TNA MT 40 36

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The
T.0.9144/S.T.N.6B.
588
I attach a schedule showing vessels with which this
DEDRE
Section was concerned, taken up for the "Evacuation of Personnel"
from "Dunkirk".
Early on May 27th we were asked to find a number of small
pls.
craft, vessels to be mustered at Sheerness for a special
us
requirement. D.S.V.P. supplied a list of suitable vessels but
One
it was soon ascertained that a great number of these were not
fit and ready for service, consequently I attended a meeting at
V
V
the Admiralty, when it was agreed that Admiral Preston should
V
send some of his Officers to the various boatyards covering the
*
Ve
(
area from Teddington to Burnham and Brightlingsea to inspect
Ves
and send all vessels fit to Sheerness immediately and arrange
regarding runner crews, oil fuel etc. The Officers were each
x
We
given an authority, signed by Admiral Preston, to order the
There
vessels away; Mr. Edwards concurred with this. During the
which,
course of the Monday this Section arranged for and got 40 vessel
to
the
to Sheerness by Monday evening.
A
list
It has been an enormous task, resulting from the
with
is
indiscriminate taking up of vessels without formal requisition,
Qual
to get the exact picture setting out the present situation.
many of the
Innumerable lists, and a deal of correspondence, from every port
assembly
p
and person concerned, boatyards included, were scrutinised in
and arrived
order to obtain and collate all the information to enable a
vessels
were
complete and comprehensive list to be drawn up. This entailed
Littlehampto
a great deal of checking, cross-checking and investigation, and,
to believe
a large amount of correspondence with owners has often been
their vessels
necessary to clarify the position. A number of vessels were not
shown on any list, but were simply taken, and consequently our
only source of information has been from the owners themselves
ngton to Burnh
vessels fit to
In order to get as much information as possible a list of
inner crews, oil fu
the vessels which were "reported lost" and whose whereabouts
chority, signed by
subsequent to Dunkirk were unknown (see copy attached) was
a
ay; Mr. Edwards con
circulated to the C. in C. Nore, C. in C. Portsmouth, and
the Monday this mati
V.A. Dover. Copies were sent to the various Naval Officer
ness by Monday
ina
nformati
has Tal Offi