TNA ADM 199 xxx

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GOSPORT,
June 6th 1940.
I have the honour to submit the following report of the
ceedings of H.M.S. "DOLPHIN'S" Power Hoat.
The boat sailed from Gosport at 1915 on Wednesday 29th
with orders to proceed to Ramsgate with all despatch,
aining overnight at Newhaven, or if it should not be possible
reach there before dark, to make Littlehampton. Owing to
ay in sailing and to adverse weather conditions it was only
sible to make the latter port at 2200. The Dutch motor
mch M.73 had arrived about 15 minutes previously.
80 gallons of petrol were embarked from H.M.S. Peregrine
the motor boat proceeded to Ramsgate in company with M.73.
arrival off Dover at 1400, owing to shortage of petrol com-
ed with the uncertainty of navigation by the boat's compass
the prevailing fog, it was decided to enter the harbour to
uel. Considerable delay was necessary at the contraband control
R before entering and also before fuelling at the petrol
y, and it was not before 1900 that orders were received
n the Naval Base that the boat was not to proceed to Ramsgate
was to be held in readiness to proceed to sea at short notice.
Orders were given at 0030 on 31st May for H.M.S. "DOLPHIN'S"
to proceed with a similar boat from H.M.S. "EXCELLENT" to La
18 and Bray Dunes, respectively, the two boats to remain in
any until within a short distance of the French coast.
ts and the route were supplied to each boat and information
obtained that if there was a shortage of petrol on reaching
destination if could be obtained from H.M.S. "HEBE".
Shortly after passing the North Goodwin Light Vessel it
found that more petrol was being consumed than had been
mated, mainly due to yawing caused by a considerable stern
and swell, and "EXCELLENT'S" boat found it necessary to
ce speed to about 8 knots.
Some 8 miles North West of Bray an ememy floating mine was
and an attempt was made to sink it by rifle fire but this
imprecticable owing to the unsteadiness of the boat. The
oximate position of the mine was later reported.
At 1115 the boat arrived off La Panne, and, being short of
ol, closed H.M.S. "HEBE" but was unable to obtain any from
As there were no other ships carrying petrol off La Panne,
as thought desirable to return to Bray in order to have a
onably safe margin of petrol before conveying troops.
rrival at Bray "EXCELLENT'S" boat signalled that she had
ck a submerged object and required assistance. As I had
told by a destroyer that the depth of water in that position
3 feet and had also been told by the Senior Officer at Bray
e extremely careful not to get into shallow water, it was not
idered advisable owing to the state of the sea to risk the los:
second boat. Another shallower draughted boat did, in fact
to assist but ran aground.
20 gallons of petrol were obtained at Bray and the
proceeded back to La Panne. Before reaching there, however,
ships weighed and left under shell fire from shore batteries
the town which was shortly afterwards occupied by the enemy.
msequence the motor boat returned to Bray.