TNA MT 40 66

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When all the wourlded available were loaded the vessel proceeded
to Newhaven via Dover where she discharged all her wounded.
On the passage, however, she ran over submerged wreckage, and
it was necessary to examine the bottom of the "st. David" before all-
owing her to proceed to sea again.
On the morning of the 30th May, while at Newhaven it was
discovered that Second Engineer Jamieson was missing from his
vessel. Later he turnedup at Fishguard, parently suffering from
loss
of
memory.
At about mid-day Captain Joy received a medical certificate
from the Medical Officer in charge of his vessel, indicating that
he has not fit tp proceed to sea, and early in the afternoon
Mr. Cardy, the Divisional Marine Manager of the Southern Railway at
Newhaven, informed me by telephone that Captain Joy had collapsed.
Chief Officer Mendus, then took command of the "st. David"
but unfortunateltly, the crew refused to proceed to sea without
the aid of an escort or without the vessel being fitted with guns,
which procedure, of course was out of the question, as she was a
Hospital Ship. No immediate action was taken by the Naval
Authorities, although it was suggested that the men be placed
under
arrest.
The next morning the men were mustered by Captain Mendus,
and they then agreed to proceed as usual, the vessel leaving Newhaven
at 9.2 a.m. and proceeding toDunkirk via Dover.
When nearing the French coast the vessel was subjected to
heavy air attack, the bombs exploding so close to the vessel that the
under-water explosion shook her severly, and by this time the
navigation to Dunkirk was made much mo e difficult, apparently owing
to more wrecks and the fact that Dunkirk was under a pall of smoke
and fire.
At 8.15 a.m. on the 31st May the "st. David" arrived aff
Dunkirk Breakwater, but was signalled from the shore that she was
not to enter for the time being; so Captain Mendus stood off with
his vessel awaiting further orders.
During this time the vessel was again subjected to seven
separate air attacks, on one occasion a magnetic mine fell so close
ahead of the vessel, that it was necessary to reverse the Engines
to avoid contact.
Twenty minutes later another mine blew up less than 100 feet
ahead of the vessel, lifting her partially out of the water.
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