TNA ADM 199 xxx

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.

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 Selle 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 80 back into harbour and see if S.S. "ROEBUCK" lying at the Admiralty Pier was ready to be assisted off. We had just left the Hospital ship about 11.30 SeMe when we received instructions from the examination steamer to proceed to the assistance of Transport "PRAGUS", "SALAMANDER" and
"IVANHOE" and to instruct Salvage vessel "FORDE" to proceed that was lying at anchor in the Downs. We left Dover about noon and spoke the "FORDE" off Deal about 1 p.m. and proceeded on course when nearing the Fork buoy I could see a craft that appeared to be the "PRAGUE" off the N. W. Goodwin buoy. I spoke the Master who requested me to make fast, and also what was his position. I told him he was close to the
Fork buoy. We got fast at 1.20 p.m. and towing at 1.30 p.m.
About 1.45 Dalla we eased towing for the pilot to get on board.
I had asked the Master if he could hold the water in the ship and replied yes, and draught 25 feet. We then proceeded on passage to Dover. When nearing the Port we received instructions to anchor "PRAGUE" in the Downs at about 2.30 p.m.
We turned around and proceeded back to the Downs. During this time the En ineer reported Dynamo trouble. Whilst passing through the Downs and off Walmer we were hailed that we had better take the ship to anchor in Ramsgate Channel and on closing Ramagate channel we were told to ground the vessel. I then hailed them asking why they wished to beach the vessel and was told that they found they could not hold the water and that she must be beached. We then turned the vessel in towards the Conspicuous House and grounded her on
Sandwich Flats at 11.30 Date We then received a signal to return off Deal for the Salvage Officer Lt. Commander Laloe.
We then received instructions about proceeding to Dunkirk by signal. Lt. Commander Laloe came on board and I
informed him we should like to inspect the Dynamo before leaving. He agreed and sent a message to that effect to
V.A.D. and whilst we were at anchor he would proceed to the
"PRAGUE" by motor boat this would now be about 5.40 p.m.
On the return of the Salvage Officer we reported the
Dynamo appeared satisfactory, but the engineer could not make a very good exam on account of the steam. Lt. Commander
Laloe then told me that we should have to tow the "PRAGUE"
further in shore and that he would go on shore to report.
At 8.15 Dalla we have up anchor and got fast to the "PRAGUE"
and towed her in shore Sast of Sandown Castle at 9 p.m.
About 9.30 Dame we anchored the tug for further instructions from Salvage Officer.
Sunday, 2nd. Hove up anchor 7.45 a.m. and spoke to
Lt. Commander Laloe who was required on the telephone ashore and who was on the Dapper. We went alongside of Dapper and
Brought Salvage Officer off the signal station when he was landed by Motor Boat. At 8.45 n.m. I received instructions from the Salvage Officers to return Dover and arrived alongside the Pier at 10.15 Bettle Took on board coal, and engineer overhauled Dynamo.
Yours faithfully,
(SGD.) F. J. HOPGOOD.
To K.H.M.
Master.
Signed Tuesday, 11th June.

Confidential
Two
150
71
to
145
6. During the morning of 28th May "WOLSEY" oiled and ammunitioned ship. At 1850 "WOLSEY" proceed to Bray beach by route 'Y' arriving there at 2300. Boats were immediately lowered and embarkation of troops began. "WOLSEY" sailed at 0400 for Dover with 500 troops on board. At 1100/29 "WOLSEY" was ordered in company with
"VIVACIOUS" and "VIMY" to proceed to Sheerness. Ship sailed from
Sheerness at 1830 for operation F.D. this operation was cancelled by Admiralty and "WOLSEY" returned to Dover. Ship remainede alongside while one rating injured by berthing wire was discharged to Hospital and proceeded to Dunkirk at 0615/30. "WOLSEY" secured alongside East Pier Dunkirk at 0915 and embarked approximately 800
troops. "WOLSEY" returned to Dover disembarked troops, and again proceeded to Dunkirk at 1525. "WOLSEY" again secured to East Pier and embarked 1060 troops returning to Dover at 2235. Troops disembarked
"WOLSEY" oiled and proceeded to Bray beach at 0600. Colonel Blake
R.A.M.C. and Medical Stores were emLarked before proceeding. At 0703
'WOLSEY" was in collision with S.S. "ROEBUCK" (Already reported).
Blake and stores and then proceeded to Bray beach. After being there
'WOLSEY" proceeded alongside East Pier Dunkirk, disembarked Colonel two hours and embarking 40 troops I was ordered by "CODRINGTON" to proced alongside. Secured alongside, embarked 500 troops, returned to Dover at 18 knots, disembarked troops, and at 1830 slipped from
Harbour and proceeding alongside East Pier "WOLSEY'S" D.G. Coil
Admiralty Pier and returned to Dunkirk. Whilst inside Dunkirk
Fused and caught fire, This may have been caused by a shell splinter as embarked was electric light party endeavoured to repair the
Dunkirk being shelled at the time. While 600 troops D.G. were coil. being the 2330 the 30 cent efficient. I considered the risk Either justifiable it the B.A. reported to me that he had done all he could and that the having condition was efficient against Magnetic The and coil was announced per repairs completed, sailed for Dover. lines or nce was lucky noticable and 8 veral aircraft were half.
"WOLSEY" coil in the that and the passage was made safely. heard, Phosphoresce so
"WOLSEY" proceeded alongside Admiralty Wharf 0425 and D.G. disembarked coil. At troops,
"WOLSEY" was extremely at 12 knots for the first hour and a
1300 subsequentyly "WOLSEY" reported ready for sea and a 1600 ordered secured securing to buoy to effect repairs to "WOLSEY" was to proceed to Portsmouth for repairs.
I Have the Honour to be,
Sir,
Your Obedient Servant.
Colampber
LISUTENANT-COMMANDER, R.N.
FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING,
DOVER.