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DUNKIRK CLAIMS COMMITTEE.
to ARTION IN REGISTERED PAPERS
of
LETTER SENT
Ext. 2161.
1 OCT1940
WOLSEY
my
1.09144/S.T.N.6B
POST 4 ROOM
Cottage,
There
Lower Teddington Road,
30th September 1940.
ampton Wick.
middle
Gentlemen,
202
September, 1940.
I have to acknowledge receipt of
203
your letter dated 25th September 1940
enclosing report on the Dunkirk
Operations insofar as your "WINDSORA",
"EM" and "GERBERA" took part in these operations and to thank you for the 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, Gemtlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
MASSACHUSETTS
MEREDITH,
Director of Sea Transport.
Messrs. Charles Hill & Son, ar had served as one
The Ferry,
Windsor.
ection Officer at
Service, and he so Sheerness. He lock and in the running order and the 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. on 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-

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
-1-

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-

206
In the meantime the convoy had gone out of sight, but I had taken its bearing and proceeded at full speed, confident that we should be able to catch it up as it was not proceeding at more than about five knots.
At 9.15 p.m. I could see the convoy on the horizon through a slight sea mist, but then the petrol trouble started again and the engine stopped. It was now nearly dark and without a light I could not attempt to take off the carburetters and clean them, and we drifted about out of control for about half an hour whenwe were taken in tow by an armed trawler, which towed us to the North Goodwin Light Ship where we spent the night. During the night a Motor Boat called
"Singapore II" in charge of three Naval Ratings moored to the Light Ship as they had lost the convoy, and were intending to make their way back to Ramsgate at daybreak.
I had intended to clean the carburetters in the morning and to join the next convoy from Ramsgate, but as the sea had turned from dead calm to quite fresh, I
realised it would be impossible to do so in the cramped space available, so I accepted a tow by "Singapore II"
back to Ramsgate. On arrival there on Friday Tuesday the
3/15 May I reported to the Duty Officer and informed him that it would not take long to put the vessel in commission again, but he stated that no further small craft would be required as he had received a message that all troops would have been evacuated by 12 p.m. on that day. I accordingly arranged to leave "Wolsey" in the inner harbour at Ramsgate, after informing a Naval
Engineer that the petrol supply system needed seeing to in addition to a few minor repairs.
It would appear that the statement that all troops would have been evacuated by 12 o'c. on Friday was
-3-

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.
-4-

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.

DUNKIRK COMMITTEE.
Meeting held at 11.a.m. on Wednesday 23rd October, 1940 at the
Ministry of Shipping. Room No. 8021.A.
Present:
MR. ALLEN (Chairman)
" MOORE
"
RIDDELL
"
WAND
1. Minutes of Meeting held on 26th September were agreed.
2. Matters arising were discussed.
(a) "Sceneshifter" Agreed to refer the case to Mr. Barnett of
Watson & Co.Glasgow.
(b) "Brywyn"
Agreed to maintain committee's attitude unless owner produces evidence of loss or value.
(c) "Vanitee"
Agreed to offer £700 which is sum stated by owner on T619 to be acceptable.
(a) "Stonehaven"
Agreed to offer £500 in full settlement.
(e) "Bullpup"
Agreed to offer £450 - the insured value.
(f) "Rosabelle"
Agreed to offer £75 in full settlement.
3. Report of Payments for period ending 22nd October amounting to
£5,834.15.8d was presented and passed.
4. The following cases were discussed:-
(a) TOTAL LOSS:
"Thetis" Agreed to offer £225 in full settlement.
"Moss Rose" Agreed to make comparison with other Deal Boats
"Maid of Honour" Agreed to offer £425 (Tough's valuation)
( in full settlement.
"Minikoi" Agreed to require Letters of Administration in favour of the widow before opening negotiations.
"Princess Lily"
}
Agreed to forward forms T619 and at the
"Court Belle II"
same time to offer, if required, advances on account of 2/3rds of insured values.
"Hanora"
Agreed to offer £565 in full settlement.
"Miranda"
Agreed to settle at owners claim of £20. 1
"Triton"
Agreed to settle at owners claim of £1,500
"Two Rivers"
Agreed to offer £370 in full settlement.
"Sarah & Emily"
Agreed to settle at owners claim of £30, if, after enquiry, boat had not returned.
à
"Wolsey"
0 2
Agreed to offer £250 which is sum stated by owner on T619 to be acceptable.
Barges (8)
hings
Agreed to negotiate settlements up to the valuation figures.
(b) Repairs & Replacements:
)
"Mare Nostrum": Agreed to pay the repair bill as recommended on survey report, to refer to P.CO(S.T) for valuation of missing of articles and to take no action on expenses claim, until reasonably presented.
lle"
"Kit Cat":
Agreed to settle claim at £12.
6/11/40