TNA MT 40 36 Pt 2

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MERHAIDEN
Ex. 2161.
Wood 1941 SENT ADECO POST LETTER
ky.Councit
SERVICE.
MASSEY
on Fire Buxigade, Forces,
144/S.T.N.6B.
Headquarters,
900
M/RCC.
3rd December 1941.
Albert Embankment, S.E.1
STRay.
Sir,
89
Entered in
1st December, 1941.
I have to acknowledge receipt of
your letter of the 1st December
forwarding a report on the Dunkirk
the B.E.F. from Dunkirk.
Operations in so far as the "MASSEY
SHAW" took part in these operations,
ve asked the owners of all boats
and to thank you for the information
ssist in the evacuation of the B.E.F
which you have been good enough to
he available particulars of the part
supply.
You may, therefore, be interested
activities of the fire boat,
It is anticipated that this report
was not requisitioned by you.
will be of value in compiling the
final report which will be drawn up
940, the Under Secretary of State,
on these Operations.
Commanding, London Fire Brigade,
might be required at Dunkirk.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
Defence Committee of the London
(Sgd) H. C. RIGGS
and it was decided that the "Massey
She is a 75 ft. steel fire boat,
Director of Sea Transport.
the River Thames with a beam of
draft, equipped with Diesel engines
The Chief Commander,
re pumps.
The London Fire Forces,
Headquarters,
at Ramsgate with a London Fire
Albert Embankment,
y, but found that fire-fighting
London, S.E.1.
ticable. The fire boat was,
a senior Naval officer at 1400
pops. Between arrival at Dunkirk
for Ramsgate at 0400 hours on
1st June, 60 troops were taken aboard from the beaches about 3 miles
east of the mole, and were safely disembarked at Ramsgate at 0645
hours. The crew consisted of 13 London Fire Service personnel and
Naval Sub-Lieutenant.
At 1820 hours on 1st June, the "Massey Shaw" again proceed d
from Ramsgate Harbour, this time with a landing party of 60 Naval
The Director of Sea Transport,
Ministry of War Transport,
Berkeley Square House,
Berkeley Square,
W.1.
was preparing to keep ship going all night, when we heard many planes
overhead, so we stopped the Motor and relied on our Sails, while wj
still favoured us. But many times that night planes came in quit
close range. As daylight broke we could see where we were and
occasionally gunfire was heard, and planes above us. So we cont
with Sails to near Dover, and to get quickly by there seemed to b
motive, when it seemed just for the purpose the wind failed us, SA
lowered Sails. The Motor was our only chance now in this strong
and contrary wind.
So with the assistance of the Seamen, I tried starting, but fow
she was cold, and that the cold paraffin had given me a wet plug.
had to re-start on petrol and change a plug. I had taken some time
to localise our difficulty and to remedy it, that I felt very relieved
when she started, as without power, we might very well have been blown
P.T.O