TNA MT 40 66

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Jany
sto
TO
TO
drive
-6-
226
sonth of
away, when the Areoplanes came on us again and dropped bombs, one
of which just missed the fore end of the bridge on the Port side,
own
stopped our Gyro Compass and shook the ship from stem to stern.
&
on
The Chief Officer had left the windlass running and took oover
one
under the Forecastle Head. Whenthe Raiders had pa ssed, we
tried our Telemotor but found that it was broken, so we stopped
the windlass. I called the Engineers up and told them our
position. It was hopeless to get aft to see if the Steam gear
was intact for no one could stay aft and steer owing to the
fire and there was the danger that our spare ammunition in the
Tonnage opening would explode at any moment. Just as I
suggested going aft (but was stopped by my Chief Officer) the
first of the big shells went off.
As it then seemed to me that we could not get to sea
and steer through the Sandbanks and that we seemed to be a ship
marked for destruction by the enemy who were dive bombing at us
frequently, we signalled a Destroyer which was embarking troops
inshore from us that we wanted assistance. He did not answer
but H.M.S, "Pangbourne" a Mine Sweeper, which was entering the
Roads came alongside and, when I told the Commander that the
not
Telemotor was broken and that I could/get out clear, he agreed
to take us on board. He pressed me to say that I wanted to
abandon the vessel but I would notuse that word, SO the Commander
said/
All the Engineers aia excellent work at unein
and we understand the 4th Engineer (A.M.Rivett) manned a Bren
Gun, by permission of the Chief Engineer, with effect on enemy
planes.
The Chief Steward E.4.Onions, 2nd Steward J.F.Brown and
Purser D.D.McMahon we understand aid heroic work in tending to
the woundea, there being no Doctor on board.
All the Medical Supplies and other consumable stores
of our Catering Department were usea to give Medical Comfort to
the rescued.