TNA MT 40 66

Raw OCR

Unformatted machine-generated OCR for document page 186.

125
R.P. Biddle, Esq.,
Docks & Marine Manager,
H.M.T. "CANTERBURY"
63
Southampton.
14th June, 1940.
Dear Sir,
hereunder 19th details of the work performed by this June, I the
In response to your requests of the 7th and 10th give
from May to 4th June inclusive. In addition to vessel, the from
At 00.04 Canterbury was present during the operations at the Hook Havre, Holland.
the the French ports of Boulogne, Calais, Dunkerque evacuations and Le
19/5
owing arriving to alongside at 05.48 and laid there under steam Cherbourg (2 hours
on the 19th May vessel left Southampton for of
20/5 Weymouth 11.25 on the 20th vessel left for Weymouth, were
and at refugee train being 24 hours late. 1264 Refugees embarked notice)
Roads from 15.45 to 16.44 when she proceeded anchoring to in
Pier arriving at alongside 17.45. After disembarking passengers, Weymouth vessel Pier
Oiler at 20.45 and steamed to Portland Harbour, going alongside left
21/5
at in Harbour, 0620, anchor watches were set and steam maintained. ship
21.39. Oiling commenced at 22.43 and at 2300 anchored R.F.A.
proceeding afterwards going alongside Oiler 15.49 Dover Harbour then
at 1500, vessel left anchorage for Dover and anchored in On 21st.
19.35. direct to Boulogne at 17.50, arriving at No. refuelling and
assistance Conditions in Boulogne were very difficult, low 4 berth at
from the embarked. During these operations Boulogne was a struggle attacked
troops as regards mooring, this was achieved after water and and no
air. On completion of embarkation, vessel left being at
22/5
were arriving at anchorage in Dover Harbour at 22.08 when anchor 20.18
were at the Admiralty Pier, when the troops, numbering 529,
and berthed set and steam maintained. At 05.25 on the 22nd ship left watches anchorage
13.20. embarked 571 officers and men and arrived at No. the at
meantime disembarked. At 11.52 vessel left forCalais, having in
loaded, Troops were landed and 198 refugees, prisoners and 4 berth
at when vessel left for Dover at 16.20, anchoring in wougded Harbour
23/5
The prisoners were disembarked, this being completed in 24
the 1748, thence to Ferry jetty at 19.42. At 20.46, the wounded Dover and
not refugees were kept on board until 04.00 on the 23rd, and minutes. it
at the until 06.15 that the ship was finally discharged. Ship was
24/5 when she proceeded to No.3 berth Admiralty Pier. At 07.30
24th, Ferry Jetty under immediate steaming orders until 03.30 remained on the
embarkation of troops commenced, but at 21.30 orders were received
25/5 left the night until 11.00 on the 25th. At 14.46 on this day, the
discharge equipment and personnel, the operation continuing throughout to
batteries for Dunkirk, arriving at 17.09 after being shelled by German vessel shore
26/5 then 18.50, arrived Dover No.2 berth 2131 and thence to anchor at 24.00,
at on route. After embarking 1246 troops, vessel left Dunkirk
shore. Dover for Dunkirk. German batteries again opened fire from the she
left remained under immediate steam until 1758 on the 26th, when
at Arriving at Dunkirk ship was berthed outside the"MAID OF ORLEANS'
27/5
bombing and by enemy aircraft being continuous. 1340 troops were loaded
20.30. Loading operations were carried out under difficulties,
discharged vessel left Dunkirk at 00.20 arriving Dover No. 4 berth at
by 05.10, when immediate steam was maintained until 14.38 03.09,
when she again left for Dunkirk. Arriving Dunkirk at 20.00, 457
troops were embarked, the majority of these were wounded and included
active. When leaving at 20.58 orders were received from the S.T.O.
140 stretcher cases, conditions were again bad, enemy aircraft being
to turn back to their base any vessel attempting to enter Dunkirk,
this instruction was conveyed to two Hospital Carriers and one Transport
28/5
During the crossing, enemy aircraft continually dropped paraghute flares
at various points along the route. Arriving at Dover, at 02.25,
disembarkation commenced and continued until 05.45, all hands being
engaged in this duty. Left berth at 05.45 for Ferry Jetty, left Ferry
Jetty 12.00 and went to No.4 berth to oil. Left No.4 berth at 16.30
to berth at Ferry Jetty. All this time ship wasunder full steam.
At 17.00, lacking receipt of orders, I decided to shut down with a view
to giving the crew some rest and granted partial leave. On the morning
of the 29th, the Chi ef Officer and the Chief Engineer reported sick
being/
P.T.O