TNA ADM 199 792

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CONFIDENTIAL.
HARWICH.
No. 18/17 A.B/40.
1940
4th September, 1940.
MILLIN
NH
Report of Enquiry into Circumstances
Attending Loss of H.M.S. "Mosquito" in operation Dynamo.
SEP1940
Sir,
With reference to Admiralty Letter N.L. 6245/40 dated 1st
August, 1940, be pleased to lay before Their Lordships the following
report resulting from an enquiry into the loss of H.M. Gunboat "Mosquito"
on 1st June, 1940.
2.
Lieutenant D.H.D. Gardiner R.N. who was in command of "Mosquito"
was examined on 4th September, 1940.
3.
At about 1100 on 1st June when 15 miles from Dunkirk a near miss
from an enemy bomber caused ship to lift in the water, started slight leak
in Engine Room, stopped air pump and threw the Dynamo off the board.
The Dynamo was got running again and fire and bilge pumps kept
water under. Ship proceeded, after about seven minutes, on her course to
Dunkirk.
4.
At about 1230 off Dunkirk ship was attacked by about 20 Junker
Dive Bombers. A near miss ahead from the fourth salvo enveloped fore part
of ship in mud and water and put the fore .5 gun out of action.
(ii)
A direct hit by a small bomb on the starboard side of upper deck
abreast the funnel burst fresh water tanks, damaged funnel, wrecked sick
bay and was probably the cause of jambing steering gear between wheel house
and engine rooms.
5.
From a further salvo a delay action near miss on the part side caused
a. large leak in the engine room. This may have been due to the sheering of the
rivets securing the circulator intake casting to the hull. Water flowed first
into Engine Room, ship taking a list to port. Engines stopped. This explosion
also made small holes in port side in boiler room.
6.
To prevent ship drifting into the channel an anchor was let go.
The list to port increased and ship was abandoned when the port side of the
upper deck was awash.
7.
Before abandoning ship the Commanding Officer made a pile of S.Ps
and Charts and destroyed them by fire.
8.
Ship was seen later whilst settled on the bottom on an even keel
in shallow water. She was subsequently subjected to another bombing attack.
9.
About two days later "Locust" placed two depth charges on board
"Mosquito" and blew her up.
10.
In the circumstances it appears that material behaved normally
and no particular defects or weaknesses were revealed.
11.
I was assisted in my enquiry by Lieutenant Commander (E) W.G.H.
Ticholson R.N.
I am Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Beatory
The Secretary of the Admiralty.
VICE ADMIRAL.