TNA MT 40 66

II
(HO)
AND ACCIDENT CLAUSES.
till
WELRO
CREW LIST M. V. "SANDHILL"
DUNKERQUE.
79
GM
Frederick Mafeking
A. Wilson. Master. 31, Derwentdale Gardens, Heaton, Newcastle/Tyne.
D. K. Wright. Chief c/o Mrs. Relf, 30 South Road, Newhaven, Sussex.
Officer.
full
W. Donn.
Second
58 Laws Avenue, Newhaven, Sussex.
Officer.
of
G. Girdwood. Bosun. 18, Guelder Road, High Heaton, Newcastle/Tyne.
W. Hill.
A.B.The 30th May, 117, Gibbons Road, Newhaven, Sussex.
B. H. Locke. A.B.
3, Eastcliff Avenue, West End, Farnham, Hants.
F. Brennan.
A.B.
Scattery Island, Kilbrush, Co. Clare. the
R. Hamill.
A.B.
16, Lour Place, Newhaven, Sussex.
a
G.
W.
Ockham soldiers A.B. 38, Darley Road, Clapham Junction, London S.W.11.
from the to
S. H. Brown. Steward. 77, Newminster Road, Fenham, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
R.
P.
Thomas.
Assistant
Steward. Cherry Grove, Skelty, Swansea.
He
J. E. Bracken, Chief 28, Lewes Road, Newhaven, Sussex.
Engineer.
R. Clark. Second in 3, Ancroft Avenue, Nor th Shields.
leader Engimeer.
R. Wonders. Third c/o Father, 65 Mortimer Road, South Shields.
the Engineer. essels, and
I separated from the other a Destroyer I took which the was going 22 in. to
Harbour, endeavouring and as other Destroyers and large
The Destroyer commenced firing at the to to to out,
I ordered the backed and proceeded the
We proceeded along the coast there entrance to see whether I could be of any assistance there.
declaed 00 go back to the Harbour
The draft of the "Foremost 22" is 13 feet aft. and the tide was ebb, it being about 2½ hours after high water.
When I arrived in Dunkerque Roads there were a large number of other vessels in the vicinity, both large and small.
There was some confusion owing to the heavy bombardment from the shore and the activity of hostile aircraft.
Just after 11 p.m. I heard the sound of a heavy collision close to my vessel.
-1-
P.T.O

(HO)
AND
ACCIDENT
Jug" aremout II
se
Copy. (Extract).
esia so
Frederick Mafeking Holden, states:-
On Wednesday, the 29th May, 1940, I received orders from the Company's Divisional Marine Manager at Newhaven to proceed to Dover at once.
The Tug was under full steam and we left the Harbour at 6.50 p.m.
I was Acting Master of the "Foremost 22", the regular
LIE
Master Captain Fieldgate, being ill.
The Tug arrived off Dover at 4.15 a.m. on Thursday, the 30th May.
I dropped anchor just off the detached mole, near the
Western entrance to the Dover Harbour, and remained there for orders.
At 11.30 a.m. a motor launch came up with a Naval Officer on board. The Naval Officer ordered me to Dunkerque to pick up soldiers from the beach.
The Naval Officer gave me a chart showing Dunkerque, and gave me instructions as to courses.
He gave me these instructions so that I could keep clear of minefields.
He requested me to collect five small vessels, which were anchored in the vicinity and to take them to Dunkerque as leader.
I left Dover at 1.35 p.m. on the 30th May followed by the five small vessels, and arrived off Dunkerque at 8.30 p.m.
I separated from the other vessels after arrival.
I took the "Foremost 22" to the Harbour entrance following a Destroyer which was going in.
The Destroyer commenced firing at the entrance to the
Harbour, and as other Destroyers and a large Troopship were endeavouring to enter, I decided to get out.
I ordered the engines astern, backed out of the Harbour, and proceeded along the coast in the direction of Ostend.
We proceeded along the coast for about two miles, and as it was getting dusk and there were no small boats to bring the troops out to my vessel, I decided to go back to the Harbour entrance to see whether I could be of any assistance there.
The draft of the "Foremost 22" is 13 feet aft. and the tide was ebb, it being about 2½ hours after high water.
When I arrived in Dunkerque Roads there were a large number of other vessels in the vicinity, both large and small.
There was some confusion owing to the heavy bombardment from the shore and the activity of hostile aircraft.
Just after 11 p.m. I heard the sound of a heavy collision close to my vessel.
-1-
P.T.O

67
Extracts from letter from the Managing Director of the
NEW MEDWAY STEAM PACKET CO. LTD.
151
14th August, 1940
The "QUEEN OF THANET" which was stationed at Grantnam in the Firtn-of-Forth and Flotilla Leader of Minesw eepers received instructions on Thursday, during the evacuation to proceed to
Dunkirk. On arrival there, this vessel with many others proceeded to take in Troops off the beach under terrific bombing and shell-fire from the Germans; in spite of this she took in several hundreds of Troops and proceeded to Margate Jetty where they were disembarked. Arrangements were then made for her to take in oil fuel and proceed again to Dunkirk, as soon as possible; she arrived over the following evening, and again took on board several hundred more Troops and many wounded, and again proceeded to Margate Jetty, disembarked the Troops, and after taking in Stores and water proceeded again for Dunkirk. When more than halfway across the Channel they noticed a Steamer which had evidently been bombed and loaded with 3,000 Troops was in difficulties and seriously damaged; on arriving close to the vessel she proved to bettieLondon North Eastern Mail Steamer,
"PRAGUE".
A destroyer was alongside transferring Troops from disabled vessel, numbering 500. A wireless message was then received by the "QUEEN OF THANET" asking him to call alongside also, and take off the Troops. When within hamling distance, the Commanding Officer of the "QUEEN OF THANET", Lieutenant
Commander Hallivell, R.N.V.R., asked 'How many Troops were left on board' and the reply came, '2000. Commander Hallivell replied, "I will take the lot". These were all safely embarked including the few wounded, and again the vessel left for Margate
Jetty; this was on Sunday, May.
In the meantime the "PRAGUE" having been lighted was able
I
with precaution to proceed under her own steam to Dover on Sunday
I
night. "QUEEN OF THANET" again proceeded to Dunkirk, and o
early Monday morning cleaned up the beach and brought over a t
few Troops including 47 wounded. The total number of Troops
W
brought over by the "QUEEN OF THANET" was 4,000 plus wounded.
d
Lieutenant Commander Hallivell has since been promoted Commander o
"MEDWAY QUEEN" This vessel I understand made three or four trips to Dunkirk and each time brought over her full complement pl of about 800 passengers. I am endeavouring to get in touch with the Commanding Officer of the "MEDWAY QUEEN", but each al occasion she was lying so far from the pier that I was unable to
De jo of th
I see immediately we were hove up our anchor and kept the he twisting as I could and turning to likely clear to get run down whilst the Tug underweigh were rowing as could see our crew of the barge and the in towards the a bit, I the bombs. I paddled destroyers shore were and crew of barge off in their boat towards us. I picked soldier stevedores e
t next wave of bombers "DUCHESS" were overhead. that had anchored in the Roads, them up, and also then boat the
(Continued)

67
Extracts from letter from the Managing Director of the
NEW MEDWAY STEAM PACKET CO. LTD.
151
14th August, 1940
The "QUEEN OF THANET" which was stationed at Grantnam in the Firth-of-Forth and Flotilla Leader of Minesw eepers received instructions on Thursday, during the evacuation to proceed to
Dunkirk. On arrival there, this vessel with many others proceeded to take in Troops off the beach under terrific bombing and shell-fire from the Germans; in spite of this she took in several hundreds of Troops and proceeded to Margate Jetty Where they were disembarked. Arrangements were then made for her to take in oil fuel and proceed again to Dunkirk, as soon as possible; she arrived over the following evening, and again took on board several hundred more Troops and many wounded, and again proceeded to Margate Jetty, disembarked the Troops, and after taking in Stores and water proceeded again for Dunkirk. When more than halfway across the Channel they noticed a Steamer which had evidently been bombed and loaded with 3,000 Troops was in difficulties and seriously damaged; on arriving close to the vessel "PRAGUE". she proved to be the London North Eastern Mail Steamer,
A destroyer was alongside transferring Troops from disabled vessel, numbering 500. A wireless message was then received by the "QUEEN OF THANET" asking him to call alongside also, and take off the Troops. When within hamling distance, the Commanding Officer of the "QUEEN OF THANET", Lieutenant
Commander Hallivell, R.N.V.R., asked 'How many Troops were left on board' and the reply came, '2000. Commander Hallivell replied, "I will take the lot". These were all safely embarked including the few wounded, and again the vessel left for Margate
Jetty; this was on Sunday, May.
In In the meantime the "PRAGUE" having been lighted was able
I
with precaution to proceed under her own steam to Dover on Sunday
I
night. "QUEEN OF THANET" again proceeded to Dunkirk, and o
early Monday morning cleaned up the beach and brought over a t
few Troops including 47 wounded. The total number of Troops
W
brought over by the "QUEEN OF THANET" was 4,000 plus wounded.
a
Lieutenant Commander Hallivell has since been promoted Commander o
"MEDWAY QUEEN" This vessel I understand made three or four trips to Dunkirk and each time brought over her full complement pl of about 800 passengers. I am endeavouring to get in touch with the Commanding Officer of the "MEDWAY QUEEN", but each al occasion she was lying so far from the pier that I was unable to
De jo of th
I
as
I
see immediately we were likely hove up to our anchor and kept the Tug he could a twisting bit, and I turning to clear the get bombs. run down I whilst the destroyers underweigh were were and rowing as off could in see their our boat crew towards of the barge and paddled the soldier in towards stevedores the shore rt e
next crew wave of of barge bombers "DUCHESS" were overhead. that had anchored us. I picked in the Roads, them up,also and then boat the t
(Continued)

COPY OF REPORT.
65
(DOVER HARBOUR TO DUNKIRK &
RETURN TO GRAVESEND)
Tug "CERVIA."
154
31st May, 1940.
Wind Light West.
We left Dover Harbour at 9-45 p.m. towing sailing barge
ROYALTY" part loaded with cans of fresh water and provisions, bound for alo, Dunkirk. "e were in company with Tug "PERSIA", towing two sailing
Darges. It was pitch dark towing up through the Downs and we had to keep our navigation lights burning on account of the number of H.M.
Destroyers which we kept meeting.
1st June, 1940. (Saturday).
About 12-30 a.m. we should have been abrest the North Goodwins
Light Vessel, but we could not find it and we set our course from the
Gull Light Buoy. S.E.4 E.24 miles to tow to the Ruytingen Pass Light
Buoy which we passed about 5-0 a.m. The stern barge of the "PERSIA'S"
tow had broken adrift twice on the way accross on account of the heavy wash from the passing Destroyers, and we had to ease in and wait for
"PERSIA" whilst he picked her up. From the Ruytingen Pass Buoy we steerëd a course S toward No. 5. Buoy in the West Dunkirk Roads, All sorts of craft were coming round the buoy all fully loaded with troops, and a batch of about 20 Belgium motor fishermen bore down on us, the leader asking us the way to England. I sang out the course and told him to follow the other traffic and he would be all right. I heard afterwards that they all passed over the Goodwin Sands on the High time Water and landed their troops and refugees safely on this side. We had to ease down many times whilst towing up the Dunkirk Roads as the Destroyers and
Cross Channel pakkets were coming down from the Mole in a 20 knot procession, but we had a good towrope and it held on.
The oil works to the west of Dunkirk Harbour were on fire and a black pall of smoke hung over the town. As we passed the pierhead,
Destroyers were embarking troops and some were backing out of the harbour.
The "PERSIA" was now about 2 miles astern of us, and about a mile East of the Pierhead we gave our barge a good full speed tow and he slipped the towrope and steered her head first up on the shore at Malo, at 7-20 a.m.
We dropped our anchor and watched the barge. Soldiers began to rund down the beach towards her, but guns started to bang away on the oubskirts of Dunkirk and an air raid siren blew and the soldiers went back to shelter.
A British Destroyer outside of us began to fire at the enemy planes and bombs began to fall near her as she steamed about. At full speel with her helm hard to port nine bombs fell in a line in the water, along her starboard side, and they exploded under water, heeling the
Destroyer over on her beam ends, but she was righted again and a sloop joined in the gun fire, also shore batteries, and as the raiders made off they over towards the land they machine gunned us and we returned the fire with our Lewis gun.
I immediately hove up our anchor and kept the Tug underwigh as I could see we were likely to get run down whilst the destroyers were twisting and turning to clear the bombs. I paddled in towards the shore a bit, as I could see our crew of the barge and the soldier stevedores 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)