TNA MT 40 66

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.

-2-
of Ship.
Name & Address of Owners
Name of Master.
LAN MACALISTER
Clan Line Steamers, Ltd.
Capt. R.W. Mackie
Tylney Hall, longuines are still learning
Rotherwick, made as to whicher
Near Basingstoke, Hants.
office is still alive.
KOHISTAN *
F.C. Strick & Co. Ltd.
Capt. W.C. Robertson
117-121, Leadenhall St.
E.C.3.
BENLAWERS *
Petrograd Steamers Ltd.,
Capt. J.P. Drummond.
28, Bernard Street,
Leith
(Managers: Wm. Thompson
& Co.)
K
L
CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH
Ellerman & Bucknall
Capt. A.W. Wooster
S.S. Co., Ltd.
Tudor Court,
Cobham, Surrey.
K1
ROEBUCK
c/o Chief Docks Manager,
Capt..Larbalestier.
G.W. Railway Company,
Cardiff.
ST
KITTY
Basso & Company,
Mr. W. McCondach,
Weymouth.
13, Ox Street,
Weymouth.
ST
SPINEL +
William Robertson Ltd.,
Capt. R. Humphreys
ST
Glasgow, C.1.
ST
QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL
The General Steam
Capt. W.J. O'Dell
PAR
Navigation Co., Ltd.,
"
ROYAL DAFFODIL
G. Johnston
ISL
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
15, Trinity Square,
"
T. Aldis
DIN
E.C.3.
WOR
ISLI
MONA'S QUEEN
Isle of Man Steam Packet
~~
Capt. A. Holkham
"
R. Duggan $
FENELLA
Company Limited,
Capt. W. Cubbon
MANXMAN
x
Imperial Buildings,
If
P.B. Cowley
TYNWALD
*
Douglas,
-
qual
&
Isle of Man.
Chief Officer
J.Whiteway 0
BEN-MY-CHREE
X
Capt. G. Woods and
Chief Officer
T. Cain /
LADY OF MANN
Capt. T.C. Woods
LORINA
Southern Railway Co.,
Capt. A. Light.
NORMANNIA
Waterloo Station,
Capt. M.C. Whiting
CANTERBURY
S.W.1.
Captain C. Hancoc
MAID OR ORLEANS
2
(Capt. A.E. Larki
(Capt. G. Walker
BIARRITZ
Capt. M.H. Bake
AUTOCARRIER
Capt. C. Maste orized.

78
STATEMENT FROM "BENLAWERS" ON EVACUATION FROM CALAIS.
131
On the 23rd. May 1940 "Benlawers" was instructed to proceed to sea from Southampton with her usual cargo of M.T!s, whi were mainly filled with ammunition and in addition about 30 tons of
Petrol was stowed on the after main deck.
9060
On arrival off Dover on the morning of the 24th. May, orders were received to proceed in company with the "Kohistan" and a Destroyer Escort to Bologne, all going well till we headed down the
French coast towards that port, when heavy gunfire broke out close ahead, and we were not surprised when the Escort ordered us to about ship and follow him.
Off Calais the Escort ordered us to proceed into harbour, warning us that we were in for a hot reception, and that things did not look too well. As we headed between the breakwaters we picked up a message "Keep out", which was flashed to us from the harbour, but this was easier said than done owing to the strong tide and the space available for ship's of "Benlawers" size. On clearing the breakwater we were ordered in again at once by the 0.C.Escort, and once more
"Benlawers" was put in a position to enter, on reaching the breakwaters, however, Escort hailed us and instructed us out to sea, having apparently received the signal from within.
In the afternoon we managed in, mooring alongside the quay with our head out ready for any emergency, for it was apparent that Calais was not to be held long. Major Attway R.M., D.S.T.O.
came on board together with Officers of the unit our cargo was destined for, who asked us to co-operate as much as possible to get the cargo der single the
The great majority of the buoys were unlit,
TWIS
a bi., carge and 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)

DEPARTMENT
TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS, "ARDIA". LONDON.
nede
CODES: SCOTT, BENTLEY, MARCONI & BOE.
TELEPHONE SERVICE, AVENUE 4650 (7 LINES) TRUNK 67.
THE
T.M.6213/40/STA6
121, Leadenhall Street,
17th August 40
London.E.C.3.
The
166
Gentlemon,
15th August, 1940.
2.
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant and to thank
167
13/40/S.T.A.6.
you for the copy of the report of the Master of the S.S. "KOHISTAN" regarding his of the 7th August, experiences at Calais.
13th August, which has written to us
I am, Gentlemen, ip at Calais.
Your obedient Servant, y,
C.
STRICK & CO. LIMITED.
(Sgd.) SELL B, E. BELLAMY,
Yahan
Director of Sea Transport.
Frank C. Strick & Co.,Ltd.,
117-121 Leadenhall Street,
E.C.3.
to come aboard. About ituation was rapidly rbour, on starboard t out of action, and
Jed by shelling.
After consultation with Brigadier General Griffin, who said more troops were to come and in the circumstances would I wait. I decided to do so until 11 a.m. By that time all the troops to be evacuated were aboard - over 4000
approximately, including 25 wounded - I proceeded to leave.
As the vessel got clear of the breakwater a shore battery commenced firing and, although shells were bursting extremely close, vessel was not hit. I proceeded to Dover.
When leaving Calais, men of the Rifle Brigade were lined up alongside the station and waved and cheered us, ships returned to Dover arriving as it seemed at and 5 the of the ship On and May the 27th/28th Naster applied a considerable for humber of the crew left scort the was were unable supplied to sail and twenty on May soldiers 28th as she with a had Naval Lewis to crew. oil guns. fuel. Naval The vessel ratings raft again entered that May the night harbour, 29th the embarked vessel sailed about for 2,000 Dunkirk in dense fog, without incident as it was troops a bad and day came for flying. back

RANK C. LIMITED STRICK & Co
TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS, "ARDIA", LONDON.
CODES: SCOTT. BENTLEY, MARCONI & BOE.
TELEPHONE SERVICE, AVENUE 4650 (7 LINES) TRUNK 67.
AND AT
PLYMOUTH OARDIFF. NEWPORT, SWANSEA,
BRISTOL,AVONMOUTH NEWCASTLE ON TYNE,
GLASGOW. HULL. MANCHESTER. MIDDLESBROUGH.
GIBRALTAR, MARSEILLES. ORAN, ALGIERS.
117-121, Leadenhall Street,
HAIFA. PORT SAID, SUEZ, PORT SUDAN,
KHORAMSHAHR BUSRA, BAGHDAD.
London.E.c.3.
LLOYDS AGENTS AT
ORAN, ARZEW, BENISAF. MOSTAGANEM,
NEMOURS & OUDJDA.
15th August, 1940.
The Director of Sea Transport,
Berkeley Square House, W.1.
167
Your Reference T.M. 6213/40/S.T.A.6.
Dear Sir,
Referring to your letter of the 7th August, we enclose Robertson copy of the "KOHISTAN" has written Calais. us of a letter dated 13th August, which to
Captain regarding the operations of his ship at
Yours faithfully,
For LIMITED.
& OFF 191 171/1811 X 19/11/19
ENCL.
were to come aboard. About a.m. 1 was deciding to leave as the situation was rapidly worsening. The fort at entrance to harbour, on starboard side entering, had by this time been put out of action, and in the town still more fires were started by shelling.
After consultation with Brigadier General Griffin, who said more troops were to come and in the circumstances would I wait. I decided to do so until 11 a.m. By that time all the troops to be evacuated were aboard - over 4000
approximately, including 25 wounded - I proceeded to leave.
As the vessel got clear of the breakwater a shore battery commenced firing and, although shells were bursting extremely close, vessel was not hit. I proceeded to Dover.
When leaving Calais, men of the Rifle Brigade were lined up alongside the station and waved and cheered us, ships returned to Dover arriving as it seemed at
6 the d
On
May of again entered was unable that May the to harbour, 29th sail and the twenty on embarked vessel May soldiers 28th sailed about as for she with for a had Naval Dunkirk Lewis to crew. oil guns. in fuel. dense Naval The crew fog, vessel were the ship supplied and the 27th/28th Naster applied a considerable humber of the ratings left scort the raft night without incident as 2,000 it was troops a bad and day came for flying. back

-2-
169
although they knew they were left to certain death. Their courage and bravery were magnificent.
The behaviour of ship's officers, deck and engine and lascar crew, was splendid and worthy of mention. And of the troops evacuated - wounded and well - I can only say
IBSQ
that while Britain has men like these and of the Rifle Brigade we shall never know defeat.
Yours faithfully,
(SGD.) W.C. ROBERTSON.
Master S.S. "KOHISTAN".
p.m.
une ships returned received to Dover and arriving as it seemed at again and g the d
of scort was were the ship supplied On and May the and 27th/28th Master twenty applied soldiers a considerable for a Naval humber crew. of the Naval crew ratings left the raft unable to sail on May 28th as she with had Lewis to oil guns. fuel. The vessel again entered that May the night harbour, 29th without the embarked vessel incident sailed about as for 2,000 it Dunkirk was troops a bad in and day dense came for fog, flying. back