.
eft Heyminth of 6.30PM.A procusses to.) met May to
& l 2 Maid RNR
A Wed 29/5/40, went to There 80/5/40, of was put
550 ERE advical reswain of a small open moha boat named Two Revers:
of known) to drive the motor, and Sea forris RNRof howsboff with Ldg Sho Williams of Devenport RNB, Christian name off to allowal
R.H.
pho (Christian name & off be not known) and molored notes b Dunkish to help evacuate she Goldiers from she in ach,. sharted arriving to at Dunhirk early hours of Frid morning
Send Sell bring Q of Proofs Lish hiers b HMS.Winchelsea a itsamphia I See decided eng on Revisions
Lighter YC 72
585
officer in change Least Mostimore AND
554
Left Weymouts 29.5.40
ctrive Sheerness - "
Left
-
30
-
Amer Ramgets 30-5-40
Left 30.5.40
Avenue Dunkerk EAST 31.5
Left with Soldins 7.30.31.5.40
Arme Bamogote 1.6.40
Left for shenness 6.6.40
of chalhan
Liftchathan for Weynoult job complete
7.6.40
h Amer P.O
the crew played there Pack very well endeed considery they were yours.

$ 16
5
contd.
morning and steering and was with tola jury the rmudder. craft would Berthed in Ramsgate
I again left that evening with be repaired 8.8 harbour soon
Dunkirk late in the evening a War Dept Motor Boat 3.8 %
the larger ships. When and troops were again transferre arrivina
2am 8. return was made this operation was completed at ordered to to Ramsgate. On Tuesday the 4th June shortly the return to Sheerness, out a few minutes before
Petty Officer on the" 'Mermaiden" advised me he was held due having an officer to navigate the vessel back to weymouth. up myself to Commander ----- R.N. for this Job and was told to we left at 8pm that night and arrived and berthed at weymouth the next day wednesday 5th June 1940.
LuR.

W.A.S. HORNE LDG. Si
R.F.R. B.1672
M.L. MERMAIDE
JUNE 13th 1940.
c/o HOTER E.)
WEYNOU
DUTY PERFORMED By M.L. "MERMAIDEN" Doks
AT EVACUATION OF DUNKIRK.
Lept Heyminth of 6.30P.M.St procession to.) we
& / & Maid RNR
555
am
Wed 29/5/40, went to Sharmes, There 30/5/40, of was put kswain of a small open moha boat named Two Revers:
ith Ldg Sho Williams of Devenport RNB. Christian name 998 to as to (Christian name & off be not known) and molored known) to drive the molor, and Sea horris RNRof Lowshoff
Lobs % Dunkish to help evacuate she Goldiers from the ch, arriving at Dunkish early hows of Frid morning beach East of Dunkirk piers a Heamship of decided mg sharted to bring of Proops b HMS.Winchelsea. See on prom am work amships the under surf falls the which which be was were of presty her hanging as heavy 4 from gave of some logh her davits shelter one of is the heligged as a boat rope made fast lo the S/s sterm ach has get our boat out clear of he Gurf, bout
6
/
chelsea in she morning when going in from the we out which If think was owing to the shock of for load of Folders our engine k
code around, we carried on in is the beach of explosion of the bombs which were dropping a
raded up with goldiers hauled out our boat be other
4 boat cope regged to the Oftern of the steamship who gnabed to motor lannch which gave us her sofe who d howed us to the Winchelsea and continued lo low going alonglide of Winchelsea with the last load to and fro, all the daywill lake in the evening
6
eart ordered us she Crew of the: Two Rivers abound m
Gless and could only drift about we Pharmeses were brought and with the molor broke down and baking we were ach h Dover and then went on to ready ady to sahe another boat across if needed

$ 10
r
83
contd.
morning and steering and was with tola jury the rmudder. craft Berthed in Ramsgate naro
I again left that evening with would be repaired,8,B soon
Dunkirk late in the a War Dept Motor Boat the larger ships. evening and troops were again transf arr
2am 8. return When this operation was completed at 8
ordered was made to Ramsgate. On Tuesday the 4th JU
to return to sheemess, out a few minutes before the Petty Officer on the Mermaiden" advised me he was ne having an officer to navigate the vessel back to weymout myself we lei
587
the ne
The crew behaved extrement well in d duty carry ing on all she while under continual air bombardment T machine fire from shore bathery firing across H
to she finish and being web through the noh stopping or having anything to eat f all she croldiers had to be dragged a had to wodde out in the surf up for at himes to get to our boar. and with their equipment on were helpless in she was
G.B Thomass Sea P.O.R.N.R

588
556
W.A.S. HORNE LDG. Sto.
Prints
R.F.R. B.16726, sferred
JUNE 13th 1940.
M.L. MERHAIDEN, shortly c/o HOTER E)NARD
Tune
WEYMOUTH
e due
DUTY PERFORMED By M.A. MERMAIDEN DORSET.
held
AT EVACUATION OF DUNKIRK.
up uth.
$ to to
+ expr Heymin of 6.30PM.T procussess to.) met May under command of Junt. Maitin R.N.R.
doing followed 1) wech Rilot boots to Joves a advist er of Doves of 3.0 P.M. May 3th u Jun the
Finst Hastin was released from as on allowal we from of Dover to go do and this the who
Pensioner Petty Coffices Norton was then in board command of The boat.
to their
We completed with spel 9 works & provisions overca
& loft Joves for Sunkish 31ˢᵗʰ May.
her.
an unwertful ship to Dunkish, snop) for
R
off fouring difficulties with Tage dowing small crafer, we were under one own faver.
We saw Ting ship sto book in spow, & permit we were heal Smkirk.
The Tag made any & we and not know while we were, so me had to hang alound until class broke.
as alown was bleaking we got under way
& steamed for a awl red glow which we could see in She custance, & which we sook for Dunkisk.
asked then if May were going to Sunkish,
We sighted two Belgian fishing boats, &
They smell so we followed
Jast apperwards we hade contact with

598
with unering accuracy Our quai' at which an aircraft appeared dropping parachute Hares.
had seen working. During the whole operation however, smoker only ac two. thirty the tugs rounded all small boats remaining and proceeded down the channel, up a transler bearning down on us. rau into the week be clear of au visinity by daybreak. fust before leaving and later proceeded on her way.
outside Ou entrance but she appeared to be undawaged just as we were being left behind and extent of One damage forward was uncertain. one of tugs waited for us to catch up and took us in Tow, was by this time daybreak and wost chips were clear
Due channel; we remained in Tow whil we arrived
Ramogate. very surprisingly we were unne olested by air on are way back.
It should be mentioned less the any vigore with which Due volunteer crew played their seen par without acm are 'Mermaiden' would not have again-
CiBeale.
S/L.
9 Vi 40.

598
with aircraft small had be clear unering seen boats appeared working. of accuracy remaining an ac dropping suring two. Ou and thirty an quai' parachute proceeded whole the at tugs operation Hares. which down rounded however, an qualier up only only all outside a transer Ou bearning visinity down on by daybrak. the the before channel.
and later entrance proceeded on bue her she us. way. appeared rau into to the be undaw wheck leaving put extent this waited of au damage as we forward were being was left behind and was for us to catch up and uncertain. took one of
Due by this time daybreak and wort us were in Tow channel; we remained in Tow until chips clear on Ramogate. very surprisingly we were unne olested we arrived by air are way back.
It should be mentioned less the vigore with which Due volunteer crew played their pay without new One 'Mermaiden' would not have seen again-
CiBeale.
S/L.
40