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STATE
STATE
131
OF
UPOX
55
For
COPY.
OF
H.C.T.S.S. ISLE OF THANET.
Report of Trips to and from Dunkirk,
On 23rd May left Newhaven at 00.08 bound for Dover for orders and
arrived off Dover at 03.38. Immediately we received orders to proceed
to. the Downs and anchor. 10.45 destroyer L.0.2. gave orders to follow
him to Dunkirk. At 14.17 we arrived at Dunkirk and an air raid was in
progress. H.C.T.S.S. Worthing lying at quayside berth and H.C.T.S.S.
Isleoof Thanet took outer berth, both vessels lying alongside each
other. At 14.49 we hove astern to quayside berth to await casualties.
There were continuous air raid warnings and numerous German planes
kept hovering overhead but no bombs were dropped. Ship moored head up
by Gare Maritime which had been bombed before our arrival. Gun firing
id
continued from ships and shore batteries at frequent intervals,
18.00 we commenced embarking casualties and at 19.50 the embarkation
was completed. Number of wounded on board totalled 296. At 20.37
in
order given Standby below and we were outside harbour at 21.05. Heavy
ne
pall of smoke hung over the coast this coming from fires around the
docks caused by bombing. At 22.57 arrived off Dover and received
S
orders to proceed to Newhaven. At 23.15 we were on our course. At
ond
02.20 on 24th we arrived off Newhaven but were detained for 45 mins.
r,
for signals. At 03.48 we moored alongside at No. 2 berth and at 6.20
ck
the disembarkation was completed. Vessel on immediate notice.
besga
On morning of the 25th we again left Newhaven at 11.46 and arrived off
Dover at 15.16. At 15.56 received orders to proceed to Dunkirk
adcompanied by s/s PARIS. Ships off Calais between us and the shore
being shelled by German batteries in wood west of Calais.
Arrived at Dunkirk at 18.15 "Canterbury" moored at Gare Maritime on our
arrival. We moored alongside her with the s/s "Paris" on the outside
berth. s/s "Canterbury" sailed at 19.10 and we took quayside berth.
X
At 22.00 commenced loading and air raid attacks were frequent during
the whole period of embarkation. One salvo of bombs fell close to
vessel, but although vessel was sprayed with shrapnel no damage was
done. Fires were raging all around the docks and lit the quayside where
we were lying, the white painted vessels shewing up prominently.
Loading of casualties was completed at 01.00 on the 26th. total number
on board 608 casualties. Left Dunkirk quay at 01.15 and proceeded to
Newhaven. Arrived off Newhaven at 07,20 received signals to enter
at 07.30 and moored at No. 2 berth at 08.00. At about 08.30
disembarkation of casualties commenced and at 11.15 completed.
Again, on the morning of the 27th at 01.10 we left Newhaven
for Dover for orders, arriving off Dover at 04.38. We received
orders to proceed to the Downs until 06.30 and at 06.34 left the
Downs and proceeded to Dunkirk. At 08.00 when off Calais we were
shelled from batteries on the French coast, several shells falling
close to my vessel. At the same time a vessel ahead of me between
Calais and Gravelines was being subjected to shell fire from another
battery on the coast. I deemed it prudent to return to Dover for
alternative route instructions and at 08.59 arrived off Dover.
At/