TNA ADM 199 xxx

Dynamo 252 -
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LOG of H.M. Motor Boat LADY CABLE of Torquay during operations carried out June 2nd and 3rd, 1940.
In command: Acting Sub-Lieutenant G.A. Cadell, R.N.
Cadet Rating G.R. Price
Stokev Worsall
Able Seaman or Ordinary Seaman Smith from Newfoundland.
Sunday, June 2nd, 1940.
Took over boat during forenoon from Mr. Gooding who operates boat for owner at Torquay. She had done one trip to the beaches near Dunkirk. Took on provisions, water, petrol, etc. Mr. Gooding showed Stoker Norsall the working of the engines Cylinder Atlantic - running CD petrol.
At about 1500 went over to Prince of Wales Pier and was then taken in tow by SUN VI, together with two life-boats and one other craft. Started for Dunkirk at approximately
1530, having been handed previously copy of Sailing
Instructions to Drifters, together with rough sketch map of course to follow. After uneventful trip arrived off
Dunkirk harbour at about 2230 and received orders to proceed in harbour and go a long way up the Mole to embark soldiers - fill up and return to tug, then go in for further loads. At times had difficulty in persuading
French troops to embark in LADY CABLE, the reason apparently being reluctance to break their units or to act without definite orders from their officer who was probably still in the town of Dunkirk. However, we took four boat loads off - each load containing between 40 and 50 soldiers.
Three loads I took to tugs - and one to H.M.S. WISHART when tug was not in usual position. Spoke to tug after fourth trip and was informed that it would soon be light and that she could'nt wait much longer. In reply to a question if any British officers were still left on the Mole, I replied that on earlier trips I had seen one who had asked me not to leave him behind. This officer was engaged in helping the embarkation of the troops. 1 had not seen him on my last trip but told tug I would make another trip to see if he was there. Informed tug would be as quick as possible and if tug could not wait, would return to England under own power. Tug said she could only wait a short while.
On going in for fifth time engines began to go badly and stopped altogether before reaching point of embarkation.
Engines got going again and we went alongside and collected about 24 more French soldiers. There was no sign of British officer and Price reported to me that French on the Mole told him he had gone. I sent Price up on to the Mole to make enquiries. Owing to the improbability or tug waiting for us, I only took 24 soldiers as a greater number would have made trip back to England under own power too hazardous. Just after passing lighthouse at end of harbour, engines stopped again. Noticed we were close to W.D. sraft (later found to be HAIG) who 1 imagined from her position was witching us and would/

Dynamo /167
COPY.
Royal Naval Hospital,
Chathsm.
18th June, 1940.
To: Rear-Admiral Taylor, O.B.B.,
Siz,
I have the honsue to fairmed the narrative of events whilet & comment of Ex7. "NEW PRINCE OF WALES"
will also me believed suk at 1415 at the benehes near
Bray.
A
A.M. Welnesday 2913 My I was setered to proceed to Shoetness to report to the Commisters at H.H.S. "WILDFIRE".
Accived Shoomess about 1700 was ordered to preased in
ExTe "SHI PREMIS 07 WALES" leading flotille of seven light amt. Left united at H.H.S. "VILDPIRE" proceeded to sea through boom. Two bests appoared to to in difficulties and and not Zears the boom. use not by conort yacht and forms sutern of have
Had to slow does to toop bosts in company. First three bonts estern tight good station, remaining case fell estem but owing to urgnary of getting bosts to destination fistills ass not decrease speed any further.
About 2200 your essert was shallenged from shore.
She informed - 00 officer via required to & in to
Margate for orders, 80 presended sureelf in fast motor boat
"MARSAYRA". Natablished 17 identity and was. told to push on to Emegate. While may one bost "QUIRN
BOADACHA® broke dawn, after - delay she was taken in for by assurt yeaht. W part engine broke dom, speed greatly reduced. Doe boat last contact in darkness. I
wont bank to look for 197 use Longrose, search unsurseasful, rejoined assert. Feg - down at dam and securt anshored with - PRINCE OF WALES", "CORSN BOADACEA"
and "MARRAYRA", off Banagate exast position meertain.
After - hour tog cleared enough to obser beer shead so proceeded with "MARGAYHA" in company assert yasht following with HQUIRE BOADACHA". Ingines misfiring badly and harbour in "MARGAYRU". Reported to Naval Officer-instopped Just outside anothered and proceeded into beashes between Bray and La Penne and to earry on
Charge Ramagate received sharts sail orders to proceed to remained to return. Bosto use towed in, repairs started foreying treepe from share to ships until only enough fuel
00 THE PRINCE OF WALES" imediately.
Engines ready for use at 1680 80 proceeded to sea coast 9230 (Thurstay sosh). Part eagine failed again as code by reute 'X' for Dunkerque. Arrived off French fisrualy and heavy pall of unite covered the channel to the shortly after turning parallel to coast. Dunkerque burning north. Endoaveured to find beach with boat hardly making any way through the unter. Attempts saw to locate troops were and established approximate position, immediately afterward unsusessaful and I was lost in smoke, green light buoy starboard engine failed, had to drop mehor.
B.R.A. reported amount of fuel remaining and I
entimated # could not return to Ramagete other 12 99 did no
DD determined to carry on until and ruel The
THE were the boat WSS making matures. three before dawn the stoket both assisting

174
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"NWN PRINCE OF WALES" again after she was hit.
Shortly aftermed 1 managed to obtain sight with one-eye and took charge of the whool 88 the H.O. rating did not appear to know how to handle her. This left hav Captain 4b R.H.R. Moutanant free to direct operations, # proceeded to carry on evacuating military who 9920 swiming's in the son. -After about forty five nimites, the Launch being loaded to full capacity
19 Mest alengaide H.H.S. "NOSCUITO" shore my gree and military US29 enharited.
⑈
& arrival on-board I USA given a norphia injection and resember nothing further until arrival in
Dover 0700 Saturday, lat June.
1 should>like to bring to your notice for favourable recommendation BiR.A. (5th class) White who
Long continues hours in 00 endonvour to ssintein-his also the staker vitose name I cannot recall etc untiringly.
enginees in remaing order under most diffiault-cenditions;
assisted the above.
: have the benefit to be,
Sir,
Your obedient-Servist,
(Sgd) P.H.B. Bennett,
Royal ling.

RAS
of
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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&,

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sailing barges "Glenway", "Lark" and "Spurgeon" similarly loaded were towed over by the tugs "Persia" and "Cervia".
Lt. Comdr. R.G. Wardrop and Lieut. F.H. Whalley R.N.R. returned from
Dunkirk and reported back for duty on the Commodore's staff.
JUNE 1st, The C in C of the B.E.F. Lord Gort arrived at Admiralty
Pier at 0605.
The tugs "SunX1", "Sun X11", "Sun V11", 'Océan Cock", "Challenge"
"Crested Cock", and "Fairplay 17 with one sailing barge in tow left for Dunkirk. The tugs were intended to assist disabled craft and carried out this duty off the Belgian coast until they were forced back by heavy air attack.
Numerous motor boats left the Prince of Wales Pier for Dunkirk beaches in tow of drifters.
H.M.S. "Harvester" and "Salamander" arrived with extensive damage sustained during the night operations and repairs were at once carried out by H.M.S. "Sandhurst". At midnight enemy air craft attempted to lay magnetic mines off the Harbour. Mines were laid outside before the raiders were driven off by anti-aircraft fire. The mines were swept up during the morning.
At 2130 the troops transport "Maid of Orleans" was badly damaged by collision in the Harbour. Several of the troops were thrown into the water but all were rescued by the tugs who happened to be in the vicinity.
JUNE 2nd. The tug "Sun X1" towed in the self-propelled lighters
Sherfield" and "YeC. 63" with troops on board. At 1430 the tugs coastal 87", and five motor-bosts in tow for the Dunkirk beaches.
"Foremost "Sun X", 'Sun X1", and "Fairplay 1" sailed with six
The tug life-boats Brassey" proceeded to the assistance of H.M.S. The "Mona's
Isle" "Lady received severe damage from enemy bombs. tug
X11", and "Ocean 22" Cock" refused to go owing to their lack of protection.
"Foremost which had sailed at 2000 for Dunkirk. The tugs "Sun V11", "Sun
JUNE the day troops were arriving in "Glenway" the Harbour returned in all from of craft. beaches filled with soldiers, in the got channel.
kinds 3rd. During The sailing barges "H.A.C." and who had them off and sailed the Dunkirk them until they were picked boats. up by tug
Some No troops came in Belgian to the fishing Dunkirk beaches on account Base made of a the quantity of brows "Halcyon", "Speedwell", brows were used with strong easterly wind. and ladders which were put "Vega", "Princess "Venimous", boats could be sent During the day the Repair aboard H.M.S.
"Vanquisher", "Express", and "Malcolm". The numbers of troops
Elixabeth", splendid effect "Sutton" at Dunkirk Mole and large were brought off during the night.
JUNE 4TH. Tugs "Sun V11", and "Sun X11" left towing H.M.S. "Bideford"
On completion of the up for the passage and following to days every to Portsmouth for repairs. operation of disembarking their troops Home from Ports Dunkirk and destroyers were patched During this day small craft, barges, endeavour subsequently was sailed. made to return the numerous lighters and tugs to their Ports.
NOTES.
ASUALTIES.
During the this H.M.S.
10th to Port, June of 4th whom a "Sandhurst" total of dealt.wistely 6,880 wounded were and over 60 suffering from shock and
50 dead.
EFECTS.
The 26 Repair Base and H.M.S. "Sandhurst" by bomb and holes splinters temporarily rigging. in them and ai a suffered repaired craft cannon. damage also the