TNA MT 40 36 Pt 2

DUNKIRK CLAIMS
has COMMITTEE Regards WINDSORA GERBERA
H.O.
WINDSONG
SANG
193
T.S.M.Y. "WARRIOR" CHICHESTER to RAMSGATE
2.6.1940
Returned to "Warrior" 2 a.m. from Club, turned in 3 a.m.
heard creaking and found that we had grounded. Tide left her
12 inches, slight list, tide turned and we floated about 6 a.m.
Left mooring 6.30 a.m.
Piloted to bar by yacht cleared bar 8 a.m. Steered S.13 E to
Bullock Patch and NAB.S. 62 E to Boulder By and Owers, passed
Owers 10 a.m. streamed log S.85. E.
Some drifting timber loose and cans passed, and school of porpoises 3.45 p.m. Log showing 44 shifted to N.25.E passed
Beachy Head about 4 miles off. Due east and passed "Royal
Sovereign Lightship". Passed about 1 ² miles inside "Sovereign"
4.30 p.m. Engine speeds between 850 to 950. Gave my log reading at intervals to "Falcon" "Letitia" and "Idaho".
East wind increased after rounding Beachy Head and met strong head swell. "Warrior" running very easily and quite comfortable, considerable amount of flotsam everywhere, inner tubes, boxes and timber - had to keep a sharp look out. Swell increased, saw right under "Letitia" several times.
5.15 p.m. noticed "Idaho" sheer hard to Port, eased engines and watched her for a few minutes, decided she was out of control, and blew for rounding to port. Rounded and drew alongside.
Much crashing from galley when getting round, owing to very heavy rolling. Got hands to pack everything possible, nursed
"Warrior" to leeward of "Idaho" and slowly closed to. Managed had been pulled in showing 57 miles.
to get a line to her and heard she had lost her rudder. Log
"Idaho" extremely hard to handle, running in either direction and parted line after 10 minutes, got after anchor cable up, and floated pitching badly. Passed wire rope back to him, got it fast, wire pulled round after cable aboard and made fast. I rigged a rope spring a back to him on petrol can. "Idaho" picked up can and and saloon roof to take snatch of cable. Pitching run headway against wind, and must try to get both boats round and rolling very heavily, decided I could not make enough
Managed had to get both round and headed for Beachy Head.
xxxxxxxxwxxd before wind to get shelter of Beachy Head.
slow a to trip round saloon during this. Had to ease down Radio to dead keep head ease snatch of tow with occasional burst of engines to Beachy Head owing to "Idaho" almost pulling me round. to after taking on Petrol
About 10.30 a.m. an we arrived at Southend Pier and
15
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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