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THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. IX
reached the Dunkirk attack Channel, of at the the day, beginning when she of Route X, about
damaged, trawler salvos of Gara; bombs, picked on board and up a the 137 nearby up, motor of the French yacht Foudroyant's Naiad tug. Some Errant crew were and the also a score the
the third heavy air blew and sank in 21 minutes. was
put French them minesweeping trawler Bernadette. picked up by and the
Brighton Queen and Scotia sunk
The paddle minesweeper last Brighton hour been Queen under arrived at Dunkirk at 1035
sailed for Margate.
more than half an hour on Moroccan troops and
which she successfully fought she took board pounder 700 French and Lewis gun. In attack little
1st June, having for the off with 12 continuous enemy air on the
The ship had barely rounded No. 5 buoy, off Mardyck, and entered
channel (Route X) when a formation of enemy dive bombers came out of the
cloud and peeled off to attack. One bomb, estimated at 200 pounds, exploded a
very close on the starboard quarter, causing severe damage and a number of
casualties. The ship began to settle at once, took a heavy list, and in five
minutes filled and sank on an even keel in about 5 fathoms of water. The
crew worked quickly and intelligently in getting life rafts and floating material
over the side, and the French troops, despite the language difficulty, behaved
steadily and intelligently though nearly half of them were killed by the explosion
or drowned. The minesweeper Saltash was quickly alongside, rescued some
400 survivors, and landed them safely at Margate.
The main attack of the enemy formation was directed against the personnel
ship Scotia (3,500 tons) which had left Dunkirk carrying 2,000 French troops
very shortly after the Brighton Queen, and was now only 2 cables distant on
her port bow. The enemy attacked in sections of 4 aircraft, two each with
machine guns and bombs of small size. At least 4 of the latter hit the ship,
which began to sink by the stern, and the order to abandon her was given.
The Scotia heeled over until her forward funnel and mast were in the water.
The enemy now made another attack on the sinking vessel, dropping 4 more
bombs and machine gunning the men swimming and clinging to the wreckage.
By this time, however, the destroyer Esk had come out from Dunkirk and drove
off the enemy aircraft when they returned yet again. The destroyer put herself
alongside the sinking Scotia and transferred nearly 1,000 of the troops, a fine
feat, and the destroyer Worcester and other craft picked up several; but 28 of
the Scotia's crew and an estimated 200 to 300 of the French troops were un-
fortunately lost.
Fourth air attack, 1230. Sinking of the Mosquito
Among the vessels which went to the assistance of the Scotia was the gunboat
Mosquito, though she never reached her.
was
attacked miss, 30 The French but Mosquito on was and the able Belgian way arrived to over continue off by Dunkirk a on single her from course. dive bomber the Off Downs and the at was channel,she procetted about she damaged 1230 by she a some near
Scotia was reported to be troops sinking from at the the motor west end boat of
towards the scene, followed by the Rapid I.
Almost immediately (about of flight of 20 Ju.87s attacked With
her from different directions, 1330) obtaining six or a more direct hit a and a near miss.
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