TNA MT 40 36 Pt 2

CONSTANCE
22
29
WESTFIEL RODNEY NYMPH
ROAD,
40
REGISTR 6 A.M.
11/1/21/11
NEW
Constant Nymph malden 1461
little Club
T.O. 9144/STN.
in. 8/5/40
20/9/40
onfirm that my
Dunkish Operations
2ª hours' notice.
M.C. Constant Nymph
35
have to get up
Dear Sir so go to the boat.
as requested, I enclose copy of a rough diary of ont to Isleworth my own experiences which was made on my return to town.
2 10.00 and 11.00.
I be required as
I had given up Constant "mph" for lat but she huoy, and my ss, I found at the was found later at Broadstairs, badly damaged in the the would issue supers tructure rgutted of everything movemble, but quite
S in the same yard.
sound in hull.
There was no widence of damage by enemy action to think there was go down together, but much widence of bad handling flooting noon so that I
When found she had no sope on her propeller&
others did not a certain amount of petrol in her tank, and a local inhabitant said she had been brought ova by some to" as I felt might at least soldiers who had been left on the beach at Dunkirk.
rhess. Luckily
When I left her, she certainly had sope on her ings that he propeller mo petrol left, 20 the naval drifter had e H111 to Islowo be waiting for the cirdantly dealt with her sprobably used her again, as a
was intended- why she should have been abandoned the Naval Contro later on the other side in a fit condition to cross ander is to anchor 017
her run power is beyond me.
be allowed to io
Both British Freuch soldies had been on her since we had found n the 28th May
I lift her, as small items of dis carded equipment were was not worth found in her which rouch for one opecimen of each army have to keep at least.
"Coustant hymph is a 24' cabin cruiser built by Kris chor and proceeder
Crisers hld at I alworth with Watermota engine, built 1939, around there collect, repert she is on the British Register as 4.78 tons.
yours truly Babinate near the dockyni all present by informed that WI
now for what required, although 1 had been told by the pleasant voiced man who spoke to me from the Admiralty that it was dangerous.
Of the boats which had come down from Isleworth mine WILL
3
the only one in charge of its owner so far as I know, and that time we had rather got the point of view that there as nothing very urgent in the wind and most of the men who had brought boats down from up river had done so without any previous knowledge that they would be doing so and had had n opportunity of making arrangements with employers, etc. so that few of them folt able to sign on for a month and voni back to town very regretfully by train.
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with or seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had bued e
able to warn my partners that I should be away for a bitthe but there was same difficulty in getting signed on and IMC
toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing mumerous people 18
late in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a we was accurate 1dea what the job was and was quite determinedo that to be put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself visa a few supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be at the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

-2-
could not get anybody to sign me on I was signed on and back at the basin and by about 18.00 was making my way out of the basin with a crew ar two young ratings, a full tank and deck cargo of petrol, water breaker and enough provisions to last my little gang for about a week, including of large lump of raw beef, and two small sacks of potatoes - raw. The boat seemed very overcrowded.
As we passed out of the basin the Commodore hailed us Romszate and told me that we had got to tow a navy cutter to Sheerness.
These were brand now boats, fully souipped and weighing pretty nearly as much as my own little craft and had very thick new tow ropes. I must admit that I regarded this idea with considerable misgivings and was truly grateful for the fact that my boat had Samson p O sts and not leats.
Orders being orders we took the cutter in tow and dug out for Ramsgate, having our own chart of the Estuary and trusting to luck for the rest. The faster boats, which were also the bigger and less burdened by their cutters, got out of sight about dusk and another motor cruiser about the same size as my own and an open launch were the only vessels left in sight. The launch was having continuous engine trouble but the other motor cruiser was having a little trouble so I
turned back and closed them so that we could keep together.
Before 1t became quite dark a drifter turned up from Sheerness and informed us that she had been sent out to look after the motor boats. Hor Captain decided to anchor for the night and we tacked on to him. The occupants of the open launch went on board the drifter for the night but my crew and myself remained on my boat and slept between the intervals of popping up on deck to be sick, as 16 was by no means a comfortable lie for a 24 foot boat under five tons in weight.
We got under way early In the morning of the 29th and, the drifter kindly suggesting that she should take the three cutters and the defective launch in tow, the other motor eru and mine sailed independontly but keeping more or less in the reason these company with the drifter until off the Foreland, when we word ahead a bit as the course was clear and there was plenty of has never been explained bright auggestions shipping to indicate safe channels. The mber of bury little drifters about was amazing, one stopped us and suggested we should go to Belgium but could not supply the potrol for the to me, but it was very trip, so we continued on our way until another stopped us and nice weather anybox.
suggested we should go to Holland and offered to take us in tow, and provide petrol from somewhere later. As this appeared to be an order from a superior officer we accepted their tom ropes and were towed some miles in the direction of Hol land when a Destroyer had an "Aldis" conversation with the Drifter, after which the latter informed us in a kindly manner that be was really a mine-sweeper and had got to go and sweep mines, so we had better double back to Ramsgate on our own and gave us a course. We arrived at Ramsgate and got tied up 10 the outer harbour in time for a late lunch and I then made about the job in hand.
I found that the course to Dunkirk then in operation 1
grown to be a round trip of 140-150 miles and as such a to would take me the best part of 24 hours, as I could not 00
on doing maximum speed and should have to consider petrol or any case, 1t seemed to me that a mere dash over to resoue e
15 mon, all my boat would hold, was not good business. The
Commander whom I saw on the point, like all the Naval Office with whom we had any dealings, was just as helpful as was possible and agreed with me that the best use for my boat was to go over with two Navy rowing boats in tow to a ship DO that we could operate on the beach and fill the ship. After a few enquiries I was told to rendez-vous outside the harbour at
09.50 on Thursday, 30th May, and accordingly had a good night's

COUNT DRACULA
2, Blondin Avenue,
Northfields,
Ealing W.5.
45
24/10/40.
The Director of Sea Transport,
Ministry of Shipping (H.O.)
Berkeley Square House,
W.1.
Dear Sir, your Ref. T.O. 9144/STN.6B.
Re: "Count Dracula".
In reply to your favour regarding the Dunkirk evacuation, my motor cruiser was requisitioned at the time without my knowledge, so that I was not able to accompany the boat.
I understand, however, from the Master that the
"Count Dracula" made 4 trips to Dunkirk and brought back to
Ramsgate 75 B.E.F. men on each trip.
On the first trip after taking the men on board a Nazi bomb dropped about 25 yards away, lifted her clean out of the water, but she luckily found an even keel.
On her last trip back to Rams gate she developed clutch slipping, and was eventually towed into Ramsgate Harbour.
On her trip from Ramsgate to Richmond, she sustained considerable damage. Previous to that no damage was sustained.
The repairs have been effected, and I take this opportunity of thanking again the Ministry of Shipping for the prompt and fair settlement, which enabled me to have my boat repaired.
I am happy that she has been of some service to our Country.
Yours faithfully,
K.
cliener.
Director of Sea Transport.
ng me em,

TO 9144/STN
MADAME
POMPADOUR
Reply 11/11/20 H.
I, with another man (Morley Lawson), was asked to collect to a Motor Cruiser lying at Maidstone and deliver her to
82
-nu
Sheerness, and thence to Ramsgate if required. Our ship turned out to be a small Diesel engined Motor Yacht named
"Madame Pompadour" which was lying out of use in the river
DOCU
just below Maidstone. By the time we got on board it was too late to unlock, and it was not until darkness set in that we were able to proceed, and in consequence had a somewhat difficult time navigating down as far as Rochester without charts, all aids to navigation being removed, and neither of
Io us having had previous knowledge of that part of the river.
Despite the fact that navigation in the Medway was prohibited after dark, we were able to pass Chatham Dockyard without challenge, but found it impossible to continue on the tide, and returned to Gillingham where we secured, unknowingly, alongside an ammunition vessel, still unchallenged.
At day-break we got under way once more, and duly arrived at to 10
Sheerness.
After signing on the books of H.M.S. Wildflower, the bne depot ship, we were joined by 8. Skipper R.N.R., a volunteer deck hand, and an active service stoker, without previous experience of Internal Combustion engines, who had been sent
1
to act as Engineer and run our Diesel engines.
We set sail for Ramsgate with a convoy of other craft, 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 contr 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, SU
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 fou 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

SE A HAWK
RECEIVED JAN P.M.
41
T.O.9144/STN.6B
December,
1940
18
Sir,
0116
150
Dunkirk Evacuation Motor Boat "See Hawk".
I refer to your letter my asking for details as to the use to which the above boat was put and have pleasure in giving you the following particulars.
I got in touch 1th the Admi Ity Friday morning Clst May,
1940, and offered my boat. She being seaworthy 30 ft. cabin cruiser the speed of 9 knots lying in the River Thames at
Cadogan Pier. I was informed that they had plenty of boats but manned boats CHAS what they wanted so immediately volunteered to go myself to the Mr. had 10.30 to leave our to and atI4got underway down river from Chdogen Pier at 1.30 p.m. the same day handling her myself. Pickedcup Mny R.I. Grierson (of the Royal Ocean Recing Club) at Westminister Mr. J.A. Hyde
Howard et Tower Piertand, on stores at
Greenwich left at 10.30 p.m. for Southend. Southend in
Micompany at 4.30 a.m. Saturday 1st June, 1940, and arrived Ramsgate with disabled craft (motor boat in his service
Though if larger end any possibly Mater boats mere sent over to
Dunkirk because of our suitability we were kept by the Navel
Authorities to act as nicket boat to the ships in the
Downspeto take wounded sshore, etc.8 On oneooccasion sent the the which hedrb endeached at Deal:
turned out to be S.S. Prague whichhhad been bombed and from wewhichtwe took some 30 of various nationalitie
The manoeuverability and of the bont very handy for the purpose particularly as Mr. Howard had to leave me at Southend.
Mr Hyde when we arrived at Ramsgate also left and Mr. Grierson butwast note always. available being engaged on navigation jobs with
K
boats going other and who We the ropes, constantly this engaged one another and always expected/
On we were told to we primed ourselves for the 100 but, on reporting to were more on picket boat duties. We and to too and numbers 01 trawlers, etc for their Cmdrs.
giving them their sailing orders - a job far different to what I
wanted or expected to do but as it seemed to be so greatly appreciat by all concerned, I consoled myself by its apparent usefulness.
On Monday night on one of these runs I again lost my one and only member of the crew who jumped aboard a Dutch Schut and went over with them to Dunkirk. He returned on Tuesday and we reported to C.O. Davies who informed us that as the weather had deteriorated no more small boats would be used and he had no further use for our services. We obtained our clearance paper and, with a borrowed chart and compass started for London.
Here began one of the worst experiences of the whole job for a heavy sea was running and our little boat was tossed about like a cork but we made it and at 10 p.m. Tuesday night we anchored in the
Swale. An early start was made on Wednesday morning and, after being/

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,

hea
The MOTOR
We
TIN HATTED cruiser and harnessed astic It B.E.F. was V.R. trunking of out which est
"Sea Dunkirk Cruise Work D. Wheatley the Evacuation
The MOTOR BOAT TING and
___???___ B.s Shawer Shather ___???___ THE to far gun on from She was ___???___ ___???___ bows. had each it was m struck me togoing She she to could the was ake that roof it at with "Sea twin had sky-British a Mae planes, orders by wave extra-large ablars, several extra-large sky stars, the was 4 4 T2 I
Proceeded vicinity of ___???___ Soung buoys the over fol we the snug way, knocked bucked a claim for along. this That Sunday Lewis It Sea was in new thing But had Sea been the was her came high speed. a So, craft order Navy, the over smoke view flame not possess allowed
The author (centre) with between Leaving Dunkirk's them area and pall spreadher ands broken sheet series beach fire ___???___ the through ___???___ about along 1,000 the line and flame, Sea two Roamer. the French
The 43-ft. cruiser avoidingy "Sea Roam the and still in as as were soldiers but of of at rvoirs, The the rescued
___???___
___???___
___???___
___???___
___???___
just
PROPERTY
___???___
our
Bren load the harbour French we turned several destroyer by eastward buoys in the & on roadstead and more.
were had
___???___
the reluct the the our do
Paud
___???___
rope
A
beach and of hear night invisible the sky, us, spouted second troops streams ver was just came up of on gliding in the the the Bleaming her of
THE
from few nearer
___???___
the siat
THE her our Naval charge the wheelhouse window, in were finding
We rail we wrecks over and swell off.
line
Darted and the from
THE THE left shallows and the was THE ammunition instructions I of with the afraid relief, Lieut, we rations looked slipped fixed and up was the plan east impede tions the she through In mine wrecks were dropped the the to wheelhouse and plane, noise rattled whoof but all her shoulded
___???___
4
ou
___???___
the home been we heavy
Finally
Anglais we her iron in in against the
OM7
were fiends, had and bigger locate ships, keep out bered flames of when whether very like them the
___???___
___???___
19
starshell tide able beach was we hung for togh, passed and crawled and the and mole, take castward and off troops
___???___
___???___
told
Finally have
They we this read:
water megaphone, scene. Any for within minutes Sea in beforeied the days wreck this came man, on
Lieut.
creepenter two the the bit, for looked like
Panne, above recognized the beach. sign yelled up A German only A whole The beachawn as the Having
14
the all through the incendiary on the shell burst road ing up
Whilst these operat ions were being

"SILVERY BREEZE
LEPHONES:
PADDON BROTHERS LTD.
170
TON 7205/6/7.
TELEGRAMS:
ESTABLISHED 1905,
PADSOP, SOUTHKENS, LONDON.
RED,SUBJECT UNSOLD.
LATE OF 1, ALBEMARLE ST.,PICCADILLY,
W.I.
60, Cheval Place,
N.B.-PASSING HARRODS
S-ROYCE SPECIALISTS
ON LEFT, CHEVAL PLACE
CARS OF ANY MAKE
IS SECOND ON RIGHT.
AIRS.INSURANCE.SERVICE
Brompton Road, S.W.7.
DIRECTORS:
HIS GRACE
HE DUKE OF SOMERSET, D.S.O.O.B.E.
London 11ᵗʰ hoo 1940
PHIL PADDON(MANAGING DIRECTOR)
HUGH KELLER.
SALES MANAGERI
ARTHUR VERLEY.
SECRETARY
Ouk. sent oth 15/4
MISS M.B. JAMES
Duection of sea Transport musisting of Shipping
Bukeley SG Aruse
Bukeley Sq WI,
INTERNATIONAL OF NON REGISTRA RECENVED 01 &I 113111811 W x d
Dear Lis ilst will reference ti your letter T.O. 9144 STN 6B.
at 2pm on 294 may 1940 Y
received a lilephine this age from the naval crutine, that my
Cruiser Silvery Breeye" was wanted: although I was having aboard and had ti remove all my personal sear and prepare the boat pm a roy age, filling up will wali, peliod eli X provisioning tw 3 days J. reported at Cadogan
Pier at 9 pm X handed over h the adminallis at 8.30 am.
one additional pleasure of
La runna
Owing to the engines failing we had to leave with only a few troop 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

will - WOODAS
SUN
ti at &
6.1
LETTER SENT
. 1940
172
this 3 on I subse 90 officed mas alone my mill m the
5 ft draft
ASERTIONINA POST
4/S.T.N.6B
14th November, 171 1940
ing a speed
OF
Us
Scout (Ger a free flath my 30 may.
of
Lacht Basi
:0 instructions been my 3 crop our friend went as skipper the and which irst of a
___???___ supply.
public that. over the and on mdde had heard Mal.
1 hope taken lab's also Latie had I over makowen hit took part thank you Operations the report up the on drafted these final out ept a 16th to story wher, in and compa was
Servant, Sund arts wer
I Your obedient rounge presente
(Sgd) A.H. DRUERY
be ing
12
you the You Yours mile W. is Coallain the how Palier.
for Director of have sea Transport.
Sixty
P.S.
nt. tother aid do
The fail me 4 not.
Arthur
.N.R. (Ret)n, we bu ha mo
Ta 1 luin sland was East fully kun.
to someone better equipped. aircraft, A few three minute figh to
Tass my G
as had our first they could be offensive, them a British off. At 2 25 P.M
introduction to enemy Destroye first introduc r
Before they overhauled ONE
and things high. I think. Before - overhauled us Motor and drove Cruiser "Westerly"; broken ratings a and closed the 25 ft of two (plus three naval quickly - S
a osed the on fire. As the crew wished to abandon ship - and additional a
things up side in Dunkirk) and took them aboard giving them the pl
La runna
Willing the engines failing we had here to I with
Owing and to back to Dunkirk W to proceeded which we were now able being the Whilst shore these operations were

91.
R
the
/ MOOORS
6
3
SUN
3
Who
9
32
yes
S.
LETTER SENT
1930
172
4/S.T.N.6B
14th November, 1940
5 ft draft
3
the ing a speed
,ir,
Scout (Gera
6313
33
your enclosing I letter have to OF OF
acht Basin
:0 instruc insofar as in
R.S.
1331
G
took part for the to supply.
irst of a my thank you been Dated you It will report 18 anticipated be which of value will in that be enough compiling drawn this up report the on these final ept a story 16th in compa
Nab 3 3 Yaur 2 237 Cand
Mal operations.
to and was
I am, Your Sir, obedient Servant, wner,
, arts wer
X18
STATE OMA Kaun STORE Fand Indiana Hidap OF
rounge
3.3
Paint.
(Sgd) A.H. DRUERY
presente for Director of Sea Transport. be ing
Arthur Verley Esq.,
60 Cheval Place, have to
Brompton Road, nt.
aid do
S.W.1.
letter on the Bre sing ar part as the for the enough to
.N.R. (Ret)n, bu
9.
we ha anticipated that thi to someone better equipped. A few minute be of value in compi rt which will be dre ations.
the had our first introduction to enemy aircraft, three figh high.. Before they could be offensive, a British Destroye under which case mon that
I think - overhauled us and drove them off. At 2 25 P.M
for sons and closed the 25 ft Motor Cruiser Westerly"; broken a on fire. As the crew of two (plus three naval ratings S
up in Dunkirk) wished to abandon ship - and quickly - I
side and took them aboard giving them the additional pl
La runna
Owing to the engines failing we had to 1,
WE proceeded back to Dunkirk W here we and the shore which we were now able to do being 08

COCKFOSTERS,
HERTS.
SUNDOWNER
391.
ctober 9th 1930
173
172
5 ft draft. 26 tons redd.
Director of Sea Transport.
Ministry of Shipping.
ing a speed of 10 Knots.
erkeley Square House.
Berkeley Square.
Scout (Gerald Ashwell)
at 41
Yacht Basin. Chiswick
:0 instructions
Sir,
T.0.9144@STN.6B.
irst of about 40 boats
I received your letter of Sept 16th and as requested have drafted out a story in company with five embodying particulars of my trip to and was instructed
Dunkirk with my motor yacht Sundowner, arts were somewhat which I enclose herewith.
rounge one a little
I have the honour to be presented with a ing - - as I expected -
Sir,
Your obedient servant.
6 W.Lightston aid down. Half way
Comdr D.S.C. R.N.R. (Ret)n, but having no we had to leave to someone better equipped. A few minutes later we had our first introduction to enemy aircraft, three fighters flying high. Before they could be offensive, a British Destroyer - Wocester
?
I think - overhauled us and drove them off. At 2 25 P.M., We sighted and closed the 25 ft Motor Cruiser "Westerly"; broken down and badly on fire. As the crew of two (plus three naval ratings she had picked up in Dunkirk) wished to abandon ship - and quickly - I went alongside and took them aboard giving them the additional pleasure of
La runna
Owing to the engines failing we had to leave with only a few troop 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

SUNDOWNER
173
M. Y. "SUNDOWNER".
A Motor Cruiser of 59 ft over all. 12 ft beam. 5 ft draft. 26 tons redd.
32 tons gross. 72 hp 6 cyl Gleniffer Deisel giving a speed of 10 Knots.
My son F.R. Lightoller and I with one Sea Scout (Gerald Ashwell)
took her out of her winter quarters at Cubitts Yacht Basin. Chiswick on May 31st at 11 a.m. and proceeded according to instructions towards Southend where we arrived at midnight, first of about 40 boats which mustered at Westminster.
At 3 15 a.m. of April 1st we left Southend in company with five others. Arriving off Ramsgate I asked for orders and was instructed
"Proceed to Dunkirk for further orders". As my charts were somewhat antiquated, I asked - fortunately if I could scrounge one a little more up-to-date, and on entering the harbour was presented with a set complete with Secret Sailing Instructions, giving = as I expected -
route, buoys, channels etc.
We left Ramsgate at 10 a.m., by the route laid down. Half way across we avoided a floating mine by a narrow margin, but having no firearms of any description - not even a tin hat we had to leave its destruction to someone better equipped. A few minutes later We had our first introduction to enemy aircraft, three fighters flying high. Before they could be offensive, a British Destroyer - Wocester
100
I think - overhauled us and drove them off. At 2 25 P.M., We sighted and closed the 25 ft Motor Cruiser "Westerly"; broken down and badly on fire. As the crew of two (plus three naval ratings she had picked up in Dunkirk) wished to abandon ship - and quickly - I went alongside and took them aboard giving them the additional pleasure of a runna
Owing to the engines failing we had to leave with only a few tro
WE and 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

SURREY
THOMAS BROS
Tobacco Dealers and Cigar Merchants
20 SEP P.M. RECEIVED ESTABLISHED 21 S
E.T.THOMAS
D. S. THOMAS
OLD CIGAR SHOP, KINGSTON-ON-THAMES
or
1820.
From:- MR. E. T. THOMAS,
13 Church Street,
183
The brew Director of Sea Transport,
Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey.
September 19th 1940.
Ministry of Shipping,
Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square,
LONDON, W.1.
Dear Sir,
Your No. T.0.9144/STN.6B. - DUNKIRK EVACUATION.
M/V "SURREY" - Four berth cabin cruiser
29' X 8' X 2'10": Morris "Navigator" engine.
In reply to your letter, I regret to say that
I can give no information as to the part played by my craft during the actual evacuation.
A Naval Officer requisitioned "Surrey", myself and a crew of one at Kingston, and handed me instructions to proceed to Sheerness, where the boat would be taken over by a Naval crew.
On arrival, whe was immediately boarded by one regular rating and three reservists, who said that they had earmarked her for themselves as they watched her enter the dock, and so jumped on board quickly in case she was claimed by an officer. They remarked that "Surrey" was far too good to have an officer on board, especially in view of the large amount of foodstuff which had been taken on at Gravesend and
Southend.
I know nothing definite of her subsequent movements, except a report that she evacuated French and
Belgian troops. This is probably correct, as a French rifle was found in a locker when the boat returned to the Thames.
I hope that you will be able to get in touch with the Naval crew concerned, so that their names will go on record.
Yours Eshamas faithfully, la Ranna which is about nine miles further round the coast.
Owing to the engines failing we had to leave with only a few troop 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