TNA ADM 199 792

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P. NL 9530/40
84
CONFIDENTIAL.
Harwich.
10932
4th September, 1940.
No. 19/18 AB/40.
1940
Report of Enquiry into loss of H.M.Paddle A.A.
Ship "Crested Eagle" in operation "Dynamo".
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 held into
the loss of H.M. Paddle A.A. Ship "Crested Eagle" on 29th
May, 1940.
2. Temporary Lieutenant Commander B.R. Booth, R.N.R, who
was in command of "Crested Eagle", was examined on 4th
September, 1940.
3. At about 1800 on 31st May, "Crested Eagle" was leaving
Dunkirk with troops on board when enemy dive bombers attacked
her. One bomb passed through the engine room to generator
flat where it exploded, fractured oil drums and started a
severe fire.
(ii) At the same time a second bomb struck the ship a
little further aft and a third and fourth still further aft.
4. The shock of the explosions lifted the ship well out of
the water and in a few minutes she was burning furiously
from the engine room to stern.
5. The ship was beached and abandoned, whilst further
bombing attacks were being made on her.
6. Before beaching the ship, the Commanding Officer had
thrown the steel chest containing S.Ps and C.Bs. and Charts
overboard in about 12 fathoms of water, 2 to 3 miles from
the shore.
7. When last seen at about 1845 the ship was almost
completely gutted by fire.
8. There is in the circumstances no criticism of material.
The severe bombing caused fires with which it was quite
impossible to cope. She had no W.T. bulkheads and excepting
for the hull was entirely constructed of wood.
9. With reference to paragraph 4 above, although the ship
was badly shaken by the explosion the steering gear continued
to function. This is attributed to the fact that instead of
the usual chain and rod connections, liable to fracture, from
the bridge to the tiller, she was fitted with a heavy wire
hawser which gave to the movement of the ship.
10. I was assisted in my enquiry by Lieutenant Commander (E)
W.G.H. Nicholson, R.N.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient aBeatord Servant,
Vice Admiral.
The Secretary of the Admiralty.