TNA ADM 199 792

60
CONFIDENTIAL
Office of Commander-in-Chief,
Western Approaches,
9723
Mount Wise,
Devonport.
1340
19th August, 1940.
No. 8/7.AB/40.
HOME
REPORT OF ENQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF H.M.S. "BASILISK"
IN OPERATION "DYNAMO".
21 AU 1940
BRANCH MILITARY
Sir,
With reference to Admiralty letter N.L. 6245/40
dated 1st August, 1940, be pleased to submit to Their
Lordships the following report resulting from an enquiry into the circumstances attending the loss of H.M.S. "Basilisk"
on 1st June, 1940.
2. Commander M. Richmond, R.N., the senior surviving officer of "Basilisk" and who was in command of that ship, was examined on the 19th August, 1940.
3. At about 0815 on 1st June in the first air attack, a bomb with slight delay action exploded in the port side of the after end of No. 3 boiler room, cutting main and auxiliary steam lines and thus putting all machinery out of action. It also burst the bulkhead between the boiler room and engine room. This explosion made shrapnel holes in the port side in engine room and No. 3 boiler room. The smaller holes were plugged from within or without with wooden plugs and the larger ones covered by a collision mat.
about
(ii) In this attack/6 large bombs, which appeared to be of the delay action type, exploded in the water underneath the ship and these explosions caused the upper deck to buckle right across at a position between the after end of the after torpedo tubes and the after superstructure. The ship's sides were similarly buckled at this station.
4. Torpedo and depth charges were jettisoned and at about 0845 the ship was floating on an even keel with little increase in draught.
5. At about 0945, whilst efforts were being made by a Belgian tug - "La Jolie Mascotte" - to tow the ship a second air attack was made, during which, however, no hits or damage were sustained. The tug slipped the tow and proceeded to a distance.
6. At about 1200 in a third attack this time bombers diving to about 400 feet - the ship was smothered by hits and near misses, the bombs appearing to be of a "delay action" type.
Explosions underwater seemed to cause the main damage. The ship shuddered and heeled to starboard, righted herself and sank in about three minutes, settling on the bottom on an even keel in about 4 fathoms. She was then abandoned.
The destruction of "Basilisk" was completed by "Whitehall"
firing guns and torpedoes at her.
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10. I was assisted in my enquiry by Commander T.A. Powell, R.N., and
Commander (E) P.C. Taylor, R.N.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant, aBeatorg
The Secretary
VICE ADMIRAL.
of the Admiralty.
9957
1940
It is considered that in this class of ship it would be prererable to mount a multiple pom pom in place of the After 4" gun, also that in place of the
4 barrel.5 gun amidships, one twin.5 on each side of the ship, giving the maximum possible are of fire, would be more valuable.
7. The twin Lewis (Double barrel) gun on the fore bridge proved useful and, it is thought, accounted for one enemy bomber which, after its attack, crashed in the sea astern.
8. I was assisted in my enquiry by Commander T.A.Powell, R.N., and
Commander (E) P.C. Taylor, R.N.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant, aBestord
The Secretary of the Admiralty
VICE ADMIRAL.