TNA ADM 199 xxx

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,