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85
H.M.T. "PRINCESS MAUD".
122
Evacuation of Dunkirk.
1690
ote
batthe
May 30th, Thursday. 11 a.m.
0.11
ybser ed of Todons 03
Instructions came to proceed to Dunkirk with
all speed via the short route; this necessitated passing
about 3 miles off Calais, and then running parallel to the
coast at a distance of about -2 miles. This coast, as far
as Gravelines, was in Enemy hands. The weather was hazy,
visibility 2 miles.
11.24 a.m.
We left Dover. Calais Green buoy was rounded
at 0.37 p.m. and we turned into the swept channel, which
was between 250-490 feet in width. Soon afterwards the
French Coast shewed through, and when approaching Gravelines
a large French steamer was seen beached. Two or three
objects resembling tanks were visible close to the stranded
steamerthmuld To edd
two edj to notting
to bu0.57 pr.m. djiw 2.SW [10
An explosion occurred aft. Clouds of smoke were
in the position of No.5 lifeboat on the poop. It was thought
Jqewthe poopyammunition had exploded, but this idea was soon
qu expelled a few seconds later when a salvo of four shells
BU buffstraddled our stern, one scoring a direct hit on No. life
boat. Course was altered away from the shore so as to
present a smaller target. Before this was completed another
gateshell scored bhituat the water line into the engine room,
starboard side; several other shells fell all around us.
before asw When out of range, course was set again for Dunkirk.
ml EXOSTW
officer The officers surveyed the damage, others gave
eniq First Aid to the injured, which were four in number.
Jsdwsmoa S
SW The hole in the engine room proved to be a yard
square, and the sea was pouring in, in spite of attempts to
elbbeq stem it. Mattresses eventually prevented a great deal of
water entering.
It was hopeless to carry on further, so I listed
of the vessel, swinging out boats, etc., and so the vessel shaped
course back to Dover via the medium route.
dJlw. VJLOSQBO OJ
betton Nothing fur ther occurred, except the aircraft
overhead could be heard, but. none sighted, owing to the visibility.
Wreckage, and numerous craft of all kinds were passed
plying between Dover and Dunkirk.
TOMASSE teemsen edit of enoriqsgem betwore I
All hands were disappointed at being thwarted.
TOT 4.06 In need eved Jaum to
10 p.m. qued vidnstanos of gnived amentigne Drit
vd JaeW bns Jash 914 mort 9T9W .oje
Berthed between two tiers of ships, four abreast,
and landed wounded four (all since have died), two being
military gunners on the poop.
4.30 p.m.
Shifted ship to ferry dock to effect temporary
repairs.
1.
P.T.O