TNA ADM 334 83

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Left the quay and proceeded outside the Mole to H.M.S.
"Wahus ", who took troops on board. Swell from other
craft made ship dash into the side of war-ship, tearing
rails down and breaking ropes. Had orders to load on
board about 400-lbs. of T.N.T. in two barrels. Five
naval ratings came on board and proceeded to wreck of
H.M.S. Mhoquto ". Went alongside and put on ratings
and T.N.T. Waiting there for ratings to fix charge to
blow up the wreck. When all was ready naval ratings
jumped on board and we got away from wreck in quick time.
Engineer reported that port engine not running very well.
Put ratings on board H.M.S. " Walrus " ". Swell from other
ships did more damage to topsides while lying alongside
war-ship. Received instructions to proceed back to
Ramsgate.
During the operations inside Dunkirk and on the work out-
side we had no enemy aircraft overhead but plenty of gun-
fire with bursts overhead and falling shrapnel. The
town of Dunkirk was all# on fire with explosions at
intervals which gave enough light to distinguish markings
in and around Dunkirk and to see the masts and funnels
of ships which were sunk outside the Harbour.
Proceeded on passage back to Ramsgate when a big paddle
steamer overtook us and we obtained a tow; also towing
astern of the paddle steamer was one of the naval fast
torpedo boats which had broken down. The paddle steamer
increased her speed to about 15 knots, the wash from the
paddles caused us to sheer into the naval launch and in
doing so two sailors were thrown overboard from the launch.
Our tow rope was cut and after a while we managed to pick
up one of the men who had fallen overboard. A little
later a Dutch fishing vessel reported that they had picked
up the second man; so we proceeded on our passage back.
The port engine continued to give trouble and we were over-
hauled by a large Tug which came up close to us and the
naval officer in charge of same gave orders to us to
abandon ship as owing to daylight coming on we would be
exposed to danger from enemy aircraft.
We transferred the guns and ourselves to the Tug and dis-
covered a wounded French soldier in the after cabin who
had been left behind. We took him on board the Tug with
us. While we were transferring to the Tug three enemy
aircraft flew overhead. The Tug proceeded on the passage
back to Ramsgate leaving "LETITIA" abandoned. We arrived
at Ramsgate at 7.20 a.m. and awaited further orders.
Eventually we received our orders to return and caught the
10.36 train from Ramsgate, arriving at Chichester at 6.40 p.H
SIGNED: E.A. LEPPARD.
MASTER.