TNA ADM 199 792

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I now endeavoured to get alongside the East Pier
on inner side but failed to turn ship head out at first
attempt owing to strong set away from the Pier, so I
drew off to try again. Unfortunately at this time we
again came under heavy bombing attacks, which appeared
at the time to be continuous. The ship was violently 29/5
shaken and the steering gear was put out of action. All
instruments, woodwork, etc. were shattered.
It seemed essential to get the ship alongside the
75
quay and this I proceeded to do, but in closing the pier
damaged same considerably. I do not think the structure
could have been very strong as no damage was done to the
ship, and my impression was that the ship merely pushed
hard - there was no shock or rebound whatever.
We were now attacked again but no direct hits were
made - bombs falling so close, however, as to give the
impression of direct hits, especially as various debris
flew up at every explosion.
I now resolved to secure the ship and shelter the
crew ashore till we could examine the damage under cover
of darkness. An immediate withdrawal from the harbour
did not seem practicable without steering gear. Even
although the engine room was intact it would take some
little time to discover all damage, and I was not at all
confident from previous experience that the ship with her
small propellers would manoeuvre with engines alone in a
tideway in the narrow waters, and might become a serious
obstruction if she grounded.
Having secured the ship by the bow I made along
the quay towards the drifter and placing the wounded in
her, stood by for a short while, noting developments. But
as the attack had ceased I returned to the ship and
prepared to repair the steering gear, etc.
A Naval Commander from Headquarters ashore now came
along and I consulted with him as to general position and
as to steps to be taken if it were found necessary to
leave the ship.
An examination of the ship showed that she was holed
below the water line forward in two or three places and
aft in the starboard Firemen's sleeping quarters. But
Ph
this damage
thes:-
my kingdomy one V.U and 4 seamen wounded
hilditary
:- 4 knew killed / Officer and
nt men wounded.
samage ship was rus tained as follow
/. 55. coils severed
2. Two life loats badly holed
3- Boat buck hiered Patside
4. are genetilator holed and Away
minor defects to wining etc