TNA ADM 199 795

CONFIDENTIAL.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Work of Personnel Vessels.
PERSONNEL VESSELS.
Twenty-nine personnel vessels were used during operation "Dynamo"; a list is given in the enclosure.
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Of these, seven were sunk, five so damaged by bombing a:
or gunfire as to render them unfit for further use during the operation, and two were damaged in collision.
er
Of these ships the following, namely MONA'S QUEEN, nd
BIARRITZ, CANTERBURY, QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL, MAID OF ORLEANS, le
AUTO CARRIER and ARCHANGEL; ST. HELIER and KING GEORGE V, had been engaged prior to Dynamo, in operations at Dunkirk,
Boulogne and Calais, and had completed the following trips:
MONA'S QUEEN 3 QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL 1 ARCHANGEL
1
BIARRITZ
2
MAID OF ORLEANS
3 ST.HELIER
2
CANTERBURY
3 AUTO CARRIER
2 KING GEORGE V.1
a
2. There was no doubt that the Captains and crews of these ships were feeling the strain when operation Dynamo started. After completing two round trips to Dunkirk harbour in operation Dynamo the Master of the CANTERBURY stated on the
28th that he would not take his ship to sea for a third trip.
The P.S.T.O. went on board and explained the gravity of the situation and ordered him to sail at 2230, out discovered some of the crew had been given leave. The P.S.T.O. therefore put os, an officer and some set nen and stokers on board to augment and stiffen the crew. The ship sailed at 0930/29, but was bombed and damaged on her return voyage from Dunkirk, and after landing troops did not take any further part in the operation.
3. After completing one round trip the Captain of the
St. SEIRIOL refused to sail, and accordingly one officer, an armed guard and 7 stokers were put on board at 1000 on the 29th.
The Captain was placed under open arrest and the ship sailed at
1100. On her return voyage the ship was bombed and damaged and did not sail again.
should 4. have completed 6 voyages. When due to commence her
The TYNWALD transported 7534 troops in 5 voyages; she fourth voyage at 1945/1, she refused to sail and did not sail again until 1945/2.
On a written enquiry from the S.T.O., Folkestone, on the 2nd June, whether or not the ship would sail for Dunkirk if required, the Master, W. Qualbrough, replied by letter as follows:
"Dear Sir,
Your letter received. I had a signal from the master of the MALINES last night to say him and the master of the BEN MY CHREE had considered it hopeless to proceed to Dunkirk. Our crews have been continually on their feet all the week and especially the deck officers who have had to be on their feet for so long. I myself have had 4 hours rest for the week and am at present physically unfit for another necessary to jo I will abide with the masters of the trip like what we have had. If it is absolutely other ships decision.
P.S. absolutely There nervous wrecks and certiffed by the naval is two more of the crew going ashore now doctor.
In/

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SOUTHERN RAILWAY
(1561)
Temporary repairs carried out.
29th May.
MARINE DEPARTMENT.
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30th May 07.15 Southampton Cleared Granville Dock, and proceeded to
19
S.S. BIARRITZ
Dock, Southampton 19.40.
to complete repairs, docked Inner
Date
Report on:
Conduct of Personnel while under fire off Gravelin
1-4 June Under repair at Southampton.
Monday, May 27th, 1940.
While passing Gravelines en route to Dunkir we engaged the attention of enemy artillery on shore.
The first shell entered the forward boiler room, pierci
N.B. This vessel with the "Maid of Orleans" was under first a large diameter oil fuel vapour and overflow pir heavy enemy shell fire when off Boulogne on 23rd
May, but sustained no damage.
and then the auxilliary steam pipe to forward. The no passed through the further side of the hull on the wate line while various minor damage was done by fragments, mttbaker entering the starboard wing fuel tank and another passi master through the left thigh of Fireman A. Phillips severing main artery, and causing great loss of blood.
Steam at full boiler pressure was entering boiler room in great quantities. Further shells were hitting the region of the first hit and danger of sever scalding and of an outbreak of fire were the conditions under which Fireman Phillips then found himself. Notw standing, he made efforts to close the oil fuel supply
That he 19
of the two forward boilers.
unable the furnaces to do so will occasion no surprise. As It was sufficient strength to climb two flights or lad retained out of the boiler room where he was met by myself and he reported that he had been unable to shut off the fires.
then collapsed.
Fireman A. Phillips died on the night of May result of his wound. In this connection it as a direct that 4th Engineer Terry, who was in charge o be forward stated boiler had left the room in pursuance of his dut only a minute or two previous to the event.
Meanwhile in the after boiler room Mr. Crook charge, on hearing the explosion of the shells and th subsequent in escape of steam, sent Signature his two firemen on deok