TNA ADM 199 792

(1025) (Wt. 10009/5046 100M 5/40 S.E.R. Ltd. Gp. 671.
98
Register No. N.L.11388/40
Minute Sheet No. 1.
to be D,T.M. welded or riveted to the ships structure.
(iii) D.N.O. and D.S.D. referred. (P-3hactur of adies)
(iv) Provision has now been made for escape scuttles as proposed in existing ships and new construction.
(v) E. in C. referred.
(use of cast non suffraing
Goodall.
13/10/40.
With reference to D.N.C's minute 13.10.40:-
Item 3. - A further report is being rendered by this
Committee and will be dealt with separately.
No action necessary on this paper.
Item 4.
- This is being dealt with on a separate paper.
No action necessary on this paper.
Item 7. - This is under consideration on other papers.
No action necessary on this paper.
Items 8 & 9 - Have already been dealt with. No action necessary on this paper.
D.T.M. has been added to the marking. D.0.13214 has been put behind this paper.
for
Director of Naval Equipment
15th October, 1940.
Item 5. 1.
Shield of 1/2" D.1. quality heat treated steel of 0.5" Mk.III Mounting has been designed but requires modification to accommodate 300 knot sight.
2.
Approximate weight will be under 400 lbs.
3.
In view of D.N.C. 's minute, a decision should be obtained immediately as to whether this additional weight can be accepted or whether a reduction in thickness will be necessary, in order not to delay manufacture.
4.
This point is being taken up with D.N.C.
FDV/
SCW
W.R.Slayth
WRS
23/10/40
for DIRECTOR OF NAVAL ORDNANCE.
23 October, 1940.00

CONFIDENTIAL.
1940
REGISTRY
100L
11388
D.1.AB/40.
19th September, 1940.
1940
Sir,
H.M. DESTROYERS LOST AT DUNKIRK.
Material - General Report on Behaviour of -
Having completed, as regards H.M. Destroyers, the enquiries directed by Admiralty Letter N.L. 6245/40, dated
1st August 1940, be pleased to lay before Their Lordships the following recommendations relating to this class of vessel:-
2. A/A Guns, Arc of Fire.
The mainmast should be removed to give a better ard of fire for A/A guns, the mast being replaced by a light metal
(gas-pipe) gallows to take the after end of the aerials. This fitting has been seen in vessels at Harwich and appears to be quite satisfactory.
3. A/A Armament.
The 4 barrel.5" guns should be replaced by 4 or more single barrel guns, as it is considered that better results would be obtained by 4 men laying single guns on the same target than by one man laying 4 guns on the target. The provision of
Oerlikon guns is most desirable, also of Bren guns instead of
Lewis guns. It was brought to light that in one destroyer;
where a number of Bren guns (brought on board by the Military)
were manned, considerable damage and loss was inflicted on enemy bombers which could not be done with the ship's A/A armament.
4. Searchlights.
Opinion regarding the position and size of the searchlights is varied. In the majority it is considered that the new large light on a high platform amidships is not warranted, especially as the control from the bridge is not very satisfactory. It is.
contended that a powerful searchlight with a limited arc, espcially ahead, is normally not of great value and that a smaller light
(e.g. the old 24") sited above the bridge and able to show up an object directly ahead would be of more value. The reduction in weight of the large searchlight and the mainmast should allow of a smaller light with shorter control system being placed higher up forward.
(ii) The existing searchlight platform is in a most suitable place for A/A guns and, if the searchlight were removed and the platform enlarged athwartship, the existing 3"
and/or pom-pem platforms could be removed and the A/A
armament mounted on modified searchlight platform.
1940.
A/
5.
Shields for A/A Guns.
It is considered that light shields should be provided for all A/A guns. However light the shield is, it has the effect of removing the feeling of "nakedness" from the guns' crew and undoubtedly gives a certain amount of protection against machine gun fire and splinters. The shields fitted locally in Minesweepers,
Corvettes, Trawlers, etc., at Harwich appear to be very suitable. LB

NL
118
11939
1940
No. 30/29.AB/40.
CONFIDENTIAL.
8th Oct. 1940.
Sir,
Be pleased to inform Their Lordships that I have, in compliance with Admiralty Letter N.L. 6245/40 dated 1st August, 1940, completed the enquiries into the circumstances of the loss of H.M. Ships engaged in the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force and Allied Forces from Dunkirk with the following exceptions:-
H.M.A/S Trawler THURINGIA, M/S Trawler THOMAS BARTLETT, and Tug ST. ABBS.
2.
None of the Senior or other surviving officers of these vessels has yet been available for interview and I submit for Their Lordships'
consideration my opinion that in view of the large number of similar craft whose loss I have investigated, I do not consider any good purpose will be served by continuing these enquiries.
3.
The two surviving officers of THURINGIA are serving in the
Northern Patrol, the Commanding Officer of ST. ABBS is at Greenock and the Commanding Officer of THOMAS BARTLETT is on sick leave.
NL.113
4.
I have, in addition to the individual reports of each enquiry, made two general reports - Nos. S.D.1.AB/40 of 19th September 1940 and
S.2.G.AB/40 of 8th October 1940 on general conclusions arrived at as the result of enquiries into loss of Destroyers and Minor War Vessels respectively.
I am, Sir,
ILITARY BRANCH
9-OCT 1940
Your aBustond obedient Servant,
VICE ADMIRAL.
ne Secretary of the
Admiralty, eer
Sec