TNA CAB 103 191

36"
The War Office,
Casualty Branch,
Blue Coat School,
Church Road,
Wavertree, original colem filed
Liverpool, 15.
in M/99
7
October, 1941.
(Casualties)
Dear Commander,
We are endeavouring to obtain evidence regarding the loss of the S.S. 'Clan MacAlister' in order that we may presumption be a of death of the personnel who are still missing.
in position to deal with the question of the
It is understood that this vessel was bombed and sunk during the evacuation from Dunkirk, and of I
subsequently shall be most grateful if you can supply further The details partioulars i.e., the date, time and place of the occurrence, in how the required are the ones normally supplied in such circumstances in which the ship was sunk.
cases, the vessel took in sinking, what ships took part not rescue long work and the possibility of survival of those rescued.
I should greatly appreciate your early assistance in this matter.
Yours sincerely, a
(Sd.) H. A. DAWKINS
t ities said
Commander Holbrook,
Shipping Casualties Section,
Trade Division,
Admiralty.
London, S.W.1.
au live natch. The DOMDS went through the weather deck abreast of No. 5 Hatch and set the whole of the after end of the said vessel on fire.
NE
A number of the Appearers crew and some of the troops at on board were killed and injured. About 4.30 p.m. one ts of the crew were transferred to the said Destroyer.
already vessel's aboard the Appearer's vessel and the wounded members of His Majesty's Destroyers came alongside and the troops
5
caused which were his vessel's operated from the Destroyer and the Appearer himself
The Destroyer put two lines of hose on board the Appearer's vessel ry put The latter hose could not however, be out the fire. own hose line to be used in an attempt to to fractured as a result of the bombing but operated have been efficiently as the deck water service pipes were found was kept under able control. About half an hour later the Destro nevertheless so long as the Destroyer was alongside, the fire not being to wait longer owing to enemy air action the Appearer's vessel with the troops and wounded the crew who had been transferred. The Appearer m t.
his vessel under way.
to make a further attempt with the remmants of his