TNA MT 40 66

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124
STICK
66
S.S. "BIARRITZ".
Report on:- Conduct of personnel while under fire off Gravelines
Monday, May 27th, 1940.
While passing Gravelines en route to Dunkirk we engaged the
attention of enemy artillery on shore. The first shell entered the
forward boiler room, piercing first a large diameter oil fuel vapour and
overflow pipe and then the auxiliary steam pipe to forward. The nose
passed through the further side of the hull on the water line while
various minor damage was done by fragments, one entering the starboard
wing fuel tank and another passing through the left thigh of Fireman
A. Phillips severing the main artery, and causing great loss of blood.
Steam at full boiler pressure was entering the boiler room in great
quantities. Further shells were hitting the region of the first hit and
danger of severe scalding and of an outbreak of fire were the conditions
under which Fireman. Phillips then found himself. Notwithstanding, he
made efforts to close the oil fuel supply to the furnaces of the two
forward boilers. That he was unable to do so will occasion no surprise.
As it was, he retained sufficient strength to climb two flights of
ladder out of boiler room where he was met by myself and he reported
that he had been unable to shut off the fires. He then collapsed.
Fireman A. Phillips died on the night of May 27th as a direct
result of his wound. In this connection it must be stated that 4th
Engineer E. Terry, who was in charge of the forward boiler had left
the room in pursuance of his duties only a minute or two previous to
the event.
Meanwhile in the after hoiler room Mr. Crockhart in charge, on
hearing the explosion of the shells and the subsequent escape of steam,
sent his two firemen on deck to ascertain the happenings and to assist
if required. He closed the supply of fuel to the forward boilers and
then began to encounter very great difficulty in maintaining steam
pressure and water levelin Boilers.
Due to the necessity of keeping way on the ship to get out of range
and to avoid stopping in the mine field into which the ship had to be
turned, it was imperative to keep fires under the three after boilers
in spite of the fact that at times the water could not be seen in the
gauge glasses. It was impossible for a time to even locate the damage
in the forward boiler room.
Mr. Crockart also attempted to enter the compartment through the
water tight door, but escaping steam made this impossible.
It was also the cause of others being unable to enter by the main
deck entrance.
Fireman Phillips showed a high level of courage and devotion to
duty.
Mr. J. Crockart, Third Engineer, also showed great courage and
determination under trying circumstances.
(sd.) W.H. Baker,
Master.