TNA ADM 199 795

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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 twofunneled 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.

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From:- Lt. D. Van Gessel, R.N.V.R.
Date:- 5th June, 1940.
To:- Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
1st June. Was told to go to assistance of "Ivanhoe" and
"Queen of Thanet". We contacted with tug
"Java" who had survivors on board from the
"Queen of Thanet". We set out and found
"Ivanhoe" seriously bombed. The captain asked us to get medical help, etc. etc., which we
We did. helped with more serious wounded, but they were in such & condition that removal seemed unwise. In consultation with Captain of
"Ivanhoe" we decided to take off the survivors
(mostly soldiers) and took them ashore.
On next journey we took into Margate an N.T.B.
with one survivor out of 8. The boat was badly damaged, but was docked alongside Pier.
On these journeys was accompanied by Lt. Dancy.
31st May.
Was out in tug "Doria" trying to find lifeboats
Deal an M.T.B. bound for Convoy duties caught reported floating near the Goodwins, when off fire. After helping crew we took S.O.7 into
Dover submarine basin. Commander of S.O.7
is reporting matter.
N.B. Survivors of "Ivanhoe" were landed at more could be done and she proceeded in tow
Margate. We only left "Ivanhoe" when nothing to Chatham.
Queen Rand

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burst close to us and threw us off our feet. Henderson was wounded in the neck and the back and after dressing him, sent him onboard a destroyer for passage to England.
I should like to pay my tribute to Commander Henderson who proved himself a loyal and gallant Officer, and who was quite unmoved however black things night look. His cheerfulness and sangfroid was an example to everyone. Coupled with his name I
should like to mention Paymaster Lieutenent Brockett.
A signal was sent to V. Dover informing him that lights would be exhibited on the Piers at Dunkirk in order that ships might make the entrance at night.
Despite this only one ship enetered Dunkirk during the dark hours and that was the destroyer "IVANHOB".
Saturday 1st June.
Ships continued to arrive and embarkation proceeded satisfactorily.
More air attacks were experienced and our losses mounted up. KRITH and IVANHOE were bombed and MOSQUITO on her way to entering the port WAS bombed and sunk. The enemy carried out very severe bombing attacks on vessels which were loaded with troops and which were on their way home.
It was therefore decided not to continue the daylight ear barkation but to carry on the evacuation at night only.
At 2130 I proceeded to the mouth of the harbour in & motor by & Dutch Naval Officer with a Dutch naval crew boat and led commanded ships into harbour and allocated to then their berths, any
2300 all the night had grown pitch dark, and sometimes once as
By were endtering the port of Dunkirk at as 6 or 7 craft leaving at the same time. All were without whilst others were can be too high for the seamenship displar- alonglights, and no praise Sloops, Transports and other craft coming collision.
side ed by Destro ers, the Mole. I did not witness & single Embarkation and leaving French troops had collected at the were sent
Pier A large in the number Western of Harbour and the requisire vessels thither her propellers The Dutch Motor and her speed was reduced to 6 knots. sccordingly to embark them. Boat collected a long length of net I round