TNA ADM 199 xxx

4d.
49
Copy/
DYNAMO 234.
Salvage
Office,
11, Cambridge Dover. Terrace,
11th
June,
1940.
Commander
Days
The
Castle,
Dover.
Sir,
As instructed I enclose my report of operations
$
carried out under my orders on the following Tugs, LADY BRASSEY,
FOREMOST 87 and ST. OLOARD
29th May 0/30 State left Dover on LADY BRASSEY to assistance of
H.M.S.
"MONTROSS".
3/- Took "MONTROSE" in tow from the range of enemy searchlights off Gris Nez.
6/110 Arrived at Dover after towing "MONTROSE" stern first all the way.
30th May 11 Refle Left Dover on LADY BRAS BY with FOREMOST 87
in company, bound for Dunkirk in search of H.M.S.
"BIDEFORD", missed the "BIDEFORD" in fog, received 8
bombing off Gravelines - no damage done; carried on to Dunkirk.
5/0 Dalla On arrival S.N.O. ordered me to assist in harbour work. I sent the FOREMOST 87 to handle barges onto the Marlo bench, etc., BRASSEY into harbour.
Towed "PRAGUE" out of harbour stern first and guided incoming craft to troop embarkation points.
31st May 0/30 Stalle Left Dunkirk under orders of V.A.D. by W/T, no troops then available for me to bring over, there being five vessels waiting at that time.
7/0 ReMe Visual signal from Leathercoats sent me back to N. Goodwins to assist two Trawlers ashore. I ordered
FOREMOST 87 back to Dover.
8/30. Arived back at Dover. Trawlers refloated.
lot June 10/30 seme Left Dover on the "ST. OLOAP" to assistance of *H.S.S. "SALAMANDER" reported to be off "Western Buoy"
and proceeding slowly towards Dover; went to assistance of S.S. "PRAGUE" off N. Goodwin, vessel had been bombed and was in sinking condition and troops were being transferred to small craft which were alongside, finding my mistake in ships I requested the "JAVA" to take my place and tow the "PRAGUE" to the Small Downs and beach her whilet I went after the "SALAMANDER" -
this the "JAVA" did; at about 3 palla we were dive bombed near *** buoy - "no damage", so went to assistance of several other craft "not required".
After searching between the and Western Buoy for some time and finding no sign of the "SALAMANDER" I sent
W/T to V.A.D. that I would wait around the area for orders or would assist anything I came across. Later
I took in tow H.M.S.? D.96, destroyer which had been battered and was laid helpless - full of troops.
Towed her until off the E. Goodwin and Goodwin Knoll, when her engines came back to life.
Whilst towing the D.96 I received W/T from V.A.D.
to return to Dunkirk and handle H.M.S. "KEITH". I
replied unable to obey orders as I was fully engaged with the D.96. Later, when D.96 was able to proceed under her own power I phoned from Deal for further orders; these were then given to the Captain of the
Tug whilet I myself was put into hospital from injuries received/

42 50
received during the general melee of bombing and getting ropes fast to the D.96.
I should like to mention the Skipper of the Tug
FOREMOST 87 for his coolness in towing barges around the Dunkirk beaches and work which he helped me with in Dunkirk Harbour under fire; also the Master of the "ST. OLOAF" AND "BRASSEY" throughout the operations.
WI regret that I cannot supply time, during the operations. I had no time to make notes.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Signed) Geo. 11. Robinson,
Lieut, R.N.R.
Assistant Salvage Officer.
to on this planes overhoad and the gan vis fired by Zite Robinson.
arrived Deskrick a missage von Lm to the them had been wast over to the 8
to come Inste and berth alomgaide the mot pter
To alongside the plan about 6.50
11, Robinson visit on shore for than orders to - with School and return. but this order use and orders given for the seg to reming by the
Staff orriser, who asked for shree itrabulto So past in and notor best that una standing by for time This 789 down)
the said that be would not pus trade OR board but va vare to rousin slongatde of the any until further orders.
I Laon him titn's I 414 not think va could remin very
Img in this borth on account of the death of intere Ba advised THE to-shirt for ther our tountries the and of the HEAP
about 9 Date No shifted bearth about 9 Date to the outer not the plan. I then found with the small that the tugs sterboard bills bel VIA striking the contrage stome before the rubbing band tools a houring on the dene I sent one of
YOU most along the plan to report to hts 11 196 not safe tug to renain and Sept the tour almas by the state
About 9a Date 90 received orders for both toge too the Improport off the but Pier at 10,
The "PEASOR" and lying head into the and draving about 17 the of and at that time there would be abroad
18 No of votern. alon a stoot of * extent, bet a 11,01 for N guide to Tream of 2014
check Della se got that be the atorn of Six.
"PRAGUE" and the on her 10.
the "MASSSSY"#" utro with not nade meanths on the and 11 attained ore, TO got our voce on board and
That to the of the Ii not vary in the starr of the

454
COPY.
Rescue Tug "LADY BRASSEY".
Saturday, 1st June, 1940.
Sir,
I, Frederick John Hopgood, was in charge of the tug
"LADY BRASSEY" when at 10.40 B.M. Lt.-Commander Laloe was put on board the Hospital ship "ST. DAVID" lying at anchor off the detached Mole with engine trouble. He then told me to go back into harbour and see if S.S. "ROEBUCK" lying at the Admiralty Pier was ready to be assisted off. le had just left the Hospital ship about 11.30 a.m. when we received instructions from the examination steamer to proceed to the no Transport AMANDER" and
53
44
it a
COPY.
md
"GONDIA", e
Dover.
rd.
dp
10/6/40.
Dalle
Report of trip to Calais 24/5/40.
To:
in
Admiral Ramsey, R.No
VaADe
Sir,
At 1100 24/5/40, "Gondia" and "Foremost 87" left
Dover for Calais and proceeded by routes given.
Arriving in vicinity of No. 1 Calais de Ridens buoy ke at 1300, we found two destroyers engaged shelling the shore, one to the W of the entrance, the other close east of pierheads, while manoeuvring at full aneed. We proceeded lowly in towards No. 5 buoy, then "Foremost 87"
spoke destroyer and was told to clear off as it was not safe to go in. Bomba at that time were also being
S
dropped in the entrance, and at 1335 we proceeded back to Dover for further orders.
hen we were some two miles off Calais, a Saint tug e
(name unknown) was proceeding along the coastal route d
past Calais, as though proceeding towards Dunkirk, and bug continued hor voyage, and we saw nothing more of her a
as we returned.
Arrived back in Dover 1550, and made fast.
I am, Sir,
Yours obediently,
(SGD.) CHARLES PRATT.
MASTER.
me.

RAS
of
-2-
MAY 26TH. A careful sweep of the Harbour and approaches carried out during the forenoon and the area was declared and the Harbour open at 1436. Sweeping operations were later to ensure that delayed action mines should be destrope
The order to withdraw the B.E.F. from Dunkirk was given and embarkation of the troops started this evening.
JOFF
A staff organisation known as "DYNAMO" was set up to carry plan for evacuating the beaches at Dunkirk. Dutch Skoots,
Launches, Life-boats and numerous other small craft began assemble at Dover and were berthed at Prince of Wales Piers in Submarine Basin. These vessels were at once supplied fuel, food and water to enable them to sail for Dunkirk at earliest possible moment.
MAY 27TH. The tugs "Sun V11" and "Sun X" and "Persia" arriv and reported for duty with K.H.M. They were detailed for lighters and boats to Dunkirk.
MAY 28TH. At 0300 the Examination Vessel "Ocean Reward" ⑉
and sunk off Dover by the Hospital Ship "Isle of Thanet" with loss of all hands. Boats were lowered by "Isle of Thenet serched the position of the accident to gether with the tug
Brassey" but no survivors were found. The night was fine calm and clear and both vessels were showing lights. Facts contributory to the accident may have been the high speed
"Isle of Thanet" and possibly a misunderstanding on the pari
"Ocean Reward" that "Isle of Thanet" would stop off Dover
The tug "Foremost 87" arrived and joined the flotilla of lighters and boats to Dunkirk. At 0830 the requisitioned
Skoots "Ruja", "Sursum Corda", "Jaba Amazone", "San Antonio"
arrived for duty on the Flanders coast. They required water
"Pacific", "Frendja", "Hebe", "Frisco Wega", "Pascholl" and fuel and provisions and steps were to provide
During these operations the air raid taken warning at once sounded and precautions in the Dockyard were taken. No attack develop immediately after the "All Clear" was sounded these vessels for Dunkirk.
MAY tow. 29th. The tug "Fairplay 1" with the water lighter "Cla "SM
was Lt. with Sub. the Comdr. detached Commodore Lieuts. Military and the R.G. K.A. for tug stores Wardrop Harwood, duty "Persia" sailed at R.N.R. Dunkirk. with E.S. for of Hill the Dunkirk. Commodore lighters and G. Jones "Sark" R.N.V.R. and
MAY connection numerous by motor of enemy the 30TH. boats Examination holes action. with H.M.S. arrived Superintendent's caused operation The Service "Jaguar" by former bombs "DYNAMO". was and had detached and staff, "Greyhound" thirteen aircraft for dead arrived duty on at board both duty Many
Dunkirk order by tugs and drifters. during the day All and whose were
Several Thames sailing barges orene sailed during afternoon.
available at the Prince arrived and as will visions same day. and ammunition. of Two Wales tugs Pier sailed they with them to whom Many more vessels were now available evacuating the many thousands were landed at Admiralty for Pier.
MAY 31ST. The Fleet in tow
"Locust". She had been Sweeper struck "Bideford" arrived which had her depth charges and blown by & bomb aft was taken in hand for temporary repairs H.M.S. Sanahu
800 troops on board at the time thirty and feetmoff suffered her
At the Prince of Wales Pier in the by the
"Ocean Cook" and "Challenge" towed morning the lighters and
"F.23" loaded with Military stores over to Dunkir&,

-5-
2519
Other demands were made for 50 tons of dry provisions of all kinds to Dutch and French vessels.
Other demands were for 7 days provisions for 150 men to 4 ships and provisions for 400 men for one day to each of 15 vessels. As large reserves had been built up these demands were quickly met.
During the period 200 ships were supplied with water -
some of them several times. About 743,000 gallons were supplied by the Water Boat "Aqua". All the
Victualling Store Staff worked for 18 hours a day on most days and the crew of Aqua" worked almost continuously.
GS
Twelve tugs were detailed for operation "DYNAMO"
for towing barges and small craft. of these
"Foremost 87" was outstanding and made four passages to France and was willing to go again if required.
"Foremost 22" and "Fairplay 1" made the passage twice and were ready to go again. Other tugs made one passage.
A report by Lieutenant Commander Wardrop R.N.R on the situation at Dunkirk while he was there on detached duty is attached.
COMMODORE SUPERINTENDENT.
18JUN 1940
OVER