TNA MT 40 66

ST OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS.
A.A. CRUISER.
CALCUTTA
DESTROYERS.
ANTHONY
INTREPID
VENOMOUS
BASILISK
IVANHOE
VERITY
CODRINGTON
JAGUAR
VIMY
ESK
JAVELIN
VIVACIOUS
EXPRESS
KEITH
WAKEFUL
GALLANT
MACKAY
WHITEHALL
GRAFTON
MALCOLM
WHITSHED
GRENADE
MONTROSE
WINCHELSEA
GREYHOUND
SABRE
WINDSOR
HARVESTER
SALADIN
WOLFHOUND
HAVANT
SCIMITAR
WOLSEY
ICARUS
SHIKARI
WORCESTER
IMPULSIVE
VANQUISHER
SLOOP.
BIDEFORD
CORVETTES.
GUILLEMOT
MALLARD
SHELDRAKE
KINGFISHER
SHEARWATER
WIDGEON
GUNBOATS.
LOCUST
f
MOSQUITO
MINESWEEPERS.
ALBURY
HEBE
BRIGHTON BELLE
ROSS
KELLETT
BRIGHTON QUEEN
SALAMANDER
LEDA
DEVONIA
SALTASH
LYDD
DUCHESS OF FIFE
SANDOWN
MARMION
DUNDALK
SHARPSHOOTER
MEDWAY QUENEN
EMPEROR OF INDIA
SKIPJACK
NIGER
FITZROY
SNAEFELL
ORIOLE
GLENAVON
SPEEDWELL
PANGBOURNE
GLENGOWER
SUTTON
PLINLIMMON
GOSSAMER
WAVERLEY
PORTSDOWN
GRACIE FIELDS
WESTWARD Ho
HALCYON
PRINCESS ELIZABETH
WHIPPINGHAM
QUENN OF THANET
Sunk.
Conti

Braved
PIC WORK OF
ches
ST. SEIRIOL
Steamer's
SEVEN TRIPS TO
23
cuation
DUNKIRK
Making seven trips to Dunkirk in the d them on to waiting other ships, and then midst of heavy bombing, the North Wales iol herself with about 900
pleasure steamer St. Seiriol (1,586 tons), f the seven voyages.
now on Admiralty service, played a
FICER'S GALLANTRY
brilliant part in the rescue of 335,000
rvived was a miracle in men, in which a thousand ships of all dozen aircraft flew over sizes took part last May.
circled round to make
Only now is it possible to reveal the full
D with their missiles, and story of her gallant work-as told by Mr.
cks with machine-gun
E. Keble Chatterton. the well-known naval n the Crested Eagle, an writer, in The Epic of Dunkirk (Hurst
0, became a furnace after and Blackett, 10s 6d). Merseyside was well
Seiriol got as close as represented among the rescuing craft. The about 5½ hours her crew
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. for pick up survivors.
instance, had eight of their ships engaged.
ficer, Mr J. McNamee, and lost three of them-iKng Orry, Mona's ulean service. Immedi-
Queen, and Fenella. The North Wales
Company's vessels were St. Tudno, St. Silio he was at the beach, and St. Seiriol, but it was the last-named the boats, helping men that won particular notice from the naval id ferrying them to the essel.
authorities.
"On arrival in partially paralysed below
Exhausted Crew
1 that he asked was per-
According to Mr. Chatterton she proved one back and do one more of the most useful vessels engaged, and her two masters during this crew, subject to the immense strain of aerial
Morris and Captain R.
attack, and without rest during her continual journeys to and from the historic beach, were finally in an advanced stage of physical and
MINED CREW
nervous exhaustion. A week before her first nal courage and endurtrip sho had already managed to enter Calais and, defying bombs. had reached the quay and says Mr. Chatterton, got away safely. Then. on May 27 she went impressed the naval over to assist at Dunkirk.
uch trips also strained
At first she was at the jetty, but afterwards etermined crew, so that lay off the beach, where her boats did ver the military doctor invaluable service. She would send three boats hands were unfit to to the beach, bring off an average of about ger. They were sent to forty-seven men in each, though bombs rest and another crew dropped from the planes like rain. and load them on to waiting destroyers or other ships, continue the brave duty and then fill up St. Seiriol herself with about be associated with this
900 men on each of of the seven voyages.
Later on, in June,
How she survived was a miracle in
Iready published, was itself." says Mr. Chatterton. Often a dozen ees from Le Havre, aircraft flew over simultaneously, circled beril from fierce enemy round to make careful direction with their air, and again got back missiles. and raked the decks with machinegun bullets."
When the Crested Eagle, an oil-burning who will sail on this ship, became a furnace after a direct hit. St.
e should be spared to
Seiriol got as close as possible, and for about ce-time duties, will be five and a half hours her crew were toiling wledge of the brilliant to pick up survivors.
in "the most difficult
Her chief officer, Mr. J. McNamee, nd military operation performed herculean service. Immediately as the Admiralty after this he was at the beach, wading in comparable with the from the boats, helping men on to them, and amers' part at Zeeferrying them to the nearest large vessel.
On arrival in port he became partially nd, if Royal Daffodil paralysed below the waist, yet all that he why not Royal St.
asked was permission to go back and do one more trip. She had two masters during this time, Captain R. Morris and Captain R.
D. Dobb.
The Royal St. Seiriol?
The exceptional courage and endurance of
St, Seiriol," says Mr. Chatterton, consider.
ably impressed the naval authorities. Such trips also strained and shook her determined crew, so that on arrival at Dover the military doctor decided that all hands, were unfit to carry on any longer. They were sent to their homes for rest and another crew took the ship to continue the brave duty that must ever be associated with this pleasure vessel."
Later, in June, St. Seiriol was evacuating lement each time. Our refugees from Le Havre, again in deadly peril from fierce enemy assaults from the air, and bombed and shelled ahea again got back safely.
The part played by St. Seiriol in the most t from a few shell spli difficult combined naval and military operaamage.
tion ever carried out" recalls the epic exploit of the Mersey ferry steamers, Royal Iris and
Royal Daffodil, at Zeebrugge in 1918. When peace comes, perhaps St. Seiriol will achieve icer, Mr Macdonald, had
Royal fame.
and smashed the glass o standing.
It seemed an unluc

mody me eu ow
SOUTHERN RAILWAY
138
MOYO
Os, of ow
1008.
GENERAL MANAGER'S OFFICE,
WATERLOO STATION, S.E.1
MONTHLY'
100.
qu
T
46
47
please
70
erence.
DIRTOR
the
.XG.1929/40
22nd October, 1940
to
September, 1940.
0.00
OF
SIR,
OF
Q1, my if you are yet in a position to letter of the 20th September and to
I beg to draw your attention to
STATE
as become available ion of British and French ves
BOOM
enquire return to us the original reports made by the Tilbury Contracting on the Masters of our vessels engaged in ch are normally employed the Dunkerque evacuation.
ne engaged upon contract he appeal for volunteers vice was answered by all st to the last man.
oppers proceeded to
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
K
each of the five vessels
Viey e general picture is that to
25
B. Missender
, dropped anchor, launched of the B.E.F. and French heavy aerial attack as theck
Lit
3, left Dunkirk again with ark hours of Friday night, during the course of
1st.
The Director of Sea Transport
Ministry of Shipping, he crews was John Tarry,
Berkeley Square House, dier on board out of the
Berkeley Square W.1
was transferred to ters varied only in vy swell running and
Iment, one salvo of ad the opportunity of
; some shrapnel falling to the unavoidable or troops picked up and brought back by ner could not be ascertained. During the operations one ship's boat with troops on board was blown clean out of the water and capsized by a bomb which fell close alongside withoutinjury to any one. She sailed about 9.0.p.m. and just after leaving she with odd pieces of wood, who were rescued. During her passage sighted a small dinghy manned by five French soldiers rowing back, enemy ships and aircraft were encountered. An air fight took place overhead, and she was forced to make several detours finally disembarking the troops at Ramsgate.
By way of recognition of their gallant services, the owners have been able to obtain the special consent of the Board of Trade to the issue to all the officers and men concerned of the Merchant
Navy Badge. It is understood that several individual names have been mentioned in despatches.
S

STAM
JANSINGO
138
EXTRACT FROM THE 'P.L.A. MONTHLY'
47
September, 1940.
asd
ECHOES OF DUNKIRK.
3
The following further information has become available
STATE
regarding the part played in the evacuation of British and French soldiers from Dunkirk by the vessels of the Tilbury Contracting
9AY
THE
& Dredging Company, Limited, most of which are normally employed in the Port of London but were at the time engaged upon contract work for the Admiralty at Portsmouth. The appeal for volunteers for despatch on secret and dangerous service was answered by all the crews (some 76 officers and men) almost to the last man.
On Friday morning, May 31st, five steam hoppers proceeded to
Dunkirk.
Upon their arrival off the Beaches, each of the five vessels had different individual experiences. The general picture is that they all got as near in-shore as possible, dropped anchor, launched life-boats to assist in embarking members of the B.E.F. and French troops indifferently, and after enduring heavy aerial attack as well as an artillery bombardment for hours, left Dunkirk again with the rescued troops on board during the dark hours of Friday night, landing her troops at Ramsgate or Margate during the course of
Saturday, June 1st.
The only casualty of any kind among the crews was John Tarry, a deckhand, who in assisting to pull a soldier on board out of the water unfortunately ruptured himself, and was transferred to hospital upon returning to England.
The experiences of the individual Masters varied only in detail. One vessel on arrival "found a heavy swell running and was subjected to very severe aerial bombardment, one salvo of bombs falling only a few yards away. She had the opportunity of seeing several German aircraft brought down; some shrapnel falling on the ship without hurting anyone. Owing to the unavoidable confusion the exact number of troops picked up and brought back by her could not be ascertained. During the operations one ship's boat with troops on board was blown clean out of the water and capsized by a bomb which fell close alongside withoutinjury to any one. She sailed about 9.0.p.m. and just after leaving she sighted a small dinghy manned by five French soldiers rowing with odd pieces of wood, who were rescued. During her passage back, enemy ships and aircraft were encountered. An air fight took place overhead, and she was forced to make several detours finally disembarking the troops at Ramsgate.
By way of recognition of their gallant services, the owners have been able to obtain the special consent of the Board of Trade to the issue to all the officers and men concerned of the Merchant
Navy Badge. It is understood that several individual names have been mentioned in despatches.
S

71a
2
BRITISH
SHIP
ADOPTION
3 TO THE
IT is, my opinion, more than ever to
Message in from the President of the Board SOCIETY of Education
NATION'S DEBT NAVY
be desired that the links between the schools and our Merchant Navy, so happily work the enterprise them. For that
Adoption Society, should now be strengthforged in peace-time by the British Ship
Society of the
I am in issuing a British Ship ened and not allowed to break. We all of us recognise the debt which we owe
[Reprinted Minister from The Journal Ronald of Commerce which in Telegro of Shipping's and Shipping Appeal is rupted admirable their anxious, to to our sailors, and the least we can do that the by the and I
schools is to try to keep alive the interest of the schools in our ships and the men who conditions overcoming the difficulties their
Shipping, Sir Mr. Douglas of to the peace sea
RAMSBOTHAM. create. (Signed) HERS
of those who down down that term of it office will seewners, that th
THE
DUNKIRK
An Epic WITHDRAWAL Story the when he chairman, was received Mr.
is the story, in his own words,
Watts, secretary before the our conclusion London for his men- as get a a square deal.
and
INCREASED INTEREST
"City this of Dieppe" concerning the part which of a fireman in the Ellerman steamer of We equipment gave and assisting of vessel played during the withdrawal the chief them coffee and injured
Mr. this see something work Mr. of the over articles
Cross showed keen Navy's interest an the British Expeditionary Force well
Thelegraph. privileged ork that isComfort the His many of distributions
Dunkirk, tion given in the course of from
The supply as the send for stores, Navy. receiving
There were a number of us in when he called at our headquarters:- conversathan sleeves more like of done the men of the offices, by donkeyman came in and asked us to the inn in Plymouth-when the bo'sun and a small the Finally, our human freight in a doctor-he was covered a
Service Avenue. was at Astarted of by which the has in in linking recent aboard, we knew not what for, nor did go ahead, engine-room telegraph rang was that reason why. The watches were set we was everyone was pleased that full this Adoptione STATE
the B.E.F. homeward bound with a the so of freely the able to Holn ob and of which I was a member went down and hoped who had done their portion
I to see raised steam. After four hours at sea, at the end of my watch, I found four to go back and do more. bit were bound for Dunkirk to bring back we very journeys altogether, the last We made many later as possible of the B.E.F. Two hours as lying journey a hospital ship first 0
to of for of was convince the the which me this than and service of the set excellence up.
THE the the the this wond wond ful impressionised is the last much a repetition of the thre carried on. were in room on
Bombs we were attacked by hitting the water than the vessels.
dropped in all directions, aeroplanes. more
Cross paid no attention to sunk The
Germans near us was bombed and which WAS
ships which could be plainly seen. the Re us great more, Merchant is the debt Navy, we owe and
Our boats were swung out and one to small craft sank a lifeboat was lowered as under included, but we managed to ours were bombed indiscriminately, Other our would tion like to the repayment occasion just Cross to There come been of THE many ___???___ THE American pa were pick up the survivors. Volunteers manned asked to man the boat. It the our own steam. Eight get home had obliged to sleep on deck as their crew were crew were wounded and the members of
I to THE THE CANADA Service cost by the 100 pullovers, garments the interes with the by two A.B.s and three firemen, was have were struggling in the water. Eleven of them pulled to the assistance of those We second officer in command.
820 journey 760 men were brought back first and been bombed out. On the quarters
Navy's Avenue, Merchant be grateful to broad- the each time afterwards.
Comforts Service was hymn the offices a fe on board the City of Dieppe.' The taken pulled on to the lifeboat and so on duty could not raise sufficient watch the is a story of courage and heroism
In told this simple, straightforward language was our back watch went down to assist. steam, Steam to 120 lbs., when 240 is sprit endures our race is unconquerable.
brotherhood of the sea. While such and has Minister evacuation the the work The every reason of of the the to British stirred His recent Expeditionary the
Polish days later officer was who very visited glad to get for h crew. recently wa of Dunkirk general public number Before of between parcels asked Quite to 120 provide men from The the service pro fo pressure cleaned needed for emergencies. Having the was board obtained and we were ready to several fires the necessary steam
Honour for Ship's Officer tion broadcast, each the day amounted to following
Mr. Schools will be delighted to learn that received 30 and 35. the receive for for vided over Northern a pullover waters. and a pair of socks in on us the soldiers who were coming take every man. work is not carried are encouraged on an reach the quayside small craft and to on floats. As we were not able to has Creser, of adopted ship HJC/2la, to boats brought the men out. They motorattempts Society's medal for particularly Humane gallant been awarded the Royal day, an Almost average the has, parcelsintment as impersonal to This enclose way. with their Donors gifts their name wounded, others were carrying two loads be dead tired-some were slightly seemed bitterest at rescue during of the winter, storms in the Atlantic one last
Minister tunity Mr. Cross of of testifying to the later the
Bombs assis hitting pressu in the water.
Our cleaned ied on to the life one small 0
was obta the City of Dieppe.
to on board ould not raise suffi pick up us on floach went down to learn th were asked reach the qua 120 lbs. ship HJC/21
with manned the by boats brought for 0 Royal Huane is pulled to be dead 1 fire particularly giane strugglir wounded, and during one of the could
Atlantic was ebb, it being about poremost 2½ hours after the so our watch went was back to 120
pressure needed fc cleaned several fire was obtained and tide number When of other I arrived vessels in Dunkerque Roads, bo
WO board the soldie gling floats.
As pulled th pre clea so our watch was back to from the There shore was and some the confusion activity owing to the sound
W
pressure neede ba cleaned several after 11 vesel.ard the O
was obtained
W board the collision Just close to on floats.
the

- 2 -
"AITOOB" TROTENANT
3.55
(Wednesday Having embarked the troops We trying a.m.
just Channel after I saw leaving a troopship Dunkirk was small could was full craft. then not of dark. say troops We if who these also were saw were being the on our the
JOOB" one BIOW wrecks.and when Wrecks. It. drog ___???___
The outward trip a about ahead the on arriviting:
further vessels proceeding of incident. every "Scotia" description On our completed way - we passed its return-voyage.witter
4d as many troops towards Dunkirk large and wrecks and also in we I small sa asswobelp. inspiring to see as these their vessels staft wouthers returning, their best to quite off them. In which forms each an render
We arrived and Its of were
SomaCrowding difficult outside until to as the the a shore berth ship was had at side. Dover a clear. heavy at Berthing list 10.0 a.m., was having rather waited visafely smoothly on British and 3,000 soil. of our gallant However,
[Is] Mothe formation their the swood poop engin over which was We done spent at some hours during the day birs V.d THE funne. this bewitmid-day Sheerness. 3.0 ordered a.m. and We shipped We arrived left ninety Dover for alongside Sheerness to enable coal on us hulk Thursday to proceed "Agincourt" coaling - 30th, to - about about part was then off ordered the hulk to to Margate No. tons 13 Roads buoy of until coal. to 7.0 We a.m., were Friday. then
I bombs on ___???___ ___???___
complete bunkering.
no the supplied facilities by Coaling the at Naval Margate was Authorities a Roads. difficult The proposition "Scotia" having as there were at stow THE
and carried coal was to bagged the bunkers. from the Coaster with "Jolly bags Days", and shovels, hove been shipped in this departments It was now 9.30 gave p.m., willing way. and Members untiring of assistance the crew from in all of
Altogether, ninety tons up, coal
Jatl owd they completed, ordered I me signalled to await now effect, bunkering. being and
OWJ
Saturday. "Scotia" left The Margate order was to to this came at maia?" sts
5.45
a.m.,
O, miles courses from according No. 6 buoy to Roads The various
VASIT
was opposite repeated. signalled direction. by A one rouse.instructions, "Windy off No. 6 which Dunkirk was Channel going four in -
matters mand signs aside V
I
We passed saw us a sloop going in in few the minutes opposite afterwards direction the Buoy". Transport This "Prague" signal lowered. our Commander Coust off the Dunki bow BY a now ves of
I learned later that tow the with sloop smoke had issuing had to from be and abandoned. a stem little to stern. later enemy bombers About two miles from No. 6 buoy we saw bombers, deck fire, all around and and but a kept Lewis they on for guns us. were Our We a guns counted Bren several opened ten poop side the the came boat starboard had by wa la Be helm and had us, the but engines none scored going at a hit. full speed. I Bombs manoeuvred were with dropped on the The "Scotia" were the Comma bo coming disappeared, enemy from A little vhile latery little whitht later little whille later no we this saw time several the British planes planes had drove the our planes gone than enemy
We were buoys now so approaching as to two avoid by
1.
no.
engin

- 2 -
"AITOO8" TROTSMART
trying just 3.55 after a.m. I (Wednesday Having leaving embarked Dunkirk the troops We was Channel full of saw troops a troopship who and small craft. We also were the
I could was then not dark. say if these saw were a on our outward trip it sur one DIO ___???___ about French at
The further
"Scotia"
completed its of
THE vessels the - we large and coducer off so came in In forma each sa
4d ahead and wrecks buoy trip also and small assmobelp. to see these best to render quite
THE OF ___???___ the
We outside difficult until as the a arrived berth ship was had at Dover clear. at Berthing 10.0.a.m., having
.gu the the DOO en a visafely on British and 3,000 soil. of our gallant However, owing.to the troom crowding smoothly to the shore side. a heavy list was rather waited
THE the the ___???___ IIst V.d ___???___ I
of Sheerness. which was We done spent at some Dover hours during the
BITS
bemitmad-day ordered 3.0 a.m. off and We the shipped We arrived left ninety for alongside Sheerness tons to enable of coal on us hulk Thursday to day "Agincourt" proceed coaling - 30th, to - about about part was then ordered hulk to to Margate No. 13 Roads buoy until coal to complete 7.0 We a.m., were Friday. then
THE edu of the ___???___ the the injury ou was carried shipped to the bunkers. the Coaster "Jolly Days", and shovels, hove been and the coal was the bagged Naval from Authorities Roads. Theroposition with bags having as there difficult bunkering. were at stow jailowt vd Lemphe to The wer of tr in this
It departments gave willing way. crew ninety tons of up, coal completed, was now I 9.30 signalled p.m., from in bunkering. all
OWJ
Saturday. they ordered The me order to now effect, 5.45 being and courses "Scotia" left Margate was to proceed to this came at miss" VISIT sts nes V
a.m., miles from according No.6 buoy to The various matters hand hand signs befewas was opposite signalled direction. by one Channel four -
passed repeated. us A few 6 which Buoy". was going signal in I
our Couch
We I learned saw a sloop going in in tow the smoke the and Transport a This later "Prague"
later that the sloop had issuing had to from be stem little to stern.
th S
bombers, enemy bombers but About two miles from No. 6 buoy we abandoned.
all helm deck fire, around and and a kept us, Lewis they on navigating our for guns us. were Our We saw guns counted several opened ten poop came the boat out on and "Scotia the the cont and had A the but engines going at a bridge. hit. full I speed. Bombs manoeuvred were a Bren with dropped on disappeared, coming from little while latery we saw several British planes drove our this planes time the enemy planes had
Channel We were buoys now gone so approaching than two

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."