TNA ADM 199 795

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to four knots. Sighted many small craft and some destroyers
lying off a beach crowded with soldiers so thought this was
correct place and went as near inshore as I could. Some
soldiers waded out and a few came in rowing boats. Was
hailed to go alongside small coastal steamer
apparently aground. Went to her and took off a boatload
of soldiers to be transferred to destroyers. About to
go alongside when bombing raid started, destroyer got way
on and I lay off while she opened fire. In about half an
hour we went alongside and disembarked soldiers. Returning
to beach port then starboard engines broke down so let her
drift in close to the shore before letting go anchor. Was
close enough in to be reached easily by pulling. boats;
while there filled up with military. B.R.A. reported
engines in a bad condition so I asked any soldiers who
could assist in the engine room to volunteer. Six
Royal Artillerymen and Royal Engineers came forward to help
E.R.A. White. Sand was found in the carburettors and
the distributors required resetting. One engine was
ready in just over one and a half hours, so got under way and
proceeded to a destroyer to discharge men aboard.
Next attempted to get alongside pier made of army
lorries by dropping astern on anchor. Only one side of the
pier was approachable, wind setting on shore difficult sea
running, parted all my ropes in efforts to get alongside
then found pier unusable where my boat could approach.
Received and discharged more soldiers, also
received signal that refuelling drifters were on their way
to assist light craft.
B.R.A. reported only enough fuel remaining for ten
Received signal for all ships to be ready to leave at a
received one drum of petrol to carry on for a while.
minutes running, then went alongside destroyer where I
moments notice.
Both engines failed again as I was proceeding in inshore
Dropped about thirty planos involved. Very opened
anchor in shallow water. Large air battle shortly
after ashore. After first shell landed engines.
progress 1700 (time rather uncertain) the enemy in the fire sea
with a gun my crew to get below between the ship
Second off and buret. Able Seaman Todd, Petty
I ordered shell landed in the water alongside my and Able about
three yards Holloway were instantly killed, Chief White Officer
Dawson was hit in the leg, I was hit in the nose, hip
Seaman received cute on the face and neck, B.R.A. and foot.
Blinded Ordered by charts end secret papera and to be the
blood I was unable to see the extent burned of
and asked incurred. Was told she was sinking sure they and
the damage. for a report on the ship's condition slowly
were my two really A.B's dead and he reported there was no they
casualties killed. Told coxswain to make doubt,
had been killed outright.
The hailed Stoker for assistance, B.R.A. White me
burned my papers and charts remained while the by
and coxswain kept me informed as to what was happening.
The into her, the remainder of the crew over then to a motor
coxswain shortly lowered the dinghy and abandoned I was
ship ( )oxswain, and were taken aboard casting the did dinghy not see
assisted E.R.A., Stoker). Pulled adrift,
during launch this period I could not Bee and