TNA ADM 199 795

84
.0's 1700 & 1723. - VESSELS TAKING PART IN OPERATION DYNAMO.
C.E.in C. DEPARTMENT HOPPER BARGE W.95.
REPORTS OF MASTER AND ENGINEER.
We left Fountain Lake about 1.15 a.m. 30/5/40 and proceeding through the barrage to Nab End Buoy, set course for the Ower's Light vessel passing same about 3.45 a.m.
Conditions being normal, set course for Royal Soverign Light
Ship, during which time visibility became worse, passed Royal
Sovereign Light Ship, soon after noon, set course for Dungeness, and although by this time, we were somewhat troubled with fog, we reached our mark without any incident worth noting, from
Dungeness we had to reduce speed, but managed to keep going and reached Ramsgate about 6 p.m., on the whole being satisfied with our trip. Nothing worth noting came out way at Ramsgate as our services were not utilized, although we were expecting to move at any moment, we remained at anchor until Saturday morning 10 a.m. when we were ordered to return to Portsmouth,
St. Helens Roads, at 10.15 p.m. on Saturday evening, dropping at full speed, from leaving Ramsgate to arriving at Portsmouth, the passage home was practically a perfect one, we were moving anchor for the night, proceeding to harbour on Saturday morning.
(sa.) F.J. Tope,
Master.

101
102
90
6
and bombing the beach, which was terrible to see, boat drowned and kibled. Aircraft was active all the time, upset duri
VESSELS
TAKING
PART
IN
OPERATION
DYNAMO.
all ships with guns and shore batteries never ceased firing,
P.G.O's
1700 TILBURY & 1.723. CONTRACTING & DREDGING CO. LTD.
STEAM
planes were brought down on land and sea and we could see
HOPPER "JAMES 67"
REPORT OF MASTER.
dropping by parachute, one dropped near to us his parachute the open. We never had much time to look round and see what
Re voyage from Portsmouth to Ramsgate and return from we had our work cut out lugging half drowned men out of the was
Ramsgate to Portsmouth - 30th May to June 1st.
safety if luch was with us, which it was in the end. We
300 on board, I put one wounded man in my cabin and the next had
Left Portsmouth in convoy with four other steam hoppers
I went to the cabin there was two in my bunk, clothes and boot
Our long before reaching Beachy Head. My problem could find in to get the speed averaged seven knots, so I lost sight of the was other wet through, and six on the floor, they were in every bunk an in the ship dead beat. It was nine o'clock so I decided we 1
vessels ship to her destination. The only chart I had old get them as it was getting like hell, so we helped to load 800
the was one of Christchurch to the Owers. I back a very to 1922.
the other ships that did not have many on board and at ten 0'1
chart included all the English Channel and was of a very set to ship of my own, which was cancelled and dating small we left for Ramsgate towing two motor boats, and leaving one
It With a parallel rule and pair of dividers I work, that for another ship to use. The journey through Dúnkirk Roads and scale. plotted the courses of as far as the Downs, as I expected dangerous owing to the darkness and sunken ships, as we appros all the distance we could make by dark.
Gravelines the German searchlight was in action, and we expect would get us in the ray at any minute, and shell us but luck the same courses as the others until losing of us, aircraft was over us at all times of the night, so we only
Royal Sovereign thence to Folkestone, expecting mile sight of them, Light Vessel to the south, then to Dungeness to find pass-
I followed then I checked my course to pass half a mile our lights when it was absolutely necessary. During the night lost one motor boat, her towing bollards pulled out. We arri
Ramsgate at 5 a.m. June 1st and got orders to proceed to Marge ing two miles there. off, Altered course to pass Dover one and off, put off our troops, where we had to wait out turn, we eventuall examination and again to the South Goodwin Lt.V. thence to the Down alongside of the pier at 2 p.m. discharged troops, took in foot anchored at 8.35 p.m.
water, and went off to anchor and await orders, all expecting willing to go over again, but we got orders on Tuesday 4th July vessel came alongside, and ordered scaled us to sail for Portsmouth at 4 a.m. on June 5th. While we were lap
The examination there with the other hoppers. My small I made
Margate one of our planes crashed into the sea close to our
Ramsgate and anchor for this part of the journey Ramsgate so chart was not any good I made my way towards far as at pilot baled out by parachute and went drifting over the land.
left Margate leading four more hoppers but could not make the in the specified time so we decided to go into Seaford Roads
Pegwell Bay, got Underweigh Friday morning a reduced speed in a sounding the of three and a half 4.45 and enquiries how to get there. inside channel, but only fathoms got as and night, on our way in we picked up one of the Cowes and Portsmon whilst
Car ferry Steamers out of control, and took her in tow, arrived anchored Ramsgate 10.10 p.m. about six anchoring off the entrance awaiting the other ships went ahead, and by the time we anchored at orders.
so, dark and we did not see them any more. We hove up anchor after to our home They port. did not Everyone on board trip were on the greatly mission disappointed.re we come until 5 p.m. which were to return
June 6th and arrived with our tow at Portsmouth at 4 p.m.
pathetic voyage.
as well as myself not making one for.
(sa.) W.C. Attwaters.
I followed the same route back to Portsmouth.
The following are the times and distance off:
P.T.O.
the beach, which was terrible kibled. Aircraft was active
OS with guns and shore batteriiore bat vere brought down on land and on land and by parachute, one dropie, one dropped near
We never had much timead much time to look our work cut out luggiit out lugging half dr if luch was with us, as with us, which it Vth.
oard, I put one was put one wounded man in to the cabin there cabin there was two in my ough, and six on tand six on the floor, they ship dead beat. ead beat. It was nine 0'

173
H.T. "ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
in reply to your communication of June 5th asking for a narrative of events in connection with the evacuation of Dunkirk,
I have pleasure in replying as follows:-
May 26th. whilst laying in Southampton roads received orders to get ready to proceed at two hours notice.
May 27th at 1320 received orders to proceed to Dover and at
1500 hove up and proceeded on passage. 2340 passed through
Folkestone gateway.
May 28th 0020 received visual signals from Dover to anchor in Downs. 1150 saw first raid carried out on shipping but raider successfully driven off. 1740 received orders to sail at 2030 for
Dunkirk, using prescribed route.
May 29th 0250 arrived off East Jetty Dunkirk and anchored, whole west side of town in flames. 0445 have up and proceeded to
Eastern Jetty. 0455 in berth and commenced embarking troops.
0535 ship filled with troops, each man having been given a lafebelt
I
and received instruction on same. 0540 Clear of harbour. 0858
reported floating mine to patrol vessel.
0925 stopped by examination vessel and ordered to Margate Pier.
10.10 anchored off Pier. 1215 arrived alongside of Pier.
1330 left Margate Pier. 1735 arrived off La Panne and witnessed a heavy dive bombing attack carried out with heavy losses to shipping. 1800, have up anchored and proceeded to assist m.v.
2
"Bullfinch" laden wi th troops and ashore. 1815 "Bullfinch" afloat is and proceeded. 1820 commenced embarking troops from beaches.
May 30th 0410, have up and proceeded lower down beach.
0430 embarking more troops. 0530 vesselfull, and proceeded to
Margate. 1025, arrived off Margate. 1135 alongaide of Margate
Pier disembarking troops. 1300 left Margate. 1735 anchored off
Dunkirk on naval instructions. 1820 anchored and commenced
3
embarking troops.
May 31st. 0130 have up and proceeded. 0315 stopped at
Dyke buoy to pick up four survivors of a French steamer which had been bombed. 0710 arrived alongside Margate Pier. 0830 anchored off Pier. 1805, have up and proceeded towards Dunkirk.

173
H.T. "ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
in reply to your communication of June 5th asking for a narrative of events in connection with the evacuation of Dunkirk,
I have pleasure in replying as follows:-
May 26th. whilst laying in Southampton roads received orders to get ready to proceed at two hours notice.
May 27th at 1320 received orders to proceed to Dover and at
1500 hove up and proceeded on passage. 2340 passed through
Folkestone gateway.
May 28th 0020 received visual signals from Dover to anchor in Downs. 1150 saw first raid carried out on shipping but raider successfully driven off. 1740 received orders to sail at 2030 for
Dunkirk, using prescribed route.
May 29th 0250 arrived off East Jetty Dunkirk and anchored, whole west side of town in flames. 0445 have up and proceeded to
Eastern Jetty. 0455 in berth and commenced embarking troops.
0535 ship filled with troops, each man having been given a lifebelt
I
and received instruction on same. 0540 Clear of harbour. 0858
reported floating mine to patrol vessel.
0925 stopped by examination vessel and ordered to Margate Pier.
10.10 anchored off Pier. 1215 arrived alongside of Pier.
1330 left Margate Pier. 1735 arrived off La Panne and witnessed a heavy dive bombing attack carried out with heavy losses to shipping. 1800, hove up anchored and proceeded to assist n.v.
2
"Bullfinch" laden wi th troops and ashore. 1815 "Bullfinch" afloat
"
and proceeded. 1820 commenced embarking troops from beaches.
May 30th 0410, have up and proceeded lower down beach.
0430 embarking more troops. 0530 vesselfull, and proceeded to
Margate. 1025, arrived off Margate. 1135 alongside of Margate
Pier disembarking troops. 1300 left Margate. 1735 anchored off
Dunkirk on naval instructions. 1820 anchored and commenced
3
embarking troops.
May 31at. 0130 have up and proceeded. 0315 stopped at buoy to pick up four survivors of a French steamer which anchored had
Dyke been bombed. 0710 arrived alongside Margate Pier. 0830
off Pier. 1805, have up and proceeded towards Dunkirk.

(2)
191
171
May 31st Continued.
Spennos
2210 anchored off Pontoon Pier at Dunkirk. 2240 ordered by H.M.
Ship to La Panne, hove up and proceeded. 2315 anchored off La define
Panne.
June 1st. 0220, troops on board, terrific bombarding and shelling of beach taking place so hove up and proceeded. 0615, anchored off Margate roads. 0745, have up and proceeded to Pier.
0830 at anchor under 1 hours notice. 1315, left for Dunkirk.
Devision
1520, attacked and bombed by enemy aircraft, three bombs dropped, avoiding action taken. 1552, attacked and bombed by aircraft three bombs being dropped, again took avoiding action, and by doing so definately saved ship. Now came under heavy fire from enemy position at Gravelines Pier, and as two ships appeared to be blocking channel returned to Margate for instructions. 1730,
90
arrived Margate Roads. 1900 vessel under 1 hour's notice.
June 2nd 0115 received orders to sail. 0140 received orders not to sail.
1800 left anchorage. 2000 passed Hospital ship
Paris, having been bombed and ship's company in lifeboats, but all very cheerful and proceeded to Dunkirk. 2100 Heavy firing from b
shore batteries. 2130 arrived at Dunkirk and commenced embarking
French troops from middle pier in harbour. 2205 cleared harbour with more than complement of troops.
Monday June 3rd. 0155 arrived at Margate Pier and commenced disembarking troops. 0203, anchored off Pier. 1200 returned to
Pier. 1400, four seamen and two catering staff leave ship.
2015 left for Dunkirk. 2055, dense fog, visibility reduced to nil, but continue towards Dunkirk.
Tuesday June 4th. 0115, had slight collision with unknown steamer off No. 3 Dunkirk buoy. 0220 arrived at middle pier in harbour. 0255, overladen with troops and left pier, cutting our
G
own forward ropes. Heavy gun fire continuously; leaving harbour saw crew of unknown vessel being rescued by small boats. 0600, arrived Margate after 1 hours dense fog, and disembarked troops and at 0700 departed to anchorage. 2000 have up and proceeded to
Southampton. 2355 "Royal Sovereign" light vessel abeam.

Dynams 27t
196
"MV. Royal Sovereign" "
6 June 1940 -
179
the Commodore R.N.
Principal Dover. S.T.O
Dear Sir
I have replied to your letter under separate cover, as far as meritorious action
, can only state that from the crew which remained I had the most loyal support, they doing all in their power fulfil their mission.
ill Pilotage was carried out by myself my bhief officer acting as my navigator should like to add that we all feel that we have contributed to a wonderful leat and maintained the traditions of he merchant havy.
2 am your Gbedimit Lervant y. 2. aldes
Master

378
352
6.
55.
I had to send some ships out and delay others goding to the West pier until the entrance was cleared.
56.
The flow of troops down the East pier vas far better, but there were bad pauses. The West pier was always crowled, and as the ships detailed for this were insufficient I led in a Personnel Ship to the Test pier at 0145
and she was followed by ROYAL SOVEREIGN which did not leave till 0300.
berthing 57. party. When the latter left there were about 200 nen on the East
MALCOLM left at 0240 and EXPRESS at 0300 after embarking the pier and these were later embarked by SHIKART who was escorting the blockships.
58. had KELLET available and with her slow speed I did not feel justified in
At the West pier there were still & few hundred non, but I only taking the risk of the late departure that loading her would have involved.
59. transferred her troops, KELLET went aground and got off, and one paddler was
During the night KINGFISHER was holed by at French Trander and ce sent back unfilled.
French 60. Ships more than I have of British Ships. On all days, all however, they
In the foregoing narrative I have made no particular mention of
French any were using the West Quar and I think they did of French could and Destroyers played their part well. Latterly also, large numbers from fishing boats and small steamers took part and embarked nary nen
Dunkirk.
intermittent shall fire on Dunicink the whole East time, Pier but
61. There effectively was directed on the vital points such as the sunk in the it was never the embarkation, although one trueler was been and had no That effect so on little interference occurred must, 1 think, have due
Harbour. to the affective bombing of the batteries during the nights.
three nights at Dunkirk the handling of Transports, ships in
62. During the the most last difficult conditions vas magnificent. of small graft were the harbour under Paddlers, and all descriptions several wrecks
Destroyers, and Minesweepers, out in these confined waters, where and there that were so many non were moving in Little time was lost, the Caytains brought in inconvenient off is due places. to the coolness and supreme seamanship of of these ships.
During these operations the work of largest, all those and engaged what has has been been beyond 63. praise is from the the result smallest of the craft single-minied to the but that purpose did not and matter determination for cases, of all accomplished concerned. Few orders could be given ydok out special but everyone of those did who his came utmost. under I my had own few to bring to your notice the following Officers:-
Captain Berthon - H.M.S. KRITH
the time I was in H.H.S. sunk. NRITH Captain she VELIE Berthon subjected handled to shell and his his ship with fire great and bombing coolness During attack, and jurigment being finally and not all the calls I put upon him ship.
Ideutenant - H.H.S. KRITH.
which finally disabled KEITH this took officer drastic handled the During ship with the complete air attack coolness in a masterly my, /avoiding and ********

469
WEDNESDAY, 29TH MAY, 1940.
0600.
"ROSS".
383.
0900.
"LEDA".
301.
1010.
"PANGBOURNE".
400.
"KELLETT"
472.
1110.
1220.
"ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
1173. * 5 German Prisoners.
1340.
"ALBURY".
161.
1430.
"PATRIA".
200.
"CARIBIA".
300.
1445.
N
200.+ + 2 Female aliens.
1520.
"LEUS".
350.
1640.
"HORST".
1800.
"ROYAL DAFFODIL".
1703.
853.
1820.
"K.G.V."
500.
2100.
"LEDA".
1
6996.
Total.

470
49,
Margate
THURSDAY, 30TH MAY, 1940.
0530.
"GOLDEN EAGLE".
500.
0620.
"ROYAL EAGLE".
808.
0700.
"ALBURY".
445.
0915.
"LYDD".
200.
1020.
"KELLETT".
550.
1130.
"ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
1200.
"ROSS".
300.
1320.
"PATRIA".
1200.
1350.
"PRINC.KLIZABETH".
460.
1430.
355.
1565.
"AEGIS".
1640.
"MEDWAY QUEEN".
450.
500.
1750.
"ORANGE".
537.
1800.
"LEDA".
203.
1820.
"DELEA".
"DOGGERS BANK".
308.
2100.
8016.
Total.

471
FRIDAY, 31ST MAY, 1940.
0005.
"HORST".
800.
0535.
"LEDA".
380.
502
"ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
1100.
+
3 Refugees.
0705.
0835.
"HOPPER.V24".
400.
0915.
"K.G.V.".
500.
1015.
"WOLVES".
50.
"ADVENTURESS".
85.
1100.
"STELLA DURADO".
22.
1320.
"PRINC. ELIZABETH".
374.
1320.
"KING FISHER".
91.
1445..
17.
1450.
"LIFEBOAT".
"SCOTTISH OP".
525.
1450.
1655.
"DUNDALL".
450.
1700.
"ALBURY".
130.
450.
"LYDD".
1730.
350.
"AEGIR".
1815.
350.
"TWENTE".
1845.
300.
"ANTJE".
1850.
"DOGGERS BANK".
400.
1855.
"BRIGHTON QUEEN".
160.
1900.
"PLINLIMMON".
900.
2100.
1
7834.
Total.

472 496
Margote
SATURDAY, 1ST JUNE, 1940.
0005.
"QUEEN OF THANET".
850.
0130.
"KINGFISHER".
157.
0400.
"ORANJE".
100.
0500.
"GOLDEN EAGLE".
1250.
0415.
"MOTOR BOAT".
23.
0510.
"SALTASH".
400.
"WESTWARD HO".
720.
0600.
"ROYAL EAGLE".
1250.
0610.
"ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
47.
0630.
0830.
"LADY SOUTHBORO".
350.
0950.
"PRINCESS ELIZABETH".
510.
0950.
"GALLEONS REACH"
123.
.
1 Alien Postal worker French.
1045.
"QUEENS CHANNEL".
52.
"WHIPPINGHAM".
2500.
1145.
280.
1215.
"DUNDALK".
200.
1345.
"FORENOST".
1420.
"ORTEL".
470. * 1 Pathe Man. Gazette
130.
1650.
"AEGIR".
108.
1450.
"VINCIA".
210. + 2 Belgian Airman,
1600.
"KINGFISHER".
supposed to have escaped from Germans.
1650.
"QUEEN OF THANST".
1500.
700.
1740.
"K.G.V."
58.
"HALCYON".
1740.
350.
"SALTASH".
1830.
918. + 1 Alien under arrest
"WESTWARD HO".
2030.
150.
2100.
"ANTJE".
25.
"RAPID I".
2100.
580.
"HOPPER 24".
2215.
-
14011.
TOTAL.

- 474g
MONDAY, 3RD JUNE, 1940.
0100.
"ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
1500.
+
3 Alien Refugees.
0400.
"K.G.V."
1460.
0650.
"WESTWARD HO".
48.
0745.
"ORIEL".
750.
-
Total.
3758.

475
499
TUESDAY, 4TH JUNE, 1940.
0600.
"ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
1350.
0720.
"GUILLEMOT.
460.
0830.
"KELLETT"
30.
+
3 French Women.
0840.
"ALBRY".
400.
+
1 French Woman.
0840.
L2. (Trawler).
85.
AD389. (Trawler) TAD385
60.
+
4 Belgian Refugees.
0845.
"LEDA".
500.
1035.
65.
+
3 Women, 1 French
1132.
"K.G.V."
Boy.
1310.
"ORIEL".
50.
1425.
"QUEEN OF THANET".
150.
3150

Margate
Total.
ANDOWN".
201.
;RACIE FIELDS".
281.
)SS".
683.
383. 300.
LEDA".
2218.
301. 500. 537. 380. 500.
PANGBOURNE".
400.
KELLETT".
1052.
472. 550. 30.
ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
6370.
1173. 1200. 1100. 47. 1500. 135
ALBURY".
1136.
161. 445. 130. 400.
PATRIA".
1400.
200. 1200.
CARIBIA".
300.
DEUS".
200.
HORST".
1150.
350. 800.
ROYAL DAFFODIL".
3203.
1703. 1500.
K.G.V."
3578.
853. 500. 700. 1460. 65.
'GOLDEN EAGLE".
1750.
500. 1250.
'ROYAL EAGLE".
2058.
808. 1250.
850.
200. 450. 200.
"LYDD".
PRINC. ELIZABETH".
1344.
460. 374. 510.
835.
355. 350. 130.
"AEGIS".
"MEDWAY QUEEN".
450.
"ORANJE".
600.
500. 100.
"DELLA".
203.
"DOGGERS BANK".
708.
308. 400.
980.
400. 580.
"HOPPER V24".
"WOLVES".
50.
"ADVENTURESS".
85.
"STELLA DURADO".
22.
"KING FISHER".
458.
91. 157. 210.
"LIFEBOAT".
17.
"SCOTTISH OP".
525.
33107.
TOTAL.