TNA MT 40 36 Pt 2

YORK
AGE
text e-row
NOS
ASSOTE
1898
OFFICE
&
the
GREAT
AGIS
in gaire
- 3 -
SLB
were
Y
Before the boats left I arranged with Commander A.L. Sanders Naval Officer in
70 Lowestoft for an advance of £200 to me so that some cash payments could be to these fishermen suddenly taken out of their daily earnings. The money ha accounted for in detail on the appropriate naval account form and the in view maistry of Shipping has been advised of the advances. I am informed tonight that ne Sea Transport Department is sending out a circular letter to all concerned so that they can make claims for their services.
Wilth the loss of only one boat and a few small damages the operation can be considered to have been a great success so far as boats were concerned which came from north of Lowestoft. This is attributéd to the ceaseless work put in by
Mr. Graham, Mr. Jay and Mr. Macmillan; work involving all night attendance at the office on May 31/June 1st as it was originally intended the little ships should sail at dawn June 1st. The fishermen's only regret is that they were not called on earlier so their long experience of working boats to an inch on flat beaches could have been better utilised. I would like official thanks to be sent to Major Hannam of the Salvation Army Hostel, who on my appeal at once found beds and fed some thirty fishermen making them most comfortable.
The a
ced as am onl
Dey
(805) 00 Hormoes exp

ADVANCE
sent ath
Fountain Court, kingham Palace Road,
1.1.
5 - DEC 1940
th. November, 1940.
RECEIVED 28 NOV 1940 16
Berkeley Square,
S.W.1.
Your reference:-
T.0.9144/STN.6B.
Dear Sir,
As I explained in my letter to you under your reference as above, due to circumstances beyond my control there would be some delay in furnishing you with a rough log in respect of the motor yacht 'Advance' and the part played with her at Dunkirk.
The necessary particulars have d
now come to hand and I have much pleasure in red enclosing them herewith.
Trusting that the enclosed will be of assistance to you,
I am, as
Yours faithfully, anick
C.P.Dick.
On medical attention.
спеу transferreu cue r
a that day's day, rest. so they Daylight returned prevented to England, them and reaching Dunkirk but were unable to Following remove this they again went were to allowed Dunkirk to and England. bombing, there were none any on troops the beach, as, owing so they to shelling returned

ADVANCE
Letter
25, Fountain Cairt,
Buckingham Palace Road,
S.W.1.
27th. November, 1940.
RECEIVED 28 NOV 1940 18
Director of Sea Transport,
Ministry of Shipping,
Berkeley Square House,
Berkeley Square,
S.W.1.
Your reference:-
T.O.9144/STN.6B.
Dear Sir,
As I explained in my letter to you under your reference as above, due to circumstances beyond my control there would be some delay in furnishing you with a rough log in respect of the motor yacht 'Advance' and the part played with her at Dunkirk.
The necessary particulars have now come to hand and I have much pleasure in enclosing them herewith.
Trusting that the enclosed will be of assistance to you,
I am,
You rs faithfully, Mick
C.P.Dick.
medical men, attention. whom they transferreu on loue r
and but a that day's were day, rest. unable so Daylight to rourned remove again reaching and were allowed Dunkirk to England. bombing, there were none any on troops the beach, as, owing went so they to to shelling Dunkirk returned

LOG
of
Motor Boat
"Advance"
on a Voyage From Teddington,
To Ramsgate.
Via Sheerness,
Dover, and Dunkirk.
Departed 27th May 1940.
Arrived 30th May 1940.
M/B. "Advance"
Builder
Vosper.
Designer
Fred Cooper.
40ft. X llft. 6in.
Engine
Thorneycroft RB/6. (petrol) 140 h.p.
The in their pockets was on
120 men, whom they transferred **** to a richer loue medical attention.
or that day, so they returned to England, and were allowed
Daylight prevented them reaching Dunkirk but a day's rest. Following this they again went to Dunkirk and were unable to remove any troops as, owing to shelling to England.
bombing, there were none on the beach, so they returned

THE
"ADVANCE"
Preliminary.
27 May. 1630 hrs. Informed by telephone that the Admiralty had taken over "Advance" and that we were to go at once to
Teddington to remove any private gear remaining on board Did so.
1830 hrs. At Teddington we were told that about ten other boats had also been taken over and that there was a shortage of crews.
Asked if we would be able to take the boat down to
Sheerness the following morning, starting not later than 0730 hrs.
we agreed. After a ranging for fuel, oil and battery attention, we returned to London for the night, by road.
28 May. 0700 hrs. Arrived at Teddington, bringing with us a sandwich lunch, as no china, cutlery or cooking utensils had been left on board.
0730 hrs. Weather fine, but with slight tendency to drizzle.
Wind slight.
Slipped and proceeded. Nothing of note until 1130 hrs.
Hailed by R.E.S. launch off Woolwich Pier, and given a pass to enter Sheerness Dockyard, also instructions to do so via the
Swatchway.
1330 hrs. Arrived Sheerness and made fast the inner basin, as instructed, among a large assortment of other small craft. Went ashore to report arrival.
1350 hrs. Left Dockyard and went to Lord Nelson Hotel for refreshment and to enquire about transport back to London.
NOTE:
At this time, we had no idea what the boats were wanted for and had not even heard of the Belgian defection. In the Lord Nelson we got into conversation with an officer, and told him of the boat we had just brought down, and that we were anxious to serve in some capacity, if possible together, and in the boat with which we were familiar.
He suggested that we might try his own section (Boom Defence)
and that while on the spot we should go and see the officer concerned, to whom he would introduce us.
We did so, and were told that while he could make no use of our services, he knew who could. We telephoned Admiral Taylor, to whom we were taken.
After some questioning, we were signed on (H.M.S. Wildfire) as
The in their pockets was on
120 men, whom they transferred **** to a cue medical attention.
or
Daylight prevented them reaching Dunkirk that day, so they returned to England, and were allowed a day's rest. Following this they again went to Dunkirk but were unable to remove any troops as, owing to shelling and bombing, there were none on the beach, so they returned to England.

"ADVANCE"
Preliminary.
2.
follows:- C.P. Dick, Charge Hand; E.H. Piercy, Engineer-Deckhand;
K.C. McGuffie, Cook-Deckhand.
We drew Provisions, (But nothing with which to cook, eat, or even open them: see above), Water, Steel Helmets, Oilskins, Seaboots and Petrol.
We also took advantage of a slight pause to clean out the filters and carburettors, as the boat had been standing at Teddington for nearly three months.
28 May. 1600 hrs. Fuel, Stores etc. on board. Picked up a whaler, and left Sheerness with orders to stand off until a convoy was made up and then proceed to Dover.
00/
1630 hrs. Eight other boats (with whalers) formed up and proceeded. 'Advance' number two in line. 'Advance', so far as could be seen, the only boat with no Naval Officers or ratings on board.
Nothing of note, other than the difficulty of keeping station owing to widely varying powers and speeds of different boats, bad towing of empty and unsteered whalers, behind launches in some cases little larger than their tows, and the unfamiliarity of most other crews with their craft.
2230 hrs. N.Foreland abeam. Cloudy dark night, but good visibility. Leader showing stern light, but otherwise all blacked out.
1259 hrs. Between Ramsgate and Deal. Leader's stern light failed. After this had some difficulty in following; some other boats failed to do so.
(Note) 'Advance' had own charts, but no compass.
29 May. 0300 hrs. Leader, 'Advance' and River passenger launch arrived in Dover Outer Harbour, and made fast alongside a Destroyer moored to buoys. After making fast we were rammed by Leader, apparently owing to defective astern clutches. (Later found two frames cracked on port side.)
0330 hrs. Instructed to move into Submarine Basin, where we refueled, and rested (a little). And those who had the wherewithall breakfasted.
0600 hrs. An Officer came along the jetty, and at last told us what we were wanted to do. - That it would be dangerous but was very important, and that we should have ample support from the
R.A.F. - We were also given the opportunity of going ashore, in their pockets was
The medical 120 men, attention. whom they transferred to a richer on cue or a that day's day, rest. so they Daylight returned prevented to England, them reaching and Dunkirk and but were bombing, unable to Following remove any this troops they again went were to allowed Dunkirk to England. there were none on the beach, as, owing so they to shelling returned

3.
"ADVANCE"
Preliminary.
and leaving the boats to be taken over by Naval or other crews.
The (Trades Union?) crew of the passenger launch 'Queen Boadicea'
took advantage of this offer (apparently being more concerned with their 'dues' than with their duty).
NOTE:
The remaining boats which had left Sheerness with us, and had dropped out during the night, arrived at intervals during the morning; except one which had been sunk in collision; her crew, however, had been picked up and were redistributed.
0645 hrs. Fine clear morning, no wind. Slipped and proceeded
29/5
in company with other boats, again following Leader as No. Two.
Led Convoy for a short time, while Leader was investigating a straggler with carburettor trouble.
9
Nothing else of note, so we were able to get a little sleep on turns, and dry clothing in the sun.
0900 hrs. Found old hacksaw blade in a locker and so were able to open tin of beef, and make sandwiches.
"ADVANCE"
DUNKIRK.
29 May. 1130 hrs. Realised that cloud-bank observed ahead was actually smoke from burning town.
1200 hrs. Fairly close in, turned East, parallel with Coast line.
1230 hrs. Approaching Dunkirk. Two enemy aircraft believed to be J.U.87's dived on convoy and machine gunned it. No casualties or important damage noticed, but 'Advance' signal mast carried away.
(Apparently by under-carriage of second machine).
NOTE:
A good deal of wreckage about, also sunken ships and crashed aeroplanes. A lot of firing going on. Passed a moored hulk, flying
French flag and mounting several AA-guns, firing a good deal at no very apparent target.
Saw aeroplane (unidentified) dive into sea and explode, some distance out.
Saw what appeared to be several fires on the beach. (Was later told that they were exhausts of torpedoes from a British Destroyer, set on fire during the morning.)
in their pockets was
The medical 120 men, whom they transferred **** to a on attention.
lcue or a that day's day, so they Daylight returned prevented to England, them reaching Dunkirk but were rest. Following this they again and were allowed to and England. bombing, unable there to were remove none any on troops the beach, as, owing went so they to to shelling Dunkirk returned

"ADVANCE"
DUNK IRK.
4.
1300 hrs. Approached a large merchant ship (on fire) with a
Destroyer alongside, for more detailed instructions. Told to get as many men as possible from the beach to the waiting ships.
Proceeded to do so.
Took 'Advance' as close in as seemed safe, Piercy and McGuffie away in whaler. Whaler broached to and swamped on reaching beach;
as two men only, not enough to handle her in slight surf caused by other ships wash and bombs.
The troops at this time rather disorganised, not only units, but nationalities being mixed. Saw a French Officer, on a horse, making great efforts to obtain order, (later "The Frenchman on the Horse"
seemed to become almost a landmark).
10
Eventually Piercy and McGuffie, assisted by a French Interpreter
Officer (Capt. de Gailis) succeeded in getting whaler partially emptied of water, loaded and under way. Taken in tow by Dick in
'Advance'.
Proceeded alongside Destroyer, and troops embarked therein.
Returned to beach for more. Shortly after we left this
Destroyer appeared to be hit by one or more bombs.
Troops in rather better order by now, so got second boat-load off without much trouble.
On third trip managed to get 'Advance' close enough in for men to wade or swim out, in addition to those picked up by whaler. (Some
Naval Ratings in this party). On the way out, the whaler fouled some submerged obstruction, was holed, overturned and sank. Picked up all but three men, who were rescued by a motor pontoon.
Took our men out to a drifter. (Two Ratings remaining with us).
On the way back to the beach, picked up another whaler, empty and abandoned, but apparently intact. Piercy and two ratings took it in, filled up, and returned. Took it in tow and went alongside a
Destroyer to unload.
While we were there, and troops were climbing up nettings hung over her side, aircraft dived from behind clouds, and the Destroyer suddenly went ahead, presumably on orders, carrying away our lines and also the whalers tow rope. Three or four men were seen to fall over-board, some being crushed between the Destroyer's side and
'Advance' port quarter.
After getting 'Advance' under control again we could only see one
Cio
VIID
120 in their pockets was
The medical men, attention. whom they transferred to a French on cue
J
a that day's day, so they Daylight returned prevented to England, them reaching Dunkirk but were rest. unable to Following this they again and went were to allowed to England. there were none on the beach, as, owing so they to shelling returned and bombing, remove any troops Dunkirk

"ADVANCE"
DUNKIRK.
5.
man floating, so went to pick him up; McGuffie remaining in whaler in charge of her and the remaining troops. Piercy and a gun-layer who had remained with us, (name unknown) had some difficulty in getting this man on board, as he was wearing full equipment and a great-coat; so Dick left the wheel temporarily to help. The man turned out to be a middle-aged infantry Captain, and appeared to have a broken thigh. He fainted after we got him on board.
Went alongside an escort vessel and got the man on to a stretcher and on board her, assisted by two ratings who remained with us afterwards.
McGuffie had also got the whaler alongside this vessel, and had unloaded his men, so took him in tow, and returned to the beach to fill up again. Did not take 'Advance' close in, as we had touched several times, previously, and were worried about possible damage to propeller, etc.
As we got clear again great aerial activity began, so decided that it would be safer to keep clear of all ships for the time being. Stood out.
A bomb fell close to our starboard side, shaking us considerably;
when we had got to our feet again,we saw that, though there were no casualties, the whaler's seams had opened up, owing to the concussion, and she was sinking rapidly. Stopped and took the men out of her and abandoned.
Without the tow, we could make better speed away from the bombed area, and were able to investigate the damage to 'Advance'.
She appeared to have been considerably strained, and was making a certain amount of water but the only hole found was about six or eight inches above the water-line.
After things had quietened a little, returned and got out men into a transport.
After this we made no attempt to use a boat of our own, but picked up anything we could find near the beach, whalers, pontoons, rafts, shore boats, and even bathing floats and canoes; taking the men from them to the nearest ship of any sort that we could find. (Including a heavily laden motor boat (broken down) from one of H.M. Ships.)
After several trips of this sort, we realised that we had drifted rather far to the East, i.e. into Belgium, so we picked up several pontoons with a view to towing them further West, to where they
SHOTO
120 in their pockets was
The medical men, attention. whom they transferred express to a French Trawler on due that day's day, rest. so they Daylight returned prevented to England, them reaching and Dunkirk but a were unable to Following remove this they again went were to allowed Dunkirk to and England. bombing, there were none any on troops the beach, as, owing so they to shelling returned

BEE
BAT
"ADVANCE"
DUNKIRK.
6.
appeared to be more needed.
While we were doing this, we were hailed by a Destroyer and came alongside. We were instructed to take on board a portable radio transmitting set, and two operators and to land them at a certain place. (Signal Station at La Panne, not marked on our chart, but readily visible on land).
Embarked signalman and equipment.
Cast off pontoons etc. so that they would, as far as possible, drift onto beach near troops and so be of further use.
Picked up another whaler, and while doing so, passed close to a transport using her remaining boat to evacuate troops from a crowded paddle steamer recently bombed; aground and with her after part on fire.
Went as close to beach as possible, transferred signalmen and radio to whaler, and slipped them near "The Frenchman on the Horse".
Their plan was to get a volunteer party of soldiers to carry their gear, and to leave the boat to be used by troops.
By this time (late afternoon), we had no electrical circuits and no instruments (other than engine oil pressure, and water temperature)
still working, so we stood off and dipped the fuel tanks by hand. -
Found that there was only a small reserve over what we should need to make the English coast again (about 40 galls.) Still making water through strained chines - Neither hand nor power bilge -
pumps working (probably owing to leaks in suction lines)- Decided it was advisable to return to England soon, without passengers.
29 May. 2045 hrs. Found one of the boats which had started with us from Dover, still afloat and functioning. We had seen several others beached or abandoned at various times, including the original Leader.
Reported to Lieutenant Garside, R.N.V.R. in command, as the only available officer.
It appeared that he was in much the same state as ourselves, except that he had a compass. Neither of us had charts which showed minefields, etc., nor had we any other aids to navigation.
Agreed that be should endeavour to make Ramsgate, towing a whaler which he still had; 'Advance' to follow, keeping as much reserve fuel as possible in cans, in case we had to abandon during the night.
One of Leader's crew found an empty tin so we came alongside cue cloths TO
The in their pockets was explouing.
n medical 120 men, whom they transferred to a French Trawier 102
ue attention.
that day, so they returned to England, and were allowed
Daylight prevented them reaching Dunkirk and were unable to remove any troops as, owing to Dunkirk but a day's rest. Following this they again went to to England. bombing, there were none on the beach, so they sholling returned

BEE
"ADVANCE"
DUNKIRK.
7.
and collected it and managed to boil water and make some tea, one can full of which we passed back.
NOTE:
'Advance' had a built in pressure stove which had not been removed at Teddington, and luckily there was a little paraffin left in it. This was the first hot drink we ('Advance') had had for over thirty six hours.
Nothing else of note, but fires on French coast were visible for some time after dark as we went away. Judging from flashes and tracer seen there was a good deal of air raiding.
2230 hrs. Piercy and McGuffie below to try and rest. Dick and gunlayer remaining on bridge. Following Leader at 4 - - 5
knots: no lights.
30 May. 0001 hrs. Dick handed over to gunlayer and went below to rouse McGuffie, who went up to take over. Dick resting.
NOTE: McGuffie unable to see sufficiently in dark, so gunlayer at wheel, McGuffie standing by controls etc.
0400 hrs. Patches of mist. Land sighted to port. Dick and Piercy called.
Went alongside Leader to consult. Gunlayer thought he had recognised Deal, but Lt. Garside said he had not expected to make the English coast for about another hour, he was very doubtful about his compass and was afraid it might be some part of the
French coast. (Presumably Occupied).
Decided to carry on cautiously keeping land to port.
0430 hrs. Mist thickening. Sighted large motor boat to starboard. Gunlayer thought he made out German Ensign but no-one else could be sure. She avoided us and disappeared in the mist.
0445 hrs. High land visible ahead and on both sides. Decided to anchor and wait for full daylight, and possible lifting of fog.
0445 hrs. Leader attempted to drop anchor but found only about
4 ft. of water so stood out a little and re-anchored in about
8 ft. 'Advance' made fast alongside.
McGuffie and gunlayer managed to start stove again, and make tea and cocoa.
us cue cloths TO
The in their pockets was exploding.
n medical 120 men, whom they transferred to a French Trawler 102
ue attention.
that day, so they returned to England, and were Dunkirk
Daylight prevented them reaching and were unable to remove any troops as, owing to Dunkirk but a day's rest. Following this they again went to allowed to England. bombing, there were none on the beach, so they shelling returned

BEE
BAT
LIETTER SENTH
CHAMOIS
ns
HOUND
"ADVANCE"
DUNKIRK.
8.
0530 hrs. Mist clearing. Recognised end of Undercliff Parade at Ramsgate. 'Advance' cast off, Leader weighed anchor and we proceeded into harbour; making fast, as instructed, alongside a dredger. Went ashore.
0600 hrs. Found a Lt. -Commander R.N. and reported to him. He told us to go and get some food and rest. Did so. We ('Advance')
making our own arrangements.
We were later informed that 'Advance' had had to be beached to save her from sinking alongside.
14
DS
C. P. DICK.
I have given times where possible but they must be regarded as very approximate, as no log was kept on the spot.
I have used the word "Leader" throughout to indicate the boat carrying the S.N.O. of our party (at the time) as, with the exception of Lt. Garside, I do not know the names of either the
Officers or boats concerned.
light prevented returned to England, ollowing this they agal
DS remove any troops as
3 were none on the bea is
DUNKIRK.
n
Recognised end many of these were
0530 hrs.
ockets was exploding. They managed to rescue off, Leader wei at Ramsgate.
hom they transferred to a French Trawler for ng fast, as insi
Recognt proceeded int tention.
Leat dredger. Went ashore.
fast, as
Daylight prevented them reaching Dunkirk hrs. Found
Found y, so they returned to England, and were allowed go and and ges rest. Following this they again went to Dunkirk ander R.N. and re ised end were unable to remove any troops as, owing to shelling and rest.
Did clearing bombing, there were none on the beach, so they returned
00 England.
HO
'Advance' had had ible thro ICK.
(at

The MOTOR BOAT and
42
YACHTING
The M
Dunkirk Cruise
"Sea Roamer's" Work in the Evacuation
By J. E. W. Wheatley
TIN-HAC lifebelt, and harnessed into a Mae West pneuthe inflation tube of which hung out comically in front, I stood on the after trunking of
43-ft. cruiser "Sea Roamer," leaned on the wheelhouse my roof and contemplated the dull red glow on the horizon astic Lieut. R.N.V.R.
that was Dunkirk. Beside me stood a young and enthusi-
It was 10.30 and we had an urgent appointment could the B.E.F. make at midnight. With less than 12 miles to with it easily. There was no moon but the go we sky was ablaze with stars. From astern came a summer extra-large lighted for identification. stars, moving through the sky-British group planes, of
A destroyer loomed past at about 30 knots, her knocked more. We bucked and dived in the wash followed wave by several shooting out like twin fountains. She was bow from up and took some water down the forward they snug way, Lewis which the cover had been torn to hatchalong. It gun emplacement. But Sea Roamer make plugged a
That was no new thing for her to be in the
Dunkirk's pall broken tafrail. behindround afternoon, in a South Coast harbour, the Navy.
gone on this that none but 18-knot craft would be order had claim for Sunday night show, so, for the first time, I allowed
-high speed. Sea Roamer a virtue that she does not possess had to between Leaving them and And and and and and and a And and and and and and a sheet of w f over matter Even
The author (centre) with two of the French soldiers rescued by Sea Roamer.
phone every fow We a the be like still in flame, derricks stretching for miles, against which the lised on the mole and inner harbours stood cranes and silhouette. Above the flames and rolling to out the in trel reservoirs. The green light on the end of the mole, probward hung a black pall of smoke from the burning west oil as ably supplied by a portable gas bottle, was still gleaming, more. were had probably ranged properly the the desultory she but targets during them the a t
Channel. were several buoys in the roadstead and the Dunkirk
Roamer's starshells and from
As we turned eastward and came the mouth of the harbour a destroyer was just gliding across in to take off her load of French troops lined up on the Suddenly her observing to the Germans in a were few rounds. on no
Bren guns spouted streams of coloured quay. tracer bullets into invisible to us, followed suit and in a minute or so the sky the sky. A second later all the ships in the vicinity,
B.E.F. decided Two gave and to up a search head half hope miles popped the of wre find was pierced with a shower of golden rain like firework night hear at Henley, In the noise and darkness I could neither nor see the enemy plane, but better trained than she dropped her bombs.
through the wheelhouse and rattled our doors told when mine had found her and the whoof of hot air that eyes pushed
THE Anglais against her Anglais against ha A voice
A grim view through the wheelhouse window.
Four Naval ratings, in charge of the Lieut., fixed up the tions wrecks that encumbered the roadstead. way Our instruc-
In the light of the flames we picked our between her machine gun, stowed the ammunition and rations and impede east bigger ships, and to go to the beach the we northwere to keep out of the harbour, where might hitched a suitable boat astern. Soon, with relief, we slipped out of the harbour beyond recall.
plan and locate and take off troops there. Following to this before.sen They by the the last enem of ag
After the destroyers had passed I am afraid we looked the beach we passed the mole, turned in as close as possible to crossed-eyed at the official route instructions for deepertide and crawled eastward towards La Panne. The draught craft and shaped a course of our own, directly was able was high, and Sea Roamer," drawing only 4 ft.,
THE next. said:
THE days ha across the shallows and the west end of the Breedt Bank, starshell to get within 50 yards of the A German
So we left the fleet of French fishermen, Dutch schuits, scene. hung for minutes in the sky, lighting shore. up the whole trawlers and other vessels to follow the deeper channels.
To the north-east we could hear the crump, crump, of megaphone, Any more for the Mudlark?" yelled through the heavy gun fire and hoped it was the Navy shelling the
There Any more for Blighty?" we ing up on us.
German advance, The sight of Dunkirk, as we approached, was truly unforgettable. The whole place was a wall of above recognized the Casino and the beach at all. road
I was no sign of life upon the the beach. As I looked an incendiary Kursaal on shell the burst opere being about the fathom mega- light,

DUNKIRK CLAIMS
WINDSORA
her
EM
61. OR INSERTION IN REGISTERED PAPERS
H.O.
GERBERA
LETTER SENT
I
WINDSONG
144/STN6B.
(S)
TELEPHONE: BRIGHTON N° 5711/2.
-5DEC1940
POST ROOM
5th December
1940.
6
ance Company Limited
Sir,
15
District Branch,
198
I have to acknowledge receipt of
ORTH STREET, your letter dated 27th November, 1940, enclosing report on the Dunkirk
Operations, insofar as your Motor Boat
"ADVANCE" took part in these operations
Brighton!1.
1st
October,
1940.
and to thank you for the most interesting information which you have been good enough to supply. It is anticipated that this report will be
- Small Craft - Yacht -
of value in compiling the final report ONG".
which will be drawn up on these operations.
favour of the 16th instant, I now have ou desire for your records of the part
I am, Sir, f the B.E.F. from Dunkirk.
Your obedient Servant, rden of 29, Hill Road, Littlehampton, tlehampton.
The following is a
(Sgd.) A. P. MEREDITH.
for Director of Sea Transport.
ider its own power on May 30th, arriving tside until the following morning, when gave orders to proceed to east of
C. P.Dick Esq., ions.
Late that afternoon instructions nte
25, Fountain Court, sin.
Early on the morning of June 1st
Buckingham Palace Road,
D adjoining Basin where, with five other
S.W.1.
ar" a trawler, to Dunkirk.
W e made we rders had already been given by the Captain
We were on the point of making for the beach when we were heavily raided by dive bombers, one large salvo just missing our trawler.
We were ordered to cut adrift and make back, it was every man for himself.
Two or three times we were lifted or shot up with the detonations, in fact, it was marvellous how the boat stuck it.
There were several small and two large transports put down quite close to us. Every moment we thought it would be our turn for the machine guns which the Huns were using on small craft.
of
Meanwhile, there was wreckage all around us. One of the craft alongside was in trouble with its engines, and we gave them a hand getting their engines going, after which we proceeded on our course back to Dover.
Eventually we got by across the Goodwins when darkness set in.
We made the "Downs" and moored to a as tug until daybreak, finally reaching the east harbour of Dover about 7 a.m. on
June 2nd, where we reported our return.
After a while a naval crew took over the yacht and we then made our way back to Littlehampton where we reported.
ther
P.T.O.
after taking on Petrol at Gravesend.
About 10.30 a.m. we arrived at Southend Pier and
29/5
were asked to take the vessel to Dunkirk as there were not sufficient Naval Ratings available. Provisions for three days and more petrol were taken aboard, and we were
-1-

DUNKIRK CLAIMS COMMITTEE.
MEETING HELD AT 11 a.m. ON FRIDAY, 14TH
AT THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (ROOM 508
Present:
Mr. Moore.
11
Simmons
"
Riddell
It Chamberlin
"
Wand.
Mr. Moore took the Chair in the absence OZ
who was unable to attend.
1. Minutes of Meeting held on 7th February W
2. Matters arising were discussed:-
(a) "Madame Sans Gene: Agreed to negotiat and £1,700.
(b) "Southern Queen":
Agreed to settleme this vessel plus and hire at appro
(c) "Ferry Nymph":
Offer of £15 for h
(a) "Nemo IV":
Agreed to endorse since last meetin
(e) Belgian Trawler
"Jacomina"
Decided that this the Committee.
3. Report of Payments for period ending 13th amounting to £1,416. 11. 8. was presented and
4. The following cases were discussed:-
(a) "Grace Darling IV" Agreed to increase
£735 plus interes
(b) "Kate":
Agreed to offer £32
(c) "Maldon Annie":
Agreed to settle at interest.
(d) "Moss Rose":
Agreed to offer £37
(e) "New Prince of
Wales":
Agreed to defer fin formula of values passenger boats is the meantime offer advance of £2,000
(f) "Skylark II & III": Agreed to negotiate settlement for the between £900 and £

DUNKIRK CLAIMS COMMITTEE
Payments made since presentation of Report on 21st July 1941.
Repairs and
Total Loss
Vessel.
Type
Claimant
Paper No.
Hire and
Replacements
Remarks.
Expenses
£. s. d.
£. S. d.
£ S. d.
"LARK"
S/Barge
Dover Harbour Board
O. 9315/40.
8. 5.
"BARBARA JEAN"
T.O.9296/40.
18. 7.
"ROYALTY"
T.O.9298/40.
13. 4.
14.
"PANDORA"
Punt
A. Read
T.M. 5152/41.
30.
"KATHLEEN"
17' Boat
C. Morris
4918/41.
266.
-.
"FOLKESTONE
M/V
Spraggs Bros.
9201/40.
110.
BELLE"
(c/o Adams)
99. 17. -.
"BLUEBIRD"
M.L.
Mrs. G. Ragless
T.M. 4136/40
20. -.
"OLIVE MAY"
M/Barge
Samuel West Ltd.,
T.0.8532/40
30.
"LADY ROSEBERY"
AS/barge
=
T.0.9306/40
20. -.
"GLENWAY"
100. -.
65.
"RIVER TOY"
M/B.
C.H.Elkington
T.M. 2766/41
"ALPHEUS"
M/Barge
S. Instone & Co.,
T.0,9104/40
90. -: i,
"SHERFIELD"
J.J.Prior (Transport)
Limited
T.0.9423/40
66. -.
Dover Harbour Board
"
9. 1.
"SHAWFORD"
Prior (Trans) Ltd.
11
30. -. i,
"CAROLINE"
Row Boat
H.E. Parker
5206/41
28. -.
"SHRIMP"
Skiff
"
"
3. 17. -.
"FERROCRETE"
M/Barge
Assoc.Portland Cement
Manufacturers Ltd.,
T.0.7976/40
50.
ex "HIGHLAND
28'
Royal Mail Lines
T.M.6352/40
PRINCESS"
Lifeboat
Limited
236. 5. ".
"NEW PRINCE OF
Southend Motor Nav:
Balance of "Total Loss"
WALES"
P.M.B.
Company Limited
T.M. 3887/40
:! 120.
:: 1236.
Compensation.
"SHAMROCK"
P.M.B.
A. Barrell c/o
T.M.3898/40
!: 415.
Balance of "Total Loss"
W.G. & S. Beecroft
Compensation
"BONITA"
M/V
S.W. Newton c/o
T.M.2779/41
30. --
50. -.
Wannop & Falconer ex "GLOUCESTER
13
Union Castle Mail
T.M.9092/40
96. 7. -.
Lifeboat No.12
CASTLE"
Lifeboats
S.S. Co. Ltd.,
315. 8. 4.
7 Lifeboats
234. 14. -.
Fitting out 6 Lifeboats which replaced missing ones.
"SKYLARK III"
M/V
Mrs. M. Corsan
T. 0.9203/40
487. i.
"QUEEN OF
M/V
Bowmaker Ltd.,
T.M.3716/40
700.
i
Advance on account
ENGLAND"
"EMPRESS"
M/V
=
"
"
300.
!
Advance on account
"KNOWLES"
Aux.
London & Rochester
T.O.7764/40.
8. 6.11.
S/Barge
Trading Co.Ltd.,
"THYRA"
Aux
London & Rochester
S/Barge
Trading Co. Ltd.,
"
14. 9. 3.
"PUDGE"
Aux.
London & Rochester
S/Barge
Trading Co. Ltd.,
21. 8. 6.
London & Rochester
Trading Co. Ltd.,
75. -- -:
Dover Harbour Board
10. 11.
"CABBY"
London & Rochester
Trading Co. Ltd.,
"SCONE"
14. 3,
London & Rochester
Trading Co. Ltd.,
"SEINE"
M/Barge
38.10. 8,
London & Rochester
T.O.8949/40.
66. 8. 1.
Trading Cox Ltd.,
C/f
£ 893.18. -
£1,145. 3. 4.
£3,432. 5. -