TNA ADM 334 83

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DUNKIRK
MAY/JUNE 1940
LOG OF "LETITIA"
"LETITIA" was an ex-naval harbour launch conversion, 52-ft.
long, 12-ft. beam and 4-ft.9-ins. draught, schooner rigged, fitted
with twin screws driven by Thornycroft R.A.4 petrol-paraffin engine.
She attended the Pavillon d'Or Rally at Liege, Belgium, in
July 1939 her number being 73. After the Rally she returned to
her moorings in Chichester Canal just before war broke out and was
laid up there until requisitioned by the Ministry of Shipping on
the 30th of May 1940 for the Dunkirk Evacuation.
EXTRACT FROM LOG:
"Friday - 31st May 1940. In Chichester Canal, painting
yacht grey, preparing for sea and getting crew together.
h.
Saturday - 1st June 1940. Filling up tanks with petrol
and paraffin. Orders came through at 6 p.m. to proceed
to Ramsgate. Waiting tide until 10 p.m. when locked out
d
of Canal and proceeded to moorings outside awaiting day-
light. Went ashore for final orders.
er-
Sunday - 2nd June 1940. Left moorings at 6 a.m. and pro-
ceeded down Harbour in company of yachts "FALCON", "WARRIOR"
and "IDAHO". Clear of Chichester Harbour at 7.15 a.m.,
proceeding up Channel, Owers Light Vessel abeam at 10 a.m.
-
Beachy Head abeam 3.45 p.m. Wind strong from the east with
some swell. "ROYAL SOVEREIGN" abeam 5 p.m. Swell getting
h
worse. Noticed some trouble on board "IDAHO" and nearly
rammed by same. "WARRIOR" standing by "IDAHO" at 5.15 p.m.
age
"FALCON" came alongside and gave us instructions to proceed
.ved
on passage at 5.30 p.m. "IDAHO" in tow of "WARRIOR" 6 p.m.
Lost sight of them at 6.30 p.m. Lost sight of "FALCON" at
the
7.15 p.m. Proceeded on passage alone. Ship dipping nose
40 p.m
under swells with smart breeze. Dungeness abeam 9 p.m.
Darkness came on; we went in close to the coast and anchored
in 10 fathoms of water off Hythe at 10.15 p.m.
Monday - 3rd June 1940. Hove up anchor at 4 a.m. and pro-
ceeded on passage. Wind and swell abated in the night.
Dover abeam at 6.35 # a.m. Reported to the Admiralty the
arrival of the "LETITIA". Sub-Lieutenant and three sailors
came on board and took over. Proceeded alongside oil wharf
to get more fuel on board and alongside another wharf to get
a machine gun and ammunition on board. Taking out ship's
masts and putting on quay and fixing machine gun on deck - -
all ready to sail at 2.30 p.m. Orders came to proceed
outside harbour at 4 p.m. to the Tug "SUN XV" to be towed
across in company with other yachts. Three other yachts
make fast astern of us, under way 6.35 p.m. Engines running
at half-speed to ease the strain of the tow ropes. Slight
swell. The tow ropes of two of the yachts broke and they
were told to proceed on under own power. Arrived off Dunkin
at 11.30 p.m. and cast off from Tug. Proceeded into Dunkir
past the Mole, and up the Canal for about 2 miles. Moored
alongside the quay and proceeded to take troops on board.
Could find no Englishmen so took on board 40 Frenchmen.