TNA MT 40 66

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COPY.
GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.
52
Traffic & Marine Agent's Office,
WEYMOUTH QUAY.
10th June, 1940.
172
asea
My Ref. B.S.
Dear
Sir,
S.S. Helier" - Evacuation of Troops from
Dunkirk and Calais.
I can now give the story of the part played by the
S.S. "St.Helier" evacuating troops from Dunkirk and Calais.
On May 22nd the Helier" proceeded from Southampton
to Folkestone for orders, and was then sent to Calais to embark
2,000 troops. The vessel arrived at Calais the same day at
low water and found the harbour and quays deserted. While
endeavouring to get alongside, the vessel was bombed by three
enemy planes which were only about 1,000 feet up, one bomb
fell on the port bow, one on the quays and some astern. The
vessel was moored by some French soldiers who came out of
adjacent ruined buildings and planes again came over dropping
bonbs The Master found the Sea Transport Officer in a dug-out
but the position of the troops which were to be embarked was not
known and the "St.Helier" had orders to "Clear out" and return
again at daylight as it was a night of full moon. As the bombing
still continued the crew cut the mooring ropes and returned to
Dover, they being again followed by planes. At the Downs Guard
Ship the Master was instructed to proceed to Dover and there
learned it was of no use to return to Calais.
11
On May 23rd the vessel went to Dunkirk and embarked
approximately 1,500 English and French evacuees, returned to
Dover the same day and landed them at midnight without incident.
On May 24th the ship was engaged in bunkering.
May 25th the vessel proceeded to Dunkirk but was sent
back before she reached there as ships were being sunk by
heavy shelling from the coast. After anchoring in the Downs for
two hours the "st.Helier" in company with the "St. Andrew" and
Julien" went again to Dunkirk, this time via Ostend. The
vessels were bombed by two planes and the "St. Andrew" had a very
narrow escape. The vessels arrived at Dunkirk at 5-0 pm when
nineenemy planes came overhead and directed their attack on the
S.S. Helier", the Master avoiding the bombs by steering the
ship for the spot'where the last lot fell. The Helier" did
not enter the Harbour until the raid was finished to avoid being
sunk and blocking the entrance. On attempting to go alongside
the quay the Sea Transport Officer ordered the vessel away again
wed
immediately. After waiting some time off Dunkirk planes again
g +
came over and in view of the orders received and as it seemed
d
impossible to enter the ships returned to Dover arriving at
o:
11-0 p.m.
CO
th
On May 27th/28th a considerable humber of the crew left
raf
the ship and the Master applied for a Naval crew. Naval ratings
were supplied and twenty soldiers with Lewis guns. The vessel
was unable to sail on May 28th as she had to oil fuel.
May 29th the vessel sailed for Dunkirk in dense fog,
entered the harbour, embarked about 2,000 troops and came back
again that night without incident as it was a bad day for flying.