TNA ADM 199 xxx

6
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 comed 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.

&
Enquiries were made at destroyers and other vessels ssent as to whether "DOLPHIN'S" boat could be of any sistance, but again, owing to the shallowness of the water
1 state of the sea it was not possible to go alongside the provised pier from which all troops were being embarked troops were at this time wading out to boats), nor was are a demand for a boat for towing purposes.
After consultation with the senior officer present to the usrfulness of this boat under the circumstances, was decided to obtain a tow back to Dover to refuel, and are it was hoped that another tow could be obtained back
Dunkirk, where, it was believed, the boat could be more fully employed. A tow was obtained from H.M.S. "SARGOSSA"
1415 and a return was made to Dover, where, after fuelling boat's return was reported to the Operations Room.
structions were given to stand by for futher orders which e to be given at 0400 next morning. These instructions e cancelled and no movement was made on Saturday 1st June.
On 2nd June "DOLPHIN'S" boat was attached to the icer in charge of small boats for towing and despatch poses in Dover harbour. She was 80 employed until noon
June 4th.
The crew of the boat were keen to return to Dunkirk a tow could be obtained, but after several enquiries it eared that the boat was considered unsuitable for the k and the boat had, unfortunately, to remain employed in er harbour. On 4th June Able Seaman Stepahns was lent coxswain of the Walmer lifeboat at his request, but shortly erwards all operations were cancelled.
The motor boat sailed from Dover at 1315 on June 4th
Littlehampton, arriving there at 2115. The following morning gallons of petrol were taken in and at 0915 the boat led for Portsmouth. A certain amount of engine trouble was erienced of a minor nature. The boat arrived at Fort ckhouse at 1245.
Considerable credit is due to Ldg. Morris who was charge of the engines and also to Ldg.Sto.Saunders, both of n working tirelessly to keep the motors in the best of con-
Lon, especially as the outward journey to Dover was made naximum revolutions and no engine trouble was experienced
11 the return journey. Credit is also due to Ldg.Sea.
ley, the coxswain of the boat.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant.
(Sgd) E.T.CORNISH-BOWDEN.
Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.
(s),
S. "DOLPHIN",
GOSPORT.

REPORT OF PROCÉEDINGS OF H.M.S. "DOLPHIN'S"
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325
320
OPERATION DYNAMO.
SIGLOSURE NO. 13.
SHIP: H.M.S. DOLPHIN'S MOTOR BOAT.
OFFICER REPORTING: SUB-LIEUTENANT 1.7. CORNISH-BONDEN, R.B.
In company with H.M.S. EXCELLENT's yower Boat, this boat sailed from Dover harbour at 0240 on Friday,
31st May.
of
Soon after passing the North Doctwin Light Vessel,
EXCELLENT'S boat signalled to the effect that she was very doubtful whether she could get to the French coast at maximum speed owing to lack of petrol and so speed was reduced to about 8 knots, the speed over the ground being considerably less owing to considerable yawing in a following sea.
3.
The two boats were routed to leave the usual course for Dunkirk same 20 miles from that place and proceeded through shallower water to La Panne and sray.
About 15 miles N.J. of Bray an energy floating nine vas seen and an attempt was made to sink it by rifle fire.
This, however, failed, and the position or the nine was later reported.
by an 4. inaccurate boat's compass, DOLPHIN arrived at Bray at
Owing to an error in navigation, caused largely
1100 and after enquiring as so our whereabouts proceeded to La Panne and attempted unsuccessfully to obtain petrol from H.M.S. HEBS.
Bray and impossible and so 1 decided to tank use was dry. 1
5. to try and fill ay tank. However, what petrol again
Owing to the shortage of petrol 1 this returned to proved had and ask for a tow home when the
EXCELLENT'S boat had damaged about herself to go on to a her submerged aid object 6. and was close that inshore. the depth 1 was of the water was only 3
when were was feat could there the 7. unable THE I already and the was and 1 enemy 1 to was informed proceeded then be ordered of any to not 1 assistance aray. therefore to present go them. they to the on in needed. La saked in but return as ships tooclose. Panne enbarking unfortunately to ships which ay to but usefulness Bray, present when troops 1 immediately therefore 1 almost they from if and 1
consulted weighed the Senior 1 officer should obtain & back GOW to back Dunkirk to Dover with to a it was decided that to obtain a SOW usefully full refuel tank when and I where hoped I believed 1 could be more employed. 1 left arey at Dover 1415 Harbour in sow at carrying of about the dan-laying 1950, despatches since yacht in when 8. 1 at towing and
Dover. harbour.
(signed) 3.7. cornish-Sowden
Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.
Cover

326
321
The following crew from H.N.S. DOLPHIN
were manning the motor Doat:-
Leading Seaman A.R. Cobley,
P/JX 130128
Leading Stoker H.A. Saunders,
X 22903.
Leading Stoker A.J. Morris,
XX 84267
Able Seaman R.N. Rowlands,
P/JX 146949
Able Seaman P.B. Stephans,
SSX 20361
0