TNA MT 40 36 Pt 2

165
(64
e 36/5
shell Beach sor
Pe M.V. Shamrock
Canvey Soland.
anks the
T.O. 9144/STN.6B.
Easex at and
Dear his in ys,
In answer to your request for the performance uest of the above craft at Dunkirk. please find enclosed my 29/-
notes which & wrote 3 days after Ecturning.
di the there is of course certain items which do not
8
y to interest you but they do my family for whom mpany ute they were writin, eed at and
I cannot praise too highly the effort Roy Brown ure but into this job he was a sticker.
asked and will you kindly Ecture these notes when their you have extracted any information you cess require
Fan Sir ating yours Faithfully almost and my estimate of number of men we gst tish perate away between 19 2 thousand.
to at he was umo she in on board.
la runna
Owing to the engines failing we had to leave with only a few t
WE and proceeded back to Dunkirk W here we took five more loads o the shore which we were now able to do owing to the rising ti
Whilst these operations were being carried out we were being

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

"SILVERY BREEZE
cade
(4)
168
you et home alright, they have all forgotten, no wonder.
Frantically we kept running in front of the large red rick building which will be familiar to thousands, the remains of he white hot Crested Eagle still smouldering just eastward and still bey marched column after column through the gaps in the sand dunes.
Whilst serving the Destroyer H.M.S. 4.40 I could not get a volunteer from the soldiers to take the 3 or 4 ships life boats back to the shore "They were all done up".
I ordered Roy Brown to do so he did this without hesitation and continued this work for a considerable time, while his place on the Shamrock was taken over by a seaman lent to me by the Destroyer
Commander. The Princess Maud ventured in too close and was aground, scores waded out and climbed on board her but it was obvious she was to be another souvenir for Fritz.
STATEM
I was ordered by an officer of this Destroyer not to bring anymore wounded but my very next trip found me helping aboard a badly wounded young lad, for this I was shouted at by the same
113
officer my reply was a rude army one which could not be withdrawn.
The officer was right, there was no room for medical attention on his ship, burp what could you do.
I took in tow 3 large Carley Floats one behind the other these were filled to capacity about 50 men in each standing up to their waists in water in the net inside.
My craft was well loaded too, we were just making for our
Destroyer when I was brought to a standstill, my ungine stopped the propeller had fouled, I believe a human @bstruction. There were many in the shallow water. I signalled the Canvey Queen to take me in tow and with a struggle against the tide she got us along side and every man got aboard o.k. one of them took my revolver from under my nose; its a way they have in the army. Naval men came down and tried to free the obstruction without success. I was too weak to dive under the thick black oil which surrounded us, so rather than be left sitting on our useless craft I asked to be taken on H. S. ship
1
this was the last straw, having to leave my vessel which constituted ay life savings.
the followed fire expinguishers were taken on the Destroyer. Roy Brown
My spare fuel was taken off by a small Naval motor boat, one more glance at the beach.
me up quickly on board as she was about to leave. I took up youing prayed.
Sat down beneath a gun with my hands over my face and you
These notes are true and unpolished. allanBarrell
La ranna
Owing to the engines failing we had to leave with only a few
WE and proceeded back to Dunkirk W here we took five more load the shore which we were now able to do owing to the rising
Whilst these operations were being carried out we were bei

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
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. -

Vessel.
Type
Repairs and Replacements.
Total Loss
Claimant.
Paper No.
Hire & Exs.
£.
S.
a.
S.
d.
£.
£.
S.
d.
"ST. PATRICK"
M.V.
Not CO
W.B. Thompson
TO 9153/40
5.
7.
6.
"SALLY FORTH"
M.B.
T. Taylor & Sons
TM 3774/40
6.
6.
6.
"SPINAWAY"
96
8.
M.V.
3.
Figg Kaygee
TO 9161/40
$
in
"SANTOSY"
Contracts
12
11
3
M.Y.
L. Odell
TO 9285/40
15.
5.
2,200
0.
O.
5.
H.F. Jury
16.
5.
0.
"SATYR"
M.Y.
A.P.S.
C.H. Masters
TO 9360/40
5.
0.
O.
L.N.E.R. Co.
2.
O.
E.L. Woods
7.
13.
3.
"SCENE SHIFTER"
S.E. Longman
TO 9173/40
850
0.
0.
"SEA AIR"
M.B.
P. Newall Petticrow
TM 4451/40
8.
6.
"SEA FALCON"
M.V.
Wm. Osborne Ltd.
TO 9207/40
14.
12.
O.
875
0.
0.
"SEA FOAM"
M.B.
50.
10.
W.T. Cayton
TM 3895/40
8.
4.
2.
2.
A.P.S.
43.
3.
13.
14.
3.
9.
"SILVER FOAM"
P.M.B.
W.T. Cayton
TM 3901/40
16.
77.
15.
9.
5.
6.
A.P.S.
"SEAGULL"
M.L.
E.G. King
TM 3900/40
22.
18.
2.
3.
10.
0.
58.
1.
0.
"SEA ROAMER"
M.V.
J.E.W. Wheatley
TM 3741/40
7.
13.
4.
A.P.S.
"SEA SALTER"
M.O.D.
Seasalter & Ham
TO 9291/40
12.
0.
3.
Oyster Fish. Co.
"SEYMOUR CASTLE
'M.V.
River Dart Steamboat
TM 4192/40
80
2.
3.
10.
8.
0.
Co.
"SHAMROCK"
A. Barrell
250
0.
0.
Not completed.
"SHANNON"
S.Bge
A.J. Peters
TM 3915/40
200.
O.
O.
400.
0.
0.
"SHEILA"
DINGHY.
R.E.WHITELEY
TM 18799
14
-
- (allaims)
"SILVER SPRAY"
M.F.B.
R.A.Newman
TO 9342/40
2.
19.
6.
"SINBAD II"
M.V.
E.W. Hare
TM 4076/40
4.
18.
11.
"SMUGGLER"
M.B.
G.D. Layte
TM 3757/40
15.
19.
9.
M.L.
T.E.Brockman
TM 5874/40
4.
17.
6.
"SKYLARK"
P.M.B.
J. Mears Ltd.,
TM 3890/40
4.
10.
0.
"SKYLARK" &
147.
0.
11.
"SKYLARK II"
Tough Bros.
Myall Ltd.
1161
13.
57.
15.
0.
4.
If
83.
0.
64.
11.
6.
If
0.
Tough Bros.
30.
0.
0.
M.V.
Geo. Hammond & Co.
TO 9738/40
3.
6.
6.
"SKYLARK I"
Knight, Manzi &
Stephenson.
301
0.
O.
Speciallocated
4.
17.
9.
120.
0.
0.
W.H. Harvey,
Serviceiralty
Knight, Manzi &
13.
2.
0.
Stephenson
28.
0.
O.
F.P. Collins
TO 9739/40
12.
10.
0.
950
0.
0.
"SKYLARK LL"
M.V.
III
TO 9203/40
8.
"SKYLARK III"
M.V.
W.T. Corson
7.
8.
Not completed.