TNA MT 40 66

Page 4.
LIST OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940.
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS (contimued)
PERSONNEL AND HOSPITAL SHIPS
ARCHANGEL
MANXMAN
AUTOCARRIER
MONA'S QUEEN
BEN-MY-CREE
NEWHAVEN
BIARRITZ
NEPHRITE (Store Ship)
CANTERBURY
NGAROMA
CLAN MACALISTER
NORMANIA
COTE D'ARGENT
} french
PARIS (Hospital)
COTE D'AZUR
PRAGUE
DINARD (Hospital)
PRINCESS MAUD
DORIAN ROSE (Store Ship)
QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL
FENELLA
ROEBUCK
FOAM QUEEN
ROUEN
ISLE OF GUERNSEY (Hospital)
ROYAL DAFFODIL
ISLE OF THANET (Hospital)
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
KILLARNEY
ST. ANDREW (Hospital)
KING GEORGE V
ST. DAVID (Hospital)
LADY OF MAN
ST. HELIER
LEVENWOOD (Store Ship)
ST. JULIAN
LOCH GARRY
ST. SEIRIOL
LORINA
#
SCOTIA
MAID OF ORLEANS
TYNWALD
MALINES
WORTHING (Hospital)
MANXMAID
WHITSTABLE
OTHER BRITISH SHIPS
ADVENTURESS
BONNY BELLE
AGNESS CROSS (Life-boat)
BOURNEMOUTH LIFE-BOAT
ALBATROSS III
B.P. ONE
ALOUETTE
BRITANNIA
ANDORA
BULLFINCH
ANDORA II (R.A.F. Launch)
CABBY
ANNE IV
CANVEY QUEEN
ATHOLA
CAVERSHAM (M.B.)
AURA
CHAMOIS (Lighter)
BAIL
CHERFIELD
BAT (Lighter)
CLAUDE (Water Boat)
BEE (Lighter)
COMMODORE
BELFAST
CONSTANT NYMPH
BLACK ARROW
CORDELIA
BLACK JAVA
CORNELIA
BLACKPOOL
C. 9 (Tugs)
BOBELI (Motor Cruiser)
C. 11
BONNY HEATHER
C.Y. 63
DABB II
DEFENDER
DHOON (Trawler)
Sunk
(Continued)

Sir E. toley - may may have the like be Me to see
68
2.
p.w.
M
4324/40
(unk
Mr.
Suttury gation Company Ltd
LONDON
CODES-PRIVATE
BENTLEYS PHRASE
31st July, 1940.
ROTN
15, Trinity Square,
NOR
Dear Sir,
London/E.C.3.
Cross has asked me to thank July
July
27th.
1940.
OUR
for Mr. your letter of the 27th Wine and
YOUR you enclosing cuttings from the
Spirit Trade Record.
The you say, Mr. Cross is anxiou as he
R1A8 collect as full particulars the to of the achievements of
Merchant He was much interested of can Navy during the Dunkirk evacuation. read the report of the voyage your to reading reports from to "BULLFINCH" and he looks forward other seven ships. He has value also your what you say about the this
Durg of noted machine guns and will appropriate bring to get further particulars to the attention of the vice vessels during the authorithe vessels engaged, with subsid Yours Steam Packet Company, had eight its faithfully, Company, Ltd., together but in the
H.KEENLYSIDE Reports the other seven will follow, or sending you a cutting ittle vessel, m.v.
I
the Bren who, Private Secretary. board, brought down two beg about 1500 troops over.
tention to the action of enemy dive bombers. An ular of his technique
Robert short range.
Kelso, Esq. his It bomber was within akill, coolness and method adopted by the Bren gunner saved the definite opinion that the ship and all aboard.
If this view is correct, it suggests that all merchant vessels that now have to pass through the English Channel should have aboard several guns manned by skilled gun crews. This would be much more effective than having such guns and gun crews only aboard accompanying escort vessels.
to
I beg to remain, butting T.M. reports on which an collected all
Yours faithfully,
Patelso these se
7/8/40
Chairman.

68
The General Iteam Navigation Company Ltd
TELEGRAMS-GLYCONIC TELEX LONDON
TELEPHONE-ROYAL 3200.7 (23 LINES)
CODEs-PRIVATE
15, Trinity Square,
BENTLEYS PHRASE
SCOTTS 10TH EDTN.
A.B.C. 5TH EDTN.
BOE
London.x.c.3 July 27th. 1940.
OUR REFERENCE
D.
YOUR REFERENCE
The Right Hon. Ronald H. Cross, M.P.,
Minister of Shipping,
Berkeley Square,
LONDON, W.1.
Dear Sir,
I understand you are anxious to get further particulars of the achievements of the Merchant Service vessels during the
Dunkirk Evacuation.
The General Steam Navigation Company, Ltd., together with its subsidiary New Medway Steam Packet Company, had eight vessels engaged.
Reports from the other seven will follow, but in the meantime I take the liberty of sending you a cutting with a description of the voyage of our little vessel, m.v.
"BULLFINCH" of 433 tons, which brought about 1500 troops over.
I beg specially to draw your attention to the action of the Bren gunner who, with two Bren guns aboard, brought down two enemy dive bombers. An important particular of his technique was in with-holding his fire until the dive bomber was within very short range. It is the Master's definite opinion that the skill, coolness and method adopted by the Bren gunner saved the ship and all aboard.
If this view is correct, it suggests that all merchant vessels that now have to pass through the English Channel should have aboard several guns manned by skilled gun crews. This would be much more effective than having such guns and gun crews only aboard accompanying escort vessels.
butting T.M. reports - which an collected being all
They To
I beg to remain,
Yours faithfully,
Patelso
These se
7/8/40
Chairman.

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-

Det no and
BE
-2-
204
TES THE STATE and SEAL ONE SEAL LOKE THE and
$110
eroplane again circled and approached the part bow, dropping more
Lewis gun fire was continued as guns were able to bear, the through two lines of tracer bullets from the forward two guns, the bombs which fell about 100 feet away and, after apparently passing plane flew away to the eastward.
Meanwhile the aerial had been rehoisted and an S.O.S. sent of
STRATO
OFF
out, the four remaining boats swung out, and the troops ordered on
ROUN
the loud speakers to vacate the after end of the ship and walk
DRN
were forward, in order to life the after end as much as possible.
the
A slight electric wire fire was extinguished in the after the
STATE
HOTOR
dining saloon. Pumps were started on the two after lower saloons.
Reports from Carpenter shewed that water was making rapidly in the after four compartments, therefore orders were given to lower away
THE
ES
boats and fill them. This work proceeded in good order.
Y
STATE
OF
The S.S. "DORIEN ROSE", a store ship proceeding to Dunkirk,
OF
was standing by and, as the weather was fine, was requested to come alongside forward and the two vessels were secured port bow to starboard bow to prevent troops all going to one side and listing the "QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL".
The troops were then ordered over the rail to the other ship, this work proceeded smoothly, the lifeboats meanwhile making an extra passage, having discharged their troops into the "DORIEN ROSE".
By 5.20a.m. all troops had been transferred. A further inspection was made, and water was found to be gaining in the stewards store room and engine room and by this time the bow was out of the water. It was therefore decided to abandon ship.
Confidential papers were collected and final tra nsfer was completed by 5.25.
name, 0540 Clear of harbour. 0866 flossing nine 50
The "DORIEN ROSE" let go and proceeded to Dover, arrival being at 2.30p.m., and the passage being without further untoward incident, and during part of it the destroyer H.O.5. acted as escort. The four lifeboats were towed for extra security in case of further attack, but during the passage two broke away and were lost.
10.10 anchored 031 Pier, 18.15 arrived alongaids of Pier.
38.80 left Matgato Pier. 1735 arrived off La Panis and teseared beary Give bombing attmch out with bony ludgen
1800g have up anchored and procesded to noolas Refe "Dellficat" Indian with troopehashore, 1825 "Bullfinch" affort and prosseded. 1080
commenced embarking trodgs from benches.
by BOTH 0410, have RP and processed lower down beach. 0420
Ang None Grouper 0530 vesselfull, ast to Number: 1928, arrived was Margate, 1136 alenguido of Sergane Pier disgnbarking troops. 1300 Left Cargate, 1785 shehered off Hunking on
Instructions. 1830 enchorad and ambariting steepe,
Way 8165 0130 hote of and prosession. 0515 sported as buy to plan 92 Four nurvivors of n Tradel situature which bad this
UTID arraved aleachide Plac, 0030
hova up and processed

3th
STATE
street to
Jues
COPY
the
PARTY
H.T. "ROYAL SOVEREIGN".
32
OF
to
205
este abouto
In reply to your communication of June 5th asking for a narrative
THE
of events in connection with the evacuation of Dunkirk, I have pleasure in replying as follows:-
THE SOUTH THE & UTATE OF Should at JOON 3 CREA STA
May 26th whilst laying in Southampton roads received orders to get ready to proceed at two hours notice.
May 27th at 1320 received orders to proceed to Dover and at 1500
OF Date THE DEIOS of FRE OF
hove up and proceeded on passage. 2340 passed through Folkestone gateway.
May 28th 0020 received visual signals from Dover to anchor in Downs.
ST
1150 saw first raid carried out on shipping but raider successfully the driven off. 1740 received orders to sail at 2030 for Dunkirk, using prescibed route.
May 29th 0250 arrived off East Jetty Dunkirk and anchored, whole west side of town in flames. 0445 hove up and proceeded to Eastern Jetty.
0455 in berth and commenced embarking troops. 0535 ship filled with troops, each man having been given a lifebelt and received instruction on same. 0540 Clear of harbour. 0858 reported floating mine to patrol vessel.
0925 stopped by examination vessel and ordered to Margate Pier.
10.10 anchored off Pier. 12.15 arrived alongside of Pier.
13.30 left Matgate Pier. 1735 arrived off La Panne and witnessed a heavy dive bombing attack carried out with heavy losses to shipping.
1800, hove up anchored and proceeded to assist m.v. "Bullfinch" laden with troops&ashore. 1815 "Bullfinch" afloat and proceeded. 1820
commenced embarking troops from beaches.
May 30th 0410, hove up and proceeded lower down beach. 0430 embarking more troops. 0530 vesselfull, and proceeded to Margate. 1025, arrived off Margate, 1135 alongside of Margate Pier disembarking troops. 1300 left Margate. 1735 anchored off Dunkirk on naval instructions. 1820 anchored and commenced embarking troops.
May 31st 0130 hove up and proceeded. 0315 shopped at Dyke buoy to pick up four survivors of a French steamer which had been bombed.
0710 arrived alongside Margate Pier. 0830 anchored off Pier. 1805, hove up and proceeded towards Dunkirk.

as opposite)
number
254
622
THE WINE AND SPIRIT TRADE RECORD
17TH JUNE, 1940.
Co.'s Sherries). In giving a picture of Mr. Clarkson
LICENSED PREMISES, CLUBS, ETC.,
(captain of the Mimosa) and Mr. Clark (who organised
IN 1939.
the "Brighton Navy The Daily Sketch, in its issue of 5th June, remarked that "nothing more glorious in the annals of Britain's sea history has been done
THE Report of the Commissioner of Police of the than the work of our longshoremen in the rescue of
Metropolis for 1939 contains the following remarks the B.E.F. from Dunkirk."
concerning "on" and "off" licences, etc.:-
When the full story can be told, Londoners will be proud of the gallant part played in the evacuation
LICENSED PREMISES.
of our soldiers from Dunkirk by the G.S.N. Co.'s
"The number of premises licensed for the sale of pleasure steamers which, in happier days carried intoxicating liquor 'on' and ' off' the premises thousands of holiday-makers from London and
Chatham to the holiday resorts of Essex and Kent, and increased by 4 to 7,603. The number of 'off' licences also to the near Continental holiday centres. Such was unchanged at 3,553. The number of licences for well-known ships as the P/S.s Royal Eagle, Crested
Wine and Spirit dealers is 251 and for theatres 76.
Eagle, Medway Queen, M/V.s Royal Daffodil, Royal
Sovereign and Queen of the Channel, all took their
" Applications were made by most licensed share in this hazardous undertaking. Not only premises for extension of the permitted hours on 23rd pleasure steamers of the General Steam Navigation
December and on New Year's Eve. These days were
Co. took part, but also their cargo boats. Here is what may be described as a typical performance by one of regarded as special occasions justifying the grant of the company's cargo boats:-
Special Orders of Exemption, and 14,114 Orders were
NOTES FROM CAPTAIN H. BUXTON'S REPORT.
granted. There was no increased drunkenness which
M.v. Bullfinch.
At 10.20 p.m. on 28th May, 1940, whilst at anchor in could be attributed to the grant of these facilities.
Small Downs, the m.v. Bullfinch received orders to sail at
CLUBS.
once for La Panne beaches. The ship arrived off the beaches about 4.50 a.m. on 29th May. The beach was crowded with
"The number of registered clubs increased by 216
troops but there were only a few boats bringing off small numbers. The Master received orders to beach the Bullfinch and on 31st December, 1939, the total number was and accordingly he let go the kedge anchor and headed slow
3,085. This increase is almost entirely accounted for for the beach. The vessel grounded about 5.45 a.m., but owing to the kedge anchor not holding, her stern swung to by the formation of registered clubs at fire stations the eastward and the ship was aground fore and aft with the beach.
and auxiliary fire stations. Since the outbreak of war,
After the first boatload came aboard one of the troops no less than 193 such clubs were formed.
swam ashore with a line. Two 5in. ropes were run ashore and hauled boats off and back to the beach. When the tide
"The short life of many 'Social' clubs of the type receded the troops waded off and embarked up the ship's ladders. Embarkation proceeded until the ship had about which give trouble to the police was once again
1,500 on board, during which time the ballast tanks were noticed. During 1939, 262 such clubs were registered pumped out. The ladders were then pulled up, as the ship could take no more.
and 253 were closed or struck off the register.
The troops had two Bren guns with them, which were
Proceedings for irregularities were taken against mounted one each side of the boat deck. The troops also manned the ship's Lewis gun. Bomb attacks were taking
82 registered clubs, of which 54 were struck off the place all day and after a very anxious time from 5.30 p.m.
until 6.15 p.m., the vessel floated and proceeded.
register. The amount of fines and costs imposed was
German aircraft attacked the ship repeatedly. When
£5,364 9s. 7d. and 15 persons were sent to prison in passing Dunkirk several bombs dropped close to the vessel's stern, the concussion from which caused the circuit breaker default of payment of fines.
to come out and put the steering gear out of action. The
BOTTLE PARTIES.
engines were stopped whilst the engineers effected repairs, and the ship then proceeded.
"There was a slight increase during the year in
Three dive bombers then attacked the Bullfinch from aft.
One of the Bren gunners, Sergeant Cook, shot one down into the number of known 'bottle parties' from 24 to 28
the sea. Shortly afterwards three others attacked from forward and the sergeant again shot one down. Further
Successful proceedings were taken by the police in 32
attacks were made at frequent intervals until a formation cases for liquor offences, or for unlicensed pub of Spitfires drove the enemy off.
On arrival in the Small Downs the Bullfinch received music and dancing, or for both these offences, ar.
orders to proceed to - Harbour where the troops were fines and costs amounting to £3,420 6s. 10d. were promptly disembarked.
It was afterwards discovered that the concussion from imposed. In three cases the proprietors of the bottle the exploding bombs had put both compasses out. The ship was on one occasion attacked by machine-gun fire, but only parties were sentenced to imprisonment without the one soldier was wounded. The Master of the Bullfinch stated option of paying a fine. In addition, proceedings were that he could not speak too highly of the Bren gunner who held his fire until the planes were close to the vessel and taken in a number of cases by the Customs and Excise undoubtedly saved the ship.
on evidence supplied by the police, for soliciting orders
We hope on a later occasion to give further details of the magnificent work done by the seamen and others for intoxicating liquor on the premises of the 'bottle of the General Steam Navigation Co., Ltd., work of party or for failing to have a tobacco licence, or a which the directors of the company are justifiably refreshment house licence. This resulted in additional proud.
penalties amounting to £863 9s. Od."