TNA MT 40 66

'PHONE:-
TEMPORARY ADDRESS
COBHAM 2851.
OHE
AMS: "FREETRADER, PHONE, LONDON."
CITY OFFICE: 37 MARK LANE, E.C.3.
HONE: STEPNEY GREEN 1200 (16 LINES).
TELEPHONE: MANSION HO. 2394 & 3997.
GIE
914069028
FREE TRADE WHARF Co. LTD.
21
DIRECTORS
SUTHERLAND HOUSE,
CHAIRMAN SIR ARTHUR M. SUTHERLAND.
BART.. K.B.E., D.L., J.P.
CLAUD E. PEASE. J.P.
338/344, THE HIGHWAY,
H. ARMSTRONG.
F. WHITTOCK, MANAGING DIRECTOR.
F. G. HOSKING. SECRETARY.
LONDON, E.1.
3
TYNE-TEES STEAM SHIPPING Co., Ltd.,
NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE.
19th June 1940
F. H. Keenlyside, Esq.,
Private Secretary,
Ministry of Shipping,
Berkeley Square House,
London, W. 1.
Dear Sir,
We thank you for your kind letter of the 19th instant, enclosing separate letters to each Captain of the Tyne-Tees
Steam Shipping Company's vessels who took part in the recent evacuation from Dunkirk.
These letters will be handed over to the Officers concerned, and we are quite sure the sentiments expressed therein will be very highly valued by the Officers and Crews.
We would mention that the four ships to whose Masters you have addressed letters were the only ones taking part in the evacuation, so that there is no omission. The name of the BEAL's Captain was Liley, not "Miley", and we have therefore corrected the spelling of the Captain's name in this instance.
If we may be allowed to say so, all our Officers and
Crews feel very proud that they were able to take part with their small vessels in the evacuation from Dunkirk.
Yours faithfully,
For and sh behalf of
Forerwhestock FREE TRADE WHARF CO. LTD.
Managing Directure
Capt. E.
LORINA
WORTHTOWN
John Stewart & Street, Ltd.,
3,
NORMANNI
Capt R.
/CANTERBU
YEWDALE
MAID OR
John stewart & streat, Shiping States Ltd.,
/BIARRITZ
/AUTOCARRI
YEWGLEN
308, C.1.
Glasgow,
(4182) 1508/558686 30m in all 6/41 & Co. 745(8)
and should
NOT
be exhibited

ALSO AT: LONDON, MIDDLESBROUGH. STOCKTON, SUNDERLAND & SCARBOROUGH
ESTABLISHED 1864
TYNE-TEES STEAM SHIPPING COMPANY LTD.
HEAD OFFICE:
77
25, KING STREET,
ALL LETTERS TO
TELEGRAMS
BE ADDRESSED TO
"TYNETEES" NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE
THE COMPANY.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE,1.
TELEPHONE
NEWCASTLE 23111
12th June 1940.
NOTES FOR THE CHAIRMAN, SIR ARTHUR M. SUTHERLAND, BART. K.B.E.
m.v. "BEAL"
This vessel made one trip assisting in the Dunkirk evacuation.
Crew list attached. She brought back a full load of troops. An A.B.,
A.D.C.Hall of 33, Normount Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, swam a considerable distance to the shore with a line attached to his body in order to make arrangements for towing off boats. The Bo'sun,.Storey of 12, Ransome
Crescent, Macton Estate, Ipswich, and the 2nd Engineer, W.G. Shaw, 77
Farndale Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, made many trips in the ship's life-boat doing valuable service.
m.v. "SANDHILL"
This vessel arrived at Dunkirk on Friday, 24th May, with a cargo of about 940 tons of high explosives. There were no electric cranes available and the vessel had to discharge with her own gear. A large proportion of the cargo was discharged under heavy air raids before the vessel was finally ordered to leave Dunkirk. The whole crew behaved splendidly and the Captain especially mentioned the Chief Officer, Mr D.K.
Wright, whose address is c/o Mrs Relf, 30, South Road, Newhaven, Sussex. Crew list attached.
The draft of the "Foremost 22" is 13 feet aft. and the tide was ebb, it being about 2½ hours after high water.
When I arrived in Dunkerque Roads there were a large number of other vessels in the vicinity, both large and small.
There was some confusion owing to the heavy bombardment from the shore and the activity of hostile aircraft.
Just after 11 p.m. I heard the sound of a heavy collision close to my vessel.
-1-
P.T.O

CREW LIST M. V. "BEAL" DUNKERQUE.
78
Wilson.
J. W. Liley, Master.
55 Milton Hall Road, Gravesend.
D. Wright. Chief
W. Wilson,
Mate.
1, Croydon Road, Middlesbrough.
F.
Storey,
Bosun.
12, Ransome Crescent, Mactom Estate, Ipswich.
Newhaven,
Officer,
G. Bradley, A.B.
3, Dean Street, Middlesbrough.
G.
Girdwood,
Bosun.
18
D. Nicholsom.A.B.
1, Ailsa Road, Troon, Scotland.
W. Hill.
117
A.D.C.Hall. A.B.
33, Normount Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
B. H. Locke.
A. Clark.
Steward.
4, Bilsmoor Avenue, High Heaton, Newcastle/Tyne.
F. Brennan,
S. Robinson. Chief
44, Fern Avenue, North Shields.
x.
Hamill.
Engimeer.
Lour Place, Newhaven, Sussex
GWW
G.
Shaw.
Second
77, Farndale Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 4.
Engineer. Road, Clapham Junction, London S.W.11.
S. H. Brown. Steward. 77, Newminster Road, Fenham, Newcastla-on-Tyne.
R. P. Thomas. Assistant
Steward. Cherry Grove, Skelty, Swansea.
J. E. Bracken, Chief Engineer. 28, Lewes Road, Newhaven, Susaex.
R. Clark.
Second 3, Ancroft Avenue, North Shields.
Engineer.
R. Wonders.
Third Engineer. c/o Father, 65 Mortimer Road, South Shields.
entrance to vensel, 1 decided to go back to the Harbour see whether I could be of any assistance there to tide was ebb, it being about 21/2 hours after high water.
The draft of the "Foremost 22" is 13 feet aft. and the number of other vessels in the vicinity, both large and small.
When I arrived in Dunkerque Roads there were a large
There was some confusion owing to the heavy bombardment from the shore and the activity of hostile aircraft.
Just after 11 p.m. I heard the sound of a heavy collision close to my vessel.
-1-
P.T.O

STATE
84
79
John THE wod edd. your if
ENTRAL 9156-9159
OPMAST GLASGOW
BOE CODE
83
T.M. 6213/40/S.T.A.6.
25th August, 1940.
&
124
ANY SHIPPING
NERS
Limited ons
Gentlemen, have to acknowledge the receipt
125
of your I letter EWM/MG of the 23rd instant
STREET
OW
&
thank you for the interesting
23rd August 1940.
and to of the Master of the s.s. "YEWDALE" vessel report regarding the part played by his in the Dunkirk operations.
6.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant, we enclose herewith
(Sgd-) whipan
"YEWDALE" regarding for Director of Sea Transport f Dunkirk.
abl have not yet been send
& Co.
suitable, we shall
G Ltd.
ac/arlane Director
* 101 AUG * CENVED
4.30 29th and m.v. "BULLFINCH" and we arrived Downs in company with m.v. DO carry. "BEAL" At 10.30 p.m. 28th May left expect and what we none I a.m. decided May. to move We down anchored the Channel to await orders but at Le as Panne, we received at our boat out take them ashore again for more troops. leaving two men put each ten troops soldiers boat were to gathering. in them. We When took shifting the men we on to picked board where up a large two boats number with of in other years boats old) manned. MacKenzie later took charge MacKenzie the
(16 which A. Flett, G.A. Sutherland and G.A. We also also steering took the charge boat. W. Watterson (Mate) and J. Runcie himself (Second Engineer)
and directed the soldiers who were rowing, of one of
The rest of of the boats and made several trips to beach.
Fred employed Williams in bringing the boats alongside with lines. Army were Captain crew including the Chief Engineer and Firemen the kept count of the men and at 12.30 p.m. he reckoned
-1-

83
TELEPHONE CENTRAL 9156-9159
TELEGRAMS TOPMAST GLASGOW
THE NEW BOE CODE
JOHN STEWART&COMPANY SHIPPING
DIRECTORS 1.0 HACFARLANE E.W. MACFARLANE # WHITTON
Limited
EWM/MG.
SHIPOWNERS
125
308. CLYDE STREET
PROMPT MODERN TONNAGE
BRITISH COAST OR NEAR CONTINENT
CLASGOW
23rd August 1940.
CARGOES 650 TO 1100 TONS
C.1
The Director of Sea Transport,
Ministry of Shipping,
London.
Dear Sir,
YOUR REF. T.M. 6213/40/S.T.A.6.
EVACUATION OF DUNKIRK.
In reply to your letter of 7th August, we enclose herewith copy of reports received from the Master of the S.S. "YEWDALE" regarding the part played by that vessel in the evacuation of Dunkirk.
So far as the "YEWGLEN" is concerned, we have not yet been able to contact the Master, but if he has anything suitable, we shall it send/on to you.
Yours faithfully,
JOHN STEWART & CO. SHIPPING Ltd.
Towayartand
Director
AUG P x 72 2 RECENTED 10/11/21
with 00 carry. At 10.30 p.m. 28th May we WHICH left CO Downs expect in and company what we
4.30 I a.m. 29th May. We anchored to await orders but as we received m.v. "BEAL" and m.v. "BULLFINCH" and arrived at Le Panne, at none decided to move down the Channel to where a large number of troops were gathering. When shifting we picked up two boats with ten soldiers in them. We took the men on board leaving two men in each boat to take them ashore again for more troops. We also put our boat out which A. Flett, G.A. Sutherland and G.A. MacKenzie
(16 years old) manned. MacKenzie later took charge of one of the other boats and directed the soldiers who were rowing, himself steering the boat. W. Watterson (Mate) and J. Runcie (Second Engineer)
also took charge of the boats and made several trips to the beach.
The rest of crew including the Chief Engineer and Firemen were employed in bringing the boats alongside with lines. Army Captain
Fred Williams kept count of the men and at 12.30 p.m. he reckoned
-1-

82
11th June, 1940.
(Tuesday)
S.S. "YEWDALE"
126
Master's Report of Evacuation of Troops from Dunkirk.
Sunday 26th May, 1940.
Whilst at anchor in the Downs I received orders from N.C.S.O. to proceed to Dunkirk.
At 4.0 a.m. we hove up and proceeded in company with m.v. "SEQUACITY"
and passed Calais about 2 miles off at 6.40 a.m. with "SE UACITY"
about a quarter of a mile ahead. Twenty minutes later heavy gunfire was heard and shells began to burst allaround the steamer. We immediately took avoiding action by zig-zagging to seaward. Although this involved the risk of striking mines, it appeared to me to be safer than continuing on our course. This heavy firing continued for about 20 minutes and seemed to be concentrated upon this steamer.
When haze appeared over the land firing ceased, and ship was brought back on her course. Not long after when the weather cleared shelling was resumed in much greater intensity and was directed mostly on
"SEQUACITY" which was about a quarter of a mile on our starboard bow.
We saw this ship being struck amidships and in engineroom as she was altering course away from fire. At 8.20 а.ш. while still under fire we managed to pick up five men on a raft who said they were solders who had left Calais in the dark. They informed me that they believed that Dunkirk had been captured by Germans. I then got in touch with
Master of "SEQUACITY" whose ship I could see was very badly damaged.
We were at this time north of Dunkirk channel about 1a miles north of our course. As it meant coming back to the range of German guns to get into Dunkirk, we decided to return to Downs for further information.
We were then attacked by 8 or 9 enemy Messerschmitt planes who swept our decks with bullets destroying our rafts and port lifeboat. I
immediately sent out an S.O.S. Shortly afterwards the enemy disappeared when British planes came on the scene. On the way back to Downs at 10.10 a.m. "SEQUACITY" began to sink so we stood by and took on board her crew while a British plane covered us until every man was on board and only left us after we had given the signal that all was well.
The "SEQUACITY" sank in about 10 minutes from the time she began to list (in position 52.04.20 N. and 1.38.36 E approximately).
We arrived in Downs at 12.30 p.m. and anchored. We were then asked to go back to Dunkirk but as we had neither food nor water we were allowed to remain until these could be supplied.
On Tuesday 28th May, after stores had been put on board, we were ordered to Le Panne with full details of what to expect and what we were to carry. At 10.30 p.m. 28th May we left Downs in company with m.v. "BEAL" and m.v. "BULLFINCH" and arrived at Le Panne, at
4.30 a.m. 29th May. We anchored to await orders but as we received none I decided to move down the Channel to where a large number of troops were gathering. When shifting we picked up two boats with ten soldiers in them. We took the men on board leaving two men in each boat to take them ashore again for more troops. We also put our boat out which A. Flett, G.A. Sutherland and G.A. MacKenzie
(16 years old) manned. MacKenzie later took charge of one of the other boats and directed the soldiers who were rowing, himself steering the boat. W. Watterson (Mate) and J. Runcie (Second Engineer)
also took charge of the boats and made several trips to the beach.
The rest of crew including the Chief Engineer and Firemen were employed in bringing the boats alongside with lines. Army Captain
Fred Williams kept count of the men and at 12.30 p.m. he reckoned
-1-

-2-
11/6/40.
S. S. "YEWDALE"
127
Master's Report of Evacuation of Troops from Dunkirk (contd)
we had 500 men on board. As we were at that time being assisted by several Motor Launches and other small boats, counting become almost impossible, Another Officer who also assisted a great deal counted
20 men boarding in 5 minutes. This we maintained until 2.30 p.m. when
I decided that we were too tightly packed to hold any more.
The soldiers numbering about 1000 were put into the cargo hold of vessel and in addition every available space on the deck (which being a. self-trimming vessel was very limited) was covered with men. Every room and space on the ship including the engineroom and stokehold was packed with men.
2.35 p.m. we hove up and closed a Destroyer for advice and we were told that we could travel in company with her.
There had been a few Air Raids during the day but no bombs had dropped, at least not close to us. At 4.0 p.m. several German planes were seen overhead, and bombs dropped close to this ship. We then hove up and proceeded on our passage to Downs with m.v. "BEAL" about
1 mile ahead and a Destroyer about 1 mile astern. At 4.50 p.m.
several enemy planes appeared overhead and began dive-bombing; several bombs fell very close. This continued of and on for about threequarters of an hour with one final attack shortly before 6.0 p.m.
During the third attack shrapnel struck the steamer and five men were killed and 78 wounded (two I believe died later). Our Mate, W.
Watterson, was struck in the leg and seriously injured.
About six soldiers who apparently thought the ship to be sinking jumped overboard. These men possibly were picked up by the Destroyer astern. It would have been dangerous, to all those on board for us to turn back for them. In the next raid a Dive-Bomber was hit by our guns and appeared out of control, it lost height and as it passed close over the ship our gun kept firing and each tracer bullet was seen to enter the plane until it got out of range. Several soldiers ctually saw it striking the water about half a mile on our port bow.
At 6.0 p.m. the Raiders were driven off, we believe by our own planes.
During these Raids our compass had been smashed and we had to depend entirely on other ships and on a small field compass which could only give us an approximate direction when used on top of wheelhouse.
At 9.30 p.m. as we were approaching the Coast I signalled the Destroyer to report that I had wounded men on board. I also kept calling UD
other ships when entering Downs where we eventually arrived at 11.10
p.m. one mile off Deal Pier. After continuing calling up by flashing
(wireless was smashed) until 11.40 p.m. we gave up and awaited dawn.
We then attracted attention by firing our Lewis guns and a Naval ship got in touch with the Coastguard and at 6.0 a.m. a lifeboat with a
Doctor on board arrived, and we were then ordered to Ramsgate where we arrived and disembarked all troops by 9.30 p.m. and then proceeded for temporary repairs to Sheerness.