TNA MT 40 66

14th June, 1940.
Report from Mr. D.D.mcMahon.
Purser. "St.Seiriol". "St.
236
To.Mr.T.G.Brew. T.
Secretary.
The Liverpool & North Wales S.S.Co., utd.
40, Chapel Street, Liverpool.
Dear Sir,
On Tuesday 21st May we travelled to Calais light, and on entering the Harbour we were bombed, and i was rather surprised to see that none of the Shore Datteries opened fire on the enemy plane, and our own Gunners were the first to discover they were enemy planes and opened fire. When the bombing had discontinued we proceeded and tied up at the quayside. The Master then went ashore for instructions and other bombers appeared but all bombs fell on the land side.
7 understand the Master received instructions to return to Dover.
On Monday 27th May. We received orders and travelled to Dunkirk and tied up alongside the quay, but I understand instructions were received to go and pick up troops from the shore by the smaller boats.
The boats were Lowered and I volunteered to go into one of them, but told that this was not necessary. Later on a message was given to the Captain to return to the uay when the
Adjutant on the Ship and others went into the Town to see to the
Troops ready to be evacuated. Troops were put aboard and we returned to Dover for instructions. There was very heavy bombing during these operations, and our Lifeboats having already been
Launched we had to return without them. When we arrived at
Folkestone In the early hours or the morning + went ashore to telephone the Office and 1 was very pleased to see the arrival of our 2nd Officer (B.Jones) and his crew who had been picked up by a Destroyer.
Wednesday 29th May. We again went to Dunkirk in heavy bombing.
We saw the "Fenella" had been bombed also the "Crested Eagle".
On arrival we were toia to go and pick up troops from the Beach, as the Pier was not being used. The "Crested Eagle" had now become a mass of flames and we proceeded to rescue those who

2.
239
oceed to Admiraity Pier. We found out which Pier this was and
S all ships going in had gone stern first, we did the same. I
was standing on the Top Deck at the Stern and as we passed the other entrance the tide swept the vessel off its course. I could see we were going to hit the wall if he kept on and could not understand why the 2nd Officer aid not signal the Master, as I
could see he was on the wrong side of the bridge to see this wall and had probably forgotten about it. 1 ran along the Deck to tell him but it was too late. He made a second attempt to come in stern first, but this time the tide took him even more over towards the wall, so he came in head first quite easily and then turned.
After tying up they wanted to know who we were and what we had come in for. The Master spoke to other Captains who said his accident was nothing unusual and that he should have had a Pilot the first time. The Master telephonea the damage to Head uarters and they promised to examine it in half an hour. We filled up with Water and Oil and got, 1 think, some stores on board. Later on one of the officials who came down to give some orders was taken by the
Master and shown the damage and told that they had promised to send some one to inspect same. He made a note of it.
Friday 24th May. We took on the Canadian Mounted Police including about 80 Motor Cycles. Sailing cancelled.
Saturday 25th May. The Motor Cycles were disembarked and we received orders to go to the Downs. Whilst at Anchor a Captain and Sergeant joined the Ship and reported to the Master that he was to be the
Ship's Adjutant. I showed him round the ship and gathered his duties put him in command of any thing in connection with our Vessel and the Military.
Sunday 26th May. At Anchor in the Downs and still under orders for immediate sailing.
Monday 27 27th May. Orders to proceed to Dover when orders were given to proceed to Dunkirk. When the master asked for a Pilot he was to o Col TOUNK -nt want to take the vessel some one else would, but to to Dunki the msssel with a Pilot on board, which mashe received a warm reception.
ve Viing. DS. 1 was standing by the ve vessel the Massel
May. Orders to to

3.
240
,he half doors looking out when there was a terrific explosion on the other side of the Channel and I lost my pipe. On making en, uiries 1 learnt it was a bomber brought down with his bombs still aboard. We eventually received orders to leave the Pier and go to a Destroyer for instructions. We were then ordered to lower our Lifeboats and bring the soldiers from the Shore about half a mile away. The boats were soon in the water and everyone seemed anxious to man them. We could see very little prospects of getting many from the shore so we got permission to go back to the Pier. We soon got to the Pier and tied up our own boat. The Ship's Adjutant then went along to the Pier and found Soldiers. These we soon pulled on board and as no others were to be seen we cut our ropes and returned to The Destroyer.
We picked up one of our boats and the Destroyer said he would look after the other and ordered us home. We had a warm reception the whole time we were there, but on this occasion some of our fighters were about as two planes fell into the sea near us and a third was shot down by the Destroyer, just as he was about to attack us as we left.
Tuesday 28th May. On our arrival at Dover we were tola to proceed to Folkestone. We discharged our men and filled up with water and oil.
Wednesday 29th May. We received orders to go to Dover on arrival we received orders to proceed to Dunkirk. On our way over we saw numerous ships of all sizes returning loaded down with troops.
Everything was peaceful until shortly after we reached the Belgium
Coast then from then until we reached the Downs enemy planes hardly ever left us and this time we had no assistance from our own planes.
As we approached the Pier we saw the "Fenelia" had been hit alongside the Pier and her passengers were Leaving and going on board the
"Crested Eagie". We tried to fina a berth but were ordered away to the Beach. The "Crested Eagie" left the Pier and in less than five minutes 1 saw her passing very close and 1 could see she had been hit and wondered why she dia not come alongside us and embark her passengers, Instead of making for the shore. She had no sooner grounded than she was a roaring furnace. We got as close as we