TNA ADM 199 790

Dynoms 182.
186
From... Lieutenant R.H. Irving R.N.R. Motor Boat "TRITON".
Date... 3rd June, 1940.
To... Commodore Taylor, Sheerness.
Submitted, with reference to the short report handed in on my arrival at Sheerness, Saturday, 1st June, 1940, I shall now endeavour to fill in details left out at that time, due to inability to recollect everything and put it on record before being refreshed and rested, after so many hours of exertion.
On Wednesday, the 29th May, 1940, while supervising the cleaning and scrubbing of the Dutch Scoot "PRINCESS JULIANA"
of which vessel I was 1st Lieutenant, Lieutenant Commander
Gwinnir, R.N., who was C.O., instructed me, to report immediately to Commander Troupe for orders.
I reported as instructed, and was ordered to take command of thirteen launches and get them to Ramsgate.
I got clear of Sheerness with the launches about
1200 29/5/40, and arrived Ramsgate about 1930. I reported to
Commander Davies there, and explained to him what had been said tome by Commodore L. Taylor regarding the launch "SILVER QUEHON
and "BEVERLEY". "BEVERLEY", however, failed to turn up at
Ramsgate although I had sent back my fastest boat from Margate to look for her, and waited for one hour to allow him to catch up.
Commander Davies consulted the N.O.I.C. and it was decided that in the "TRITON" I should endeavour to get "SILVER QUESION and seven more launches to La Panne.
The other launches for various reasons could not proceed until the morning. Commander Davies said he believed
East of La Panne was devoid of Allied troops, and as far as he knew no troops on beaches West of Braye Duns.
This meant I had to make the Belgian coast within a three-mile limit, rather difficult without navigating instruments or current charts.
Nevertheless, I thought I could do it, so at 2200 on Wednesday I left the harbour with eight launches.
I waited outside and shouted to them to keep close up and follow me.
I steered for N. Goodwin Light Vessel, and stopped there to count my fleet, though it was very dark.
I
counted five and was informed the other three had put back to
Ramsgate with engine trouble.
I then order "SILVER QUEIN® to render every assistance in keeping boats together (Sub.Lt. in command) in order that the five of us might carry out a successful crossing.
Only the
Seaman Cox.J. Keith could steer on my boat; this meant I had to relieve him myself. Two of the crew were already seasick, but kept their feet and showed spirit.
From N. Goodwin I proceeded.
It was very dark, and on and off I passed ships heading N.W. or S.E. About 0300
30/5/40 visibility was very poor, with heavy rain, no ships in however, to get into a position 15 miles north of La Panne, and then sight, and I was a little doubtful of my position.
I decided, steer South (mag) to make the coast.
At 0400 turned south, strong wind and following sea, boat steering wildly. Still no ships in sight or land.
About 0420 saw a cruiser loaded with troops, recognised her as British, and closed her.
She had received heavy punishment aft from shellfire.
I made signs as to whether I should hold on my course, and she answered in the affirmative. At this time one of my boats very foolishly crossed my bow and received a blow which damaged her.
I instructed one of the others to watch her, and

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to 188
At this time a terrific aerial battle was on, shells from shore batteries were falling around and bombs dropping all over the place in close proximity. As I was towing this boat I saw a bomb hit the pleasure steamer "PRINCE OF WALES". I closed her and took aboard two badly wounded Officers and two ratings.
I offered to go aboard as she was sinking slowly, but was told only two dead remained on board.
Just before this, ordinary seaman Purbrick fell overboard from exhaustion and I picked him up somehow.
My Cox. was sleeping on his feet on and off and the two others lay down and stood up as strength permitted.
The C.O. of the "PRINCE OF WALES", although covered in blood, offered to try and steer the boat.
I then saw a man swimming naked in the water.
Stopped and got him.
Next a heavily loaded boat of soldiers turned right over close inshore, and left the men struggling in the water. I
got down to them and rescued the lot personally hauling them aboard with my crews feeble assistance.
While doing this, I got a rope round my Starboard screw and fouled the rudder. I now had a full load of soldiers on board (six wounded) a full boat load towing and soldiers clinging to the stern.
With what I thought was the last of my strength, I got my launch alongside a lifeboat and from there hauled her hand over hand, by means of a grass rope, up to the sloop "MOSQUITO". I then discovered the lifeboat's propeller was also fouled. Neither
I
nor my crew could clear the propeller, so I boarded "MOSQUITO" and asked the 1st Lieutenant to send someone to do so.
Meanwhile,
I
went below for a cup of tea.
I came on deck in fifteen minutes, but the rope could not be cleared I was told.
Air battle still in progress with bombs dropping all around.
I then with difficulty closed the yacht "GALETA" and asked her to take me in tow.
The C.O.'s ship was in a very bad position with regard to German shore batteries, nevertheless, he wanted another boat load of troops before leaving and asked me to try and close the beach and get one. I said I would, but asked him to watch out for me in case
I got ashore.
I proceeded towards the beach just then coincident with an explosion of some kind.
The launch seemed to rise from the water, fall back, rise again and fall back.
I could only move slowly now and I saw the yacht was drawing the fire from shore. One of the crew called out that the yacht was signalling me. I looked round and saw she was signalling me. With great difficulty I got alongside and made her fast for towing, then slumped on the yacht's deck, stupified with exhaustion, want of sleep and food, I suppose.
Unfortunately the tow rope parted a few minutes later.
The C.O. of yacht objected and rightly so to going back to the shealed area with his ships and troops on board.
So the "TRITON" was left afloat with a rope round her screw and a badly damaged stem and stern.
I regret exceedingly that I did not get her home again for various reasons.
It was about 1840 31st May, 1940, when my activities ceased.
I had been on my feet from 0700 29th May, to 1840 31st May, 1940, in a small craft, without sleep and the only food eaten from 2000 29th
May to that time was one tin of herrings, ont tin of bully beef and between five and two slices of bread each also four cups of tea without sugar.
We simply had not time to eat.
A few more remarks and I finish. I was the only
Commissioned Officer (excluding Commodore Skippers) who was constantly in the boats at La Panne.
I took off more troops than I can remember there - scores and scores of boat loads and I venture to say if my boat had not remained there to the last, hundreds would never have got away.

4-
MP 189
I was not instructed to proceed from La Panne to Dunkirk by anyone.
saw three planes crash in the sea close to me near Dunkirk, and seven I
I did so on my own initiative to save troops.
Airmen descend by parachute.
Sunday, I noticed slight bruises on my left leg from blows probably. On
Although not wounded, splinters fell around me.
My arms feel as if they had been pulled from their sockets and my back is sore. I lost my voice through hailing boats at La Panne -
it is now returning.
I am quôte rested and ready for action if required.
The crew sent with me knew nothing of making fast ropes or steering, but under fire, in spite of great exhaustion, were A.I.
and exhibited on and off, great interest in all that was happening.
I respectfully subihit they are worthy of some recognition.
I have the honour to be, Sirs,
Your obedient servant,
(Sgd) R.H. Irving lieutenant, R.N.R.
Crew of Motor Boat "TRITON".
S. KEITH
Sea. Cox.
J. STEVENS
Ord. Sea.
D. SIMPSON
E.R.A.
C. GLYN
Ord. Sea.
F.G. PURBRICK
Ord. Sea.
-II-
OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OPERATION
"DYNAMO"
SHEERNESS.
Forwarded.
COMMODORE-IN-CHARGE,
4th June, 1940.
SHEERNESS

_203
LAUNCH "TRITON"
for 190
Lieutenant R.H. INVING, R.N.R.
3, KNITH. Sea. Cox.
J.STEPHENS. Ord.Sea.
D. SIMPSON. B.R.A. (utterly useless)
0. GLYNN. Ord.Sea.
F.G. PURBRICK. Ord.Sea. (fell overboard and had to put him on "MOSQUITO"
suffering from cold and shook).
I was at Sheerness as No.1 of Dutch Scoot "PRINCESS JULIANA"
Wednesday 20th May 1940, was instructed to proceed from Sheernoss to
Ramsgate in charge of 13 Launches, various kinds and speeds - handed over
12. Left Sheerness about noon Wednesday, 29th May.
Arrived Ramagate about 1930
Left Remagate about 2150
for Cuploa near La Penne with 9 launches.
Very vague instructions about La Panne and was not definitely informed whether British troops were actually there. Had bad visibility and did not know exact position but made Cuploa 0500, Thursday morning -
only 5 launches arrived in company, others broke down and returned to
Ransgate. Launch "SILVER QUEEN" was of great assistance.
From 0500, Thursday, 30th May to about 1700 Friday, 31st May
I towed or picked up hundreds of troops and transferred them to destroyers, scoots etc. Launches not equipped with proper towing topes and crew very unsemanlike. Had to steer and make fast myself. Commodore Stephens used my launch and participated in taking off troops, no one at Cuploa to give to instructions.
I worked all Thursday night and carried on until 1330 when ship was shelled heavily and all ships proceeded towards Dunquarque and I was last to leave Cuploa under heavy shell fire.
I proceeded towards Dunquerque along the beach and on arriving at extreme west end of Dunquerque beach a heavy air attack and fire from shore batteries was falling all round. I took the most westerly boat in tow and when looking round to find a near ship, saw the large launch "PRINCE
OF WALES" struck by a bomb, I proceeded with the boat I had in tow towards her and found 4 survivors very bedly wounded ready to take off. Two others were dead on board. On the way to the sloop "MOSQUITO" with survivors I
resoued soldiers from drowing whose boat had sunic close ashore. While doing this my starbcard propeller get fouled and I had a terrible job to get to the sloop "MOSQUITO" with troops and wounded from "PRINCE OF MALZES".
All this time bombing and shelling was going on. I landed all on the
"HOSQUITO" and then asked the "MOSQUITO" to tay and clear ay propeller, they tried but could not do so. I them consulted the First Lieutement and he suggested that I get a tow home. I spproached the yacht "CALSTA", the C.O. immediately asked me to get him troops but I told him I would attempt it with one engine although I could not handle her. I got near the west beach and immediately came under shore fire and no boats being ready to come off "GALETA" signelled me to return as he was being shelled and had to get out of it. I got back and made the launch fast for towingunder fire, but the tow rope broke and the Launch being in the hotly peppered area and close to the surf the C.O. of "CALETA" and myself thought it would endanger his vessel to remain there to try and pick up again so chose inshore.
Neither I or the arew had any sleep or proper food from Wednesday morning until the launch was abandoned at 1640 Friday. All of us were stupid with exhaustion.
I took off more troops at Cuploa than anyone else.
I have lost my voice meantime through constant hailing of boats and giving orders. The "TRITON" was damaged badly in the stern and bow through going alongaide ships so frequently in a very heavy swell. I have lost my uniform cap and raincoat, rasor and other items.
My information on sailing from Ramsgate was - "No troops east of
La Panne or west of Braye Duns", the first item was correct byrb the second quite wrong.

Dynama 173.
389
366
Admiralty House,
C-in-C Nore.
Sheerness.
with "Dynamo".
List of Officers deserving special mention in connection
1
H.M.S. "wildfire". The work of providing the stores of all kinds required by the boats sent from Sheerness and accommodating a constant flow of Officers, men and volunteers placed a heavy strain on the establishment resources. In addition I observed the admirable work done in receiving the British and French troops landed at Sheerness. From Captain Coleridge downwards all did their best, but Commander V.P. Freeman and Paymester
Captain E.C.Annaheim deserve special mention.
2.
Sheerness Dockyard. The tug Clears" towed 20
cutters with half crews over to the beaches for 22 hours under considerable bombing. The Master Penny and the helmsman Arthur Chawnce A.B. deserve special mention.
All departments of the yard put out their best efforts; the heavier work fell on the Naval Store Department.
Mr.A.Paterson.
The Chief Constructor, Mr.S.R.Tickner, designed and built a large number of rafts, not too big to he manhandled.
3.
Stoker Petty Officer T. Test, Off.No.C/HX 87588.
This Petty Officer sent as boat's crew, was taken out to assist in getting boats ready for sea. lie showed great energy, driving power and resource in dealing with many difficulties that arose. He accompanied one to
Ramsgate on Sunday 2nd.June in hopes of a trip to the beaches, but took on a boat whose engines were giving trouble and was unable to get there.
4.
Officers in charge of boats. The following Officers showed particular energy in getting the boats away. Their work on the beaches did not come under my personal observation, but I draw attention to their names in case they have not been mentioned by Officers on the spot:-
Sub. Lieut. Dann, R.N.V.R., took the lead in getting away the first group 01 boats on Vednesday 29th. May and conducted them to Dover. Having had his first boat swamped, returned to Sheerness and got away another group.
Lieut. Irving. R.N.R., got away the second group of boats and led them to the beaches in M.V. "Triton".
This Officer WAS a volunteer from the Schuit "Princess
Juliana which was broken down. He is believed to have done very good work on the beaches.
initiative The and resource in getting their boats away,
Acting Sub. Lieutenants R.N., as a whole showed but it would be difficult to discriminate.
yacht "Constant Nymph" which he finally lost after bringing
Smith, a volunteer who brought his own off some 900 troops.
eficers came under my observation during 5. The following the noght 2nd.-3rd, and of Motor 3rd.-4th.
1 sailed on to
R.N.B., in charge 2nd.-3rd. I
Yacht struck by the he had taken acqueint of was much navigational details, the instruction volunteer himself with and his boat. He had a 1 should with him, like to have with me again on a similar job.
his Bren Mr.Devine, Gunners, and they were a fine couple who

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.