TNA ADM 199 792

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CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 2.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Work of Personnel Vessels.
Personnel Vessels (continued).
In the meantime, relief crews had been sent for
for the TYNWALD and an armed naval guard was placed alongside
at Folkestone where the ship lay. The crew did not attempt
to leave the ship but contented themselves with shouting abuses
at the sentries. Relief crews arrived and the old crew were
then allowed to leave. Complete listsof their names and
addresses were taken and given to the S.T.O., Folkestone. Those
who stayed of the old crew were the Chief Officer as Master,
Second Officer, Purser, W/T Operator and Carpenter.
A naval officer and 10 naval ratings were put on
board as moral stiffeners and the ship sailed at 1945/2. She
completed a round trip which was repeated next day without
incident.
5. MANX MAID. Never completed a trip; she should have
sailed on 3 separate occasions. On the last occasion, at
1745/2, she produced an engine breakdown as excuse; was given
up as hopeless and other ships made use of instead.
On the afternoon of 3rd June, when it was realised
that MANX MAID was not going to be used, the majority of the
crew, in response to an appeal by the S.T.O., Dover, volunteered
to replace men in other personnel vessels who had left their
duty. 18 seamen and firemen were accepted and sailed to
Dunkirk in LADY OF MANN, and others were drafted to MANX MAN
who, however, did not sail.
6. BEN MY CHREE. Transported 408 troops in 2 trips; she
should have completed 4. The master was evidently in league
with the masters of the TYNWALD and the MALINES. On failing
to sail during the night 1/2nd June, in reply to a written
enquiry from the S.T.O., Folkestone, whether or not he would
sail, George Woods, Master, replied in writing - "I beg to state
that after our experience at Dunkirk yesterday, my answer is
'No'. "
At 1850/2 BEN MY CHREE came alongside Folkestone.
Naval guards were placed on the gangways and abreast the ship.
As the ship was berthed the crew were demonstrating and shouting
that they were going to leave the ship and on the brow being
run out, they attempted to do so with their kits. Leading
Stoker Booth ordered his men to come on guard and advanced up
the brow with fixed bayonets. The crew returned on board at
once, where they remained until the relief crew arrived. The
Captain and crew left the ship, the Chief Officer stayed as
Captain, together with 3 greasers and the W/T Operator. Other-
wise the ship was manned with the new crew. Unfortunately, on
sailing, at 1905/2, BEN MY CHREE was in collision and did not
complete the trip.
7. LADY OF MANN. Carried out 4 trips and transported
2902 troops. One trip was abortive through no fault of the
Master, as the ship was ordered back from Dunkirk before entering
that harbour. The last 2 trips were carried out with a Naval
officer and 10 naval ratings on board as an insurance, but there
is no suggestion that the LADY OF MANN did not attempt to play
her part.
8. MANX MAN. Transported 233 troops in 3 voyages.
Should have completed 5.
her fourth trip, due 2115/2, MANX MAN refused to
sail from On Folkestone. A new crew was put an board, the engineers
remaining/