I
AUGUST, 1940
hill,
The Merchant Navy ine on-Tyne. 1940.
The Bulletin of the
AWARD
COMPUNITY
and the
BRITISH SHIP ADOPTION
MERCHANT NAVY'S
76
SOCIETY
COMFORT SERVICE
Editor: H. E. HANCOCK (Journal of Commerce and Shipping Telegraph).
he Broadcast
THIS is the first issue of our Bulletin the United States. There is hardly a single dealing with the activities of the item constituting our food and other ross, M.P.,
British Ship Adoption Society and the requirements for which we are not
Merchant Navy Comforts Service. It is dependent upon men of the Merchant hoped to publish the Bulletin monthly or as
Navy.
sting reading.
frequently as may be necessary, the object being to present to the schools which have
In these days, when censorship of news adopted merchant ships and the thousands is so strict and it is essential that no he Manager of of willing helpers who assist us so generinformation should be divulged which ously in supplying comforts for the men of would be of advantage to the enemy, the the Merchant Navy, a résumé of the work work of the Ship Adoption Society has ding work done which we are thus enabled to accomplish.
naturally been restricted, and it is not
Those who give so much of their time to possible for the masters and officers of the knitting garments or collecting comforts ships which have been adopted by the om Dunkirk, whi for our seamen would feel that their work schools to write letters so frequently as in and kindly thought were well rewarded the past respecting their activities or experiences.
if they could see the many letters of
I Shipping.
appreciation which we receive from the men
The use of the wireless installation who are so nobly carrying on the great is prohibited except when absolutely traditions of the sea.
necessary, in order that enemy submarines r to each of +
We are an island people, dependent upon or surface raiders shall be unable to gather the sea for the greater proportion of our information respecting any vessel's posifood supplies, and the raw materials of tion. Ships are being diverted from their industry, and, as Mr. Ronald Cross, regular trades. In one case only one
Minister of Shipping, has said, recent cable was received from a ship for over events have brought home to us perhaps six months and that was to say she had more than ever how great is the debt we arrived at her destination in a port in owe to the men of the Merchant Navy.
New Zealand. One other message was
They are risking their lives daily in order received by her owners and that was to that the British people and armed forces the effect that she would arrive in this shall be fed and the supplies which are country in 48 hours, but that the actual necessary for our armament factories berth and port of arrival would be advised brought from overseas.
by the Admiralty. Another master has told.
Those of us who are associated with us that during the whole of the time his shipping know and realise to the full our vessel was absent from this country only dependence upon ships and those who man three mails were received by the ship and them. We see this as we go through our each of these was from the British Ship daily meals. Our breakfast mainly comes
Adoption Society. But for this they would to us from overseas-bacon and eggs from have been without news from home
Canada and elsewhere, butter from farthroughout the whole time they were away.
away New Zealand, bread made of flour
It is hoped, however, from time to time from grain brought from the River Plate, to reproduce in the Bulletin some of the tea from the Far East, and sugar from letters we have received from our Merchant
Cuba, etc. For our clothing, wool is
Navy officers as well as interviews with brought to us from Australia, cotton from some of those who call at our headquarters.
4000
aiv.
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-
Log in to enlarge