TNA ADM 199 xxx

183
whose name I have forgotten to proceed alongside ahead of these
180
trawlers.
4. At about 15.00 the first deliberate attack on GRENADE
commenced; two bombs fell about 20 - 25 yards from the Starboard
Bow, killing one and wounding one rating on the Forecastle, damaging A-gun and wounding one rating an the Searchlight Platform.
Some ratings in the trawlers ahead of GRENADE and one in the
CRESTED EAGLE on the other side of the pier were killed. I watched these bombs fall until they were about 50 feet from the water and there is no doubt that they were released simultaneously, as was, I
think, the case of the bombs which hit GRENADE at 18.00.
5. At about 17.50 12 ememy aircraft circled over the end of the pier and the second deliberate attack on GRENADE commenced. Two planes commenced a dive bombing attack and a number of bombs were dropped. I have found it difficult to discover exactly where
GRENADE was hit, but I am of the opinion that two bombs were dropped simultaneously as in the earlier raid, No.1 falling close to the
Starboard Side between A & B guns, making a hole in the side, causing a fire at the after end of the Fore Mess Deck and sinking a trawler
Just ahead of GRENADE; No.2 hitting the ship near the Sick Bay, penetrating nearly to the bottom of the ship before exploding.
About four minutes later a third bomb was dropped which hit
X gun shield, bounced into the water where it exploded between
GRENADE'S Port Side and the pier, damaging both. Details of the damage done by these bombs are given in an appendix.
6.
Experiences of and action taken by Bridge personnel.
As soon as I heard the attack commencing I gave orders for fire to be opened and for those not engaged to take cover. I did not actually see the bombs falling, but I realised from their noise that they were getting very close. When they hit all the Bridge personnel were lying down. The force of the explosion blew everyone
3 - 4 feet into the air; I personally noticed that I was level with the top of the screen at the back of the bridge before I commenced

182
to tow us clear but this was rendered impossible as the fire by the bridge prevented anyone getting forrard to let go the bow wires.
I ordered the trawler to take me to the pier where I met Commander
Clouston. I arranged with him for a Belgian tug, which was in the vicinity, to push GRENADE clear of the channel and for depth charges to be placed near the Asdic Dome and my cabin, should it be
X
found necessary when the fire had died out. I then proceeded on board the CRESTED EAGLE.
7. The following report of what happened at the after end of the ship is compiled from reports of Mr Clare, Gunner T, and Mr Crews,
Schoolmaster. When the raid started they were standing near the after door of the after lobby and the former gave orders for all those not manning the guns to take cover. When the bombs hit
GRENADE forrard there was a large concussion and vibration aft, all the lights went out and clouds of dense smoke and steam appeared forrard of the Bridge, giving the impression that the fuel was burning furiously. All compartments except the magazine and shell rooms were then closed down.
There was then a lull in the bombing and several ratings ran aft from the Canteen Flat; a number of these ratings were ournt and injured and were all covered with oil fuel. In two cases the fuel on their clothes was alight. These latter were guided to the door of the after lobby where they were stripped of their clothes and attended by Leading Stoker Stables.
A certain number of ratings had jumped over the side but on being ordered to return, they did so. Mr Clare then ordered the ready-use lockers to be closed. On hearing the order from the Bridge to take cover he got as many men as possible into the after lobby, telling those remaining on the Quarter Deck to lie down. Then came the bomb which hit X gun and burst in the water al ngside the ship.
The concussion was very severe; it parted all the stern wires and gave the impression that the stern was under water. Many of the ratings on the Quarter Deck, especially those who had been injured, were eiker blown or washed over the side.
th Clare then gave orders for all magazines and shell rooms'

7-186
hatches to be closed. It was then reported to him that the ship
183
was on fire in the vicinity of the Ward Room and he ordered the magazine to be flooded. This was eventually done in his presence by
Leading Stoker Stables. He then heard the order to abandon ship.
He superintended getting out Carley floats and then went forrard to try and blow up the Asdic Dome. He could not get past the fire in
G.
the Canteen Flat. By this time FRENADE had drifted alongside the
POLLY JOHNSON and he transferred to her.
8. Before the order to abandon ship was given the signal books from the Bridge were transferred in a bag to the trawler FIDHEA,
Lieutenant Ward, R.N.V.R. The books from the wireless office were not removed but were doubtless burnt in the fire which raged all round the Bridge structure. Lieutenant Horne placed two rockets in the chart house and fired two Verry's lights into it to destroy the charts. He also tried to get down by way of the ladder outside the
Sick Bay to blow up the Dome, but was prevented by the fire. The current Challenges and Replies were in a safe in the wheel house;
this safe could not be opened owing to damage but the fire was so intense that it is considered that they were destroyed. As stated before, arrangements were made with Commander Clouston to destroy the Dome and Confidential Books should it be necessary. All other signal books had been landed previously in accordance with your instructions. The loss of signal books and failure to destroy the
Dome was reported by Lieutenant Horne on arrival at Dover.
9. I consider that the behaviour of all officers and men under my command in GRENADE was admirable; the Engine Room Department stood to their posts until the last minute and those men who were in the water immediately returned to the ship when ordered to. I observed that it was GRENADE'S men who manned some of the foremost pom-poms of the CRESTED EAGLE after she had been hit.
Especially I should like to mention Mr Clare and Leading Stoker
Stables. T consider that the former acted with great coolness and caurage taking complete control of the after end of the ship, giving the order to close and flood the magazine at the correct moment, thus

(Lt. Cdr. B.R.Booth's report of 31st May CENTRA
LOSS OF "CRESTED EAGLE" DURING OPERATIONS AT DUNKIRK.
34.6
342
II.
No. 3019/187.P/40.
REGISTRY
SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY.
(Copy to:- Commodore-in-Charge, Sheerness):
Flag Officer Commanding, Dover.)
Forwarded for the information of Their Lordships.
of the 2. ratings Enquiries brought to notice for their good service these are being made to obtain the full and names will be reported Commanding later. Officer, Lieutenant Commander
Bernard Ralph The Booth, appears to have behaved Drax. with great credit
213
GILLINGHAM (5187. 18757.
ROYAL NAVAL BARRACKS.
CHATHAM.
IRAL.
344
TEL:
ded I posted him as mlayer x Capt of the yum at
6181
2 Pom Pom. This you he
1940
at in action for 20 minns after hombing of the ressel.
Four German Prisoners on and were of great assistance rescuing wounded from the maged compartements, these in were handed over to french N.CO. an reaching share.
Eng consult Lient. Luraball RNR.
were am Sir reach was Serond absedient
Enet.
are
L.R.N.R.
a a y u for a imention They

LOSS OF "CRESTED EAGLE" DURING OPEPATIONS AT DUNKIRK.
(Lt. Cdr. B.R. Booth's report of 31st May ICENTRA
346
342
II.
No. 3019/187.P/40.
REGISTRY
SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY.
(Copy to:- Commodore-in-Charge, Sheerness).
Flag Officer Commanding, Dover.)
Forwarded for the information of Their Lordships.
of the 2. ratings brought to notice for their good service and these
Enquiries are being made to obtain the full names will be reported later.
Bernard Ralph Booth, appears to have behaved with great credit
The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander and to be deserving of recognition.
The Nore,
ADMIRAL.
5th June, 1940.
N.L.
6181
1940
34211
TEL:QILLINGHAM TEL: 15157 18757.
ROYAL NAVAL BARRACKS,
CHATHAM.
31.5.40
is is
9 have the honou to post on the conduct of
Telbury a.B. ow his coolness born in evacuating and courage during intensias
Toops while the ship we blaze.
9 am Sir you serond
L.R.N.R.
in for a immition They

LOSS OF "CRESTED EAGLE" DURING OPERATIONS VP DUNKIRK.
(Lt. Cdr. B.R. Booth's report of 31st May ICENTRA
346
342
II.
No. 3019/187.P/40.
REGISTRY
SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY.
(Copy to:- Commodore-in-Charge, Sheerness).
Flag Officer Commanding, Dover.)
Forwarded for the information of Their Lordships.
of the 2. ratings brought to notice for their good service and these
Enquiries are being made to obtain the full names will be reported later.
The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander
Bernard Ralph Booth, appears to have behaved with great credit and to be deserving of recognition.
M
The Nore,
ADMIRAL.
5th June, 1940.
N.L.
6181
1940

343
COMMODORE'S OFFICE.
ROYAL NAVAL BARRACKS.
CHATHAM.
31st May, 1940.
Sir, of
H.M.S.
I have the honour to make the following report on the loss
"CRESTED EAGLE", under my command, on 29th May, 1940.
The times are approximate only.
1000: Ordered to proceed in company with "Royal Eagle" to
Coast east of Dunkirk to embark troops. "Royal Eagle" had on board S.O.T.D.F., Commander Cordeaux, R.N.
1330: Approaching coast I received signal from S.O.T.D.F., to proceed Dunkirk as it appared to him that there were only Belgian and French troops on the beach at that time.
1430
:
Made fast on eastern side of Dunkirk Jetty, outer berth but one, which was occupied by troopship "Finella".
On the opposite side was "Grenade" and several trawlers.
1500: First raid after arrival commenced in which some trawlers were damaged.
1530 onwards Bombing raids on the harbour and ships in the vicinity almost continuous now, "Grenade" was hit, and more trawlers damaged. Attack was so intense that my attention was given to what was happening in the immediate vicinity.
Troops were trickling along between raids and boarding s/s "Finella".
I was in touch with Commander Clouston, R.N.K., who was in charge on the Jetty.
"Crested Eagle" After and W/T messages were passed by this ship to Dover, VA.
"Grenade" was damaged her survivors came on board
1700: "Finella" was about to sail when a bomb dropped down her
Eagle". funnel putting Commenced her out to embark of action. troops from "Finella" to "Crested
1700
embarked:. and Troops I was and ordered to proceed by Commander Clouston who
1800 to survivors from the damaged ships were remained on
Swung the clear Jetty. of Jetty and steering as I learnt an Easterly afterwards, course, five the my bombs was four at able ship course this on was to or dropped fire, proceed five time raided The for As feet certainly (although the Engineer, a together, little continuously engines and so the badly from while, four decided Lieutenant (paddles) sides amidships of burnt) until, but which to were I and beach Jones, were to soon hit in. right C.B's. say still discovered the the reported that aft. ship. ship. were functioning we The should on jettisoned that the deck the not bridge I held was ship be in up the on steel chest At by this the beach where she brought aft up in sometime later. Ship's steadily gained ground and aft. and with the wind board, very few minutes Fire It she is difficult was on fire to fore estimate the number of men on

343
COMMODORE'S OFFICE.
ROYAL NAVAL BARRACKS.
CHATHAM.
31st May, 1940.
Sir, of H.M.S.
I have the honour to make the following report on the loss
"CRESTED EAGLE", under my command, on 29th May, 1940.
The times are approximate only.
1000
:
Ordered to proceed in company with "Royal Eagle" to
Coast east of Dunkirk to embark troops. "Royal Eagle" had on board S.O.T.D.F., Commander Cordeaux, R.N.
1330: Approaching coast I received signal from S.O.T.D.F., to proceed Dunkirk as it appared to him that there were only Belgian and French troops on the beach at that time.
1430:.
Made fast on eastern side of Dunkirk Jetty, outer berth but one, which was occupied by troopship "Finella".
On the opposite side was "Grenade" and several trawlers.
1500
: First raid after arrival commenced in which some trawlers were damaged.
1530
vicinity almost continuous now, "Grenade" was hit, and more trawlers
Bombing raids on the harbour and ships in the damaged. Attack was so intense that my attention was given to what was happening Troops were in trickling the immediate along vicinity. between raids and boarding s/s "Finella". Clouston, R.N.Y., who was
I was in touch with Commander in charge on the Jetty.
After "Grenade" was damaged her survivors came on board
"Crested Eagle" and W/T messages were passed by this ship to Dover, VA.
1700
"Finella" was about to sail when a bomb dropped down her funnel: putting her out of action. to "Crested
Eagle".
Commenced to embark troops from "Finella"
1700 to embarked and Troops I was and ordered to proceed by Commander Clouston who
1800 survivors from the damaged ships were remained on the Jetty. of Jetty and steering an Easterly afterwards, course, five the bombs raided continuously of which hit ship was Swung clear until, as I the learnt ship.
my was four able at this course on or dropped fire, time five The As for certainly feet (although the Engineer, a together, little engines and the badly from while, four Lieutenant (paddles) sides amidships burnt) but were I beach were Jones, to soon in. right say still discovered the reported that aft. ship. functioning we The should on that the deck the not bridge I was held ship be up on to proceed At this far, so decided to and C.B's. were jettisoned in the steel chest Ship's by the beach where she brought up sometime later. steadily gained ground aft. and with the wind aft in very few minutes Fire It she is difficult was on fire to fore estimate and the number of men on board,