TNA MT 40 66

79
1 ml
EN LINE STEAMERS
1940.
TRACT OF LETTER FROM CAPTAIN EDGAR JONES, S.S. "YEWDALE", SHEERNESS,
UNDER DATE 2nd JUNE, 1940.
128
There is a great deal of damage to this ship, caused by shrapnel from bombs. These have penetrated through the ship's side into holds, bunkers and engine room, also Mate's room has been badly damaged shrapnel having penetrated through about 14" of steel at doubling plate and has damaged cabin and Master's room. The Wheelhouse is badly damaged and compass completely wrecked.
There are several burst pipes and defects in engine room.
The shrapnel that penetrated stokehold has also damaged boiler but we do not think that marks on boiler are very deep.
We broughtabout 900 men across, 7 of whom were killed and
77 injured. Mate who was in Wheelhouse with Bo'sun and myself was struck below the knee by shrapnel and is in grave danger of losing his leg. I have not been able to find out what hospital he is in, but he is neither at Ramsgate or Deal. I have written to his wife and forwarded his wages.
We obtained some satisfaction in these raids however, as we brought down one enemy bomber which we Saw plunging headlong into the sea half a mile ahead of us. When we arrived at the spot we could see nothing but oil.
dd
The great
TWIS
a bi., varge were rowing off in their boat towards us. I picked them up, also boat and crew of barge "DUCHESS" that had anchored in the Roads, and then the next wave of bombers were overhead.
(Continued)

ons at
G.W.R.
49
20113
STATE
When G.W.Rly Docks Manager's Dep to Newhaven via Dover Marine Section,
Fishguard Harbour.
SEAL
were
CDM.C/3077/S.
was 20th 181
June
1940.
On the B.25/272.
that was from
Dris sts. 'St. David".
loss of
EVACUATION OF TROOPS FROM FLANDERS.
Dear Sir, and in the
It has been reported to me that the "st. David"
under the command of Captain Joy on the 24th May was ordered to Dunkirk, via Dover, to evacuate wounded from thatarea.
She arrived at that Port on the morning of the
25th and lay alongside receiving wounded until that evening,
During the whole of the time the town and quays were being subjected to severe bombing.
On her way out, when passing along the Gravelines shore, she came under heavy gun fire, and one large calibre shell fell within less than the Ship's length ahead of her.
at
The vessel was then manoeuvred out of the Channel to avoid gun fure. Later on, air craft (apparently French)
escorted her until she was clear of danger.
About midnight she arrived at Newhaven, where all here wounded were landed.
to
The next morning she proceeded to the Downs, and the day after, the 28th May, received orders to proceed to Dunkirk once again to evacuate more wounded.
difficult owing to the lack of the usual aids to navigation and
The weather was very misty, and navigation made very the fact that many vessels had been sunk in the fair-ways since her last leaving that Port. At 8.00'clock that evening she entered Dünkirk, where she remaired until the next morning.
were subjected to terrific bombardment by air and land, and it
During the whole of the night, the town, quays, etc.
became necessary, owing to the lack of R.A.M.C. ashore, for the board receiving the wounded and placing them in the cots etc.
carrying them down the quay as required, with the Medical Staff on geamen, Firemen, Stewards etc. to load the wounded themselves, we
This work was exceedingly difficult, as the whole
1g was for in a bad condition, and there was not even any gangways available area nd constructed passing the stretcher cases on board, However, the Engineers n e whole a wide and useful gangway, which was used during the
SC
time of the embarkation.
et