TNA ADM 199 792

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CONFIDENTIAL.
NL
Oa 27/26 AB/40
11387
25th September, 1940.
1940
Enquiry into the loss of
H.M. Armed Yacht PELLAG II
in Operation "Dynamo"
CENTRAL
(27 SEP 1940
Sir,
REGIS
In accordance with 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. Armed Yacht PELLAG II
in Operation "Dynamo".
2. Temporary Lieutenant F.W.R. Martino, R.N.V.R. was interviewed on
3rd September, 1940.
3. When PELLAG II was approaching Dunkirk at about 1000 on 31st May,
1940, she went to the assistance of a trawler which was aground. In her
efforts to tow the trawler off, the clutch of Diesel Engine burnt out and
the wire cable of steering gear parted. Effort to tow was then abandoned.
4. The hand tiller was rigged but could not be efficiently operated
on account of the depth charge davit which prevented it passing the
midship position. The ship could only proceed very slowly and the
Commanding Officer asked WORCESTER to take her in tow.
5. WORCESTER was leaving Dunkirk heavily loaded with troops and as
she was being subjected to bombing attack and PELLAG II's defective
steering made towing very difficult, WORCESTER took the Commanding Officer
and men on board and cast PELLAG II off. An effort to sink the yacht was
unsuccessful on account of aerial bombardment.
6. PELLAG II was, at 0600 on the 2nd June, found adrift by a party
of Royal Engineers which, under Major M.C.A. Henniker, R.E., was making
its escape from the French Coast in rowing boats. They boarded the yacht
and managed to get the engines running. PELLAG II was making slow progress
when at 0515 on 2nd June H.M.S. LOCUST closed and examined her. As the
engines and steering gear were found to be defective, officers and other
ranks were taken on board LOCUST and PELLAG II was taken in tow. Shortly
afterwards, the tow parted. Two further attempts were made to tow her
but as enemy aircraft were in the vicinity the Commanding Officer of
LOCUST decided to abandon her. An attempt to sink her by gun-fire was
not successful, and the Commanding Officer of the LOCUST, states, in a
written report he has sent to me;-"with the prevailing set of wind and
"tide it is Klams that she may have subsequently fallen into the hands of"
"the enemy."
7. S.P.'s and Charts were transferred to WORCESTER.
8. I was assisted in my enquiry by Commander A.J. Cubison, D.S.C.,R.N.,
and Lieutenant Commander (E) W.G.H. Nicholson, R.N.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
SE
Secretary
a Sesford
of the Admiralty.
VICE-ADMIRAL.