TNA MT 40 36 Pt 2

Officer in could be oney ha nt that ed go
11th June, 19
In accordance with last nights instruction I am sending a report e
the fishing fleet from the Eastern District sent for the evacuation of th tish
Expeditionary Force.
ed on
On 30th May, shortly before 1700, I received your telephone messa so, of ould all boats capable of crossing the English Channel should be ordered to at once. I at once got in touch with suitable persons, usually the Cd wer
Hannam g
thirty of statistics, at different points round the coast and explained to th extreme urgency of the situation. Contact with the different stations established as under:-
Wells.
1700.
Yarmouth.
1915.
Leigh-on-Sea.
1710.
Maldon.
1935.
Harwich.
1730.
Burnham.
1940.
Deben Estuary.
1740.
West Mersea.
1945,
Sheringham.
1800.
Orford.
2010.
Brightlingsea.
1805.
At some stations it was evident that the Naval Authorities were also II
in the same matter and yachts were also being detailed. Early in the day
Lieut. Cator, R.N.V.R., from the Small Vessels Pool had visited Lowestoft a
Yarmouth to select yachts and I remained in touch with him during his visit.
the evening I visited Kessingland and found that the boats, mostly with car a
engines and no reverse gear, were unsuitable for the service. This also ap to Aldeburgh. At 2110 Mr. Hannah notified that the two large Sheringham Whll boats had sailed. There was no discussion of terms or conditions. The sed fishermen simply knew they were urgently wanted and they had a pretty good id why. Some left for Lowestoft immediately they came ashore from the fishing grounds. Early on the morning of June 1st I reported on the situation to N.O
Lowestoft as the little ships had to be routed, supplied with fuel and etc. by all him. He asked me to take full charge of the operations. This simplified th work and by noon 16 vessels from stations to the North of and including Lowes were ready for the first stage of their journey complete with petrol, paraffi water and 4 days provision. These sailed at 1420. Others were standing b as under orders but were eventually not required. The vessels from stations of Lowestoft came for the most part under direct orders from local naval authorities. Lists of all vessels advised by our various representatives in the attached schedules.
La
Volunteers for crews were not lacking and it is of passing interest tha youngest volunteer was 141, a Coastguard' S son Peter Haines, a sea scout, and the eldest man was 73 (Mr. C.A. Pegg). The latter has now returned to his crab fishing and the Coastguard's son has been appointed messenger to the 1st. Lieut,
Naval Base, here. In view of the difficulty likely to be experienced by the fishermen when dealing with the Naval Authority at Harwich and Ramsgate it was
B
agreed that Mr. Graham should accompany the party. This proved a most
Later satisfactory arrangement and his handling of the variety of problems which arose
200
called the highest praise from the fishermen. The following is his report:-
9th J
1030
"We left Lowestoft for Harwich at 1420 on 1st June in a group of sixteen
Rose boats. T. Nielsen of Wells was Chief Skipper. The subsequent movements of these
Q. &
sixteen vessels are known up to the time they reached home ports again. It will
10th 1820. June be some time before the movements of vessels from other stations are fully known and reported by local fishery officers. One vessel, the "Boy Fred" HH.15, was in
Minist company with my party for operations from 5th - 7th June.
1300.
The following narrative of the movements of the sixteen and the "Boy Fred" is
All V
constructed from my log and from records in the Fishery Office.
rts, exc
1st June.
T.O. Har
Tony L.N.40 (Leader), Malvina L.N.15, Bessie LN.16, 8. and JJ. LN.88.
1420 Left Lowestoft.
Rose LN.76.
Little Admiral LN.85, all of Wells.
Ace, IN.27.
Aunty Guss IN.29,
Jane Hannah IN.98, of Blakeney.
Rose LN.19, Seagull LN.203, Amity LN.47, of Brancaster.
Edna YH.119, Liberty II YH.104, of Sheringham.
Narcissa IT.38, Winston LY.142, of Lowe toft. ich.
2000 Spoke to Examination Vessel of
2150 Moored in Harwich

Sanders Navments and od thenight could money hat that so
- 2
2nd June.
Several vessels were found to have developed serious engine defects, nd
.ed
OZ
ng to the long passages, for which some of the engines were unsuitable. Also, bulden consultation with Naval Authorities at Harwich it was decided that some of
Han the craft were not likely to be useful, owing to age, small size, or lack of power the
Fine vessels were selected to continue the voyage to Ramsgate and after standing for orders these nine vessels proceeded.
1255. Left Harwich harbour.
Ace (Leader) Q. and J.J., Rose (LN.76), Bessie, Malvina,
Jane Hannah, Amity,
Narcissa,
Winston.
2010. Entered Ramsgate.
3rd June.
On request four vessels and crews volunteered for service in Commander Le
Mesurier's opration; but finally were not required. Warton, engineer of
Narcissa, tool part in Vice-Admiral Taylor's operation.
4th June.
0930. Eght vessels and "Boy Fred" HH.15 took part in landing French soldiers from troopshis at anchor outside in the fog.
1100. Fllowing vessels selected for operations under Captain Selby:-
Ace, Bessie Rose, Q. & J.J., Malvina, Narcissa, Winston, Boy Fred.
The folloing men volunteered to go in the vessels:-
Bessie
T.lielsen.
Rose
R.
Pegg
Ace C. Warton
W.1. Cox
J. Bishop
M. Graham
W. Long
J. Barnes
Narcissa Albrow.
T.E. Scotte:and J.T. Greengrass not required.
Later on le Jane Hannah was also taken and G. Long was anxious to go in her, bu was not ruired.
General sisfaction was expressed with the work of the volunteers and there wer no casualies.
5t₂ June.
Aperationn progress. Malvina and Winston were discarded in Dover,
Q. & J.J. in msgate and Jane Hannah was brought in so that six vessels were used:-
Jane Hanna Bessie, Rose, Boy Fred,
Narcissa,
Ace.
6th June.
Operation ompleted.
7th June.
Heard "JanHannah" had been lost. Reported loss of "Jane Hannah" and damage to all her vessels to S.T.
1530. Le: Dover.
Narcissa (lader).
Bessie towig Ace.
of
Rose towingMalvina.
Boy Fred toing Winston.
Later Narcissa ad to take both Boy Fred and Winston in tow.
2200. Arrved Ramsgate.
8th June.
1045.
Left Ramsgate.
a
Narcissa (lealer). Q. & J.J.
Rose and Malvina towing Winston.
Bessie towing Ace.
Amity.
Later Narcissa helped tow Winston.
2000. Arrivel Harwich.
9th June.
don
1030. Left Harwich.
Rose (leader) with Narcissa, Bessie, Ace, Malvina, Winston all in tow and
Q. & J.J., Amity, Aunty Guss.
1820. Arrived Lowestoft.
10th June.
Ministry of Shipping surveyors visited vessels and noted the damage.
1300. Vessels proceeded to home ports.
All vessels named in this report have been reported as having reached their home rts, except the Boy Fred. This boat was left in Ramsgate on 8th June and
T.o. Harwich was notified that evening. He promised to inform her owner.
M. GRAHAM.
/Before

Reference maso
I an destand that the Director - Sennal the
2.w.7.
requires a report 1th propess
Che work suice the d.
presentation nth Committees report m 10/6/41. This - attached topether t t est with He laken summary payments.
smil he handed
21/9/41
the
Sn ace
June like to the J the of report
11the position as at / bu end
September.
(1405) Wt14698/963
22(vii
2,000,000 5/39 JC&SLtd.
(REGIMITE) Gp644/230
In hand
Junury craft. Damages and Losses.
In all 9 craft are involved in this claim. Although our
Surveyor met the Owners and concluded a settlement in the sum of £321.18.. it was later found that the damages and losses incurred were not the result of the Dunkirk operations, although some of the craft had originally been inspected and considered for that operation. They subsequently became involved in, firstly, the evacuation of Ramsgate Harbour, following Dunkirk and then in the bombing of the Port of London. It has been found necessary to look further into the history of these craft.
Investigations are not yet complete, but if it is considered that the Government is liable for the sum involved, either by way of preparation for the Dunkirk service, or for treatment under the War Damage Act, the case will go to the Treasury for special consideration. It will be very difficult to separate the
(1502) 28899/1063
incidence of liability.
1,500,000 939 JC&SLed
Gp644'229
(REGIMINT)
CODE 5-34-0
Contd... [OVER