TNA MT 40 66

STATE
STATE
131
OF
UPOX
55
For
COPY.
OF
H.C.T.S.S. ISLE OF THANET.
Report of Trips to and from Dunkirk,
On 23rd May left Newhaven at 00.08 bound for Dover for orders and arrived off Dover at 03.38. Immediately we received orders to proceed to. the Downs and anchor. 10.45 destroyer L.0.2. gave orders to follow him to Dunkirk. At 14.17 we arrived at Dunkirk and an air raid was in progress. H.C.T.S.S. Worthing lying at quayside berth and H.C.T.S.S.
Isleoof Thanet took outer berth, both vessels lying alongside each other. At 14.49 we hove astern to quayside berth to await casualties.
There were continuous air raid warnings and numerous German planes kept hovering overhead but no bombs were dropped. Ship moored head up by Gare Maritime which had been bombed before our arrival. Gun firing id continued from ships and shore batteries at frequent intervals,
18.00 we commenced embarking casualties and at 19.50 the embarkation was completed. Number of wounded on board totalled 296. At 20.37
in order given Standby below and we were outside harbour at 21.05. Heavy ne pall of smoke hung over the coast this coming from fires around the docks caused by bombing. At 22.57 arrived off Dover and received
S
orders to proceed to Newhaven. At 23.15 we were on our course. At ond
02.20 on 24th we arrived off Newhaven but were detained for 45 mins.
r, for signals. At 03.48 we moored alongside at No. 2 berth and at 6.20
ck the disembarkation was completed. Vessel on immediate notice.
besga
On morning of the 25th we again left Newhaven at 11.46 and arrived off
Dover at 15.16. At 15.56 received orders to proceed to Dunkirk adcompanied by s/s PARIS. Ships off Calais between us and the shore being shelled by German batteries in wood west of Calais.
Arrived at Dunkirk at 18.15 "Canterbury" moored at Gare Maritime on our arrival. We moored alongside her with the s/s "Paris" on the outside berth. s/s "Canterbury" sailed at 19.10 and we took quayside berth.
X
At 22.00 commenced loading and air raid attacks were frequent during the whole period of embarkation. One salvo of bombs fell close to vessel, but although vessel was sprayed with shrapnel no damage was done. Fires were raging all around the docks and lit the quayside where we were lying, the white painted vessels shewing up prominently.
Loading of casualties was completed at 01.00 on the 26th. total number on board 608 casualties. Left Dunkirk quay at 01.15 and proceeded to
Newhaven. Arrived off Newhaven at 07,20 received signals to enter at 07.30 and moored at No. 2 berth at 08.00. At about 08.30
disembarkation of casualties commenced and at 11.15 completed.
Again, on the morning of the 27th at 01.10 we left Newhaven for Dover for orders, arriving off Dover at 04.38. We received orders to proceed to the Downs until 06.30 and at 06.34 left the
Downs and proceeded to Dunkirk. At 08.00 when off Calais we were shelled from batteries on the French coast, several shells falling close to my vessel. At the same time a vessel ahead of me between
Calais and Gravelines was being subjected to shell fire from another battery on the coast. I deemed it prudent to return to Dover for alternative route instructions and at 08.59 arrived off Dover.
At/

124
STICK
66
S.S. "BIARRITZ".
Report on:- Conduct of personnel while under fire off Gravelines
Monday, May 27th, 1940.
While passing Gravelines en route to Dunkirk we engaged the attention of enemy artillery on shore. The first shell entered the forward boiler room, piercing first a large diameter oil fuel vapour and overflow pipe and then the auxiliary steam pipe to forward. The nose passed through the further side of the hull on the water line while various minor damage was done by fragments, one entering the starboard wing fuel tank and another passing through the left thigh of Fireman
A. Phillips severing the main artery, and causing great loss of blood.
Steam at full boiler pressure was entering the boiler room in great quantities. Further shells were hitting the region of the first hit and danger of severe scalding and of an outbreak of fire were the conditions under which Fireman. Phillips then found himself. Notwithstanding, he made efforts to close the oil fuel supply to the furnaces of the two forward boilers. That he was unable to do so will occasion no surprise.
As it was, he retained sufficient strength to climb two flights of ladder out of boiler room where he was met by myself and he reported that he had been unable to shut off the fires. He then collapsed.
Fireman A. Phillips died on the night of May 27th as a direct result of his wound. In this connection it must be stated that 4th
Engineer E. Terry, who was in charge of the forward boiler had left the room in pursuance of his duties only a minute or two previous to the event.
Meanwhile in the after hoiler room Mr. Crockhart in charge, on hearing the explosion of the shells and the subsequent escape of steam, sent his two firemen on deck to ascertain the happenings and to assist if required. He closed the supply of fuel to the forward boilers and then began to encounter very great difficulty in maintaining steam pressure and water levelin Boilers.
Due to the necessity of keeping way on the ship to get out of range and to avoid stopping in the mine field into which the ship had to be turned, it was imperative to keep fires under the three after boilers in spite of the fact that at times the water could not be seen in the gauge glasses. It was impossible for a time to even locate the damage in the forward boiler room.
Mr. Crockart also attempted to enter the compartment through the water tight door, but escaping steam made this impossible.
It was also the cause of others being unable to enter by the main deck entrance.
Fireman Phillips showed a high level of courage and devotion to duty.
Mr. J. Crockart, Third Engineer, also showed great courage and determination under trying circumstances.
(sd.) W.H. Baker,
Master.

1.
SSIN
TEA
28
.st pier two more bombs were dropped ahead of me, one in the hannel and one on the East pier, which shattered the pier for some ived listance. 30/8/40. We now opened fire on the plane and succeeded in beating
&
him off at least for the time being. I could see no chance of fea
31/8/40.
302
getting ashore, nor was there anyone about the place I could get any information from. Bombs were now dropping everywhere, so my first
.
to thought was for the safety of the ship and cargo, so I decided to boyls
Due make a run for it and get back to Dover if possible and report.
I backed full speed astern from between the piers, but no sooner had I got my ship's head pointing down channel on our course, than we were attached by another plane. We opened fire on him and
ISVOU
gave him a good salvo. He sheered off in a Northerly direction and his engines ceased to roar. We saw no more of him so I believe he must have fallen in the sea. Now when half way between Dunkirk and Gravelines they opened fire on us from some of the shore batteries, many of the shells passing close over our heads on the bridge. Anyhow, we had no alternative only to carry on and hope for the best.
After passing the Dyck Lightship I got to No.1 Buoy and I
reported the mines to Patrol Boat WL.158. He immediately went after them and before long we heard three of them blow up. At 5.30 a.m.
another plane came along from the direction of Cap Gris Nez. He sent a shell across our bows so we opened fire on him and a patrol boat close to us opened fire on him also, so he cleared off.
We anchored off Dover at 10.40 a.m. and reported to the Naval
Authorities. At 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 26th. several planes were hovering about. They were laying magnetic mines as we could see one of them being dropped by parachute. One was exploded close ahead of us by gun fire from the shore, so our gun was in action once more against the mine-layers. During all those operations 1,200 rounds of ammunition were used.
At 8.30 p.m. on Sunday, 26th May, we were ordered to the Downs to anchor and await further orders.
On Tuesday, May 28th. 6 a.m. received orders proceed Newhaven.
6.10 a.m. hove up and proceeded on passage. Anchored off Newhaven
2.50 p.m. at 6.p.m. received orders from Admiralty proceed Littlehampton after dark. At 2 a.m. 29/8/40 hove up anchor and proceeded i.
P.T.O

EVERARD & SONS LTD.
107
F.
LONDON, E.C.8.
*
m.v. "SODALITY"
22 & 23, 22 & GREAT TOWER ST.
LONDON
93
May 19th, 1940. Received orders to proceed to Deptford
Victualling Wharf to load; midnight made fast in berth.
4 a.m. May 20th commence loading.
.st May 0.45 a.m. Received orders from Albert Dock to cast off at 1 p.m. and to proceed to Dover for further instructions, arrived off Southend Pier 5 p.m. and ordered to remain at anchor until 5 am. on the 22nd.
Arrived off Dover noon 22nd and told to wait outside for orders. 1.20 p.m. received orders for
Dunkirk proceeded on voyage, when entering narrow channel
East of Gravelines, seen 2 steamers on fire in channel, thinking channel being mined kipt about ships length to S
starboard of channel.
When some two miles off Dunkirk one of our own Destroyers came up alongside and ordered us to stop asked our speed, speed given 10 knots all out.
Was then ordered to follow in Destroyers Line as he would be passing very close to sunken wrecks.
When 1 1/2 miles off Dunkirk Destroyer turned back and told us there would be no one to assist us and that we were to do the best we could. We entered harbour and made fast at Dock entrance.
At 8 p.m. one of our naval Officers came and told us that we would dock at 10.30 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Entered Locks and before we had time to make fast German
Palnes were over the Lock gate. Men went for shelter and left us to make the ship fast ourselves. At 11.30 p.m.
went to look for lock gatemen managed to get them to open locks for us to enter Dock planes still bombing and kept bombing all night. Midnight made fast in berth.
The Naval Officer who spoke to us at 8 p.m.
promised to berth us but we did not see him until 5 a.m.
on the 23rd, we were on the wrong berth. 5.15 a.m. shifted.

90
TRANSPORT "SCOTIA"
115
used
J.1 In response to your request for a narrative of the activities of the "Scotia" from the twenty-sixth of May onwards, I submit the following account:-
"On the 26th May the "Scotia", with its full crew was at Southampton under two hours notice. The order came at 7.30 p.m. on the following day (27th) to to proceed to Dover with all possible speed. We left berth
42 at 9.30 p.m., and passed through Spithead at about
10.30 p.m. We arrived off Dover about 7.0 a.m. the following morning. I there received orders to proceed to
28/5
Downs and anchor to await further orders. At 5.0 p.m., having received orders and route instructions we weighed anchor and proceeded to Dunkirk, steering various courses as ordered and made for the Eastern Channel off Dunkirk, where we arrived at 9.45 p.m. The weather was calm and hazy. We sighted several destroyers at anchor off the
Thew agoott Eastern Channel entrance who were engaged in shelling enemy positions. We signalled destroyers for guidance and were told to proceed to Dunkirk. It was now getting dark so I signalled for a pilot but received no reply.
Dunkirk was all ablaze and dense clouds of smoke obscured
JIBQ -- the port. We could hear heavy firing from inshore and twode violent explosions in the port. Transport "Malines"
twode was following the "Scotia" so we consulted as to procuring nedd a pilot. "Malines" signalled "proceeding towards
Gravelines". About two miles ahead "Malines" was fired on from shore, so we returned steering east towards
Eastern end of Channel. Several small craft lay about
STOW
at the end of the Channel, none of them showing any lights.
need It was now 0.55 a.m., Wednesday 29th. Whilst going astern and keeping in mid-channel the "Scotia" was struck abaft engine room on the port side. It was sounded all round,
[eoo
. QU 10 but was found not to be making any water and all compartments
Ms were dry. This proved afterwards to have been a torpedo, which had struck the bilge keel and failed to explode.
grited We hailed a small sloop which was proceeding towards the end bre
,JOST of the Eastern Channel and asked if Dunkirk was clear. On
84.8 being told what ship we were he told us to proceed cautiously towards the entrance. He added you are very badly needed".
avoidev
On this I decided to go on and do our utmost to relieve the wot situation. The small craft all along the pier were shifted
I - as to enable us to berth. We berthed at about 1.30 a.m.
nt gatog close to the lighthouse, East Pier. Immediately the
Isnaia vessel was alongside the embarkation Officer requested that
I should take as many troops as possible. This I did. The
TOJSI counter showed 2,700, but many more had been taken aboard of of whom no account could be taken. The "Scotia' estimated had fully 3,000 troops on board, as every available space had been taken up. The troops (British) were very exhausted and many of them could hardly walk along the pier.
net The embarkation Officers' duty was a very strenuous one, and borrego in passing, I should like to express my admiration of the good no manner in which this difficult work was carried out by them.
bequort I gathered that some of these Officers had been on duty unceasingly for thirty six hours.
senale ows WORL
DIOVS
OF
oa

85
H.M.T. "PRINCESS MAUD".
122
Evacuation of Dunkirk.
1690
ote batthe
May 30th, Thursday. 11 a.m.
0.11
ybser ed of Todons 03
Instructions came to proceed to Dunkirk with all speed via the short route; this necessitated passing about 3 miles off Calais, and then running parallel to the coast at a distance of about -2 miles. This coast, as far as Gravelines, was in Enemy hands. The weather was hazy, visibility 2 miles.
11.24 a.m.
We left Dover. Calais Green buoy was rounded at 0.37 p.m. and we turned into the swept channel, which was between 250-490 feet in width. Soon afterwards the
French Coast shewed through, and when approaching Gravelines a large French steamer was seen beached. Two or three objects resembling tanks were visible close to the stranded steamerthmuld To edd two edj to notting to bu0.57 pr.m. djiw 2.SW [10
An explosion occurred aft. Clouds of smoke were in the position of No.5 lifeboat on the poop. It was thought
Jqewthe poopyammunition had exploded, but this idea was soon qu expelled a few seconds later when a salvo of four shells
BU buffstraddled our stern, one scoring a direct hit on No. life boat. Course was altered away from the shore so as to present a smaller target. Before this was completed another gateshell scored bhituat the water line into the engine room, starboard side; several other shells fell all around us.
before asw When out of range, course was set again for Dunkirk.
ml EXOSTW
officer The officers surveyed the damage, others gave eniq First Aid to the injured, which were four in number.
Jsdwsmoa S
SW The hole in the engine room proved to be a yard square, and the sea was pouring in, in spite of attempts to elbbeq stem it. Mattresses eventually prevented a great deal of water entering.
It was hopeless to carry on further, so I listed of the vessel, swinging out boats, etc., and so the vessel shaped course back to Dover via the medium route.
dJlw. VJLOSQBO OJ
betton Nothing fur ther occurred, except the aircraft overhead could be heard, but. none sighted, owing to the visibility.
Wreckage, and numerous craft of all kinds were passed plying between Dover and Dunkirk.
TOMASSE teemsen edit of enoriqsgem betwore I
All hands were disappointed at being thwarted.
TOT 4.06 In need eved Jaum to
10 p.m. qued vidnstanos of gnived amentigne Drit vd JaeW bns Jash 914 mort 9T9W.oje
Berthed between two tiers of ships, four abreast, and landed wounded four (all since have died), two being military gunners on the poop.
4.30 p.m.
Shifted ship to ferry dock to effect temporary repairs.
1.
P.T.O

DEBA
3/86 7,000 pads of 250
LONDON & NORTH EASTERN RAILWAY
B 1152
DEPARTMENT
To
142
STATION
193
THOT Yo
3
OUR REFERENCE
TELEPHONE
YOUR REFERENCE
brem bne the
June 1st. 0315 Orders to proceed having been received, the ship was got sen under way by 0335 and proceeded to Dunkirk by route "X" again, where she
S
arrived at 0715. From about 0700 onwards the ship was subject to intense can 2000
eny € as down Junes obem ain attacks in company with other craft and we made what reply we could with one Lewis gun and one Bren gun.
Several casualties were observed among H.M. Ships, but we were too busy berthing the ship and later shifting across the harbour to take precise day notice of what was happening in this direction. The ship finally berthed at western side of the outer harbour, close outside the locks and then proceeded to load about three thousand French troops it was estimated.
June lst. 0903 Having completed loading the ship left for England once
Yo more and proceeded down the Western Roads. At the end of the channel in vicinity of No.6 "W" Buoy, the ship was subjected to a considerable amounted of shell fire from shore batteries at Gravelines. I immediately asked for utmost speed but could not, zig-zag on account of narrow ters.
The great majority of the shells fell short and none hit the ship.
1009 Buoy "W" near the Ruytingen was passed and the ship making along the homeward route towards Buoy "V" another intense air attack by dive bombers developed. Heavy fire was opened by all ships in the vicinity against these aircraft (estimated to number about half-a-dozen) and the ship kept continuously under helm. Suddenly an aircraft appeared out of the clouds almost directly overhead and swinging round, dived on the
"PRAGUE"
At this moment the "PRAGUE" was on a steady course and I ordered hard to starboard the aircraft released three bombs together while still at a up
+
COUIU
and twisting and turning to clear the bombs. I paddled in towards the shore
£ e t a bit, as I could see our crew of the barge and the soldier stevadores 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)

- 2 -
178
24/5
under water explosions. At 4.30a.m. ship again reported off
Dover, when orders were received to proceed to Calais.
Shortly after 6.0a.m. and when approaching the Port, much of it could be seen in smoke and flames, but the vessel continued, and when within two or three cables of the West Pier Head,
Shore Batteries opened fire and straddled both the ships and the
Harbour entrance, and many shells burst close alongside, and it became necessary to stand off.
Ised
About 7.9a.m. guns ceased fire, and the ship made emother attempt to enter the Port, and again batteries opened fire, although
Hospital Marks and Red Cross Flags must have been plainly seen. At this time a British Transport was seen working her way out of the
Harbour, also under heavy shell fire. At the same time guns concentrated on the ANDREW, evidently with intent to block the
Harbour entrance: so again the ship had to stand off.
Owing to the narrow channels and shoal water, no great alteration of course could be attempted, thus when the Transport and the "st. ANDREW were close together, the intensity of the gun fire was increased and directed at both ships; although these shells fell very. close, none actually found its target.
When the Transport was clear, the Harbour was again approached, and still gunfire made it impossible to enter; so the vessel returned to Dover for further orders. At 1.35p.m.
orders were received to proceed in company with the JULIEN"
to Dunkirk, which Port was reached about 4.0p.m. during a heavy air raid.
on this voyage the vessel was without charts, and navigation became difficult, although the "SI. JULIEN", who had some charts, offered every assistance possible.
Wounded were embarked between 5.30p.m. and 8.0p.m.
At this Port no provision had been made for the handling of wounded, hence there was no Medical Staff other than those carried by the g
ship to act as Stretcher Bearers.
In response to a call for volunteers, the entire crew responded. During the embarking several air raids took place and much shrapnel fell, but the job was completed without incident or injury.
At 9.5p.m., with much of the Port and town on fire, the vessel left for Dover, thence to Newhaven to disembark.
While passing Gravelines at 9.30p.m., again in company with the T.JULIEN", shore batteries opened fire. No alteration of course could be made to avoid the fire, owing to the narrow channels, thus the vessel proceeded, fortunately without damage, although the shots all fell very close on each side.
wed g the id
On Saturday, the 25 May, the wounded were disembarked at
Newhaven, the vessel was placed on short notice, and about 4.0p.m.
1
of again sailed for Dover, where, on arrival, she was ordered to the scort
Downs.
the raft on Sunday, the 26 May, at 3.25a.m. the vessel left the
Downs for Dunkirk, but shortly after 4.0a.m. she was ordered by the
Guard Ship to return to anchor. At lla.m. she was again ordered to proceed to Dunkirk, in company with the JULIEN". At 1.20p.m., when abeam of Gravelines, shore batteries again opened fire on both

LINES. LIMITED.
of inch
Crescant the
40
Kingston-m Lurrey Kimmes the assist ine day in in the May, we 194
M.6213/40/S.T.A.6
15th August, 1940.
lternative routes,
As we left at night,
TM.
round past Calais
192
11 navigational aids
The Sir, Director have of to acknowledge the receipt WF/MH, chor off Gravelines e. With the break of
The sky was of your Square letter of the 14th August'
ng oil dumps and ilitary to prevent and to thank you for the most ving off Dunkirk interesting report made by the Master
'S, while other vessels
;ime, we were keeping and Chief Officer of the s.s. "KILLARNEY" letter
Company's ships, which of the regarding 7th their experiences during to ng her come up astern which you of account by the were watching her,
Mas Dunkirk operations. the a terrific explosion, and of the the "KILLARNEY" in the Sir, of the ud of smoke. When the from Dunkirk am, the mainmast aft had
I am, Your obedient Servant, ard part heeled over result of a magnetic
Your (Sgd.) obedient B. E. BELLAMY
nt alongside the
Director of Sea Transport.
ing troops of all ases. Some of these
Secretary.
ur days and four
The Secretary
Lines Limited, extreme difficulty canine population vith us. These
IS, as their own
SURREY.
see them trying to were shot on the nessed an attack aircraft.
Bombs fell all planes drove them off.
ner, but none registered a hit. Eventually our fighter to
This
On completion of loading troops we returned by the same route as we had taken to come in, and on passing
Gravelines again the fun started. Sailing quietly along, the tired and weary troops stretched R. out all over the ship, snatching their for the Ministry) managed by
G.S.N.)
Lowed ing th
GS and our entrance enemy
Newman of bombs. A call for assisted th an escort the British Mission two destroyers had previously would INIVIA be waiting for the me aircraft off the consisting port. This of attack lasted for half an hour when returned to Ostend.

COAST LINES, ADMINISTRATIVE LIMITED. 4
TELEGRAMS
2, Crescent Road,
40
COASTWISE.
KINGSTON-ON-THAMES
Kingston on Thames, ine day in May, we
TELEPHONE
assist in the
194
KINGSTON 4541-4
Surrey.
lternative routes,
YOUR REF.
OUR REF.
TM. 6213/40/8.T. 6.
As we left at night,
WF/MH
ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE COMPANY.
round past Calais
14th August, 1940
11 navigational aids
The Director of Sea Transport, chor off Gravelines
20
e. With the break of
Ministry of Shipping,
193
The sky was one
Berkeley Square House, ng oil dumps and
Berkeley Square.
ilitary to prevent
LONDON W. 1.
ving off Dunkirk
PS, while other vessels
"KILLARNEY"
ime, we were keeping
Sir,
Company's ships, which
With reference to your letter of the 7th instant, I beg to enclose here- to for the purposes of the record ng her come up astern with, which you refer, copy of an account by the were watching her, and Chief Officer of the experience a terrific explosion, and
Master of the "KILLARNEY" in the evacuation of the ud of smoke. When the the mainmast aft had
B.E.F. from Dunkirk.
ard part heeled over
I am, Sir, result of a magnetic
Your obedient Servant,
Drame nt alongside the ing troops of all ases. Some of these
Secretary.
r days and four extreme difficulty anine population
15/16/19
15
ith us. These
GROUP
AUG
S, as their own
12
940
see them trying to were shot on the
ENCLOSURE.
nessed an attack aircraft.
Bombs fell all ner, but none registered a hit. Eventually our fighter planes drove them off.
On completion of loading troops we returned by the same route as we had taken to come in, and on passing
Gravelines again the fun started. Sailing quietly along, the tired and weary troops stretched out all over the ship, snatching their for the Ministry)
by
G.S.N.)
Lowed ing the
GS and ouo
Newman of entrance enemy bombs. A call for assistance an escort the British of Mission two destroyers had previously would INIVIA be waiting hour when for the me aircraft off the consisting port. This attack lasted for half an returned to Ostend.

COPY
S. Y. "KILLARNEY"
40
Anchored in the Downs, one fine day in May, we received orders to proceed to Dunkirk to assist in the
194
evacuation of the B.E.F. We were given alternative routes, one for daylight and one for night time. As we left at night, we took the darkness route, which took us round past Calais and then along the coastline eastward.
Owing to misty weather, and all navigational aids being obliterated, we were compelled to anchor off Gravelines till daylight. This we did without trouble. With the break of day, we hove up and proceeded to Dunkirk. The sky was absolutely black with the smoke from burning oil dumps and tanks, which had been set on fire by the military to prevent their being of any use to the enemy. Arriving off Dunkirk
Breakwater, we had to lay off for some hours, while other vessels were filling up with troops. During this time, we were keeping a look-out for the "LOCHGARRY" one of our Company's ships, which was also on the same mission.
We saw a steamer much resembling her come up astern of us, using the daylight route. Whilst we were watching her, trying to ascertain who she was, there was a terrific explosion, and the centre part of her disappeared in a cloud of smoke. When the smoke cleared away, her stern portion from the mainmast aft had vanished, and in about two minutes the forward part heeled over and sank. So passed the "MONA'S QUEEN" as a result of a magnetic mine.
About an hour after this, we went alongside the
Breakwater, and immediately commenced embarking troops of all regiments, and including several stretcher cases. Some of these cases had been carried by their chums for four days and four nights. Whilst embarking the troops, we had extreme difficulty in preventing what appeared to be the whole canine population of France and Belgium from taking a passage with us. These animals had attached themselves to the Tommies, as their own people had fled, and it was rather pitiful to see them trying to get aboard after their new friends. Hundreds were shot on the quay to prevent their starving to death.
Whilst we were alongside, we witnessed an attack on a ship just outside, by German aircraft. Bombs fell all round her, but none registered a hit. Eventually our fighter planes drove them off.
On completion of loading troops we returned by the same route as we had taken to come in, and on passing
Gravelines again the fun started. Sailing quietly along, the tired and weary troops stretched out all over the ship, snatching their for the Ministry) maged by
G.S.N.
Lowed ing the
GS and our
Newman of entrance enemy bombs. A call for assisted an escort the British of Mission two destroyers had previously would be waiting hour when for the me aircraft off the consisting port. This attack lasted for half an returned to Ostend.

33
m.v. "QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL"
203
This vessel was requisitioned for Government Service as a troop and carrying transport on 8th January, 1940, when lying in the river
Fal.
She proceeded to Dover, where she arrived on 15th January and fitted out for the Service. Fitting out was completed on the 20th
February, compasses adjusted on the 21st, and the first passage made on the 23rd February to Boulogne with 492 troops returning from leave. Five Lewis Guns and Sixteen R.A. Gunners were attached to the ship for defensive purposes.
The vessel continued in this service fairly regularly during
March and April, one voyage being made each day, and carried on an average about 500 troops per passage, and about 13,000 in all.
After leave for troops was stopped, about lstMay, the vessel ran with mails, King's Messenger and troop details until 18th May.
The Irish Guards were carried to Boulogne for final defence of that port, and wounded and R.A.M.C. details brought back to Dover on the 22nd May.
On the 19th May a special voyage was commenced to Dunkirk for refugees, but the ship was stopped off Gravelines and eventually returned to Dover without proceeding to Dunkirk.
On 23rd May, the vessel proceeded to the Downs anchorage, returning to Dover on the 24th and anchoring in the Cuter Harbour until the morning of the 27th. The vessel's Lewis guns were in action against enemy aircraft on the nights of the 23rd and 26th.
On the morning of the 27th May at 5,00a.m. orders were received to stand by to proceed to Dunkirk, vessel victualled and watered and proceeded at 2.00p.m. Arrival at Dunkirk was about 3.00p.m., making fast to Eastern breakwater, about 50
troops were taken on board, after which the ship was ordered to anchor off the beach and send boats ashore for troops. Four boats were sent away and made several trips bringing off about
200 troops.
Fresh orders were then received to return to the Eastern
Breakwater and complete. Poats were hoisted inboard, except one which could not be traced in the dark. Vessel re-secured to breakwater, the balance of men were taken on board, making a total of about 920, and at 2.55a.m. on the 28th proceeded on the return voyage.
During the whole of the time in Dunkirk Air Raids were in progress, bombs being dropped through thick smoke indiscriminately and several wrecks on the banks being also machine-gunned.
For tunately none fell close to the ship.
After sailing, at about 4.15a.m., half-an-hour before sunrise, an aeroplane was observed approaching on the starboard bow about
2,000 feet up, distinguishing marks not being decipherable, this plane circled and dived when on the port beam. Lewis gun fire was then opened from the ship, but 3 or 4 bombs had then been released which straddled the ship a little abaft the mainmast. The slight delay action of these bombs caused an upward explosion which broke the vessel's back, the starboard propellor shaft and rudder, the stern dipping into the water. The wireless aerial had also carried away and No.5. boat was blown across the deck.
-1-

(2)
the TS the THE you cdusy of
May 31st Continued
206
2210 anchored off Pontoon Pier at Dunkirk. 2240 ordered by H.M. Ship to La Panne, hove up and proceeded. 2315 anchored off La Panne.
June 1st 0220, troops on board, terrific bombarding and shelling of
SOUTH
beach taking place so have up and proceeded. 0615, anchored off
USA
Margate roads. 0745, hove up and proceeded to Pier. 0830 at anchor
FORM
under 1 hours notice. 1315, left for Dunkirk. 1520, attacked and bombed by enemy aircraft, three bombs dropped; avoiding action taken.
1552, attcked and bombed by aircraft, three bombs being dropped, again took avoiding action, and by doing so definitely saved ship.
Now came under heavy fire from enemy position at Gravelines Pier, and as two ships appeared to be blocking channel returned to Margate for instructions. 1730, arrived Margate roads. 1900 vessel under
1 hour's notice.
June 2nd 0115 received orders to sail. 0140 received orders not to sail. 1800 left anchorage. 2000 passed Hospital ship Paris, having been bombed and ship's company in lifeboats, but all very cheerful and proceeded to Dunkirk. 2100 Heavy firing from shore batteries.
2130 arrived at Dunkirk and commenced embarking French troops from middle pier in harbour. 2205 cleared harbour with more than complement of troops.
Monday June 3rd 0155 arrived at Margate Pier and commenced disembark*
ing troops. 0203, anchored off Pier. 1200 returned to Pier. 1400, four seamen and two catering staff leave ship. 2015 left for Dunkirk.
2055, dense fog, visibility reduced to nil, but continue towards
Dunkirk.
Tuesday June 4th 0115, had slight collision with unknown steamer off
No. 3 Dunkirk buoy. 0220 arrived at middle pier in harbour. 0255, overladen with troops and left pier, cutting our own forward ropes.
Heavy gun fire continuously; leaving harbour saw crew of unknown vessel being rescued by small boats. 0600, arrived Margate after 1
hours dense fog, and disembarked troops and at 0700 departed to anchorage. 2000 hove up and proceeded to Southampton. 2355 "Royal
Sovereign" light vessel abeam.

and and
TO
Two
STATEMENT BY CAPTAIN T.WILLIS, MASTER OF THE SAILING BARGE
15 л
Drink
"ETHEL EVERARD
can
I
ITSP
249
We loaded Dynamite shells, and small arms
Jon ammunition and packed stores in Dover, and towed away a
acts
FTS
with the barge Tollesbury" at 2.30 p.m. on Friday
SEALL
the 31st May.
STREET
We had no definite instructions where we were to proceed to, but after towing up through the Downs the tug shaped his course for Dunkirk, and we were off Gravelines about 11.30 p.m. on Friday night. From then onwards we were continually machine gunned and bombed.
About 1 a.m. on Saturday morning when about one mile east of Dunkirk we shortened towrope and the tug master informed us we were to steerfor the beach and await orders.
We sailed on to the beach, and it was now about half ebb, and the smallswell which was on knocked us round broadside, and by this time we were being continually attacked.
21
We had a sergeant and five soldiers on board, and va fo he hailed the troops that were on the beach thinking they were the working party to discharge us, but they turned out yp to be troops waiting to be evacuated and they soon swarmed on board. They were suffering badly from thirst so they soon emptied our water tanks, and a naval cutter from the th va
Gun boat lying off then took them on board the Gun boat.
Shortly after an Army Officer came on board and asked me to allow my crew to row him off to the Gun boat,
28
and we were still being badly bombed, and about thirty
3
minutes after a naval pinnace came up to us, and instructed in us to go back to the Gunboat with the crews of the other th barges that were on the beach.
On boarding the Gunboat a naval officer informed er me they had decided to abandon our vessels, and were going to fire them.