TNA ADM 199 792

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Confitiential
48
9339
ROOM 90, ARCHWAY BLOCK (s),
ADMIRALTY, S.W.1.
1940
No. 1/1 A.B./40.
9th August, 1940.
ENQUIRY INTO LOSS OF H.M.S. GRENADE
IN OPERATION "DYNAMO."
Sir,
With reference to Admiralty Letter 6245/40 of
1st August, 1940, be pleased to submit to Their Lordships
the following report resulting from an enquiry held by me
auto the circumstances attending the loss of H.M.S. GRENADE
on 29th May, 1940.
2. Commander R.C. Boyle, R.N., the Senior surviving
Officer of GRENADE who was the Officer in command of that
Ship, was examined on 8th August, 1940, and information
elicited as to the behaviour of material has not revealed any
defects in material or construction which contributed to the
loss of the ship or which augmented damage sustained.
3. The following general points, however, arise,
which it seems desirable to bring to Their Lordships'
attention:-
(a) It is considered very necessary that there
should be an adequate supply of fire
extinguishers distributed throughout ships
to meet the eventuality of failure of
water supply to the hoses, as occurred in
the case of GRENADE.
(b) Fires prevented access to Asdic Dome with a
view to its destruction, and similarly to
certain places in which S.Ps and C.Bs were
kept. It is, therefore, for consideration
whether it would not be desirable in the
case of Asdics, to arrange a means of
destruction by remote control and independent
of the ship's electrical power and in the
CAF0.3202/39/
case of S.Ps and C.Bs, the presence in
chests of some destructive agent which would
act on contact with water, thus rendering
the books valueless if the chests are
salved by the enemy.
(c) As regards means of escape for personnel in
ships fitted with small scuttles, although
I am aware that this question is receiving
attention, my enquiry confirms the great
necessity for fitting of large size scuttles
on each side and at each end of living
spaces.
4. I was assisted in my enquiry by Commander Thomas
Aislabic Powell, R.N. (Retd.) and Commander (E) Charles Edward
Smith, R.N.
I am Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
he Secretary,
Beaford
Admiralty,
VICE-ADMIRAL.
S.W.1.