TNA MT 40 36 Pt 2

WOLSEY
River 2, Lower Cottage, Teddington Road,
Hampton Wick. middle
30th September, 1940.
203
T.0.9144/STN 6(b)
With A. Malcolm's Compliments.
To The Director of Sea Transport.
STREET
KUD
Mr. Uffer at the outbreak of war had served as one of the crew of "Wolsey" when I was Section Officer at
Lambeth Pier in the River Emergency Service, and he agreed to help to deliver the boat to Sheerness. He arrived at Hampton Wick about 11. o'clock and in the meantime I had got the engine in running order and the water tank filled, but had no time to clean out the filters and carburetters or to attend to other details which would have been seen to in ordinary circumstances.
We left Teddington Lock about midnight and arrived at Greenwich Pier about 2 a.m. when the tide turned and we endeavoured to sleep for about an hour, and then continued our journey. At Tilbury we received instructions from the Naval Officer in charge of "Eternal Wave" to deliver the vessel at Southend Pier, where we proceeded after taking on Petrol at Gravesend.
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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DUNKIRK CLAIMS COMMITTEE.
MEMORANDUM for the Ministry of Shipping re the unsuccessful attempt of the Owner of M.C. "Wolsey" to assist at the Dunkirk
204
evacuation.
"Wolsey" had been out of commission about seven months and was lying covered with a tarpaulin at
Burgoines Boat Yard, Hampton Wick, on Tuesday the 28th
May 1940, with about 30 gallons of pool petrol in her tanks.
On the evening of that day I received, about 7 o'c. a telephone message from J. Offer who was in London, to the effect that Lieut. Laycock of the
Admiralty wished my craft to be delivered at Sheerness as soon as possible after daybreak on the following day.
Mr. Offer at the outbreak of war had served as one of the crew of "Wolsey" when I was Section Officer at
Lambeth Pier in the River Emergency Service, and he agreed to help to deliver the boat to Sheerness. He arrived at Hampton Wick about 11. o'clock and in the meantime I had got the engine in running order and the water tank filled, but had no time to clean out the filters and carburetters or to attend to other details which would have been seen to in ordinary circumstances.
We left Teddington Lock about midnight and arrived at Greenwich Pier about 2 a.m. when the tide turned and we endeavoured to sleep for about an hour, and then continued our journey. At Tilbury we received instructions from the Naval Officer in charge of "Eternal Wave" to deliver the vessel at Southend Pier, where we proceeded after taking on Petrol at Gravesend.
About 10.30 a.m., we arrived at Southend Pier and 29/5
Wednutay 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-

207
incorrect if the reports in the papers that troops were being evacuated on the following Saturday and
Sunday were accurate.
I might mention that I think there must have been water in the petrol which I took on board at
Southend Pier, as I have owned "Wolsey" about nine years and the engine has never failed before.
River Cottage
2, Lower Teddington Road,
Hampton Wick.
27th September, 1940.
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DUNK
HO
2161
208
09144/STN.6B
2nd October,1940
Sir,
I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 30th September, 1940.
enclosing reports on the Dunkirk operations insofar as your vessel
WOLSEY 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 that this report will be of value in compiling the final report which will be drawn up on these operations.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
Director of Sea Transport.
Malcolm, Esq.,
River Cottage,
2, Lower Teddington Road,
Hampton Wick,
Middlesex.