TNA ADM 199 xxx

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Rescue Tug "LADY BRASSEY".
May 30th and 31st 1940.
Dunkirk and Transport "PRAGUB".
Sir,
I Frederick John Hopgood was the Master-in-Charge of
the tug "LADY BRASSEY" on Thursday 30th and Friday 31st May 1940
when I received instructions about 9.50 B.M. from the Salvage
Officer to be prepared to leave when he arrived on board. The
Salvage Officer Lt. Robinson arrived on board about 10.30.a.m.
with the route: for Dunkirk and to assist the H.M.S. "BIDEFORD",
also the tug "FORSMOST 87 was to follow, and to instruct
the salvage craft "FORDE", also to follow us.
We left Dover at 11 and passing through the Western
Entrance, and waited outside until the "FOREMOST" 87 appeared.
The Salvage Officer told the Master to follow us. We then
proceeded on course about 11.15 Balle The weather at this time
being hany, visibility about one mile, We proceeded through
Downs but failed to see the "FORDE" and continued on our course.
When nearing V. Buoy the weather became a dense fog that we
lost sight of the tug "FOREMOST", so we reduced speed, sounding
the tugs whistle until the OREMOST" was close to US. The
fog lifted and became patchy and we proceeded on at full speed
on course for 17. Buoy. e then set course to No. 5 and 6 buoy
Dunkirk Roads
Thilst on this course several German planes were
overhead and the machine gun was fired by Lt. Robinson. We
arrived off Dunkirk pierhead about 6.30 palls when a message
was sent in to the signal station informing them to had been
sent over to assist the "BIDEFORD". le then received a
message to come inside and berth alongside the east pier
Dunkirk. We arrived alongside the pier about 6.50 Dalla
Lt. Robinson went on shore for orders. e then received
orders to load up with troops and return, but this order was
cancelled, and orders given for the tug to remain, by the
Staff Officer, who naked for three lifebelts to put in his
motor boat that was standing by for them. This was done,
he also said that he would not put troops on board but we
were to remain alongside of the quay until further orders.
I then informed him that I did not think we could remain very
long in this berth on account of the depth of water. He
advised me to shift further out towards the end of the pier
about 9 Dalla We shifted berth about 9 Della to the outer end
of the pier. I then found with the swell that the tugs
starboard bilge keel was striking the coping stone before
the rubbing band took a bearing on the pier. I sent one of
my men along the pier to report to him it was not safe for the
tug to remain alongside and kept the tug underway close to
the pier.
About 9.30 Dalla we received orders for both tugs to
tow the Transport "PRAGUS" off the East Pier at 10.30 Dalla
The "PRAGUS" was lying head into the harbour and drawing
about 17 ft. of water and at that time there would be about
18 ft. of water, also a wreck of a trawler astern, but this
trawler had a anchor light burning, for a guide to keep clear
of her.
About 10.30 Dalla we got fast to the stern of the
"PRAGUE" and the "FOREMOST" on her bow. About 10.35 p.m.
the "BRASSEY's" wire was not made fast secure on the "PRAGUE"
and it elipped off. We got our rope on board and again made
fast to the stern of the "PRAGUE". It was now very dark; we
succeeded in towing the "PRAGUE" clear of the Trawler wreck
and out between the pierheads and swinging her clear of the
wreck/