TNA MT 40 36 Pt 2

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Tuesday June I940 a police message arrived asking me
to ring Commander Bowles Southend Naval Control.
16/5
Several questions were asked as to condition of Motor
Vessel "Shamrock". She was in perfect condition and Fuel Tanks
full, having just been passed by the Ministry of Shipping for the
carrying of passengers on short trips from Canvey beach.
Can you make the South Downs he asked, where is that
Sir I replied, just off Deal and Dover. I agreed to try, and
upon instructions proceeded to take on board 30 Gallons Fuel in
5 Gallons containers, sufficient food and water for four days,
and discard the Buoyant apparatus which are always carried.
Roy Brown aged I8 of Canvey Island answered my request
by turning up at dawn with food and kit, we left with Donald my 29/-
youngest son to see us off.
On reaching Southend Naval Control we were informed the
journey was to Dunkirk and a further IO Gallons of petrol was
provided. Roy Brown at this stage was given an opportunity to
stay behind but he declined and expressed his desire to accompany
me. A requisition note was handed to me also a Special Route
for Small Craft Thames to Dunkirk. reading:- you are to proceed at
your utmost speed direct to the beaches eastward of Dunkirk, and
course etc; before leaving I regret to note with displeasure
four Skippers of upper Thames passenger Vessels said No when asked
if they could make Dunkirk, although their bunkers were full and
a heap of Fuel on deck they were immediately ordered to take their
Vessels with the letter "M" on their funnels to Sheerness
presumably to be taken over by Naval Units.
Our four little crafts set off in Convoy, The Princess
Maud Manned by Naval Ratings, The Canvey Queen by I Naval Rating
and I Civillian, The Queen of England by 3 Civilians, The
Shamrock by myself and Roy Brown, when off Shoeburyness the
Canvey Queen received Engine trouble and we took her in fow almost
to Mangate when she was able to proceed under her own power and
remain SO.
It was about 6 miles off Margate we sighted a British
Fighter Aircraft about 50 feet above the water making a desperate
bid to reach our shores, smoke pouring from its Engine as it
wobbled and whizzed by us, we could only look and wish him
silently a happy landing. The Maud called me alongside she was
taking water rather badly and borrowed and kept my Bilge Pump she
also seemed to have difficulty in keeping his proper course in
spite of having both the Canvey Queen's Compass and my own on board.
la runna
Owing to the engines failing we had to leave with only a few troops,
and WE proceeded back to Dunkirk W here we took five more loads off
the shore which we were now able to do owing to the rising tide.
Whilst these operations were being carried out we were being