TNA MT 40 36 Pt 2

MERHAIDEN
Ex. 2161.
Wood 1941 SENT ADECO POST LETTER
ky.Councit
SERVICE.
MASSEY
on Fire Buxigade, Forces,
144/S.T.N.6B.
Headquarters,
900
M/RCC.
3rd December 1941.
Albert Embankment, S.E.1
STRay.
Sir,
89
Entered in
1st December, 1941.
I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 1st December forwarding a report on the Dunkirk the B.E.F. from Dunkirk.
Operations in so far as the "MASSEY
SHAW" took part in these operations, ve asked the owners of all boats and to thank you for the information ssist in the evacuation of the B.E.F
which you have been good enough to he available particulars of the part supply.
You may, therefore, be interested activities of the fire boat,
It is anticipated that this report was not requisitioned by you.
will be of value in compiling the final report which will be drawn up
940, the Under Secretary of State, on these Operations.
Commanding, London Fire Brigade, might be required at Dunkirk.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
Defence Committee of the London
(Sgd) H. C. RIGGS
and it was decided that the "Massey
She is a 75 ft. steel fire boat,
Director of Sea Transport.
the River Thames with a beam of draft, equipped with Diesel engines
The Chief Commander, re pumps.
The London Fire Forces,
Headquarters, at Ramsgate with a London Fire
Albert Embankment, y, but found that fire-fighting
London, S.E.1.
ticable. The fire boat was, a senior Naval officer at 1400
pops. Between arrival at Dunkirk for Ramsgate at 0400 hours on
1st June, 60 troops were taken aboard from the beaches about 3 miles east of the mole, and were safely disembarked at Ramsgate at 0645
hours. The crew consisted of 13 London Fire Service personnel and
Naval Sub-Lieutenant.
At 1820 hours on 1st June, the "Massey Shaw" again proceed d from Ramsgate Harbour, this time with a landing party of 60 Naval
The Director of Sea Transport,
Ministry of War Transport,
Berkeley Square House,
Berkeley Square,
W.1.
was preparing to keep ship going all night, when we heard many planes overhead, so we stopped the Motor and relied on our Sails, while wj still favoured us. But many times that night planes came in quit close range. As daylight broke we could see where we were and occasionally gunfire was heard, and planes above us. So we cont with Sails to near Dover, and to get quickly by there seemed to b motive, when it seemed just for the purpose the wind failed us, SA
lowered Sails. The Motor was our only chance now in this strong and contrary wind.
So with the assistance of the Seamen, I tried starting, but fow she was cold, and that the cold paraffin had given me a wet plug.
had to re-start on petrol and change a plug. I had taken some time to localise our difficulty and to remedy it, that I felt very relieved when she started, as without power, we might very well have been blown
P.T.O

MERHAIDEN
Telephone No.:
NATIONAL FIRE SERVICE.
MASSEY
RELiance 3811
SHOULD BEADDRESSED
London Fire Busigade, Forces,
Headquarters,
900
XXXXX QUOTING- M/RCC.
to the Chief Commander,
Albert Embankment, S.E.1
London Fire Forces.
STRay.
Entered in Day Book
1st December, 1941.
Dear Sir,
Evacuation of the B.E.F. from Dunkirk.
I understand that you have asked the owners of all boats requisitioned in May, 1940, to assist in the evacuation of the B.E.F
from Dunkirk to forward to you the available particulars of the part they played in the operations. You may, therefore, be interested to receive a brief report of the activities of the fire boat,
"Massey Shaw", although the boat was not requisitioned by you.
On Thursday, 30th May, 1940, the Under Secretary of State,
Home Office, informed the Officer Commanding, London Fire Brigade, that the assistance of a fire boat might be required at Dunkirk.
The Chairman of the Civil Defence Committee of the London
County Council gave his approval and it was decided that the "Massey
Shaw" should undertake the work. She is a 75 ft. steel fire boat, constructed for fire-fighting in the River Thames with a beam of
13 ft. 6 ins. and a 3 ft. 9 ins. draft, equipped with Diesel engines for propulsion and driving the fire pumps.
The "Massey Shaw" arrived at Ramsgate with a London Fire
Service volunteer crew on 31st May, but found that fire-fighting operations at Dunkirk were impracticable. The fire boat was, therefore, ordered to Dunkirk by a senior Naval officer at 1400 hour to assist in the evacuation of troops. Between arrival at Dunkirk at 1900 hours and the departure for Ramsgate at 0400 hours on
1st June, 60 troops were taken aboard from the beaches about 3 miles east of the mole, and were safely disembarked at Ramsgate at 0645
hours. The crew consisted of 13 London Fire Service personnel and
Naval Sub-Lieutenant.
At 1820 hours on 1st June, the "Massey Shaw" again proceed d from Ramsgate Harbour, this time with a landing party of 60 Naval
The Director of Sea Transport,
Ministry of War Transport,
Berkeley Square House,
Berkeley Square,
W.1.
was preparing to keep ship going all night, when we heard many planes overhead, so we stopped the Motor and relied on our Sails, while wj still favoured us. But many times that night planes came in quit close range. As daylight broke we could see where we were and occasionally gunfire was heard, and planes above us. So we cont with Sails to near Dover, and to get quickly by there seemed to bi motive, when it seemed just for the purpose the wind failed us, SA
lowered Sails. The Motor was our only chance now in this strong and contrary wind.
So with the assistance of the Seamen, I tried starting, but fou she was cold, and that the cold paraffin had given me a wet plug.
had to re-start on petrol and change a plug. I had taken some time to localise our difficulty and to remedy it, that I felt very relieved when she started, as without power, we might very well have been blown
P.T.O

DUNKIRK CLAIMS
has COMMITTEE WINDSORA EMBERA
H.O.
195
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log reading 57 miles. 8.25 a.m. S.85 E Log showed 621 passed
Beachy Head light 9.15 a.m.
9.25 a.m. log 71 Beachy Head bearing N.28 W Eastbourne Pier bearing
11.am Bexhill 2½ miles abeam 11.20 St. Leonards abeam log 84.
N.25 E
11.55 a.m. Farlight 12.55 passed Dungeness. Passed 1.30 p.m. N.52 E
log 105. 3.45 p.m. Log 1121 Considerable swell whole time. Engine revs. 850 both. Dover abeam 6.10 p.m. Log 126 Strong ebbtide.
Increasedrevs to 950 both engines. Considerable amount of flotsam, inner tubes, etc. South Foreland 6.45 p.m. log 130. Deal Pier abeam
8. p.m. Log 140 Ramsgate anchorage 9.15 p.m. Log 148.
Berthed in Harbour 10 p.,. told to report to Senior Naval Officer
9.30 a.m. next morning.
ll.p.m. had to shift to allow tug "Fabia" to berth. Had Fire float
"Massey Shaw" alongside. Got rope foul of starboard screw, could not free it. Turned in 12.30 a.m. cleared rope from propellor
7.30 a.m. Reported 9.30 a.m. Explained full details of "Warrior"
to Naval E.R.A. Left 3.15 p.m. Caught 3.25 train to London.
Said goodbye to Doctor and Westwood.
REMARKS
Crew. Doctor Brydon worth his weight in gold. Worked as hard as anyone despite his years. Am very glad of the opportunity to make his acquaintance and hope to renew it one day.
Brian Westwood Hemis one of the best. Pulled his weight in very unpleasant circumstances, nothing too much trouble and always looking for something to do. Another acquaintance I was glad to make and hope to renew.
P. Gabriel Have known him for years and came well up to my expectations. A very useful man in adverse weather conditions.
Will see it out with the best. Not easily rattled amd does not complain.
Engine etc. The R.N. engines ran perfectly the whole time under very trying conditions. Never missed a beat and gave not the slightest eause for anxiety. Port engine used more lubricating oil than the other, and oil pressure was slightly lower (25-20)
respectively. Gear boxes not so good. Did not like the tendency
Ramsgate Harbour in very congested conditions, Port engine gave In full of the clutches to stick in when supposed to be in neutral.
it speed astern with control lever at full ahead. Rather unnerving while lasted. Should sugest fiting of shaft indicators near wheel as after taking on Petrol au
About 10.30 a.m. on 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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