TNA MT 40 66

TRAFFIC CARRIED SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE OF THE COMPANY AS EXHIBITED IN THEIR OFFICES AND ON BOARD THEIR STEAMERS. 50
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Co Limited.
(INCORPORATED IN THE ISLE OF MAN.)
TELEGRAMS:
"STEAMERS, DOUGLAS".
TELEPHONE N°
DOUGLAS 1101 (5 LINES)
General Manager's Office,
R.W. CANNELL,
GENERAL MANAGER.
OUR REFERENCE
YOUR REFERENCE
Douglas. 24th. June, 1940.
A/
The Private Secretary,
Ministry of Shipping,
Berkeley Square House,
Berkeley Square,
LONDON, W.1.
Dear Sir,
I shall be glad if you will convey to the Minister of
Shipping our thanks for his kindness in forwarding letters of appreciation addressed to the Masters of the "LADY OF MANN",
"MONA'S QUEEN" and "FENELLA", three of our vessels which took part in the evacuation of Dunkirk. These have been transmitted to the Officers concerned.
It is very gratifying to my Board to know that these
Officers and the ships' companies under their command did their duty and worthily upheld the glorious traditions of the Merchant
Navy to which they are so proud to belong.
With respect to the dereliction of duty on the part of certain of the personnel of the "BEN MY CHREE", "TYNWALD" and
"MANXMAN", I am endeavouring to obtain authentic particulars of
12a.
the Officers and men who continued at their posts and will forward you the desired lists as soon as possible.
Yours faithfully,
,Lwbanneld
General Manager.
apt R.
th er
1y

June,
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 2.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Work of Personnel Vessels.
Personnel Vessels (continued).
In the meantime, relief crews had been sent for for the TYNWALD and an armed naval guard was placed alongside at Folkestone where the ship lay. The crew did not attempt to leave the ship but contented themselves with shouting abuses at the sentries, Relief crews arrived and the old crew were then allowed to leave. Complete listsof their names and addresses were taken and given to the S.T.O., Folkestone. Those who stayed of the old crew were the Chief Officer as Master,
Second Officer, Purser, W/T Operator and Carpenter.
A naval officer and 10 naval ratings were put on board as moral stiffeners and the ship sailed at 1945/2. She completed a round trip which was repeated next day without incident.
5. MANX MAID. Never completed a trip; she should have sailed on 3 separate occasions. On the last occasion, at
1745/2, she produced an engine breakdown as excuse; was given up as hopeless and other ships made use of instead.
On the afternoon of 3rd June, when it was realised that MANX MAID was not going to be used, the majority of the crew, in response to an appeal by the S.T.O., Dover, volunteered to replace men in other personnel vessels who had left their duty. 18 seamen and firemen were accepted and sailed to
Dunkirk in LADY OF MANN, and others were drafted to MANX MAN
who, however, did not sail.
6. BEN MY CHREE. Transported 408 troops in 2 trips; she should have completed 4. The master was evidently in league with the masters of the TYNWALD and the MALINES. On failing to sail during the night 1/2nd June, in reply to a written
58mg enquiry from the S.T.O., Folkestone, whether or not he would sail, George Woods, Master, replied in writing - "I beg to state
85mg that after our experience at Dunkirk yesterday, my answer is
Lestor
'No'.
"
At 1850/2 BEN MY CHREE came alongside Folkestone.
even
Naval guards were placed on the gangways and abreast the ship.
As the ship was berthed the crew were demonstrating and shouting that they were going to leave the ship and on the brow being run out, they attempted to do'so with their kits. Leading
Stoker Booth ordered his men to come on guard and advanced up the brow with fixed bayonets. The crew returned on board at acodg the once, where they remained until the relief crew arrived. The the
Captain and crew left the ship, the Chief Officer stayed as
Captain, together with 3 greasers and the W/T Operator. Otherolliown at wise the ship was manned with the new crew. Unfortunately, on
38
sailing, at 1905/2, BEN MY CHREE was in collision and did not on complete the trip.
a
3rd tmp
7. LADY OF MANN. Carried out 4 trips and transported
2902 troops. One trip was abortive through no fault of the apt R.
god
Master, as the ship was ordered back from Dunkirk before entering
19.9
that harbour. The last 2 trips were carried out with a Naval officer and 10 naval ratings on board as an insurance, but there is no suggestion that the LADY OF MANN did not attempt to play her part.
332
8. MANX MAN. Transported 233 troops in 3 voyages.
Should have completed 5.
On her fourth trip, due 2115/2, MANX MAN refused to i g sail from Folkestone. A new crew was put on board, the engineers remaining/
athorized.

-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.

B
101
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Cor_Limited
101
General Managers Office.
T. M. 6213/40/s. T.A.6.
Douglas
A/DE.
F.N.6213/40/S.T.A.6,
1940.
1st September, 1940.
The Director of Transport,
Ministry of Shipping,
Berke Sir, House,
Berkeley Square,
LO I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
Dear Sir,
A/DE of the 28th ultimo and to thank you for the reports of the Masters of your Company's ships which took part
I have received your relating to the from which the evacuation of the B.E.F. from Dunkirk.
evacuation is required.
I am, Sir,
The reports from the Masters of the
"FENELLA" deal chiefly with the Your obedient The Servant,
Master these of the "LADY OF MANN" includes some details of Pullice.
ships being lost in that operation.
evacuation have had of the the B.E.F. copied from Le in sgd.) B.E Bellamy herewith.
-
of You the "MONA'S QUEEN", one from joined left her will obser for Director of Sea Transport. who the the work ship on the 28th. May, and of Captain on that day.
The
General Manager, material which I forward of service
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Co., Ltd.,
General Manager's Office,
DOUGLAS.
Yours faithfully.
administ lobert
I
only left, in fact between the Pier Germans as the
Heinkels blew dived on to the berth which we had just vacated and practically it to pieces. However, we got back to Dover safely and disembarked our troops. On 24th. May we were ordered to go to anchorage in the Downs for a little rest as Dover harbour was getting rather congested. We were at anchor in the Downs on Saturday evening. Next 25/5
day at noon we got orders and a route for Dunkirk, so we accordingly set off as per instructions. Our route took us about 4 miles off Calais to a certain buoy. On nearing the position I could not see the buoy, but saw a buoy a little further inshore and steamed towards it to make certain. On nearing the buoy I saw it was not the buoy on the instructions and ordered the helm hard aport. Immediately hell was let loose on our ship. We were shelled from the shore by single guns and
1.
Master.

ALL TRAFFIC CARRIED SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE OF THE COMPANY AS EXHIBITED IN THEIR OFFICES AND ON BOARDTHEIR STEAMERS.
B
The Isle ofMan Steam Packet Co Limited.
(INCORPORATED IN THE ISLE OF MAN.)
102
TELEGRAMS
"STEAMERS, DOUGLAS"
TELEPHONE N?
DOUGLAS 1101 (5 LINES)
R.W. CANNELL,
General Manager's Office.
GENERAL MANAGER,
OUR REFERENCE
YOUR REFERENCE
A/DE.
T.M.6213/40/S.T.A.6.
Douglas 28th. August, 1940.
The Director of Sea Transport,
Ministry of Shipping,
Berkeley Square House,
Berkeley Square,
LONDON, W.1.
Jiglio, 11/18/19 30 16 AUGISHD RECEIVED A 11121.
Dear Sir,
I have received your letter of the 22nd. instant, from which I note that the material relating only to the Dunkirk evacuation is required.
The reports from the Masters of the "MONA'S QUEEN" and
"FENELLA" deal chiefly with the evacuation from Dunkirk, both these ships being lost in that operation. The report from the
Master of the "LADY OF MANN" includes some details of the evacuation of the B.E.F. from Le Havre, Brest and La Pallice.
I have had the reports copied in extenso and enclose same herewith.
You will observe that there are two reports regarding the work of the "MONA'S QUEEN", one from Captain Duggan, who left the ship on the 28th. May, and of Captain Holkham, who joined her on that day.
I trust the material which I forward will be of service to the Department.
Yours faithfully,
Robannett please Is aniss Dans
General Manager.
in the
Germans disembarked blew Heinkels it to dived pieces. on to However, the berth we which got the back we had to just Dover vacated and practically congested. a little rest as Dover harbour was go in the Downs our for troops. On 24th. May we were ordered safely to to and anchorage day at We were at anchor in the Downs on Saturday getting rather Next to per instructions. Our route took us about 4 miles accordingly Calais set off noon as we got orders and a route for Dunkirk, so we evening.
but a certain buoy. On nearing the position I could not see the off certain. On nearing the buoy I saw it was not the buoy on the saw a buoy a little further inshore and steamed towards it to buoy, make instructions and ordered the helm hard aport. Immediately hell was let loose on our ship. We were shelled from the shore by single guns and
1.

RE
to
OF SOX THE OTHER to do
COPY.
9, Berkeley Street,
DOUGLAS.
108
Date 1991 need to ed Idsaso FIO D.S.D
R. W. Cannell, Esq.,
General Manager,
I.O.M.S.P.Co.Ltd.
Dear Sir,
The enclosed letter is a short account of our experiences in the "LADY OF MANN".
xemseds my gind on bas as to
I have only put in when we were actually attacked, without any of the side shows, but there are two incidents I have omitted. The first was on the 31st. May at Dunkirk. Our gunner v.sal got the credit for shooting down a German plane and was congratulated by French Officers on the spot.
uso
20
second was when we were attacked off La Pallice.
The The were machine gunning us, when suddenly killed him. one stopped.
I am planes sure that we disabled the gunner, or the Pier the were dropping the other Yours truly,
Shells were dropping the starboard bow (signed) Thos. C. WOODS.
marching holed by down flying Master. lifeboats over five hours shell fire. All the time from of us on the wharf from the were killed thirty yards Several ahead soldiers disembarking about 5 p.a. for we Folkestone, were under berthing best and shell attack. entering We Dunkirk aniled arriving about all 5 the at widnight and where the were disembarked. for Dover,
Saturday, 1st. June.
destroyers arrived off the port Left about Dover 11 p.m. Saturday and got evening orders for Dunkirk, wraing Left to for whit orders and as no orders came by from 3 e.m. two Sunday
Mairalty. Dever obeying strict instructions from the
2nd. June.
11-45 instructed by la charge to whit
Left Dover 8-30 P.O., off Dunkirs Pier as by off
2
that came OII in boats.
the harvour, we only had Dover, a few
Monday, 3rd. June. the coast. The Poles
Left Dover 6-30 p.m. of arrived at Dunkirk 10
10-15 p.m. went inside the Piers. Could not get a berth or anyone p.m.
to take ropes, kept manoeuvring inside the Harbour until 12-30 a.m.
4th. June, when we got made fast. Embarked about 2000 troops and had to leave at 1-45 a.m. as water was ebbing. I was afraid ship would ground. Had intermittent dense fog in the passage back arriving at Dover about 6 a.m. and disembarked troops. 8 p.m. left
Dover for Plymouth arriving in Plymouth on the 5th. June. Left
Plymouth Friday June. evening 7th. June, arrived Southampton 8th. June.
1.
P.T.O

E.R.O. 6986
COPY.
9, Berkeley Street, eJI
DOUGLAS: ISLE OF MAN.
R. W. Cannell, Esq.
June for
Havre.
Arrived a
Cape
General Manager, pood
I.O. M. Steam Packet Co.Ltd.
10.1
DOUGLAS.
they them.
12-30
bomber
,Tis
Dear Sir, four French they hit they one
You asked me to write a short account of our experiences in the "LADY OF MANN" of the evacuation of the various ports.
the of the
Friday, 31st. May.
by world
We arrived at Dunkirk about 11-30 a.m. and had to wait outside the pier heads for orders to enter which we got to
303
about 1-30 p.m. All the time we were waiting there were continuous
COM
waves of German planes coming over 40 at a time. The anti-aircraft barrage from all the ships about and our fighter planes going up and intercepting them, kept them from being able to drop any bombs close to the shipping. About 1-30 p.m. we got a berth at the pier and commenced embarking French casualties from the French hospital.
We took 1500 casualties on board, of which 300 were strethher cases, also 500 other French troops and 1000 British. All the time we were at the Pier the German planes were coming over, their bombs were dropping the other side of the Pier about 40 yards from us.
Shells were dropping alongside us, and we had seven holes made in the starboard bow close to the water line, also three lifeboats holed by flying shrapnel from the shells. Several soldiers marching down were killed about thirty yards ahead of us on the wharf from the shell fire. All the time from entering Dunkirk for over five hours we were under bomb and shell attack. We sailed about 5 p.m. for Folkestone, berthing there at midnight and disembarking all the troops, leaving at 4-30 a.m. for Dover, arriving about 6 a.m. where the casualties were disembarked.
they came
Several
Saturday, 1st. June. to move the the Left Dover Saturday evening for Dunkirk, arrived off the port about 11 m. and got orders from two destroyers to wait orders and as no orders came by 3 a.m. Sunday morning left for Dover obeying strict instructions from the
Admiralty.
Sunday, 2nd. June. PALLICE.
Left Dover 8-30 p.m., arrived off Dunkirk Pier heads at 11-45 p.m., instructed by Admiral in charge to wait off
Pier heads, as there was no room inside, stood by within hailing distance until 2 a.m. when Admiral ordered me to leave for Dover, as time would not allow to go inside the Harbour, we only had a few
French soldiers that came off in boats.
Monday, 3rd. June.
Left Dover 6-30 p.m. arrived at Dunkirk 10 p.m.
10-15 p.m. went inside the Piers. Could not get a berth or anyone to take ropes, kept manoeuvring inside the Harbour until 12-30 a.m.
4th. June, when we got made fast. Embarked about 2000 troops and had to leave at 1-45 a.m. as water was ebbing. I was afraid ship would ground. Had intermittent dense fog in the passage back arriving at Dover about 6 a.m. and disembarked troops. 8 p.m. left
Dover for Plymouth arriving in Plymouth on the 5th. June. Left
Plymouth Friday evening 7th. June, arrived Southampton 8th. June.
1.
P.T.O

ALL TRAFFIC CARRIED SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE OF THE COMPANY AS EXHIBITED IN THEIR OFFICES AND ON BOARD THEIR STEAMERS. 76
The Isle ofMan Steam Packet Co. Limited.
(INCORPORATED IN THE ISLE OF MAN.)
136
TELEGRAMS
"STEAMERS, DOUGLAS"
TELEPHONE N:
DOUGLAS 1101 (s LINES)
General Manager's Office.
R.W. CANNELL,
GENERAL MANAGER,
OUR REFERENCE
YOUR REFERENCE
Douglas.
A/D.E.
T.M.6213/40/S.T.A.6.
20th. August, 1940.
The Director of Sea Transport,
Ministry of Shipping,
Berkeley Square House,
Berkeley Square,
LONDON, W.1.
THE RECEIVED ON AUG of &
Dear Sir,
Your letter of the 7th. August was read to my Board at their last meeting. They note that it is desired to assemble the fullest possible information regarding the part played by the
Merchant Navy in the evacuation of the B.E.F. from Dunkirk and asking us to forward to the Department copy of any such material obtainable from the Masters or members of the crews of the
"MONA'S QUEEN", "FENELLA" and "LADY OF MANN". My Directors, however, instruct me to ascertain if you wish for particulars of the Dunkirk Evacuation only or of the evacuation of the B.E.F.
generally.
On receipt of your reply, such information as is available will be at once despatched to you.
Yours faithfully,
Awbarneth
General Manager.
Reply deart hypest der single line.
The great majority of the buoys were unlit, and as remarked above the
TWIS
a bi 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)