TNA MT 40 36 Pt 2

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

LETTER SENT
BEE
xt. 2161
BAT
1 0CT1940
DS
CHAMOIS
POST ROOM
HOUND
09144/S.T.N.6.B
4
EADROW
MFH
30th September 1940.
EY.
Gentlemen,
17
I have to acknowledge receipt of
23rd September 1940.
your letter dated 23rd September 1940,
Operations insofar as your "BEE", "BAT"
enclosing report on the Dunkirk
"CHAMOIS", "HOUND" and "M.F.H." took part in these operations, and to thank you for the most interesting information which you have been good enough to supply. It is anticipated
P 10 24 REGISTRY SEP RECEIVED
that this report will be of value in compiling the final report which will be drawn up on these operations.
I am, Gentlemen,
T.0.9144/STN.6B, undated,
Your obedient Servant, than to send you a copy ard on the part played the 'Bee', 'Bat', 'Chamois'
(Sgd.) A.P. MEREDITH.
t your requirements perhaps
Director of Sea Transporthow.
Messrs. Pickfords Ltd.,
51, Meadrow,
Farncombe,
'aithfully,
Surrey.
ORDS Limited.,
Charles him retary. -
who were being of Dunkirk where they encountered in getting two within on two miles raids they succeeded 1010 twice cloths of survivors, who were French and went to the rescue The of the heavily bombed. They transports in their pockets many of these were on fire and Belgian the troops.
medical men, attention. whom they transferred to a French managed Trawler to rescue for
120 was exploding. They ammunition a that day's day, so they Daylight returned prevented to England, them reaching and Dunkirk but rest. Following this they were allowed and were bombing, unable there to remove any troops again as, owing went to to Dunkirk to England. were none on the beach, so they shelling returned

BEE
BAT
PICKFORDS
CHAMOIS
HOUND
TELEPHONE
<
ODALMING 1272-7
TEMPORARY OFFICE: 51 MEADROW
MFH
FARNCOMBE, SURREY.
17
QUOTE THIS REFERENCE WHEN REPLYING
CB/MFW
DATE
23rd September 1940.
The Director Relid. of Sea Transport
Ministry of Shipping (H.O)
Berkeley Square House,
Berkeley Square, W.1.
LICENSE 10 4 REGISTRY SEP PM 24 SEP RECEIVED
Sir,
In reply to your letter Ref. T.0.9144/STN.6B, undated,
I do not think that I can do better than to send you a copy of the actual report made to our Board on the part played by our men and five of our Boats - the 'Bee', 'Bat', 'Chamois'
'Hound' and 'MF.H'.
If this does not entirely meet your requirements perhaps you will be good enough to let me know.
Yours faithfully, for PICKFORDS Limited.,
Charles Animal
Secretary. -
who two were miles of Dunkirk raids where they succeeded they encountered in getting 1010 two within twice on of the being heavily bombed. They went transports in their many of these were on fire and the troops.
cloths of survivors, who were French and Belgian to the rescue The
120 pockets was exploding. They ammunition medical men, attention. whom they transferred to a French managed Trawler to rescue for that a day, so they returned to England, reaching and Dunkirk
Daylight prevented them but day's rest. Following this they again went were to allowed and were unable to remove any troops as, owing to Dunkirk to England. bombing, there were none on the beach, so they shelling returned

DUNKIRK EVACUATION
In connection with this work the Admiralty asked for the use of five of our ships which are normally employed in the conveyance of goods between Portsmouth, or Southampton, and the Isle of Wight. The following ships were taken: -
Ship.
Crew
M.V. 'BEE'
4
"
'Bat'
4
11
'Chamois'
2
77
'Hound'
3
"
'M.F.H'
4
With only two exceptions the members of the crews insisted on going with their ships. All returned safely, but an account of their experiences in summarised form may be of interest.
M.V 'Bee'₁.
After lying 3 miles off the shore all one night, was placed along shore and took 360 British
Troops aboard. These were later transferred to a tug.
Later 10 British and 5 French troops were taken from small boats and brought back to England.
M.V "Bat"
On the first day and in a rough sea they rescued 15 of the crew of a French Destroyer which had capsized owing to bombs.
This occupied two hours, and they then returned to Port. They then returned, being bombed on the way.
They put in close to shore on the West side, but found that all the remaining troops had been taken off in a Destroyer, so they proceeded to the East side, being machine gunned and shelled on the way. On this occasion they got on board in small boats about 100
men. These they brought safely back to England, having been without sleep for 92 hours, and the engines having been running continuously all the time.
M.V. 'Chamois'
After being sent back into Port twice on account of air raids they succeeded in getting within two miles of Dunkirk where they encountered two transports who were being heavily bombed. They went to the rescue of the survivors, who were French and Belgian troops. The cloths of many of these were on fire and the ammunition in their pockets was exploding. They managed to rescue
120 men, whom they transferred to a French Trawler for medical attention.
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.

CANIMODARE
M.V 'Hound'
About 10 miles from Dunkirk they were heavily bombed, but they proceeded. Two of the crew got to the shore in a small boat to help the troops get away. It was dangerous owing to the number of men who got into the boat, but eventually six were taken to the 'Hound'. After delays caused by bombing, a fur -
ther six were saved. Eventually, after 100 men had been saved by this and other methods they proceeded to
England.
N.V 'M.F.H'
Upon arrival at Dunkirk there were about
80 German raiders overhead dropping bombs on the beach
40 ft away. Troops were picked up and disembarked on to a larger vessel. They then proceed to the Mole, and took on Board about 140 troops 'including a Colonel' and returned to England with them.

COMMODDRE.
ERSHAM
PRESS
EN OF ENG
Sh which took them to Parger
Launches for Hire:
"CAVERSHAM"
osels England. who, in turn hought the troops
"ECLYPSE" 28
26
asson Rd
Whilsh the Garama" was
London 1514
being employed in Jerrying the soldiers,
M un den st she capsized in a Reavy swell and was Past.
WILL
We, in the difeboat Trudential on of the B&F
accompanied Ping the remaining small my be of boats' crews returned to Panagate on Saturday June 1st us was usling RN)
a morthy
E & M.L. Empress am" all seals oil to be got iss the Police nais HC.
ls than procreded
Thay ware asked to Volunteer to go to Dunkirt which than agreed to do
The craw of the Empress Consisting of
VA making arrangements with employers, etc. so that few of them felt able bo sign on for a month and went back to town very regretfully by train.
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with the or seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had bue
Le able to warn my partners that I should be away for a bith but there was same difficulty in getting signed on and 110
toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing mumerous people TI
late in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a DU was accurate idea what the job was and was quite determinedo that to be put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself wind few supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

COMMODORE
12.11.21
CAVERSHAM
the
HONE RIVERSIDE 5139
EMPRESS
28 AMCROUCHA LAUNCH PROPRIETOR
PEOPLE
QUEEN OF ENG
aunches for Hire:
"ROYAL PRINCESS"
Launches for Hire
"EMPRESS"
21
"CAVERSHAM"
"QUEEN OF ENGLAND"
"ECLYPSE" 28
T.O. 9144/STN. 6.B
26 Chasson Dd
The Derector' of Sea Reled Transport
London W.14
20 M un den st
Sir
W.
WILL
wish Ref. to your latter ME, roacuation of the BEF
from Wunkirk the undermantioned may be of intarest
On the night of 22 June at. 6 form orders was received from the Admirally (Comm Dueling RN)
to have ready as soon as possible the M.L. Empress
ML. Quaan of England" % M.L. "baveisham" all seals to be removed, Patrol of. Vapouzed oil to be got on board and to proceed to Sharness
Craws of above were rounded up but the Police from thare homes by Phone, at. Cinamars M.
Faving got crews for our three Vassels than proceeded to Southend arriving Early morning
They ware asked to Volunteer to go to Dunkirt which than agreed to do
The craw of the Empress Consisting of that few of them folt able to sign on for a month and word
***** currey US making arrangements with employers, etc. SQ
back to town very regretfully by train.
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with the or seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had bue able to warn my partners that I should be away for a bith but there was same difficulty in getting signed on and Tic toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing mumerous people late in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a TV was to be put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself with few accurate 1dea what the job was and was quite determined that supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be do the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

COMMODDRE
Sas Bodicia taken
CAVERSHAM
no
TELEPHONE: RIVERSIDE 5139
EMPRESS
an
A. CROUCH
QUEEN OF ENGLAND
ches for Hire
Launches for Hire
YAL PRINCESS"
LAUNCH PROPRIETOR
"CAVERSHAM"
"EMPRESS"
EN OF ENGLAND"
78, Bridge Road,
"ECLYPSE"
ness the then proce
Hammersmith, W.6.
19
29
20 MUNDEN STREET
the mght as M. S Tilly of
WEST KENSINGTON. W14
saved by one
SIR
thand by ew Dent back
I wish to forward to you, the fullest in formation egarding the part played by my fathers the
Sas abandoned te Capt a Grauch motor Lauchers in the evacuation by M.S. "Lilly"
L Dankisk. I myself voluntessed to ga over an aved an a the Empress which as you know I have last I
a t of repairs of Shipping also last the 2 wen of England, and the Caversham ik with the me back badly damaged, when 9 got to Sheerness ig about 200 harbour with the Empress, they asked far three
Pias they volunteers for m2s Smith fast launch the Queen BoadicesTI
acking best of
6apt. g Whittaker, 65 Dauglas Rd Kingston an Hames
E ngineer g Reves of 28 E land R Battersea and msself took her ta Punkisk an several Yrips opportunity of making arrangements with employers, DU CLEASE etc. so
DI
that few of them felt able to sign on for a month and wont back to town very regretfully by train.
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with the seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had bue e
able to warn my partners that I should be away for a bith but there was same difficulty in getting signed on and Tic toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing mumerous people late in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a IV was accurate idea what the job was and was quite determined that to be put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself visa few supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be it the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

COMMODDRE.
aken and
CAVERSHAM
TELEPHONE RIVERSIDE 5139
EMPRESS
A.
CROUCH
QUEEN OF ENGLAND
ches for Hire:
Launches for Hire:
"ROYAL PRINCESS"
LAUNCH PROPRIETOR
"CAVERSHAM"
"EMPRESS"
"QUEEN OF ENGLAND"
78, Bridge Road,
"ECLYPSE"
ocar
Rebil
Hammersmith, W.6.
of
29
ded
20 MUNDEN STREET
WEST KENSINGTON. W14
SIR
I wish to forward to you, the fullest in formation regarding the part played by my fathers the
Late Capt a Cruch motor Lauchers in the evacuation of Dunkisk. I myself voluntessed to ga over an the Empress which as you know I have last Q
also last the 2 wen of England and the Caversham came back badly damaged, when I got to Sheerness harbour with the Empress, they asked far three volunteers for m2s Smith fast launch the Queen BoadicesTI
6apt. g Whittaker, 65 Douglas Rd Kingston an Hames
E ngineer g Reaves of 28 land Rd Battersea and msself took her ta Punkish an several Trips opportunity of making arrangements with employers, DU THAT etc. can so
23
back to town very regretfully by train.
that few of them folt able to sign on for a month and went
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with the or seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had bue able to warn my partners that I should be away for a bith but there was some difficulty in getting signed on and Tic toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing mumerous people late in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a TW was to be put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself with few accurate 1dea what the job was and was quite determined that supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be sid the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

COMBODASE
TELEPHONE: RIVERSIDE 5139
Ches for Hire:
A. CROUCH
"ROYAL PRINCESS"
LAUNCH PROPRIETOR
Launches for Hire
"EMPRESS"
"CAVERSHAM"
"QUEEN OF ENGLAND"
78, Bridge Road,
"ECLYPSE"
Hammersmith, W. 6.
30
6 apt Whittaker
George Reves both received an months pay far their services but myself only received 17 -10-0
out of eighter pounds. well 9 think that is all the enformation 9 can give you.
Could you supply me with information regarding the £50 0 yes month an my ambulance ship Royal Princess as since my father died I have received name
Yours Respectiffy
2
R Brauch f that opportunity few of making arrangements with DU doing employers, so and etc. had had so
D
back of them folt able to sign on for a month and vont to town very regretfully by train.
seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had bue
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with the or late toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing mumerous people but there was same difficulty in getting signed on a and bith Tic able to warn my partners that I should be away for in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a IV
to accurate be 1dea what the job was and was quite determined that was supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself with few the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

COMM COMMODOSE street
OR INSERTION IN PAPERS
a по
Ext. 2161.
LETTER SENT
nks.
1.0.)
1 OCT1940
HOUSE,
T.09144/S.T.N.6B
POST ROOM
26/41
UARE,
Poakily
30th September 1940.
DON, W.1.
Will
32
Sir,
I have to acknowledge STATE receipt of your on the letter Dunkirk undated Operations enclosing insofar report as S.95.
your "CAVERSHAM", "EMPRESS" and e fullest
"QUEEN OF ENGLAND" took part in these it, such operations and to thank you for the the B.E.F.
information which you have been good modore nt record enough to supply. It is anticipated e operations that this report will be of value in compiling the final report which will clude as at be drawn up on these operations.
sank
Owners of rs, or
But
I
I am, Sir, eriences
Your obedient Servant, the in tow comming (Sgd.) PAMEREDITH, home a to take hirk erson, may job on the beaches was complete Director of Sea Transport
Owner(s)
ard to this
A. Crouch,
Munden Esq., Street, like more information your
20, or member
West Kensington,
W.14.
myself.
I enclose a letter from my skipper mr $ Boniface.
J
yours satiofully
Late of Gastbourne.
of Coleman.
that the only time one in charge of its owner so far as I mine
Of the boats which had come down from Isleworth wa brought very urgent in the wind and most of the who had THE
nothing we had rather got the point of view that know, there and previous boats down from up river had done so without mon that opportunity few of making arrangements with employers, etc. had knowledge that they would be doing so and had any 23
back of them folt able to sign on for a month and went so to town very regretfully by train.
The opportunity of playing boats for a month with able seemed to me too good to miss in any case, and I had bue but there was same difficulty in getting signed on a and Tic to warn my partners that I should be away for bith late in the afternoon and by about 17.00 had formed a IV
toured Sheerness Dockyard interviewing muserous people to accurate 1dea what the job was and was quite determined that was supervising the fuel and victualling of the motor be be put off, so appealed to the Commodore himself with few the basin. Within half-an-hour of explaining to night's

-5-
On the way back to England we avoided a drifting mine, but the two Officers' pistols and the A.A.Lewis guns were unable to pop it,so we informed another ship that was outward bound and it was duly popped in due course.
The troops on board Laudania evinced no interest whatsoever in the nor the popping of it, it was first sighted on our starboard buby and as the tide was running that way we sheered off and passed behind it, the troops evidently regarded this as entirely a naval matter and I do not think any of them oven got up to see what happened to it.
40
the whole course
Off the Foreland we enquired of the local Policeman, a from Ramsgate like to gentleman in his shirt-sãeeves on a drifter, as to which port
Dunkink was would take us and were sent to Margate. Three other ships and a
main street in two destroyers also had loads for Margate and we eventually a busy town.
tied up outside two destroyers and landed the whole issue haffer, several across each ether about 17.30 may.
abreast joing each
I reported to the Naval Office with my crew of two and we way.
were promptly put in a taxi and sent back to our own port at
Ramsgate, a matter of a few minutes which might have been a dreary journey by train. As throughout, there was no red tape in the Navy at all, they had ready everything that was necessary and our general instructions were that if we were in any sort of trouble we could close any ship we saw as it would be one of ours.
at
On arrival at Ramsgate I reported to the Commander of the
Naval Office and within five minutes my crew had been taken off to the temporary barracks established by the Harbour and I was on my way to getting a bed for the night inaan Hotel.
On Saturday, 1st June, I reported at Pier Head about09.
and asked for another boat and before lunch time had taken over one which had only been brought into Ramsgate that morning and put her into commission with a new crew. This boat was an old german Admiral's barge from the last war, to which the only conversion of any importance seemed to be that the steam engine had been taken out and a petrol engine substituted, a dummy funnel being fitted where the original funnel existed. The engine was a fourcylinder engine with cylinders of enormous size, it had no self-starter and worked with a clutch, being in fact a lorry engine. The engine was a brute to start and the gear lever required a strong man to put it into any position, but the engine was started and run over for a few minutes by the man who stated that he had brought the ship round from the Thames and he assured me that it was good for 12 knots without undue pressing.
my new crew had
As we were all anxious to go over again, but I did not relish not yet been over the idea of being towed any more, the prospect of being able to in fact.
go over under my own steam at 12 knots and so make the journey in about six hours each way was very welcome, and I decided that on this occasion we would do what most of the larger motor boats had been doing, namely run over under our own steam, pick up a boat-load and come back with them. I was informed that the new boat only drew 3'2" so that it would be quite sible for the troops to get to the boat without swimming. This still did not strike me as being a very efficient method of getting the troops off but I felt that some real work had been done with Constant
Nymph and I had been informed that morning that 187, were already off so that I felt justified in indulging in something boat could more in the nature of & pienic, especially as cigarettes and have taken 35
other little comforts had been provided on the boat by the mou I should owner for the rescued troops. LWe had already victualled the boat and obtained our water supplies and directly after lunch we cast off to go across the Harbour and get petrol, having as
& quite unauthorised passenger an old member of my own Club who

-6-
was down there as correspondent for a well-known paper and who wanted to see the show for himself. This was about the only effort made by this wretched boat in the Government service, it had a konked out within a few yards of leaving moorings and refused to eat it fire so I had to anchor to prevent drifting #Pen other ships and ABet a. rowing boat to come out and fetch me off so that I
wer, of course could report the trouble. Within an hour, a good deal less I
should say, we had an Engineer-Lieutenant Commander, ReNoV.R., an Engineer Sub-Lieutenant, R.N., two Petty Officers Artificers and one leading Artificer, investigating the question of our engine trouble.
One not unimportant item was that the magneto was simply dripping away, and here I rather suspect the activities of my stoker rating who was the senior again of my crew, who had been using the oil can I know, but he seemed to be quite familiar with petrol engines and I certainly did not see trying to oil the magneto, but I noticed a change of expression on his face when the Mag. was tached and foynd to be actually oozing oil. This, however, was not the only trouble and it is a mystery to me that that boat was ever brought round to Ramsgate from the Thames as the experts worked on her until 20.00 that night, by which time they had succeeded in getting a spark, and we got the engine running again. We raised anchor and tarted to take her for a trial run round the harbour. This went all right so long as we were going dead slow but on getting a clear space between two ships at anchor and opening throttle, there was no increase in speed but a most terrible noise from the clutch which was obviously slipping badly. The Engineer-Lieutenart
Commanded who was with me on the little bridge was very amused, he had identified the engine on sight as a very old Camel Lorry engine converted and I think he realised that all my efforts at joggling the clutch lever and putting the gear lever in and out of neutral were not going to have the least effect as the thing was pretty hopeless. As it was quite clear that nothing could be done except move her ahead at dead slow, I brought her over to the side and tied up out of the fairway.
While the gear was in neutral and the fore and aft ropes were already being secured, I had, as an additional precaution, kept my foot hard down on the clutch pedal which was right down on the deck, so that the clutch should have been well out with a good al to spare; in spite of this she suddenly commenced to go gently astern and bisk no amount of clutch joggling or verification of the fact that the gear lever was most clearly in neutral, seemed to have any effect for a moment or two, when she started to go slowly ahead. It was clearly unsafe in a crowded harbour to have this wretched engine running at all so I called down to the stoker to switch off the engine and have her manhandled for the little adjustment that was required to get her tied up securely. Again the engineers worked on her until 23.50 that night and all day Sunday, 2nd
June, they took down pretty well everything. The final report was that the engine was worth about £10 and it would cost £20
to repair it,so they did not propose to do any more about it, and I found myself living on a house boat with my own crew of four ratings and a lodger in the shape of another stoker rating whose original boat had been lost somehow with his kit. He had been supplied with a new kit at Merrie England, the temporary Naval barracks, and being a friend of my stoker rating thought he might as well throw in his luck with us.
By this time the beach show was well over and the last contingents were being brought off from Dunkirk Jetty itself by destroyers, etc., this being a deep water job.
There was a rumour round the harbour precincts just before lunch time on Sunday that volunteers were wanted to fetch the last of the Dunkirk troops off the Jetty, this cleared all the

ILA
-8-
in spite of a bit of rope round her port propeller, there was far too much rope at Dunkirk, made excellent headway.
There was a north easterly breeze blowing which raised a bit of a lop which was on our starboard baby on the course to the
Foreland, this was just where it was not wanted under the circumstances.
43
Most of the battens carried away and the canvas patching was flapping loose at the bottom over the main damage but she was still only making water in very small quantities as the bad damag above water line and she would have been as dry as a chip an reasonably smooth water.
We calculated that we could get round the Foreland without shipping too much and that we should then have the wind and water pretty well astern, and this proved to be the case so that we shipped no more water after that though there was a fair amount of motion for a time.
We had & chart, but no compass, owing to the bomb splinter at Dunkirk, but it was a sunny day and a course just outside the angle of the light on the water sommed about right. In point of fact we picked up every buoy directly on our course.
We had no dividers on board but using a piece of string to measure the distance on the chart between two buoys and comparing this with the tatitude scale on the bottom of the chart, found that we were doing approximately 15 knots and she must have averaged about 12 knots for the trip although we had to go a bit easy before we had rounded the Foreland.
Soon after we had got through the boom one of the usual busy drifters came pounding after us, flicking her signal lamp which, as usual, we could not read, but we eased up to let her come nearer and, as was off to our starboard a bit, we gave Cairngorm a bit of a sheer to starboard, which gave the drifter a fine view of our flapping patch, this seemed to tell the drifter all he wanted to know about us ur.
and he just waved a hand and turned back.
ned
We tied up in the motor boat basin, landed our crew and reported about 20.00. As soon as we had reported to the
1.
Commander in charge of the motor boats, he enquired if we had dined yet, and finding this was not so, book us into the of
Mess for dinner at once.
air
We slept on board Cairegorn that night, and on Friday the 7th June I was duly examined by the Medical Officer and chased about to two or three different individuals and eventually signed off, as from the date of expiration of my three days'
O
Dunkirk leave.
For this extremely pleasant outing, in the best of good company, I was paid at the magnificent rate of £23 a month and all found as Master of a vessel.
These temporary employees of the navy, signed on under naval discipline, achort periods are not provided with any uniform, and are not bound to wear any uniform, so one saw the
10 And south-east England, and a heap of people who had just come
Club caps and jackets of nearly every Yacht Club in the Thames,
/lub town as they were. As I always keep my ship clothes, including cap and reefer on board, I wore them the whole time and commissions in the R.N.V.R.
net several other members of the Club who had got their
Basipo ng me em,

122
my boat hook, but as he was dead and a German at that, I
pushed him off and got on my way.
A few minutes later I saw a French Destroyer doing about twenty-five to thirty knots, making her way into Dunkirk. I took my eyes off her for a minute or two and then glanced back, but there was nothing there. She must have had a direct hit from a bomb and sunk within a few minutes. I made my course over to where she had gone and picked up her survivors, which altogether numbered only about twenty. Those I picked up I put on board a
French tug which happened to be in the vicinity, and once more carried on into Dunkirk.
Eventually I arrived off the beach where the swarms of soldiers were gathered, and at the same time one of our big ships came and anchored close inshore.
Three of our little convoy of eight had arrived. The first immediately filled with soldiers and carried on back to
England. The second went aground. My first job was to ferry soldiers from the beach to the big ship, and I made a number of trips. Then I tried to tow the boat that had run aground off the beach but the young seaman with me got the tow rope around my propellors, the result being that
I had to give the job up and that my own ship ran aground.
All around there was ceaseless activity and, jumping over the side, I gave a hand carrying the wounded soldiers to the big ship's skiff which had been launched.
When he knew what had happened the Captain of this ship ordered me to go on board his ship with my crew and we swan out to her, but the swift running tide had not finished with us yet. Soon after we had clambered aboard the big ship, she too, ran aground. It must have been about two or three belook in the afternoon then,

123
and during the period we had to wait for the flood tide to come up and take us off Jerry's bombers came over several times, bombing the ships and machine gunning the soldiers on the beach. We were lucky not to be hit, for we had only the soldier's Bren guns to defend us.
The Captain would not let me go when I
asked him if I could return to my own ship, but by now some Tommies had parked themselves in the "Naiad Errant"
and, after clearing the tow rope from the propellors, had got her engines going. The tide was coming in fast- it must have been between seven and eight oclock (I had put my watch out of action swimming)- and the rising water floated the ship, also my boat. I waved to the soldiers and made gestures to them to bring her alongside, which they managed to do, although the ship was well under way.
I sang out to my crew to come down with me, but apparently they had had enough of it- they did not show up, but there was no time to argue. Both the ship and my boat were under way, SO just as the "Naiad Errant" came alongside I jumped down alone, and got her clear of the ship, which promptly increased her speed and went towards
England.
The "Naiad Errant" was packed full. I glanced back at the petrol tank gauges and saw that they registered half-full. There was nothing to do but to scrounge some more. A boat was moored in the fairway and I reckoned she would be fair game. As luck would have it she was full of petrol in two gallon tins, SO I fisted six of them and put them in my tanks. Just as I thought we were all set for home- the. engines gave out! I could not get back to the boat that was moored and we began to drift on to
3

124
the pier which Jerry was bombing and shelling. To make matters worse I was right in the fairway, liable to be run down by ships coming in and going out. Darkness was fast approaching.
With no engineer on board, and me without the slightest knowledge of engines, I had to hope that the soldiers could get her going again. The engineers among them got to work, The others I ordered to break up both the cabin doors and use the pieces as paddles in order to keep a little way on the boat and prevent her from running on to the pièr. Although they were dead tird they put all they knew into it and SO we managed to keep a little way on the boat and keep her in a safe position.
About this time I began to shiver and got very cold as it got dark, for I had on the same togs that I had been swimming in. I was still wet through. Then one of the soldiers tapped me on the shoulder. He handed over a flask, asking me to drink. I did. It was rum, and it certainly put warmth and fresh life into me.
The soldiers tinkered with the engine in the darkness and it must have been between ten and eleven oclock at night when there was a clamour of excitement. They had got the starboard engine going! I told them to "drop everything" and leave the port engine and I would get them over to England all right on the one engine, which gave me about five to six knots. I counter-acted the pull of the one engine with the wheel.
Because the main channel between Dunkirk and
Ramsgate was crowded with ships that night, and I stood a big chance of being run down in the blackness, I decided to try and make Dover and keep clear of the main channel
4

165
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

AGEST
Jest:
Stavez in
E.S.
(2)
166
DEC
The Queen of England and Shamrock kept a fairly straight course and keeping about 30 yards apart followed Destroyers, as they g(
rask got out of sight we followed their smoke and then the place on the
That horizon where the smoke was last seen in this way we continued, one could not help feeling convinced by the numerous British to
188
noc
Naval Craft which seemed to pop up from all directions that the
English Channel was still English.
FRO
I arroused Brown from a good sleep to point out what appeared to be a periscope travelling in the opposite direction about 300 yards on our port side, he soon bought my revolver which was stowed forward and placed it in front of me as he said you might want it. As darkness fell so did the temperature it was darned cold. Many Vessels passed us in both directions some uncomfortably close and of course not shewing any lights whatever and more than once we were almost dashed against our fellow boats by the huge wash from passing Vessels. The sea was calm but the swell was unlike anything I had experienced before, and the trail of light phosphorus green behind each boat was a pretty but monotonous sight.
We seemed to be near the coast now about I6 miles West of Dunkirk heavy machines were over head we could not tell to whom they belonged, Artillery action on the land could be seen and heard quite plainly. Ahead everything was blazing, oil and petrol tanks were continually expboding near the coast the noise and flames were beyond description, I was feeling a bit weary about the f feet cramp through cold was agrivating me, it was about I6 hours since we left Canvey.
Brown took the wheel while I had a sip from a lemonade bottle, a metter of seconds when I noticed one OfH.M. Ships bearing down on us.
Then came the crash, I could see the Queen of England being sliced in two.
There was not time for words, in my effort to gain control poor Brown was knocked to the deck, but I managed to open the throttle and swing her round and so miss the same fate by inches. We heard the cries of come on Canvey in the darkness and by by bawling where are you, where are you, we located and grabbed them into our boat as the remnants of their beautiful craft were just disappearing. We came alongside the big dark ship an officer' after making enquiries about the condition off the 3 men dropped a rope ladder down and took them on board, we did'nt even say Good night
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

DUNKIRK CLAIMS
her COMMITTEE WINDSORA GERBERA EM
H.O.
WINDSONG
WARRIOR
William Douglas & Sons LIMITED 192
HEAD OFFICE:
SCOTTISH BRANCH
DOUGLAS WHARF PUTNEY
68 FOUNTAINBRIDGE
LOND ON
PUTNEY 6666
A
EDINBURGH
TELEPHONE
TELEGRAMS
(PRIVATE EXCMANCE)
"OZONE EDINBURGH™
REGISTERED TELEGRAPHIC CABLE
TELEPHONE
ADDRESS "IBIDEM LONDON
28039
CODES ABC ST*EDITION BENTLEY
EDINBURGH
EST. 1878
DOUGLAS WHARF
PUTNEY
LONDON S.W.15. ENGLAND
OUR REF.
YOUR REF.
DEPT.
DATE
WHB/ES
Sep. 18th 1940
aucd.
The Director of Sea Transport,
Ministry of Shipping (H.O.)
Berkeley Square House,
Berkeley Square, W. 1.
2711 RECEIVED 19 SEP P.M. 21 1 OF
Sir,
Your Ref. T.0.9144/STN.6
B
I am replying to your circular letter, under the above reference, on behalf of Flight Lieut. W. L. Douglas, M.C.
owner of "Warrior", who is at present serving in the R. A. F.
Although I understand that "Warrior" was originally requistioned for service in the evacuation of the B.E.F. from
Dunkirk, she was taken over by the Naval Authorities when she reported at Ramsgate, and I have received no advice as to her activities since that time.
I am however, enclosing a copy of the Master's Log, and report, relating to the passage from Chichester (from whence she was requistioned) to Ramsgate, in the hope that some of the remarks contained therein may be of interest to you.
Yours faithfully,
Enc.
after taking
About 10.30 a.m. on we arrived at Southend Pier and s/in 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-

Black Arrow"
"Faith"
"Empress"
"Queen of England"
"New White Heather"
"St. Patrick"
"Shamrock"
"Skylark III"
4. A statement of outstanding claims other than
Total loss was also considered. It was agreed for of few the cases Committee remaining and did the not justify the
Secretary with them on lines approved by the for
"Total Loss cases in the past, referring any difficulties that
Representatives when available after meetings of other arise informally to the Treasury and Sea Transport Dept. might etc., with a view to making offers in settlement.
P.C.O. (S.T.) will assess the claims for missing articles
Committees. With regard to "Mare Nostrum" and "Papillon"
5. The Chairman promised to draft a report on the work approval. of the Committee and to submit it to the other members for their claims other tha
It was agreed ify the formal ry was author he Committee
ISO consi@ficulties ining did not lea Trs tee and the Secre lines approved by t past, referring any ly to the Treasury a

Week
Arrow"
th"
DYNAMO OPERAT
Empress"
Queen of England"
"New White Heather"
"St. Patrick"
"Shamrock"
"Skylark III"
4. A statement of outstanding claims other than for
Total loss was also considered. It was agreed that the few cases remaining did not justify the formal continuance of the Committee and the Secretary was authorised to deal nnotel 10887
with them on lines approved by the Committee for similar cases in the past, referring any difficulties that might arise informally to the Treasury and Sea Transport Dept.
Representatives when available after meetings of other
Committees. With regard to "Mare Nostrum" and "Papillon"
P.C.O. (S.T.) will assess the claims for missing articles etc., with a view to making offers in settlement.
18 OT
5. The Chairman promised to draft a report on the work
2
of the Committee and to submit it to the other members for their approval.
His

DUNKIRK CLAIMS COMMITTEE.
Reference.
MINUTE SHEET.
I will deal with the cases other than the Liner Companies in the first place:-
"EMPRESS"
Total
Losses.
were opened.
"QUEEN Before were The the Department a the against The claim OF Solicitors claims Owners received, original ENGLAND") the a of claim properly Estate was have £2,250. prepared dealing Owner the been of could and claims £1,750. formulated offered died for with be to were soon meet. the to settled the for The go found after for "Queen Estate offers to the some on The and negotiations to "Impress" of the position were now we be time, England" widow, are higher made not but awaiting £1,300. able today are she £1,230. than when the to died. is, against the they the have highest that the
Department is prepared
Solicitor's reply.
"NEMO
Owned IV". the by Total boat two men Loss. and who for claim loss of £4,500. earnings has as compensation until offered they the are highest for able the to loss figure replace of that the it boat. is prepared The Department to pay for the loss of the boat, i.e.
£1,028. been a very troublesome Owners' case Member and has of recently Parliament been to the the This subject has of a letter from who has the replied maintaining rests. the Department's Parliamentary attitude. Secretary, There for the moment the position
"NEW
WHITE HEATHER". claim Total from Loss. the Owners was £3,000. figure They have the since
Department said they would could settle go to is for £1,325. and we are awaiting a reply to
The original £2,000. The highest this offer.
"QUEEN
requires branch are doing what they can to find after a all have
The Owner replacement of the engine which was suitable Our
BOADICEA". will Damaged. not accept settlement on a cash destroyed. basis and
Technical but if this is not possible, we may Loss. to engine, treat the case as one of Constructive Total
"WHITE
WATER.". at Damaged. late date, would not accept the estimate of and the cost of of the Boat Yard where the vessel now of
The Owner, repairs a which had been agreed between our Surveyor lies.
the The proprietor case has been reconsidered and there is prospect a very early sèttlement.
INGLIS & MILLS. Sundry craft. Damages and Losses.
all 9 craft are involved in this claim. Although the our
Surveyor In met the Owners and concluded a settlement in losses sum of £321.18.-. it was later found that the damages and incurred were not the result of the Dunkirk operations, although of the craft had originally been inspected and considered for some 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&SLtd
Gp644 229
(REGIMINT)
CODE 5-34-0
Contd... [OVER

DUNKIRK EVACUATION
CLAIMS OUTSTANDING:- "TOTAL LOSS"
AS AT 10-10-41
Name of
File No.
Claim.
Remarks & Action
Vessel.
Taken.
8
EMPRESS
Negotiations continuing and
QUEEN OF
mm
T.M. 3716/40
£2,250
}
awaiting letters of
ENGLAND
£1,750
administration.
NEMO IV
T.M. 3889/40
£4,500
Offered £1,028 less £250
already advanced on account.
Case may go to Tribunal.
NEW WHITE
$3,000
Offer of £1,325 made,
HEATHER
T.M. 3899/40
awaiting reply.
Lifeboats
FURNESS WITHY
T.M. 7508/40
£459.3.4d.
& CO. LTD.
Total Loss (3)
Under consideration.
& Equipment
Doubt as to whether these
W.D. INGLIS
T.M. 5094/40
£321.18.-d.
were used for Dunkirk
& S.J. MILLS
evacuation.
BLUE STAR LINE
.12534/40
£1454.15.-(9)
Obtaining more details.
CLAIMS OUTSTANDING OTHER THAN "TOTAL LOSS"
9:
AS AT 10-10-41
QUEEN BOADICEA
T.M. 3718/40
Repairs
Offer refused. Requires replacement of engine.
Negotiations continuing.
WHITEWATER
T.O. 9364/40
Repairs
L.A. Robinson's estimate of cost of repairs not accepted by owner. Negotiations continuing.
BLUE STAR LINE
M.12534/40
£1665.5.
Obtaining further details.
LTD.
Repairs equipment and labour expenses.
"S
"Si,
Lifeboats.
Involved with Netherlands Commission from whom we have not
This the been able to get a clear statement.
followed up. Mt.

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. -

JR/KW.
DUNKIRK EVACUATION.
TOTAL LOSS:- CLAIMS OUTSTANDING.
56
Name of
File No.
Claim.
Remarks & Action
Vessel.
Taken.
BLACK ARROW
T.M. 4060/40
£700 - £900
Valuation being obtained.
FAITH
T.M. 4070/40
Loss uncertain-letters to owner - no reply.
EMPRESS
QUEEN OF
m
T.M. 3716/40
Awaiting letters of
ENGLAND
administration.
NEMO IV
T.M.3889/40
£4,500
Advanced £250-offer made. awaiting reply.
NEW PRINCE
OF WALES.
T.M.3887/40
£8,696
Advanced £5,000
negotiations, continuing.
NEW WHITE HEATHER
T.M. 3889/40
Offer of £1,325 made, awaiting reply.
SKYLARK III
T.O. 9203/40
£500
Awaiting letters of administration.
LIFEBOATS.
ROYAL MAIL
LINES.
T.M. 5352/40
£236.5.0d.
Awaiting surveyor's report.
FURNESS WITHY
& CO LTD.
T.M. 7508/40
£459. 3. 4d.
Awaiting surveyor's
Total Loss (3)
report.
& Equipment.

Hire and
Repairs and
Expenses
Replacements
Total
Vessel
Type
Claimant
Paper No.
£
S
d
£
8
d
£
S
"SKYLARK"
"SOUTHERN QUEEN"
---
The Southern Railway
3 9
"FERRY NYMPH"
Company
AG.3/3531/40.Pt.I
"DIANA" &
"SCORCHER"
Tugs
Clements, Knowling
19 1 9
& Co. Ltd.
"
"
"
3
1
-
"MAY C"
Tug
W.F. Corsan
"
"
"
"CULEX""APAR"
"ABONIA"
}
159 5 6
Tugs
Gaselee & Son Ltd.
"
"
"
"WASP" "KNAT"
& "SAURIA"
"JOHN HAWKINS"
Tug
John Hawkins
"
11
"
23 15 10
Humphery & Grey
12 10 -
(Lighterage) Ltd.
"
"
"
"AUGUSTA" "KATIA"
& "KHURDAH"
Tugs
"
"
"
80 16 2
J.P. Knight Ltd.
"RIO" "LECTRO"
& "DITTO"
"
Union Lighterage
Co. Ltd.
"
If
"
57 10 -
Various Barges
P.L. Authority
"
"
Pt.II
49 15 2
"SKYLARK"
Brighton, Hove &
Worthing Gas Co.
11
11
"
2 3 8
"ARCADIA"
"PERSIA" &
m
Tugs
William Watkins Ltd.
"
"
Pt.I
1626 5 -
"TANGA"
"BEATRICE MAUD"
& "SPURGEON"
3
S.Bs.
J. P. Knight Ltd.
"
If
11
20
-
I
S.T. New Quay,
Sandbanks Yacht
Co.Ltd.
"
"
Pt.II
Poole
1 8 -
"PASS OF BALLATER"
Tanker
Bulk Oil Steamship
Co. Ltd.
"
"
"
3 10 -
Various and Tug
"SECURITY"
J.W.Cook & Co. Ltd.
"
"
Pt. I
65 4 8
H.Trust & Son
"
"
BELGIAN
Trawlers
Pt.II
2 10 -
Various
Tugs
Soton, I.of W. & S.
England Royal Mail
Stm. Pkt. Co. Ltd.,
"
"
11
16 16 -
Various
Gamecock Steam
Towing Co. Ltd.
"
"
"
13 2 5
W.G.James & Sons Ltd.
"
"
"
"ESKBURN"
S.S.
13 3 2
If
"TEANO"
Ellerman's Wilson
"
"
"
Line Ltd.
19 14 9
"
"
11
Southern Railway Co.
Various
94 10 -