TNA MT 40 66

on
49
L. AVENMOUTH
HULL
MANCHESTER,
MARREILLER
HAIRA PORT suss.
Luavee
GRAN,
ARZEW
NAMOURA
27th June, 1940.
Dear Sirs,
I am writing to thank you for your letter of
25th June enclosing copies of the reports received from the Masters of the "Floristan" and "Baharistan"
in recent evacuation operations. Mr. Cross has read these reports with much interest. He appreciates that these more recent evacuations were not either of safe or comfortable trips, but the danger was not in ion general so great as in the evacuation from Dunkirk and
Calais. The issue of letters of appreciation by the the
Minister is, therefore, being confined to the earlier erou operation.
th
Yours faithfully,
ITED.
Private Secretary.
Frank C. Strick & Co., Ltd.
apt R.

ANK C. LIMITED STRICK of Co₂
48
AND AT
LYMOUTH, CARDIFF, NEWPORT, SWANSEA,
BRISTOL, AVONMOUTH, NEWCASTLE ON TYNE,
ASGOW, HULL, MANCHESTER, MIDDLESBROUGH,
GIBRALTAR, MARSEILLES, ORAN, ALGIERS,
117-121, Leadenhall Street,
HAIFA, PORT SAID, SUEZ, PORT SUDAN,
KHORAMSHAHR, BUSRA, BAGHDAD.
LLOYDS AGENTS AT
ORAN, ARZEW, BENISAF, MOSTAGANEM,
NEMOURS & OUDJDA.
London,E.C3.
TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS, "ARDIA", LONDON.
CODES:- SCOTT, BENTLEY, MARCONI & BOE.
TELEPHONE SERVICE,
25th June, 1940.
AVENUE 4650 (7 LINES)
TRUNK 67.
"
The Private Secretary, to the Minister of Shipping,
Berkeley Square House, W.1.
Dear Sir,
We acknowledge with thanks your letter of the
19th June, and enclosure addressed to Captain W.C. Robertson of our steamer "KOHISTAN". Captain Robertson will be gratified to receive the appreciation of his services and those of his Ship's Company, in regard to the evacuation from Calais.
As far as we know, none of our ships took part in the evacuation of Dunkirk, but you will doubtless be aware of the fact that the "KOHISTAN", "FLORISTAN, and
'BAHARISTAN", all took part in more recent evacuation operations, and we think it only right that we should send you the reports received from the two latter ships, dated 20th and 21st June, respectively.
Yours faithfully,
For FRANK C. STRICK & CO. LIMITED.
will
ENCLS.
apt R.

COPY.
48a
S.S. FLORISTAN"
I
anchored
PLYMOUTH.
turn, as round
20th June, 1940.
Messrs. Frank C. Strick & Co. Ltd.,
LONDON.
them told of the
Gentlemen,
I regret to report that the vessel has sustained damage during the voyage.
The ballast injection has been stove in, and I
suspect further damage along the port bilge and plates may have been set in. On the port side in NO.4 hatch, the tween deck stringer plate is buckled and several frames and beam knees bent.
the the
There is also a dent on the starboard bow.
This damage was sustained in evacuating troops from a French port.
un arrival, I was asked by the S.N.O. to put the vessel in the locks without tugs, pilot, or boatmen, in a strong tide, as embarkation in the stream was proceeding slowly, one destroyer being damaged and out of action, and the French people would not assist. 1 realised that some damage would result but felt justified in taking action in the circumstances.
In entering the locks, our stern was set down by the tide, and came heavily against the lock knuckle, and I
had to force our bow against the opposite side in order to ease off our stern.
I embarked 3,000 troops and a few refugee women and children, and intended to lay in the lock until slack water, but I was informed that a formation of fifty enemy bombers were approaching and so considered it advisable to get clear of the lock, which I expected would be attacked.
1 secured the assistance of a small motor tug, but it was not sufficiently powerful, and, when we came astern out of the lock, the tide caught the quarter, and set us down on the bank outside, which was of hard sand and shingle. 1
was unable to come out at full speed, owing to a bank off the entrance and it being near-low water; I had no pilot.
apt R.

-2-
PLYMOUTH, 1940.
as
ГОИПОИ
TERRO
I succeeded in getting the vessel away from the bank, and anchored further up the river, to wait for slack water to turn, as numberless barges and small craft were anchored round. Leadenhall St.,
E.C.3.
I then signalled the U.C. a destroyer, who advised them of the position ashore. The S.N.O. came off in a launch, and told me that there was no other ship to which to transfer troops, and therefore, 1 decided to carry on, as otherwise, I
was warned, they would be interned. conversation of yesterday, we arrived p.m.
many of theihe chief Engineer and his staff succeeded in making a temporary repair, and eased the inflow of water, and as soon as possible, Is turned the vessel and proceeded down the channel by moonlight, no buoys being lit, and anchored in the roads in shallow water. very and 1 got enough on board to 1 am for Deck sliwe were attacked during the night by an enemy plane, but the troops manned their Bren guns, and, 1 think, destroyed the plane.
1 should to the may 1s
S
ever During this affair, the men behaved splendidly, and had every possible assistance from all Officers and Engineers prectically on the run home proceeded home in convoy next morning at easy speed.
whilst anchored awaiting escort during the night, the
"FLORISTAN" and us were attacked am, Gentlemen, separate attempts being made to bomb us. We a good barrage of fire however and feel sure we Your obedient servant,
3rd officer. Mr. Foster missed his (SGD. E.H. WILSON, sudden departure and I would be glad if you would send a new
3rd mate and stop Fosters allotment. MI. Master in ralmouth early in the morning after we sailed, but was promptly commandeered by the navel authorities and put in charge of 9
trawler for emergency duties.
1 am pleased to esy that we suffered no dumage whatever, are now stored, fuelled and watered and are at present on four hours notice. also that everything 18
proceeding smoothly according to routine on board.
1 am,
Yours obediently
(800) is ISRCIN
Director.
R.

an
30
28
the 388 Y 3.8 x0d3n8 r
COPY.
S.S. "BAHARISTAN".
48B
PLYMOUTH, 21st June 1940.
2019
20
From A. BROWN.
NEW
Frank C. Strick & Co.Ltd., dug
117/121 Leadenhall St.,
E.C.3.
asa
S
Gentlemen,
In confirmation of telephone conversation of yesterday, we arrived here p.m. on 19th with storeroom absolutely denuded, many of the troops had had no food for 36 hours, and a few had a small amount of iron rations with them, so I pooled all our food and theirs and made a stew and tea, and enclose a receipt from the U/C troops for food consumed. Dunstons the suppliers here have been very speedy and helpful and yesterday I got enough stores on board to last us six weeks. I am arranging for Deck and Engine stores left in Falmouth to be forwarded here.
1 should like to place on record the splendid way in which every single member of the crew cooperated in embarking and looking after about 3,500 troops, the men worked right through without a murmur and have had practically no food on the run home.
whilst anchored awaiting escort during the night, the
FLORISTAN" and us were attacked by air, three separate attempts being made to bomb us. We gave him a good barrage of fire however and feel sure we got him on his third attack.
3rd Officer. Mr. Foster missed his passage owing to our sudden departure and 1 would be glad if you would send a new
3rd Mate and stop rosters allotment. Mr. roster arrived in ralmouth early in the morning after we sailed, but was promptly commandeered by the naval authorities and put in charge of a trawler for emergency duties.
1 am pleased to say that we suffered no damage whatever, are now stored, fuelled and watered and are at present on four hours notice, also that everything is proceeding smoothly according to routine on board.
1 am,
Yours obediently
(SGD.) A. BROWN
Master.
Director.
apt R.
th er i
1y g
of the
ER
shore now the naval rized.
In/