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.
(i
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/

-2-
Depramo 273.
117
Dynam-
21.
B14/0/16
Sea Transport Officer,
1099/2
2
to ascertain the happenings and to assist if required. He closs
Lord Warden Hotel,
Dover,
101
21
the supply of fuel to the forward boilers and then began to encolly
4th.June 1940.
very great difficulty in maintaining steam pressure and water lity in boilers.
The Vice Admiral,
Due to the necessity of keeping way on the ship
Dover.
out of range and to avoid stopping in the mine field into which ship had to be turned, it was imperative to keep fires under the mo
Submitted:
after boilers in spite of the fact that at times the water could
On the afternoon of the 28th. May I was informed his seen in the gauge glasses.
It was impossible for a time
T"Canterbury's Master was not prepared to take would ship that H. to sea and that probably a number of the crew locate the damage in the forward boiler room.
also refuse to sail.
Mr. Crockart also attempted to enter the compartment,
I repeated, in spite of my having explained to take went aboard H.T. "Canterbury" and interviewed
10
through the water-tight door, but escaping steam made this 1mpossib the Master who the situation, that he was unable that he
It was also the cause of others being unable to ente the gravity as he of was worn out. He also either. informed me
120
could the ship not vouch for the crew sailing by the main deck entrance.
orders given to him to raise steam that and the
Fireman Phillips showed a high level of courage and
I to had sea at 2230/28 I then discovered consequence devotion to duty.
to proceed had leave to the crew and in aboard and
Mr. J. Crockart, Third Engineer, also showed great
Master some he reported were missing. given that he I considered sent Commander the Chief Church Officer was in an unfit state to go to sea.
courage and determination under trying circumstances.
Officer was sent aboard and staff reported on her that he was unfit. I Chief Officer and put some with an
A medical placed an officer from my seamen board and stokers to replace to augment the the crew. The ship was mttBaku armed guard on board and duly sailed.
master
VICE ADMIRAL
JUN 1940
FRINCIPAL SEA TRANSFORT OFFICER,DOVER.
Commodore ed
DOVER
490+
personnel behaved splendidive as NO GOUTO throughout, ship numbering as quickly carrying by and the crew their and duties R.A.M.C. and although doing their the ship utmost was in shaken to the water. every few Leaving minutes found the quay the n as possible, falling on the quay and and just outside we had a.m. of we bombs proceeded swimming and out shouting of the harbour for standing help, presumably by picking a these transport Dover. men up, n of sunk. men As two carefully destroyers through were them and stop proceeded and try to towards save any overhead, of these It ded ve been our way fatal for us to attempt target for to the aircraft hovering paintwork up. before we made such & wonderful showing way all across, our white except that straight just ng flames the the comparatively quist.ded THE us the off as we were heading received orders for ly 0 laid off Dover at 7-0 a.m. we

Deprements 273.
117
Southern Railway
102
Reference
DESABLED
ROYAL MAIL SERVICE,
My
TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS:
"FOREMOST, DOVER.
Your
TELEPHONE No.
DOVER 000.
H.M.T. "CANTERBURY",
EXTN.
c/o G.P.O.,
Slower
London.
7th June, 1940.
Commodore Dukes-Hughes, R.N.,
Principal Sea Transport Officer,
Lord Warden Hotel,
Dover.
Dear Sir, narrative of In events covering the period 26th May to 4th June in reply to your request of the 5th instant, re a which the above the ship 26th was May employed; we left Dover for Dunkirk at 17.58,
24/5
passing on by a German shore battery, the shots and after short.
Calais On through the Dunkirk channel. When off No. falling 6 buoy,
We arrived at troops, left again at 00.20 on the 27th, the arriving same day we were fired the Gare Maritime, Dunkirk, at 20.30
27/6
embarking 1,340 at 03.09. Orders were received through at No. 4 berth Dover this vessel left Dover at 14.38, passing Arriving at the the
Maritime, we Maritime at 20.58, we returned by and stood by for
Downs, across embarked to 457 personnel & wounded, including the same route, to return, and Zuidcote pass thence into Dunkirk. 140 stretcher arriving alongside day short notice. Vessel Pier at 14.00, cases. Leaving the Dover at 02.25 on the 28th May, again left for 29/5 28/5
the remainder of the the 29th, on arriving at the East vessel was when 1950 troops were aircraft, embarkation being delayed. from the time left she
Dunkirk at 09.30 on embarked. During this operation, Vessel bombed by hostile & was bombed continually, salvo of bombs left until she passed Port Quarter that damage crew's was galley and to at 16.50 on her return Neuport Bank buoy, the last sustained bursting 80 close delivery to the lines, coupling bolts, funnel guys steam pipes, oil peak bulkhead strained & buckled, has since been lavatories, carried away after & the gun put A seaman out of member action of (this the the gun's same crew evening was wounded at replaced by a new gun). Vessel arrived at Dover the Granville
21.46. Vessel was taken May, remaining there until had been the effected. of during these attacks. off the service & entered morning
Dock, the 3rd Dover June, on by the which 31st time temporary repairs

Dynam 26%
148
132
Transport A@
H.M.T.Maid of Orleans he P.S.T.O.
SOUTHAMPTON
OVER
June 6th 40
Narrative of events-Period 26th May-4th June 40
Sir On to 26th leaving 6,000 (2gall) cans of water were put aboard of maps use etc.
May, this vessel received orders to proceed to Dunkirk. for
Prior at that port, together with other stores, cases of A.S.C.
A. of detachment troops of troops, 250 in number, consisting of details
Signals etc.were at II00 also and embarked. proceeded to Dunkirk, taking the short falling sea route.
Came Left Dover under fire from a battery near Calais. Shells although close, registered Arrived off no Dunkirk, hits on but this did vessel. not enter port, but returned to Dover, arriving off that port during return the afternoon. to Dunkirk, this time with an escort and at arrived the
Received about 5.30 orders pm.Entered to Dunkirk and berthed alongside Monas Queen
Gare Maritime. was already loaded with troops and thus this allowing vessel could this
The latter vessel until the Mona's Queen had pulled water out, and stores.
not ship dischage to go alongside interference the quay from to aircraft, land the probably due to oil the reservoirs fact that a
There thick was pall no of smoke covered the ship from the burning nearby. collaborated in discharging the water. This This work was proceeded done by until All forming hands an a order then chain from from the the quay Well was deck given to the to gangway. stop.The water supply being
Troops considered were sufficient. then was embarked experienced and the on ship leaving left damaged. owing about to 3.0am. the low state of water Some difficulty and the port propeller plane which was slightly dropped two bombs, carried but did on not this succeed trip
Were attacked by enemy The total number of troops and discharged.
were 988, including 8 (May 27th) this vessel returned the Dunkirk (Conveyed in touching this vessel. civilians Arrived at Dover at 0600 to Dunkirk, but, on
The same afternoon received orders from anchored in Harbour. by arrival S.S. Canterbury at the )not Roads to enter, go 0437 returned this ship to Dover returned and to Dunkirk and berth-
On the morning of 29th Mole,a May.at far in as possible.Shirted untenable. ship three times as Vessel ed alongside tide was ebbed alongside the making East about inner berths five hours, at an pier area during where which a submarine time the hunt pier was was in shelled. On leaving, passed through to bombing attacks.Arrived included number at Dover of and disprogress. charged the Vessel I372 subjected troops carried and which the a long route stretcher cases. Left again for Dunkirk at the usable being and arriving at the East Mole heavy damage from the cases)! one shell The at latter fire the extreme and were made and as of the troops was as possible exemplary. but in the Restaurant 42 stretcher
Subjected this vessel, as which usual returned to attacks to Dover 0030 on on the the Tat morning inst.arriving 31st. just before touch and Saloons. The disciplina from bombing planes of May which did not
Proceeded daybreak berthing again to at Dunkirk the end at borth TIME adjusts IND. Sast Mole.Low alongside water this and wroks ship making berthing more difficult QUESTE can usevel at and loaded over DDD RESE shing duag
This ship then wasse when By this the time ship it SEAL THE ÉELIC Dan carwas neibs serve Dewoite aDover, at which port we GREE backed CORIA inconce 2010 48 minutse Nasse and While this leaving vessel LIMIT Via séuides to -
On the evening of VISA MENT anênial was SQRATED the Wilnes

416
390
APPENDIX 11. TO LETTER OF 6TH JUNE 1940, FROM THE OFFICER
IN CHARGE NO.3.PARTY: R.N.BARRACKS CHATHAM to VICE
ADMIRAL: dover.
Armed Guards had to be placed on the following ships at various times during the operation.
S.S. "St. Helier"
S.S. "Manxman"
S.S. "Seiriol"
S.S. "Ben-my-Chree"
S.S. "Tynewald"
S.S. "Malines"
2.
A guard was sent to the Dutch boat *Ngaroma*
but she sailed on their arrival.
Parties to supplement ships' crews were also lent 3. to the following ships, besides those mentioned above.
S.S. "Canterbury"
S.S. "Lady of Mann*
S.S. *Princess Maud"
h.s. "St.Julien"
and various Drifters and Motor-boats.

54
520
al Sick Quarters at Ramsgate 4 SION HILL
June 7th 19 40
Contd 4
hospitals viz Tunbridge Wells Preston Hall Maid stone Dartford Canterbury and Farnborough. Many
Officers and men and civillians who had been engaged in transporting the force were seen by the Medical
Officers for effects of nervouststrain and loss of sleep -
At the peak period of the evacuation approximately
I70 wounded were dealt with in 24 hours.
About I2 wounded enemy soldiers and airmen were seen and dressed on the oier.
As far as I am aware no undue delay was experienced in dealing with the wounded and in transporting them to hospital.
Your obedient servant
Bittlaner.
Surz Lieut REVE' 3
1ed

ENCLOSURE NO.2. to LETTER DATED 27th JUNE, 1940 FROM
560
THE PRINCIPAL SEA TRANSPORT OFFICER SOUTHAMPTON
536
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER RALPH WILLIAM SOPER,R.N.R
On 29th May, 1940 the Chief Officer of H.T.
"CANTERBURY" had to be removed owing to nervous exhaustion due to enemy action.
As it was important to get the ship to sea and there was no relief available, I called for volunteers from my own staff.
Lieut-Commander Soper offered to go, and took over the duties of Chief Officer for the trip.
He carried out these duties satisfactorily, and was instrumental in assisting in the rescue of a number of troops under fire.
Southampton
27th June,1940
PRINCIPAL COMMODORE, SEA TRANSPORT OFFICER.