TNA MT 40 66

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EXTRACTS FROM LOG WHILE AT DOVER
s.t. "FOREMOST 87"
160
Wednesday, 22nd May.
Lying in Dover Harbour awaiting orders. At 8-30 a.m., rec-
eived orders to proceed to Calais. Cleared Eastern Entrance Dover
Harbour at 8-45 a.m., arrived Calais Harbour 11-0 a.m. Air Raid on.
Received instructions immediately ón entering Harbour to force lock
gates which had been disabled by bombing by Enemy aircraft, air raid
still in progress. Forded locked gates, time taken being 12 hours,
and received orders to get S.S. "KATOWICE" loaded with refugees out
of Dock as soon as possible. I did this and towed S.S. "KATOWICE"
clear of Galais Harbour and into Calais Roads, finishing at 2-0 p.m.
then returned to Calais Harbour. Aerial combat going on overhead.
Immediately on entering Harbour again, received orders to
proceed to Calais Roads to assist S.S. "CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH" from
Roads to Harbour and to get her in at all costs. "CITY OF CHRIST-
CHURCH" in company of Dëstwoyer being bombed from the air. Took
hold of steamer at 2-45 p.m. and towed same into Calais Harbour.
While endeavour to do this, three mines (magnetic) were exploded
by French Trawlers ahead of "FOREMOST 87" and "CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH".
Things looked very uncomgortable. We managed to berth steamer
in outer Dock Calais, finishing at 4-30 p.m. I then received orders
to proceed to Calais Roads again for s.m. "WILLIAMSTOWN" as things
were a bit quieter. Took hold of vessel at 5-30 p.m. and towed same
from anchorage in Calais Roads to berth in Outer Dock Calais Harbour,
finishing at 7-30 p.m. Made fast astern of S.S. "CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH"
at 7-45 p.m.
Thursday, 23rd May.
Lying in Calais Harbour. At 2-30 a.m. told to take hold
of S.S. "CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH" and tow at once out of Harbour. While
taking hold of S.S. "CITY OF CHRESTCHURCH", orders were to let ship
lay. There was a 'Fifth column' scare and two men were put under
arrest. "FOREMOST 87", however, still kept ropes made fast to the
steamer. At 1-30 p.m., ordered to take hold of "CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH",
official this time, and to tow out clear of Harbour to Calais Roads.
Got vessel clear of Harbour and into Roads. At 2-40 p.m. returned
to Harbour and received orders from Naval Authority to proceed to Dover
for Water and Stores. Left Calais at 3-10 p.m. and arrived at Dover
at 5-30 p.m. Air Raid in progrees when leaving Calais.
Friday, 24th May.
Lying in Dover Harbour. Received on board stores and water.
At 11-6 a.m. received orders to proveed to Calais. Cleared Eastern
Entrance to Dover Harbour at 11-D a.m. and arrived Calais Roads at
12-30 p.m. Heavings Heavy gunning and bombardment on the shore.
Situation too bad for "FOREMOST 87" to attempt making entrance to
Calais. Steamed about vicinity of Calais Roads. Situation getting
worse, with gunfire and aerial bombing. I decided to return to Dover,
arriving there at 4-50 p.m.
Saturday, 25th May.
Lying in Dover Harbour, awaiting orders. At 4-30 p.m.
received orders to tow "O.R.P.BUZA" (Polish Destroyer) from Dover to
Portsmouth. "BURZA" having been bombed on the Forecastle head,
damaging plates and bulk head under water. Took Destroyer in tow,
stern first, at 5-80 p.m. and cleared Dover Harbour Eastern Entrance
6-0 p.m. (Arrived Portsmouth with "O.R.P. BUZA" 10-0 p.m. on 26th
May, Sunday.
(Continued)