TNA ADM 199 792

Raw OCR

Unformatted machine-generated OCR for document page 163.

217
215
-3-
GRENADE
2915
7.
The following report of what happened at the after
end of the ship is compiled from reports of Mr. Clare,
Gunner T, and Mr. Crews, Schoolmaster. When the raid
started they were standing near the door of the after lobby
and the former gave orders for all those not manning the
guns to take cover. When the bombs hit GRENADE forrard
there was a large concussion and vibration aft, all the
lights went out and clouds of dense smoke and steam appeared
forrard of the Bridge, giving the impression that the fuel
was burning furiously. All compartments except the
magazine and shell rooms were then closed down.
There was then a lull in the bombing and several
ratings ran aft from the Canteen Flat; a number of these
ratings were burnt and injured and were all covered with oil
fuel. In two cases the fuel on their clothes was alight.
These latter were guided to the door of the after lobby where
they were stripped of their clothes and attended by Leading
Stoker Stables.
A certain number of ratings had jumped over the side
but on being ordered to return, they did so. Mr. Clare
then ordered the ready-use lockers to be closed. On
hearing the order from the Bridge to take cover he got as
many men as possible into the after lobby, telling those
remaining on the Quarter Deck to lie down. Then came the
bomb which hit X gun and burst in the water alongside the
ship. The concussion was very severe; it parted all
the stern wires and gave the impression that the stern was
under water. Many of the ratings on the Quarter Deck,
especially those who had been injured, were either blown or
washed over the side.
Mr. Clare then gave orders for all magazines and shell
rooms' hatches to be Closed. It was then reported to him
that the ship was on fire in the vicinity of the Ward Room
and he ordered the magazine to be flooded. This was event-
ually done in his presence by Leading Stoker Stables. He
then heard the order to abandon ship. He superintended
getting out Carley Floats and then went forrard to try
and blow up the Asdic Dome. He could not get past the fire
in the Canteen Flat. By this time GRENADE had drifted
alongside the POLLY JOHNSON and he transferred to her.
8.
Before the order to abandon ship was given the
signal books from the Bridge were transfered in a bag to the
trawler FIDHEA, Lieutenant Ward, R.N.V.R. The books from
the wireless office were not removed but were doubtless
burnt in the fire which raged all round the Bridge structure.
Lieutenant Horne placed two rockets in the chart house and
fired two Verry's lights into it to destroy the charts. He
also tried to get down by way of the ladder outside the Sick
Bay to blow up the Dome, but was prevented by the fire. The
current Challenges and Replies were in a safe in the wheel
house; this safe could not be opened owing to damage butthe
fire was 80 intense that it is considered that they were
destroyed. As stated before, arrangements were made with
Commander Clouston to destroy the Dome and Confidental Books
should it be necessary. All other signal books had been
landed previously in accordance with your instructions.
The loss of signal books and failure to destroy the Dome was
reported by Lieutenant Horne!on arrival at Dover.
9.
I consider that the behaviour of all officers and
men under my command in GRENADE was admirable; the Engine
Room Department stood to their posts until the last minute
and those men who were in the water immediately returned to