DEPARTMENT SEAL
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179
ships, while at the same time the Transport "SCOTIA", which was
20
overtaking, was attacked by small motor torpedo craft. On this
GREAT STATE
occasion, the tide being high, it was possible to make zig-zag courses, and return to Dover over the Banks.
Orders were to anchor in the Downs, which were reached at
6.30p.m.
On Monday, the 27th May, at 11.0a.m. left. Downs in convoy with "ST.HELIER", "KYNO", "ROYAL DAFFODIL", "ST.JULIEN", and two escorting Destroyers, this time by the North Sea route, making the coast in the vicinity of Ostend. While on passage, planes approached the convoy, and passed first over the "ST.ANDREW", releasing many bombs which fell very close, and off the port bow, and which subjected the ship to great shock from under-water explosions. Shortly after another salvo was dropped, which fell close to the "ST.JULIEN'S" starboard quarter. Shortly after 3.30p.m.
the French coast was sighted, and from then until our arrival off
Dunkirk Pier Heads enemy planes were constantly over head.
About 4.20p.m. the Port was reached, and the ST.HELIER"
and the "ROYAL DAFFODIL" entered; and this appeared to be the signal for enemy planes to heavily bomb the harbour, while another flight passed over us and the other ships that were waiting outside.
Countless bombs were dropped, and with such rapidity that it was impossible to take any action to avoid them. Later the "ST.
HELIER" came out of Harbour and informed the JULIEN" and the
"ST-ANDREW" that the S.T.O. had ordered that no ships should enter for fear of blocking the Harbour, the quay walls of which had already collapsed. Thus the convoy re-formed under a covering fire from the escorting Destroyers, and returned to the Downs, which were reached at 10.30p.m.
On Tuesday, the 28 May, at 11.50p.m. and while at anchor in the Downs, one or more enemy planes passed over the anchorage, and dropped several bombs all of which Dell clear.
At 3.30p.m. orders were received to proceed to
Southampton, which was reached at midnight.
On Wednesday, the 29th May, the vessel oiled and stored, while Harland & Wolffe commenced to put concrete shields on the navigation bridge. The ship was on short notice, and no liberty was given to the crew.
On Thursday, the 30th May, the ve sel sailed in the late afternoon for Dover, which was reached shortly after midnight, and vessel sailed shortly after mid-day for Dunkirk, this time alone, although the "ST. DAVID" was to follow shortly afterwards.
On the arrival of the "ST. ANDREW", a Destroyer instructed her to berth wherever she could find room, and this was done alongwe side the pier. At ordinary times this would have been considered
1g impossible, and at that time was doubly difficult owing to the ad
, large number of sunken vessels.
n esc
After berthing, which was done during a heavy air raid, t
the Authorities requested the ANDREW" to move to another part cra of the Harbour, where a portion of the quay was still standing.
When the vessel arrived at this berth, it was discovered that the ambulances had been bombed, and that they were either empty or contained dead men, while the quay was in such a state
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