TNA ADM 199 792

146
CONFIDENTIAL.
144
Page 25
Operation "DYNAMO" Narrative of Events.
1/5
Saturday, 1st June (continued).
proportion 50 per cent. British and 50 per cent. French. The plan was set in motion without incident until 2200, when it was reported that a number of towing craft and small boats were returning empty from the coast. All ships were warned to look out for these, and to force them back to their duty on the coast.
Subsequent investigation gives reason to believe that this defection was due to false information being passed between ships on the coast and believed to originate from a non-identified skoot.
77. Commander Maund proceeded to the mouth of the harbour in a motor boat commanded by a Dutch Naval Officer with a
Dutch naval crew and led all ships into harbour to their berths.
The Rear Admiral, Dover, was also afloat in a M.T.B. supervising traffic control.
By 2300 the night was very dark, sometimes as many as
6 or 7 vessels were entering the port of Dunkirk at once whilst yet others were leaving. All were without lights and displayed the highest degree of seamanship in these difficult and fateful circumstances.
78. At 2315 the S.N.O., Dunkirk, signalled: "Withdrawal now proceeding according to plan. Shall have certain reserves here tomorrow to assist French. Intend to complete evacuation.
tomorrow by midnight."
Remarks.
78A. The outstanding feature of the day was the series of events leading to the abandonment of daylight evacuation.
Increasing enemy air attack, which the R.A.F. were unable to smother with the means at their disposal, caused serious loss of ships, and continual interruption of embarkation on the beaches and in Dunkirk. Further, the sole remaining cross channel route was now under fairly heavy and accurate shore artillery fire.
In these circumstances it was apparent that continuation of the operation by day must cause losses of ships and personnel out of all proportion to the number of troops evacuated, and if persisted in, the momentum of evacuation would automatically and rapidly decrease.
79. Casualties to H.M. Ships on 1st June.
Trawler ARGYLLSHIRE sunk by torpedo from M.T.B. near
S. Buoy. Survivors taken off by MALABAR.
Trawler STELLA DORADO sunk by torpedo from M.T.B.
Survivors picked up by KINGSTON GALENA.
Minesweeper SALAMANDER attacked by enemy aircraft and hit at about 0850. Ship disabled but was able to return to
Dover under her own steam.
Personnel/

APPENDIX I.
160
to
Operation "DYNAMO"
Narrative of Events.
162
-
LIST OF H.M. SHIPS, PERSONNEL SHIPS AND HOSPITAL CARRIERS
TAKING. PART.
A.A. CRUISER:
CALCUTTA
DESTROYERS:
ANTHONY
HARVESTER
MALCOLM
VIVACIOUS
BASILISK
HAVANT
MONTROSE
WAKEFUL
BLYSKAWICA
ICARUS
SABRE
WHITEHALL
CODRINGTON
IMPULSIVE
SALADIN
WHITSHED
ESK
INTREPID
SCIMITAR
WINCHELSEA
EXPRESS
IVANHOE
SHIKARI
WINDSOR
GALLANT
JAGUAR
VENOMOUS
WOLFHOUND
GRAFTON
JAVELIN
VANQUISHER
WOLSEY
GRENADE
KEITH
VERITY
WORCESTER
GREYHOUND
MACKAY
VIMY
(40)
SLOOPS:
BIDEFORD
GUNBOATS:
LOCUST
MOSQUITO
UNESWEEPERS:
ALBURY
HEBE
QUEEN OF THANET
BRIGHTON QUEEN
HALCYON
ROSS
BRIGHTON BELLE
KELLETT
SALAMANDER
DEVONIA
LEDA
SALTASH
DUNDALK
LYDD
SKIPJACK
DUCHESS OF FIFE
MARMION
SANDOWN
EMPEROR OF INDIA
MEDWAY QUEEN
SNAEFELL
EL
FITZROY
NIGER
SPEEDWELL
GLENAVON
ORIOLE
SUTTON
GLENGO
PANGBOURNE
SHARPSHOOTER
GOSSAMER
PLYNLIMMON
WAVERLEY
GRACIE FIELDS
PRINCESS ELIZABETH WESTWARD HO
A/S VESSELS:
ARLEY
COMFORT
MARETTA
BOTANIC
CONIDAW
NAUTILUS
BROCK
FYLDEA
POLLY JOHNSON
CALVI
GULZAR
SANGASSO
CHICO
JOHN CATLING
STARLIGHT RAYS
re
SPECIAL SERVICE CRESTED EAGLE
GOLDEN EAGLE
ROYAL EAGLE
ESSELS:
"LL" TRAWLERS: INVERFORTH LORD INCHCAPE OUR BAIRNS THOMAS BARTLETT
it
A/S TRAWLERS:
ARGYLLSHIRE
KINGSTON ANDALUSITE STELLA DORADO
ore
BLACKBURN ROVERS
KINGSTON OLIVINE
THURINGIA
CAYTON WYKE
LADY PHILOMENA
WESTELLA
an
GRIMSBY TOWN
SAON
WOLVES
ue
KINGSTON ALALITE
SPURS
OLVINA
all
INE RECOVERY
FIDGET
JACKETA
SILVER DAWN
RIFTERS:
FISHER BOY
LORD CAVAN

in
NED СУДИИ
3'8"
J.Con
INVIDOR LOI
ASSERITY
=
REVAEB LOZ
DETOMENON RSITS
TV" OURS B'WA'E'
FX
Leah* yourse
BOMLING 2°
NAMELE
V'II"
B'M'
cyMoTa
HYHATON YWD INVOICE
D'H'D'
IVent* E'E'
ORRGIN EVOTE
B'N'E'
5'5" Booth* 5'W'5"
LOA PV*
БЕНЬКОКИ 4,
GEVOTE MIRITS
E 20062
Jsmb*
AIIDLINE
NAME OF OFFICER AND SHIP.
RANK
SHIP
LOWESTOFT AND YARMOUTH
LARKE
A.C. Weeks
Temp. Lieutenant,
SAND
GRACIE FIELDS
R.N.R. R.N.R.
LOVERS
L. Lake
Chief Skipper,
MINO
POLLY JOHNSON
R.N.R.
B.D. Spindler
Temp. Skipper,
EUROI
CALVIE
R.N.R.
A. Gove,
Chief Skipper,
EUROI
WESTELLA
R.N.R.
Ideal,
E.W.Y.B.
LIVERPOOL
M.F. Villiers-Stuart,
Temp. Sub-Lieut.,
CAROI
ARGYLLSHIRE
R.N.V.R.
E. Richardson
Temp. Lieutenant,
PATRO
SKIPJACK
R.N.R.
Combon
M.S.R.
BARROW
S.F. Harmer-Elliott,
Temp. Lieut,,
CLIO
WAVERLEY
R.N.V.R.
R.B.V.D.
R.W. English,
Commander, R.N.
Gurne
BLACKBURN BOVERS
Texas

DEADMIT
'S' propopre*
Jombs
.
not
ADA Lemb*
y's' Counter seep* B*W*B*
VERBINES
anowe
1'2" Jostrumon
Louis*
DEADNIT
V*S* Cox prone*
SINTH OL OREN
KELLA
0"2"
product 8*W*
CITIZE
ВОЛЕВЗ
FEE
ГУНИК
NAME OF OFFICER AND SHIP
RANK
SHIP
TYBE
W.J.C. Fuller,
Temp, LieutenNnt MEDWA
BRIGHTON BELLE
R.N.V.R,
J.S. Weddle
Sub-Lieut, R.N.R. CALLI
ARGYLLSHIRE
D.J. Hutton
Sub-Lieut. R.N.V.R. GOSS
THOMAS BARTLETT
MISCELLANEOUS
E.L. Berthon
Captain, R.N.
VIC
KEITH
J.K.B. Miles,
Temp. Sub-Lieut.
R,N.
GRIVE
R.N.V.R.
6
F.B. Proudfoot,
Lt. Cmdr., R.N.,
PEMB
SKIPJACK
(Retd.)
E.S. Flint,
Pby. Sub-Lieut.,
DOLP
MOSQUITO
R,N.R.

CONFIDENTIAL
NL
38
T
Vice Admiral A. Bedford.
The Flag Officers-in-Charge,
Liverpool and Glasgow.
Copies to:- Commander-in-Chief,
Western Approaches.
31st August,
40.
The Secretary, N.L.Branch
Admiralty.
No. 8.AB/40.
are
With reference to Admiralty Letter N.L.6245/40 dated
July 1940, a copy of which is attached, I propose the following programme for the enquiries which I am directed to hold:-
ted
Name & Rank of
Ship
Date
Surviving Officer
Late
Present
& Place
Time
Sub.Lieut.
Tues.
J.S. Weddle, R.N.R.
ARGYLLSHIRE
ANENOME
10th Sept.
1000
Liverpool
Tempy.Sub.Lt.
M.F. Villiers-Stuart,
#
MALLOW
e
#
R.N.V.R.
Comdr. J. Elliott,
KING ORRY
SPARTRIAK
Thurs.
1000
D.S.O.,R.N.R.
for
12th Sept.
CAMITO
Glasgow
2.
If any of these Officers is in possession of a copy of his report on the loss of his Ship it would be helpful if he would produce it for my information.
3.
If Sub. Lieut. Weddle, who is the Senior Surviving Officer of ARGYLLSHIRE, is available, it will not be necessary to interview
Sub. Lieut. Villiers-Stuart.
GADM L
J UADM
PASS T
ORDN LE
PASS TO
ADDRESS
VICE ADM ADMIRAL
ROOM FOR
PSE READ PSE READ
R 1002/23
78.

CONFIDENTIAL
11131
83
From.
Vice Admiral A.E. Bedford.
1940
Date
17th September, 1940.
No.22/21. AB/40.
To
The Secretary of the Admiralty, London, S.W.1.
REPORT OF ENQUIRY INTO LOSS OF H.M. TRAWLER
"ARGYLLSHIRE" IN OPERATION "DYNAMO".
Sir,
With reference to A.L. M.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.A/S
Trawler "Argyllshire" on 1st June, 1940.
2. Sub. Lieut. J.S. Weddle, R.N.R., who was in command of "Argyllshire" was examined on 17th September, 1940.
3. At about 0245 on 1st June "Argyllshire" was about
2 miles E. of "S" Buoy in company with trawlers "Lord Melchett"
and "Stella Rigel. Many trawlers and other small craft were in the vicinity.
"Argyllshire" commenced an attack on what appeared to be a submarine. At 0250 "Stella Rigel" crossed "Argyllshire's"
bows and the latter reduced speed, the target then being about
1800 yards on her starboard beam. Shortly afterwards there was an explosion aft in "Argyllshire" due, it is believed, to a torpedo which struck her on the starboard quarter. The bows
40
stood up at about 45°, all fittings on bridge broke loose and ship went down stern first. Two to three minutes later she was seen with bows to the break of forecastle protruding vertically out of the water. She then sank and disappeared in about 20
fathoms.
4. Asdic gear was intact when ship sank; 5 depth charges set to 200 feet went down with her.
5. Confidential Books and SPs, except two or three in
Wireless Cabinet, and one Secret Mine Chart which was on bridge, were in steel chest in Commanding Officer's Cabin and went down with the ship.
6. The imperceptible time during which this ship remained afloat after the explosion precludes the possibility of learning anything as to the behaviour of material generally, but it is
2/10)
thought that if this class of vessel were fitted with & watertight bulkhead between the Boiler and Engine Rooms there is likelihood of their remaining afloat considerably longer in the
4/11
event of the fore or after compartments being flooded.
7. I was assisted in my enquiry by Commander C.B. Land, R.N.
and Lieutenant (E) R.Haynes, R.N.
I am,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant, a Biaford Vice Admiral

H.M.A.B.V.S. Paddle Minesweepers and A.A. Vessels, M/S Trawlers, etc.
Name of Ship and Date and No.
Item of report
Existing Arrangements or
Recommendations
Fittings - Damage etc.
Paddle A.A. Ship CRESTED EAGLE
(1) Steering Gear
No.19/18 AB/40 of 4th September,
(1) Wire Hawser connection between
(1) Although Ship was very wheel on bridge and tiller.
1940
badly shaken by explosions, wire connections did not fracture as so often happens with rod and chain connection
Paddle Minesweeper GRACIE FIELDS
(i) Main Stop Valve
No. 25/24 AB/40 of 21st September,
(i) Situated in funnel casing on
(i) Valve should be in a upper deck above boiler. Owing
1940
position more easily to excessive heat valve would not accessible.
be closed. In trying to do so so
Chief Engineer was badly burnt.
(11) Steering Gear
(11) Rod and chain connection
(ii) Wire hawsers considered between bridge and tiller fractured preferable - vide (1) above by shock of bomb explosions.
for CRESTED EAGLE.
Harbour Defence Vessel AMULREE
(1) Watertight
(1) Deck openings not fitted with
(1) W.T. hatches would make
No.3/3 AB/46 of 10th August, 1940
compartment
W.T. covers.
ship less liable to sink in the event of collision or other damage
M.S. Trawler ARGYLLSHIRE
(1) Watertight
(1) Engines and Boilers in same
(1) Considered desirable to
No.22/21 AB/40 of 17th September, compartment compartment.
divide these by a W.T.
1940
Bulkhead.
(i) Auxiliary Steam
(1) No isolating valves.
(1) Isolating valves
A.B.V. KING ORRY
No.24/23 AB/40 of 20th September,
System
Escaping steam in after Steering considered necessary, also
1940
compartment prevented access to providing for shutting off enable hand wheel to be connected.
steam to after steering compartment.
(11) Scuttles near
(ii) Renders ship more liable to
(ii) Considered that water line.
flooding when side is holed.
scuttles at or near water line should be permanently plated in.
M.S. Trawler POLLY JOHNSON
(1) Hull
(1) Splinter holes near water
(i) Considered necessary line.
that these craft should
No.29/28 AB/40 of 4th October,
1940
carry a number of varying size wooden plugs for stopping shot or splinter holes.
Small craft generally
C.B's and S.P's
Books kept in steel chests in
To ensure destruction when cabin between decks.
as frequently occurs, access to cabin is not possible, it is preferable that books be kept in lockers on bridge and a weighted bag available in which they can be quickly placed for burning or throwing overboard.

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 25
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
Saturday, 1st June (continued).
proportion 50 per cent. British and 50 per cent. French. The plan was set in motion without incident until 2200, when it was reported that a number of towing craft and small boats were returning empty from the coast. All ships were warned to look out for these, and to force them back to their duty on the coast.
Subsequent investigation gives reason to believe that this defection was due to false information being passed between ships on the coast and believed to originate from a non-identified skoot.
77. Commander Maund proceeded to the mouth of the harbour in a motor boat commanded by a Dutch Naval Officer with a
Dutch naval crew and led all ships into harbour to their berths.
The Rear Admiral, Dover, was also afloat in a M.T.B. supervising traffic control.
By 2300 the night was very dark, sometimes as many as
6 or 7 vessels were entering the port of Dunkirk at once whilst yet others were leaving. All were without lights and displayed the highest degree of seamanship in these difficult and fateful circumstanoes.
78. At 2315 the S.N.O., Dunkirk, signalled: "Withdrawal now proceeding according to plan. Shall have certain reserves here tomorrow to assist French. Intend to complete evacuation tomorrow by midnight."
Remarks.
78A. The outstanding feature of the day was the series of events leading to the abandonment of daylight evacuation.
Increasing enemy air attack, which the R.A.F. were unable to K
smother with the means at their disposal, caused serious loss of ships, and continual interruption of embarkation on the beaches and in Dunkirk. Further, the sole remaining cross channel route was now under fairly heavy and accurate shore artillery fire.
In these circumstances it was apparent that continuation of the operation by day must cause losses of ships and personnel out of all proportion to the number of troops evacuated, and if persisted in, the momentum of evacuation would automatically and rapidly decrease.
79. Casualties to H.M. Ships on 1st June.
Trawler ARGYLLSHIRE sunk by torpedo from M.T.B. near
S. Buoy. Survivors taken off by MALABAR.
Trawler STELLA DORADO sunk by torpedo from M.T.B.
Survivors picked up by KINGSTON GALENA.
Minesweeper SALAMANDER attacked by enemy aircraft and hit at about 0850. Ship disabled but was able to return to
Dover under her own steam.
Personnel/

APPENDIX I.
to
Operation "DYNAMO"
-
Narrative of Events.
LIST OF H.M. SHIPS, PERSONNEL SHIPS AND HOSPITAL CARRIERS
TAKING. PART.
RUISER:
CALCUTTA
YERS:
ANTHONY
HARVESTER
MALCOLM
VIVACIOUS
BASILISK
HAVANT
MONTROSE
WAKEFUL
BLYSKAWICA
ICARUS
SABRE
WHITEHALL
CODRINGTON
IMPULSIVE
SALADIN
WHITSHED
ESK
INTREPID
SCIMITAR
WINCHELSEA
EXPRESS
IVANHOE
SHIKARI
WINDSOR
GALLANT
JAGUAR
VENOMOUS
WOLFHOUND
GRAFTON
JAVELIN
VANQUISHER
WOLSEY
GRENADE
KEITH
VERITY
WORCESTER
GREYHOUND
MACKAY
VILY
BIDEFORD
TS:
LOCUST
MOSQUITO
EEPERS:
ALBURY
HEBE
QUEEN OF THANET
BRIGHTON QUEEN
HALCYON
ROSS
BRIGHTON BELLE
KELLETT
SALAMANDER
EL
DEVONIA
LEDA
SALTASH
DUNDALK
LYDD
SKIPJACK
DUCHESS OF FIFE
MARMION
SANDOWN
EMPEROR OF INDIA
MEDWAY QUEEN
SNAEFELL
FITZROY
NIGER
SPEEDWELL
GLENAVON
ORIOLE
SUTTON
GLENGOWER
PANGBOURNE
SHARPSHOOTER
GOSSAMER
PLYNLIMMON
WAVERLEY
GRACIE FIELDS
PRINCESS ELIZABETH
WESTWARD HO
ESSELS:
ARLEY
COMFORT
MARETTA
BOTANIC
CONIDAW
NAUTILUS
BROCK
FYLDEA
POLLY JOHNSON
CALVI
GULZAR
SARGASSO
CHICO
JOHN CATLING
STARLIGHT RAYS
AL SERVICE CRESTED EAGLE
GOLDEN EAGLE
LS:
ROYAL EAGLE
TRAWLERS: INVERFORTH LORD INCHCAPE OUR BAIRNS THOMAS BARTLETT
RAWLERS:
ARGYLLSHIRE
KINGSTON ANDALUSITE STELLA DORADO
BLACKBURN ROVERS
KINGSTON OLIVINE
THURINGIA
CAYTON WYKE
LADY PHILOMENA
WISTELLA
GRIMSBY TOWN
SAON
WOLVES
KINGSTON ALALITE
SPURS
OLVINA
RECOVERY
FIDGET
JACKETA
ERS:
SILVER DAWN
FISHER BOY
LORD CAVAN