TNA ADM 199 795

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2ª
in only his wake 12 feet and all following, I ran aground, and soundings showed & depth 1.
of round the ship, an alarming position, as
navigation where marks were visible to enable mo to fix my position, no or to
determine the deep water channel lay. It was two hours later,
the rising effect tide, that I succeeded in getting afloat, no doubt with 01
disastrous worked back on the propellers. Being now completely bewildered,
and await daylight.
I towards the Nisuport Bank buoy to get a definite departure
Just as dawn was breaking the sounds of an engagement were
heard, and flashes seen in the North-East, and when we reached the
locality, shouts for help were heard from all directions. Stopping to
lower three boats, I was then interrupted by S.O.S. Signals from an
undetermined craft a mile or 80 to starboard. Leaving the boats to
their rescue work, I steamed alongside what proved to be the destroyer
"Grafton", who, in company with H.A.S. Wakeful" had been torpedoed by
enemy motor torpedo boats. One of the latter craft, still in the vicini
departed on my arrival, possibly misled by the appearance of my two-
funneled ship.
With some injury to my port bow and superstructure I was able
to hold position alongside "Grafton" and embark over & thousand
survivors of the troops and ships companies, Unfortunately, many had
been killed and injured, including the Captain of "Grafton" and Military
Officers, when the ship was torpedoed. At this point, H.M.S. "Ivanhoe
came to assist and completed the work of rescue, demolishing the wreck
by gunfire. Recovering my boats, except one which had been damaged when
"Ivanhoe" picked up my 3rd Officer and boats' crow, I proceeded direct
for Dover. Having no Medical Officer and very little equipment, I regret
that the injured could only be given amatour attention, but the best was
done for them. Great credit is due to my Purser, Mr. Walter Messenger,
who, with the help of & single R.A.M.C. orderly whose name, unfortunately
I do not know, worked under unploasant conditions and with limited means
on behalf of the injured men.
At Dover the survivors were landed and the ship re-conditioned.
A Medical Officer and two orderlies were appointed, and & troop of soldiers
with Lewis gun equipment attached to the ship. Charts were obtained, and
the ship sailed for Dunkirk, this time by the "X" route over the Sandettie
Bank.
At Dunkirk more havoc had been wreaked overnight, and the enemy
pressure was more intense. Wrecks littered the fairways and harbour,
but the quay was still available, and after some confused ordering, I
was able to get alongaide and embark at thousand troopa despite the
shelling from tank guns and the diversions of two air raids, in which our
gunners were able to participate. The low level of the water and my
deep draught compelled me to limit the embarkation to at bare full
complement, although I should have liked to take the complete army.
Other ships were, however, available, and ao I returned to Folkestone.