TNA MT 40 36 Pt 2

Officer in could be oney ha nt that ed go
11th June, 19
In accordance with last nights instruction I am sending a report e
the fishing fleet from the Eastern District sent for the evacuation of th tish
Expeditionary Force.
ed on
On 30th May, shortly before 1700, I received your telephone messa so, of ould all boats capable of crossing the English Channel should be ordered to at once. I at once got in touch with suitable persons, usually the Cd wer
Hannam g
thirty of statistics, at different points round the coast and explained to th extreme urgency of the situation. Contact with the different stations established as under:-
Wells.
1700.
Yarmouth.
1915.
Leigh-on-Sea.
1710.
Maldon.
1935.
Harwich.
1730.
Burnham.
1940.
Deben Estuary.
1740.
West Mersea.
1945,
Sheringham.
1800.
Orford.
2010.
Brightlingsea.
1805.
At some stations it was evident that the Naval Authorities were also II
in the same matter and yachts were also being detailed. Early in the day
Lieut. Cator, R.N.V.R., from the Small Vessels Pool had visited Lowestoft a
Yarmouth to select yachts and I remained in touch with him during his visit.
the evening I visited Kessingland and found that the boats, mostly with car a
engines and no reverse gear, were unsuitable for the service. This also ap to Aldeburgh. At 2110 Mr. Hannah notified that the two large Sheringham Whll boats had sailed. There was no discussion of terms or conditions. The sed fishermen simply knew they were urgently wanted and they had a pretty good id why. Some left for Lowestoft immediately they came ashore from the fishing grounds. Early on the morning of June 1st I reported on the situation to N.O
Lowestoft as the little ships had to be routed, supplied with fuel and etc. by all him. He asked me to take full charge of the operations. This simplified th work and by noon 16 vessels from stations to the North of and including Lowes were ready for the first stage of their journey complete with petrol, paraffi water and 4 days provision. These sailed at 1420. Others were standing b as under orders but were eventually not required. The vessels from stations of Lowestoft came for the most part under direct orders from local naval authorities. Lists of all vessels advised by our various representatives in the attached schedules.
La
Volunteers for crews were not lacking and it is of passing interest tha youngest volunteer was 141, a Coastguard' S son Peter Haines, a sea scout, and the eldest man was 73 (Mr. C.A. Pegg). The latter has now returned to his crab fishing and the Coastguard's son has been appointed messenger to the 1st. Lieut,
Naval Base, here. In view of the difficulty likely to be experienced by the fishermen when dealing with the Naval Authority at Harwich and Ramsgate it was
B
agreed that Mr. Graham should accompany the party. This proved a most
Later satisfactory arrangement and his handling of the variety of problems which arose
200
called the highest praise from the fishermen. The following is his report:-
9th J
1030
"We left Lowestoft for Harwich at 1420 on 1st June in a group of sixteen
Rose boats. T. Nielsen of Wells was Chief Skipper. The subsequent movements of these
Q. &
sixteen vessels are known up to the time they reached home ports again. It will
10th 1820. June be some time before the movements of vessels from other stations are fully known and reported by local fishery officers. One vessel, the "Boy Fred" HH.15, was in
Minist company with my party for operations from 5th - 7th June.
1300.
The following narrative of the movements of the sixteen and the "Boy Fred" is
All V
constructed from my log and from records in the Fishery Office.
rts, exc
1st June.
T.O. Har
Tony L.N.40 (Leader), Malvina L.N.15, Bessie LN.16, 8. and JJ. LN.88.
1420 Left Lowestoft.
Rose LN.76.
Little Admiral LN.85, all of Wells.
Ace, IN.27.
Aunty Guss IN.29,
Jane Hannah IN.98, of Blakeney.
Rose LN.19, Seagull LN.203, Amity LN.47, of Brancaster.
Edna YH.119, Liberty II YH.104, of Sheringham.
Narcissa IT.38, Winston LY.142, of Lowe toft. ich.
2000 Spoke to Examination Vessel of
2150 Moored in Harwich

Sanders Navments and od thenight could money hat that so
- 2
2nd June.
Several vessels were found to have developed serious engine defects, nd
.ed
OZ
ng to the long passages, for which some of the engines were unsuitable. Also, bulden consultation with Naval Authorities at Harwich it was decided that some of
Han the craft were not likely to be useful, owing to age, small size, or lack of power the
Fine vessels were selected to continue the voyage to Ramsgate and after standing for orders these nine vessels proceeded.
1255. Left Harwich harbour.
Ace (Leader) Q. and J.J., Rose (LN.76), Bessie, Malvina,
Jane Hannah, Amity,
Narcissa,
Winston.
2010. Entered Ramsgate.
3rd June.
On request four vessels and crews volunteered for service in Commander Le
Mesurier's opration; but finally were not required. Warton, engineer of
Narcissa, tool part in Vice-Admiral Taylor's operation.
4th June.
0930. Eght vessels and "Boy Fred" HH.15 took part in landing French soldiers from troopshis at anchor outside in the fog.
1100. Fllowing vessels selected for operations under Captain Selby:-
Ace, Bessie Rose, Q. & J.J., Malvina, Narcissa, Winston, Boy Fred.
The folloing men volunteered to go in the vessels:-
Bessie
T.lielsen.
Rose
R.
Pegg
Ace C. Warton
W.1. Cox
J. Bishop
M. Graham
W. Long
J. Barnes
Narcissa Albrow.
T.E. Scotte:and J.T. Greengrass not required.
Later on le Jane Hannah was also taken and G. Long was anxious to go in her, bu was not ruired.
General sisfaction was expressed with the work of the volunteers and there wer no casualies.
5t₂ June.
Aperationn progress. Malvina and Winston were discarded in Dover,
Q. & J.J. in msgate and Jane Hannah was brought in so that six vessels were used:-
Jane Hanna Bessie, Rose, Boy Fred,
Narcissa,
Ace.
6th June.
Operation ompleted.
7th June.
Heard "JanHannah" had been lost. Reported loss of "Jane Hannah" and damage to all her vessels to S.T.
1530. Le: Dover.
Narcissa (lader).
Bessie towig Ace.
of
Rose towingMalvina.
Boy Fred toing Winston.
Later Narcissa ad to take both Boy Fred and Winston in tow.
2200. Arrved Ramsgate.
8th June.
1045.
Left Ramsgate.
a
Narcissa (lealer). Q. & J.J.
Rose and Malvina towing Winston.
Bessie towing Ace.
Amity.
Later Narcissa helped tow Winston.
2000. Arrivel Harwich.
9th June.
don
1030. Left Harwich.
Rose (leader) with Narcissa, Bessie, Ace, Malvina, Winston all in tow and
Q. & J.J., Amity, Aunty Guss.
1820. Arrived Lowestoft.
10th June.
Ministry of Shipping surveyors visited vessels and noted the damage.
1300. Vessels proceeded to home ports.
All vessels named in this report have been reported as having reached their home rts, except the Boy Fred. This boat was left in Ramsgate on 8th June and
T.o. Harwich was notified that evening. He promised to inform her owner.
M. GRAHAM.
/Before

"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

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

CONVIODORE
COPY.
*
H.M.S. "FORTE",
RECEIVED 27 16
C/o G.P.O.,
London.
11.9.40.
Dear Mr. Zoccola,
I have only to-day received your letter written on the 20th
August with your congratulations re Bar to my D.S.C., for which I
sincerely thank you.
Your letter had followed me all over the place - as I have been attached to two ships since then, on escort and patrol work.
I was sent to Ramsgate for the Evacuation, and selected the "Bonnie Heather" myself as leader of a Convoy of motor boats for the Beach work, and believe me the choice was justified, as of the whole lot attached to the Convoy we were the only one to finish the course throughout.
I'm afraid I am rather bad at descriptive accounts, but perhaps one day I may have the pleasure of meeting you and then probably be able to tell you more about the affair. This I can tell you, the
"Bonnie Heather" behaved like a perfect Lady - in spite of the unusual treatment she received, and stood up to it like a trojan and never let us down - 7 complete round trips Ramsgate/Dunkirk after filling up
Transports (lying off) from the Beaches.
You say you heard third hand that we carried 80 men. I don't know, of course, who told you that, but it was true on the last trip -
but normally about 60. On one trip that we picked up survivors from the S.S. "Scotia", which was sunk by bombs, when full of French Colonial troops, we picked up the Chief Steward and 40 soldiers out of the water and with our own crew a total of 45, wet sodden men, some all in and they were lying about and not standing as soldiers were in goodish condition, so you can imagine what your little vessel had to put up with.
We tried to keep her in as good condition as possible under the circumstances from sheer admiration of the gallant little ship, which in my opinion deserves to carry the D.S.C. colors.
I can't even begin to describe the Hell under which the operations were carried out - bombed, machine gunned, shelled, caught in parachute flares and bombed - that little ship was certainly built in a lucky zone, and dodging and twisting never once let us down, loaded as she was.
back that to few town of them VA very making folt regretfully able arrangements to by sign train. with on for employers, a month and etc. wont So able seemed to warn me my too partners good to miss in any case, a month and I had with the
The to opportunity of playing boats for or
Le late in the afternoon Dockyard and interviewing mumerous signed on and toured but there Sheerness was same difficulty that I in should getting be away for a bue bith Tic to accurate be put 1dea what the job by was about and was 17.00 quite had formed people a TW was the supervising off, the so fuel appealed and to the Commodore himself determined with few that basin. Within half-an-hour victualling of explaining of the motor to bo night's

(g) "Leilah":
Agreed to obtain valuation from
Mr. Barnett and then to confirm the verbal offer of £100, owner to keep vessel.
(h) "Rocinante":
Agreed not to sell the vessel which will be put under Care and
Maintenance.
(j) "Enchantress":
Agreed to negotiate up to £925 plus interest and hire.
(k) "Good Hope":
Agreed to obtain Mr. Shepherd's valuation.
(1) "Hazard":
Agreed to ask for further particulars of gear on board, and negotiate up to £250 if necessary.
(m) "Dreadnought II":
Agreed to negotiate up to £950 which is Mr. Shepherd's valuation.
(n) "Dreadnought III":
Agreed to negotiate up to £900 which is Mr. Shepherd's valuation.
(o) "Leader":
Agreed to arrange for Mr. Cameron
(P.C.O.S.T.) to interview the owner and to have a free hand to obtain the best settlement possible.
(p) "Mare Nostrum":
Agreed to refer to the Solicitor's
Department for advice as to committee's future conduct of this case.
(q) "Lord Fisher":
Agreed to withdraw offer of hire at 6/- per foot per day and inform owners that settlement will be made when Ratesof Hire of Drifters are finally fixed.
hid When Chen
25/4/41

REPAIRS & S. REPLACEMENTS d.
TOTAL LOSS
REM
VESSEL
TYPE
CLAIMANT
PAPER NO.
HIRE & EXS.
£.
£.
S.
d.
£.
S.
d.
"Lady Cable"
m.b.
C.W. Mott
TM 4237/40
59.
!
5.
10.
57.
6.
1.
"Lady Haig"
m.v.
W. Buck
TM 4095/40
7.
H.W. Harvey
5.
15.
2.
!
i
2.
52.
W. Buck
20.
9.
"Lady Isabelle"
m.b.
J. Tims & Sons
TM 3760/40
5.
11.
!
!
15.
F. Westhead
"Lady Kay"
m.v.
Watercraft Ltd.
TM 3753/40
23.
17.
7.
G. Spicer
14.
11.
i
120.
W.M. Elliott
"Lady Rita"
m.y.
D. Hillyard
TM 4102/40
15.
11.
3.
A.P.S
650.
"Lansdowne"
m.v.
V.Messum & Son
TM 3736/40
-.
___???___
6
15.
"Lark"
Punt
A. Fayers, Ltd.
TM 4266/40
3
"Leach's Romance"
m.v.
R. Leach & Sons
TO 9561/40
26.
17.
10.
Re-allocated.Spl.Admy.S
(G.M.268)
"Little O'Lady"
m.v.
"
"
11
"
TO 9567/40
26.
17.
10.
Re-allocated Spl.Admy.Serv
B.M.61.
"Lent Lily"
m.v.
Jubilee Fish
TO 9565/40
24.
1.
i
Co. Ltd.
"Letitia"
m. V.
E.A. Leppard
TM 4004/40
10.
i i
Chichester Yacht
33.
11.
12.
11.
i
Co. Ltd.
W.E. Browning
1250.
"Liberty"
m.v.
K.C. Frisby
TM 4067/40
2.
15.
5.
Anglo American
3.
8.
Oil Co. Ltd.
"Leilah"
m. V.
L.R. Burnay
TM 4058/40
2.
i
!
125.
J. Mears Ltd.
4.
15.
i
L.R. Burnay
2.
11.
6.
"Lieberstrum"
m.v.
H.C. Hunt
TO 9179/40
51.
10.
2.
45.
10.
i
"Lijns"
m. V.
S.H. Bell
TM 3738/40
45.
-.
i
128.
i
"Leander"
m.b.
J.T. Phelps
TM 4141/40
14.
8.
5.
9.
i i
"Leader"
m m.b.
C. Westcott
TM 7713/40
600.
i
Beached River Dart
"Little Mint"
W. Coleman
"
3.
3.
7.
"Little Ann"
a.y.
G.A. Turnour
TM 4425/40
600.
i
"Lady be Good"
m. V.
P. Newall,
TM 4440/40
2.
1.
11.
Petticrow Ltd.
"Little Admiral"
LN.85
C.A. Pegg
TM 5095/40
6.
15.
9.
"Lady Anne"
m.b.
E. Clare
TM 5227/40
9.
!
4.
"London Premier"
m.v.
W.D. Tamlyn & Co.
TM 5261/40
21.
16.
1.
"Lady Lou"
m.v.
Sussex Yacht
TM 5434/40
47.
6.
i
Works Ltd.
"Lady Nancy"
m.b.
W. Osborne Ltd.
TM 5110/40
7.
i i
"Liberty II"
m.v.
W.C. Craske
TM 5479/40
5.
14.
10.
"Leslie"
S.Bge.
Andrews & Ellis
TO 9303/40
20.
i i
"Lark"
S.Bge.
T.Scholey & Co.
TO 9315/40
50.
3.
6.
795.
i
Ltd.
"Leeuwarden"
S.S.
Gen. Stm. Nav. Co.
TM 4270/40
195.
17.
4.
Ltd.
"Lady Rosebery"
Aux.S.Bge.
S. West Ltd.
TO 9306/40
17.
18.
2.
i i
"Leonard Piper"
Bge.
Geo. Hammond & Co.
TO 8532/40
1.
2.
8.
3120.
"Lord Fisher"
S.D.
Lowestoft Stm.
TM 7392/40
17.
-.
LT.711
Herring Drifters i
Co. Ltd.
"Lady Doris"
m.v.
C.W. Bone
TM 5004/40
4.
4.
-.
"Lily"
Row.Bt.
J. Gisby
TM 9576/40
5.
7.
6.
20.