TNA MT 40 36 Pt 2

S.T. "PRINCESS".
132
Sirs,
On Friday, 31st May, we left Dagenham at 10 a.m. for
Gravesend, arriving at 11.30 a.m. We picked up a pilot and left Gravesend at 11.40 a.m. for Southend. We arrived at Southend at 1 p.m., leaving again at 1.35 p.m. for Ramsgate. On our way we assisted the S.T. "DUKE" to tow the sailing barge "Asnington"
to Ramsgate. We arrived at Ramsgate at 6 p.m., and entered the
Harbour at 6.45 p.m. We then towed the barge "Snowdon" from the east side of the harbour to the west side, moored her, and ran back to the ast side for further orders.
Steam was ordered for 5 a.m. on Saturday, 1st June, and acting upon instructions received we loaded stores and gear.
At 9.30 a.m. we left Ramsgate Harbour, picking up the train ferry
"Fishbourne". Taking her in tow we proceeded to Dunkirk. We had arrived at about 2 miles off Dunkirk when the Commander of the
"Fishbourne" ordered us to alter the course and tow back to
Ramsg te Harbour, which we did,, arriving back at Ramsgate at 7.30
a.m. on the 2nd June. While towing the "Fishbourne" to and from
Dunkirk, all the ropes which we had aboard the S.T. "Princess" were broken.
On Sunday, 2nd June we were in Ramsgate Harbour awaiting orders.
On Monday, 3rd June steam was ordered for 6 a.m., and we left
Ramsgate Harbour at 11.15 a.m. We proceeded to the Downs, picking up s.t. "Contest" as escort to Southend. We arrived at Southend at
6.45 p.m., cleared and proceeded to Dagenham, where we arrived at
9.30 p.m.
(signed)
J.Wallis, Captain.
F.Berry, Mate.
S.Tall.
F. Soper.
G. Johnson.
CRewe.
T. Scott.
F. Tyson.
a ed f
e te eir

DUEST
P33
S.T. "PRINCE"
10th June, 1940.
Sirs,
On Friday, 31st May we 10 left Dagenham at about 10 a.m., for
Gravesend and arrived at 11.15 a.m. We picked up a pilot and then proceeded to Southend where we arrived at about 12.30 p.m. Instructions were received to tow the sailing barge "Bassildon", to Ramsgate.
Leaving Southend 1.30 p.m., we arrived at Ramsgate Harbour at about 6.30 p.m. Orders were given by the Naval Officer to take her off in the Downs, drop anchor and leave her, and proceed in harbour for further orders. We assisted craft in the Harbour - trawlers, etc., and shifted stores and barge. We had to stay on board while in the Harbour and wait for orders.
by at
At 5 a.m. on Saturday, 1st June, I had orders to get stores and gear abaord, together with two naval ratings, and to assist tow the "Fishbourne" - a Portsmouth (Isle of Wight) ferryboard - over to Dunkirk. Taking the "Fishbourne" in tow, we left Ramsgate
Harbour about 9. 30 a.m. We towed her until 11 p.m., when we were
2 miles offDunkirk. Her Commander then told us to turn roun and get away home as soon as possible as enemy aircraft were about.
We arrived off Ramsgate Harbour at about 7.30 a.m. on Sunday, 2nd
June, and proceeded into Harbour to await orders. I had instructions to stand by, as they expected we were going over to Dunkirk again. and cook our place.
On Monday, 3rd June, steam was ordered for 6.a.m. and we told to stand by. After shifting sailing barges, etc. in Harbour, we received orders to proceed home. We left Ramsgate Harbour Sticeep about 11.15 a.m., and proceeded to the downs. We picked up the
Gravesend tug #Contest* who escorted us up to Southend. After
9.30 clearing at Southend III I proceeded up to Dagenham, arriving at CO
you bed p.m. and the difficulty in the Sailing Barges in tow, we lost contact with our other and the Ferry Bost.
the Mary" had the "Sun 1714, I
decided to keep her my COW, H. Mansfield. Mate.
in Signed ) Capt. J. Benson. with two barges each.
G. Young.
H. Mansfield. Hands
Dunkirk (socording to the reckoning W. Mance. of the S.T. "Sun
At about 2.40 p.m., when approxim board side, during which our own George. shlit up the
WO Cound a violent air raid in progr J. Hardy. Stokers. our enemy craft. At the same time we sighted a life boat adrift with about 40 English soldiers aboard and one Navel rating. We picked to
20 soldiers and left the rest aboard the S.T. *Sun III". Things
Looking very bad, and upon the advice of an officer in charge of the soldiers, and owing to the fact that us did not know the executive shereabouts of our destination having lost contact with our
Commander who VIRB abroad the Ferry Bost, we steamed about for an hour and then followed the "Sun III". About 4.20 R.M. 10
sighted smother life boat which turned out to be from the destroyer
"Hasilisa" which had been sunk in an air raid off Dunicine
There WILLIAM 12 survivors aboard 11 sailors and 1 interesta rat
We took abroad. Their boat was then put adtorn or suffing anst.
r C
ed
We sysin proceeded on our sourse, and at 5+5 two British aircraft circled come us and mighalled CLS to wes not course for
Bouth. This 410, AND the followed. After fo for about TO minutes, was with of the accordes, ke two life busts, und X the of the to the in we book Fena who 14 Canadian te:
ein

QUEST
135
-2-
Again we went on our original course, and after approximately
11 hour steaming, another sailing barge broke adrift from #Sun III"
which I also took in tow, arriving off Ramsgate Harbour about 6 a.m.
on the 2nd June.
We signalled the authorities, and were told to lay off and small craft would be sent out for the survivors.
At about 7.30 a.m. I left the three sailing barges off the
Downs and proceeded into the Harbour and awaited orders. At about
8.30 a.m., I was sent out to fetch the Ferry Boat into Harbour as she was disabled. This I did, then tied up andawaited further orders.
At 10.30 a.m. we received orders to stand by to coal and take stores aboard ready for another journey to Dunkirk, but these orders were later cancelled.
We stood by until 8 o'clock on Monday morning, 3rd June, and then received orders to proceed together with the S.T. "CONTEST", acting as Pilot on an Admiralty course to Shoeburyness, arriving there at 6.30 p.m. We received instructions from the Naval Patrol
Boat to proceed to Dagenham Dock, arriving at 9.15 p.m., and after putting gear into Stores I tied up at 9.45 p.m.
( Signed )
Capt. B.P. Mansfield.
) H. Willis (Junr.)
Crewe
C. Sweetlove.
my my
)
A. Campbell.
Driver
W. Nye.
from
Firemen of rated r our wed
, for a ke a in the fter eing/