TNA ADM 199 792

NL
$
14
NTRAL 8060
SECRET
OFFICE OF THE
FLAG OFFICER-IN-CHARGE, LIVERPOOL,
FERENCE
420/1
ROYAL LIVER BUILDING,
LIVERPOOL, 3.
To:- Secretary of the Admiralty,
Whitehall,
London, S.W.1.
4th June 1940.
H.M.S."BRIGHTON QUEEN".
The attached report from the Commanding Officer of the forwarded. above vessel was handed to my office this morning, and is
A report that Confidential Books have been left on Board
X".
was forwarded in my Message 1229/4/6 Thore
MAINTENANCE CAPTAIN
VICE ADMIRAL,
FLAG OFFICER IN CHARGE, LIVERPOOL.
*
ADMIRAS
ces of determination, H.M.S. "SALTASH" being laid alongside the wreck until the tast man was taken off.
All confidential books remain in the ship. They were placed in a weighted sack ready to be jettisoned in the Commanding Officer's cabin, but this cabin was flooded before it could be reached. The more important books werelanded at Harwich on May 30th, 1940.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your Obedient Secrant,
The Secretary of the
Lieut,
Admiralty, a Stabbs
Second Sea Lord's Department, see R.N.R. 1.10932/40 40
Rex House, Regent Street, LONDON.
(below)
I regret that probably 50% of the French Colonial troops must have been lost, as a result of the explosion by drowning.

SECRET
COPY
58 Allerton Road,
15
Liverpool, 18.
4th June, 1940.
Sir,
Original foreunder.
I have the honour to submit this report of the loss of H.M.S.
"BRIGHTON QUEEN" by enemy action.
2.
At 7.30 a.m. B.S.T. 1.6.40, the ship was got under way and proceeded from Margate Roads towards Dunkirk by route "X". At about 9.30
a.m. when in position 4 miles North of Calais No. 5 buoy H.M.S. "BRIGHTON QUEEN"
engaged enemy aircraft with 12-pounder and Lewis gun fire, action continuing until arrival at Dunkirk. The fire was accurate, keeping aircraft to a height from which bomb aiming was difficult. In the vicinity of Calais No. 4 buoy three salvoes of 4 bombs were aimed at "BRIGHTON QUEEN", the nearest dropping
100 feet from the starboard quarter.
3.
The ship entered the breakwater at Dunkirk at 10.35 a.m. and berthed at the West Lock at 10.45 a.m. 700 French Moroccan troops were embarked and at
11.10 a.m. H.M.S. "BRIGHTON QUEEN" left her berth and proceeded towards Margate.
Calais No. 5 buoy was rounded at 11.50 a.m. and the ship proceeded along route "X".
4.
At 11.05 a.m. a formation of seven single engined aircraft were seen delivering a dive bombing attack to the Southward, after which they reformed and entered clouds at about 5,000 feet. Their engines were heard approaching and the ship's guns were trained in their direction. As they appeared from the cloud they were engaged with 12-pounder and Lewis gun fire, whilst the helm was put hard to starboard.
The formation broke up to attack, by dive bombing, H.M.S. "BRIGHTON
QUEEN", and the transport "SEOLIA" which was two cables distant at Red 50°.
"SCOTIA"
"SCOTIA"
The main attack was directed against leaving her on fire and in a sinking condition. One bomb estimated 200 lbs. exploded very close to H.M.S. "BRIGHTON QUEEN" causing severe damage to the starboard side of the ship abaft the paddle box. The one lifeboat remaining from the previous day's operation at La Panne was blown inboard, causing many casualties amongst the troops on the after deck. The ship began to settle by the stem immediately and after two minutes began to heel to port until she had a list of 50°. The ship was laid over at this angle until she filled forward and sank about 5 minutes after the explosion to rest on the bottom on an even keel in about five fathoms of water.
In this short time my crew worked quickly and efficiently in getting liferafts and all floating material over the side to troops who were struggling in the sea. The French troops were splendidly steady, and although no orders could be given to them except by signs, they acted cooly and intelligently in making use of the life saving material available.
H.M.S. "SALTASH" and several small craft were soon on the scene carrying out the difficult operation of rescuing the survivors with speed and determination, H.M.S. "SALTASH" being laid alongside the wreck until the last man was taken off.
All confidential books remain in the ship. They were placed in a weighted sack ready to be jettisoned in the Commanding Officer's cabin, but this cabin was flooded before it could be reached. The more important books werelanded at Harwich on May 30th, 1940.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your Obedient Seevant,
The Secretary of the
Admiralty, a. Stabbs
Second Sea Lord's Department,
Lieut, see NiL
Rex House, Regent Street, LONDON.
(below) R.N.R. L.10932/40
I regret that probably 50% of the French Colonial troops must have been lost, as a result of the explosion by drowning.

di
CENTRAL
i
6245
19
TRY
FROM
FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING DOVER.
4940
DATE
6th June, 1940.
No. G22/869/40.
TO
SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY.
(copies to: Commander-in-Chief, Western
Approaches.
Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth.
Commander-in-Chief, The Nore.)
18
material available
HMS. Jallash Neveral small craft were soon n the selve carrying ml the defficult operation of rescuing the survivors with speed &
determination, AMS. Sallash being land along Red, the wreck until the has man has laken 0/1.
all confidential looks remain m the ship they were placed in a weighthed sach ready lobe fellismed in the commanding officers Cubin but this cabin was flooded he/re is coned be reached the more important looks were landed at Harwich n may 30ᵗʰ 1940.
OD
have
Vana
There the honour to be, that the
Sir, your Obedient Saward a. Shibbs
Lieus RNR.
the Seerelary the Admiralty
2nd Sen Loids Department
Rex House
Repent S
Ladon.
X I regut that probably 50 % of the ush Colonial troops must have been tack as a would of the unplain & by showing