TNA MT 40 36 Pt 2

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AGE
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1898
OFFICE
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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.
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Dunkirk Operations may Houre 1940
hote of movements by Smith dama shaster M.e. Constant Nymph hittle Club
Rough Deary set down on whom to hondon. 8/8/40
00.10, 27th May 1940, Admiralty rang up to confirm that my boat was ready for sea, and arranged for four hours' notice.
Not being a subject of good habits I did not have to get up to answer this call!
08.45, Admiralty rang up again and asked me to go to the boat.
Having already put a few things in a bag I went to Isleworth as soon as possible and arrived there between 10.00 and 11.00.
It was obvious that some form of permit would be required as my own permit only carried to Middle Blythe Buoy, and my instructions were to take the boat to Sheerness, I found at the
Boathouse that a Naval Officer was expected who would issue the permits and was requisitioning other boats in the same yard.
When the Officer arrived he did not seem to think there was any tremendous hurry and wanted the boats to go down together, but separate permits were issued by the afternoon so that I
was then ready to start at any time, and the others did not look like being ready for several hours.
At about 17.30 I tried to ring up the "Mate" as I felt sure he would want to be in on this game and might at least be able to help me work the boat down to Sheerness. Luckily he was home early and put such a jerk into things that he got his things together and arrived from Tulse Hill to Islowor BS
before 19.30, and we started at 20.00 without waiting for the other boats.
Soon after midnight we were pulled in by the Naval Contro at Tilbury, who examined our permit and told us to anchor 012
the south side until daylight as we should not be allowed t
Lie enter Sheerness during darkness. By the time we had found suitable anchorage it was already about01.3 on the 28th May, and we had no riding light, so decided that it was not worth while either of us going to sleep as one would have to keep anchor watch and dawn would be early.
As 1t was quite light by03.00 we weighed reised anchor and proceeder slowly to Sheerness and after a little chasing around there found the basin where the motor yachts were to collect, report our arrival and went to breakfast at an Hotel near the dockyai gates. Other boats from Isleworth were nearly all present by the time we got back from breakfast. We were informed that W
could sign on for one month but did not then know for what purpose we were required, although I 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 WA
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 THE
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 wont back to town very regretfully by train.
40
or
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with the
.e seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had beed able to warn my partners that I should be away for a bit but there was some difficulty in getting signed on and 1-10
toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing mumerous people 18
late in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a not was accurate 1dea what the job was and was quite determined 30 that to be put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself wise a few supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be at the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

Uson
I took him aboard, went back and picked up the full cutter and whaler, and took them all back to the ship, reported to the Captain of Jutland that the British were further up the beach and that I was going there, a big fire just in-shore was my leading mark as the British were just to the east of this. From then on we worked to this point and the French came down the beach and mingled with the
British; Jutland was filled roughly half and half British and French.
39.
After we had been going to this point for about three or four trips, a German bomber most inconsiderately dropped a large bomb on our large fire and blew it out like a candle, this did not matter very much then as I had other leading marks and the mass of troops had increased so that they were quite visible on the beach.
By about03.00, 31st May, Jutland was full and she sailed at once to avoid the dawn bombing, Jerry was trying to bomb the ships as they left loaded and thus get the ships and the men, but his efforts throughout the 10 - 11 hours that I was working on the beach were very poorly rewarded.
Jerry also had some big guns for which aeroplanes were spotting, and they dropped verey lights over the ships, but here again Jerry wasted ammunition without hitting anything that I saw. One of the crumps came as a nasty shock as the at least two bombs explosion actually stopped my boat for a split second, and I
shook the boatbut thought I had grounded as she quivered all over but in the none stopped it.
next moment she went on again and the noise of the crump followed the air push so that I know it was nothing serious.
On Jutland leaving about03.00 on the 31st May I turned over with the cutter and whaler to Laudania and by about08. she handania wasfolled too was full, making a total of about 900 men brought off. By about 3/4 British this time I had used up all my deck cargo of petrol and the engine wanted more oil and the grease cups refilled, also
+1/4 Tranch there was a certain amount of rotten rope round the propeller shaft, this I had not been able to cut in time. My two crew were both stoker ratings of four months' service in the Navy only and being stokers were not issued with clasp knives, on my stern-man shouting to me that an odd rope was getting round our propeller, I had to leave the wheel and out it with my own sheadknife, if he had had a clasp knife he could have done it in time, I was a moment too late.
The cutter had gone aground under a stranded lighter on the windward side of same, a W.wind having got up a bit in the morning, and as I could not get near enough to get the cutter Off and the crew, also their young sailors, did not% how to get off, I rescued the crew and brought them off to Laudania had probably Engine due to sope, been statting in accordance with the Captain's instructions. My boat only just managed to Laudania with the last whaler load that she could take and the Captain ordered me off with my self starter now crew and the crew of the whaler, the crew of the outter being refused service already on board, and turned over my boat and the whaler to &
Naval drifter which was said to have petrol and mechanies on board so that they could be of use further.
The whole of us who had been on the beach work then had our first stand-bysy since 21.30 the day before and my crew and myself had not had anything to eat since 17.30 the day before and nothing to drink since 15.30, and had been continuously employed, as had the two Naval ratings who remained on each of the naval rowing boats during the tow across.
Jerry started his usual effort when the ship left at
08.30 to09.00 on the S1st, but with no results and plenty of hot tea and bread and butter and Jam and a chance to light a pipe had made me perfectly indifferent to anything Jerry did.

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of shipping. We chugged steadily through the night. About three oclock in the morning- still on the wheel and in my wet clothes- my eyes got a bit shaky through looking down into the compass bowl all the time ( the compass I had was a grid steering compass and I didn't know a darned thing about it except that it had eight points on it- North,
North east, East, South east, South, South west, West and
Northwest). However, I felt confident that I should roach
Dover, for I knew the geography of the coast- SO I asked a soldier to take the wheel whilst I looked out into the night to give my eyes a rest. I had been looking round for about five minutes when something seemed to tell me that we were not going in the right direction, SO I
immediately goes down and has a look at the compass- to find that we were steaming due EAST- back to Dunkirk again!
Well, I couldn't blame the soldier. He was half asleep anyway, and seamanship is not his job after all, SO
I took over the wheel
Just after dawn I struck
Dover dead centre and then followed the coast up to Ramsgate arriving thero at eleven and put the soldiers ashore on the pier.
lty
Straight away I took the boat to be filled up ce again with petrol, water and provisions, and got an engineer to fix up the engines- they were covered with sand. Then I
C.
was ready for another trip. I first went ashore to report my
Seasafe arrival and was told to get into some dry clothes.
1.
They rigged me out with civilian clothes and after a hot bath I felt brand new again.
I did two more trips over there, ferrying the troops from the beach to the big ships, then filling my own

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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

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Bombs were falling rather thick and heavy making Vivid reen flashes and showers of sparks which must be seen to be elieved.
Our search for the other two convoy mates continued, we found the Canvey Queen only and took her in tow, her engine had stopped. I came close to a burning troop ship and dropped Anchor thinking the bonbers would not trouble to bomb her again, I was right but the continuous explosions on board made rather an uncomfortable shelter.
Dawn soon came we stared and stared at what looked like thousands of sticks on the beach and were amazed to see them turn into moving masses of humanity. I thought quickly of going in picking up 70 to 80 and clearing off, with the sun behind me I
calculated I should find some East Coast town. We got our freight so did the Canvey Queen when I realised it would be selfish to clear off when several destroyers and large vessels were waiting in deep water to be fed by small craft, so I decided what our job was to be.
We could seat 60 men and with those standing we had about
80 weary and starving British Troops some without boots some only in their pants but enough life left in them to clamber on board the
Destroyers with the kind hand of every available seaman.
Again and again we brought our cargo to this ship until she was full, the Canvey Queen and the Maud were doing likewise.
The Destroyers moved off whilst we were still made fast and we were carried to a very awkward position under her stern and saved from anything more serious by the quick work of an A.B.
who set us adrift.
By this time I was numb to anything else that was taking place, Aeroplanes, Guns, and flames it was not bravery but just a will to snatch those boys away from the hell which might overtake them at any time.
Our next Load nearly all north county lads had an officer a captain I believe, who demanded that his men be taken to a
Destroyer and not a Troopship as I had been ordered. I regret having to tell him to shut up but having done so the whole crowd were silent and well behaved and were put aboard the Troopship.
Navigation was extreemly difficult owing to the various wreckage upturned boats floating Torpedos and soldiers in the water trying to be sailors for the first time, they paddled their collapsable little boats out to me with the Butts of thrir rifles and many shouted that they were sinking, we could not help them, I was in shore as close as I dare, stop shouting and save your breath and bail out with your steel helmets was the only command suitable for the occasion scores offered me cash and personal belongings which I
refused saying my name is Barrell Canvey Island send me a poatcard
La runna
Owing to the engines failing we had to leave with only a few troop
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

his
GERBERA
H.O.
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After rail stanchion smashed down by cable. Doctor
Brydon a brick through all this, as he stuck to wheel carrying out my instructions, whilst I helped Westwood and Gabriel to get fresh lines back to "Idaho". Cable parted and took capstan with it.
Almost lost her altogether; managed to get another line back to him. Beachy Head very close now, about 1 mile away.
Time 9.45 p.m. signalling us from Beachy Head, but cannot read it, too fast. Rounded Beachy Head and Patrol Boat F. came out, asked whether I needed assistance. I asked him if he could take "Idaho"
off me. He agreed and told me to follow closely as area was mined.
Managed to get alongside Patrol boat to pass tow over. Port Boat davits badly bent and part rail and stanchions smashed when rolling heavily alongside Patrol Boat. "Idaho" in tow of Patrol Boat, and we following, much easier now. Dark, small stern light shown from F. and "Idaho". Followed over a very much changing course until lights were entinguished, word being passed back that enemy planes were overhead. Very difficult to hold Patrol boat now as
I could only see him against an occasional search light glare.
3.6.40
About 2.a.m. Patrol boat slipped "Idaho" and told him to anchor and not to move. I drew abreast and tried to drop anchor. It would not run SO had to pull 15 fthm out of locker, and cut lashing to let it run. Anchor did not bite, so had to come back to position again, and pull up another 15 fthm, cut lashing and let it go.
Anchor held this time and so shut off engines. Doctor and Westwood turned in, and Gabriel and I searched "Warrior" for any possible leaks. No leaks anywhere, so turned in as dawn was breaking.
Woke about 6.30 a.m.
3.6.1940
Had breakfast. Fresh patrol boat came out and took "Idaho" in tow.
We had to heave anchor up by hand. Got it up and followed inshore.
Waited outside Newhaven some time and tug came out and took "Idaho"
in. I followed and we berthed
12 noon. Rang Mr. Vernon to report and set to stripping anchor winch. Found winch had three inches of water in it, and armature was half submerged. Dismantled motor cleaned and dried and re-assembled. Ran quite O.K. Re-assembled winch and tested -perfect.
Mr. Vernon hadarrived and told me to carry on. Made arrangements with naval officer to leave early next morning and received sailing orders. Turned in 12 p.m.
4.6.1940
Newhaven Harbour. Left berth 5 a.m. and had to wait at harbour entrance for boom to be lowered at 7 a.m. Cleared pierhead 7.10
a.m. N.87 W to Rottingdean 7.35 a.m. Off Rottingdean turned to S.S.W.
after taking on Petrol au
About 10.30 a.m. an 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
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