TNA MT 40 66

Page 4.
LIST OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940.
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS (contimued)
PERSONNEL AND HOSPITAL SHIPS
ARCHANGEL
MANXMAN
AUTOCARRIER
MONA'S QUEEN
BEN-MY-CREE
NEWHAVEN
BIARRITZ
NEPHRITE (Store Ship)
CANTERBURY
NGAROMA
CLAN MACALISTER
NORMANIA
COTE D'ARGENT
} french
PARIS (Hospital)
COTE D'AZUR
PRAGUE
DINARD (Hospital)
PRINCESS MAUD
DORIAN ROSE (Store Ship)
QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL
FENELLA
ROEBUCK
FOAM QUEEN
ROUEN
ISLE OF GUERNSEY (Hospital)
ROYAL DAFFODIL
ISLE OF THANET (Hospital)
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
KILLARNEY
ST. ANDREW (Hospital)
KING GEORGE V
ST. DAVID (Hospital)
LADY OF MAN
ST. HELIER
LEVENWOOD (Store Ship)
ST. JULIAN
LOCH GARRY
ST. SEIRIOL
LORINA
#
SCOTIA
MAID OF ORLEANS
TYNWALD
MALINES
WORTHING (Hospital)
MANXMAID
WHITSTABLE
OTHER BRITISH SHIPS
ADVENTURESS
BONNY BELLE
AGNESS CROSS (Life-boat)
BOURNEMOUTH LIFE-BOAT
ALBATROSS III
B.P. ONE
ALOUETTE
BRITANNIA
ANDORA
BULLFINCH
ANDORA II (R.A.F. Launch)
CABBY
ANNE IV
CANVEY QUEEN
ATHOLA
CAVERSHAM (M.B.)
AURA
CHAMOIS (Lighter)
BAIL
CHERFIELD
BAT (Lighter)
CLAUDE (Water Boat)
BEE (Lighter)
COMMODORE
BELFAST
CONSTANT NYMPH
BLACK ARROW
CORDELIA
BLACK JAVA
CORNELIA
BLACKPOOL
C. 9 (Tugs)
BOBELI (Motor Cruiser)
C. 11
BONNY HEATHER
C.Y. 63
DABB II
DEFENDER
DHOON (Trawler)
Sunk
(Continued)

-3-
nip.
Name & Address of Owners
Name of Master.
SS MAUD
London Midland & Scottish
Capt. H. Clarke.
IA
Railway,
Capt. W.H. Hughes.
L.M.S. Railway Headquarters,
Watford, Herts.
ST. SEIRIOL
Liverpool & North Wales
Capt. R.D. Dobb
S.S. Co., Ltd.,
40, Chapel Street,
Liverpool, 3.
/PRAGUE
London & North Eastern
Capt. C. Baxter.
Railway Company,
26, Glengall Road,
Woodford Green,
Essex.
KING GEORGE V
David MacBrayne Limited,
Capt. R.E. MacLean.
LOCHGARRY
44, Robertson Street,
Capt. E. MacKinnon.
Glasgow, C.2.
KILLARNEY
Coast Lines Limited,
Capt. R. Hughes.
2, Crescent Road,
Kingston-on-Thames,
Surrey.
ST. HELIER
Great Western Railway Co.,
Capt. R. Pitman c/o Chief Docks Manager,
Cardiff.
ST JULIEN
Great Western Railway Co.,
Capt.L.S.Richard
ST ANDREW
Paddington Station, W..2.
Capt. H.C. Bond
ST DAVID
Capt. C.Joy.
PARIS
Capt. E. Biles
ISLE OF GUERNSEY
Southern Railway Co.,
Capt. F.W. Hodges
DINARD
Waterloo Station,
Capt. P. Lewis
WORTHING
S.E.L.
Capt. C.J. Munton
ISLE OF THANET
>
Capt. A.J. Hammond
60
&
These Masters took over when original Masters were too exhausted to carry on.
x Evacuation of Calais.
+ This vessel was ordered to Dunkerque laden with B.E.F. petrol and did not actually evacuate, troops.
INED
orized.

135
J. Cardy, Esq.,
Divisional Marine Manager,
50
Newhaven.
re Hospital Carrier "Paris".
On Sunday, June 2nd, 1940, the Hospital Carriers "Worthing" and
"Paris" were anchored in the Downs under half an hour's notice.
only
Orders were received for the "Worthing" to sail at about 13 hours
B.S.T. and the "Paris" at 15.05 B.S.T.
At 14.38 B.S.T. my Wireless Operator intercepted a message saying the "Worthing" was being heavily bombed between U and W buoys, believed making water - and was returning at full speed.
120
On account of this message I made a radio message to the Naval
Officer in charge, Ramsgate, as follows:
to
"Re Worthings affair am I to carry out previous received orders".
After a considerable period, Deal called me up by morse, asking why delay in sailing to Dunkirk.
Ittnu
BU
I replied by flag signal that I was awaiting a reply to my radio message.
At 16. 48 B.S.T. I received a radio message to proceed.
I at once weighed anchor and proceeded to Dunkirk.
I
Between the North Goodwins Light Ship and W buoy we ran into thick fog, but approaching W buoy the fog cleared. to
In the close vicinity of W buoy, three enemy aircraft approached from the landside
From my own ebservation two of these circled around.
I immediately gave the order to "Hard to Starboard" the wheel, but before the effect of this order operated, two planes dropped bombs very close to the ship, the explosions causing steam pipes to burst in the engine room and putting machinery and lighting out of action. Also No. 2A lifeboat was blown inwards lifting the foremost davit out of its socket.
As the ship was out of all control, I ordered lifeboats to be swung out and lowered to boat deck level, and part of the personnel to take their stations in the boats.
The carpenter sounded the wells, and reported that the ship was ed not making water.
for
On the strength of this, I decided to keep the remainder of the crew aboard, in the hope of a rescue ship being able to tow me back se to Dover.
es
Immediately after the bombing, the Wireless operator sent an A.A.A.
us message by the emergency set, as the mains set was blown to pieces.
We also hoisted the distress signal - fired rockets, and hoisted ensign upside-down. About 50 minutes later, a flight of about fifteen enemy planes approached from the same direction, three of which broke off, circled the ship, and dropped about ten bombs.
One

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/

75
74
THE
MARINE SUPERINTENDENT
213/40/3.T.A.6
DON & NORTH EASTERN RAILWAY
21st August 1940.
PARKESTON QUAY
STATION,
138
E.C.2.
HARWICH
IPSGATE
137
7600
18181
LS
ISA
2292
t 1940.
8
RECEIVED 21 16
sir, I have of your to Pad.
receipt of the for 20th the interesting S.S. "PRAGUE" report of on see abo 1212
you the his experiences during the Dunkirk ence 4th instant (T.M. 6213/40/
to my letter of the operation.
I
am, your Sir, obedient Servant, ct made by Captain Baxter riod his vessel was the
(Sgd) b.J. whyman from Dunkirk. I hope its.
this for Director of Sea Transport.
ly, fl am
Waves
Law
The Marine
Londonverpool Street ship and ised to return with but as had obtained one to a ship made all her passages scale charts only.
May
100. Orders to proceed were received and a departure and of 1830 was fixed. In accordance with these orders the ship time proceeded in company with "MANXMAN" and Hospital Ship "PARIS" weighed via route "Y". The weather was drizzly and misty, the visibility a
shortening as the coast of France was approached. The draught of the
G
ship was something over 16 feet and in view of the meagre information e
about the Zuidcoote Pass which was procurable from the small scale n
chart, it was decided to allow the other two ships, both of considerably
Ma less draught than "PRAGUE" to keep ahead, the ships being roughly in der single line.
STM1
The great majority of the buoys were unlit, and as remarked above the a bil, next of barge "DUCHESS" that had anchored in the Roads, up, and also then boat the were and crew rowing of off in their boat towards one us. varge I anu picked one them t
wave bombers were overhead.
(Continued)

Letters to be addressed
74
CAPTAIN R. DAVIS
MARINE SUPERINTENDENT
THE MARINE SUPERINTENDENT
TELEPHONE
LONDON & NORTH EASTERN RAILWAY
HARWICH 30. EXT.
NATIO
TEMPORARY LIVERPOOL ADDRESS:- STREET E.C.2. STATION, PARKESTON QUAY HARWICH
138
TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS
EASTERN PARKESTON QUAY STATION
REFERENCE
TELEPHONE No: BISHOPSGATE 7500
LS
1
EXT. 2292
20th August 1940.
9097
RECEIVED 21
M1/4474/17 Pad
16
DOV
OF
FUG
The Director of bea Transport (HO)
the
Ministry of Shipping
Berkeley Square House
Berkeley Square W. 1.
see abo 1212
Dear Sir, reference to my
13th instant and your With reply further of a the report 14th made instant his by vessel was hope
STA6), of the I S.S. on now the time Dunkirk. I
this red ont will your
Yours faithfully,
Ribanio fl.
DUE ship and west, and promised to return with shart of the Dunkirk district when he had obtained but to this was evidently not possible and the ship made all her passages one and from Dunkirk on small scale charts only.
May 28th. 1700. Orders to proceed were received and a departure time and of 1830 was fixed. In accordance with these orders the ship weighed proceeded in company with "MANXMAN" and Hospital Ship "PARIS" via ted route "Y". The weather was drizzly and misty, the visibility a
shortening as the coast of France was approached. The draught of the
G
ship was something over 16 feet and in view of the meagre information e
about the Zuidcoote Pass which was procurable from the small scale n
chart, it was decided to allow the other two ships, both of considerably
Ma less draught than "PRAGUE" to keep ahead, the ships being roughly in der single line.
STM1
The great majority of the buoys were unlit, and as remarked above the a bit, were and rowing of off in their boat towards the us. Darge I anu picked them
1.
next crew wave of barge "DUCHESS" that had anchored in the Roads, up, and also then boat the bombers were overhead.
(Continued)

8/36 7,000 pads of 250
27
5987 3/86 7,000 pads of 250
LONDON & NORTH EASTERN RAILWAY
B 73
S. "PRAGUE"
DEPARTMENT
To Captain R.Davis.
139
West India Dock.
STATION
Marine Superintendent.
17th. August 1940
193
Liverpool Street Station.
OUR REFERENCE
TELEPHONE
YOUR REFERENCE
RECORD OF PART PLAYED BY S.S. "PRAGUE" DURING EVACUATION OF DUNKIRK.
May 27th. 2015. In accordance with orders received the ship left the
Old Dock Southampton, where she had been in port since the 24th. at short notice for steam, and proceeded to Dover via the route given by the N.C.S.O. Southampton.
May 28th, 0448. The ship made Dover and orders were received to go to anchorage in the Downs. This was done and the ship lying with the
South Foreland Lt-Ho. 261 31/4 miles by 0512.
During the same forenoon the Examination Officer visited the ship and gave me two small charts of the district, and promised to return with a large scale chart of the Dunkirk district when he had obtained one but this was evidently not possible and the ship made all her passages to and from Dunkirk on small scale charts only.
May 28th. 1700. Orders to proceed were received and a departure time of 1830 was fixed. In accordance with these orders the ship weighed and proceeded in company with "MANXMAN" and Hospital Ship "PARIS" via
1
route "Y". The weather was drizzly and misty, the visibility a
shortening as the coast of France was approached. The draught of the
G
ship was something over 16 feet and in view of the meagre information e
about the Zuidcoote Pass which was procurable from the small scale n
chart, it was decided to allow the other two ships, both of considerably
Ma less draught than "PRAGUE", to keep ahead, the ships being roughly in der single line.
The great majority of the buoys were unlit, and as remarked bove the
STM1
a bi one were rowing off in their boat towards us. varge I picked them up, also boat anu and crew of barge "DUCHESS" that had anchored in the Roads, and then the next wave of bombers were overhead.
(Continued)

8/36 7,000 pads of 250
TRA930
987 8/36 7,000 pads of 250
LONDON & NORTH EASTERN RAILWAY
B 1152
DEPARTMENT
Jawana. attic
Door 01501
DEPARTMENT
To
140
STATION
193
22 SEAL
OUR REFERENCE
TELEPHONE
YOUR REFERENCE
sora visibility poor and when very near to the Zuidcoote Pass "MANXMAN" and
"PARIS" ran aground on the Smal Bank and "PRAGUE" touched starboard side.
Door.NJTS You
"PARIS" came off immediately, but "MANXMAN" stuck for some hours.
softon JIONA 610
Meeting one of H.M. Sloops, whose Captain very kindly sent a boat with и onf advice of the district and a chart marked in better detail than our awn,
AO. yo
I realized that it was hopeless for a ship of my draught to attempt the
Pass at that state of tide and accordingly returned to the vicini ty of the Nieuport Bank Buoy and anchored to let the tide rise a few feet.
"MANXMAN" joined us here a few hours later and afterwards acted in concert with us.
910 9V.SS
May 29th. 0355. Got under way again and proceeded via the Pass to
Dunkirk and when ordered to enter the port made fast just inside the end
ENJ two of the Eastern Jetty. Embarkation started almost immediately, the Naval one
03
Beach Master realized our difficulties and loaded us up in time to return
Y.S.M.
through the Pass before the tide fell too much as our draught when loaded
20
with troops was estimated to be about 6".
bns
At 0735 the ship left Dunkirk and proceeded home by the same route, signalling Dover at 1230 the same day and received orders to proceed to
Folkestone, which port was reached by 1300. Troops were disembarked and the ship coaled and watered and prepared for the next voyage.
Generally speaking, as regards this voyage, the only serious difficulty encountered was a navigational one, there was plenty of enemy action but no direct attack upon the ship by air or sea.
May 30th. 1200 The ship proceeded to anchorage off Folkestone, weather dense fog.
GHOP
SUILSIM1
a bit, as I could see our crew of the barge and also rowing off in their boat towards us. I picked them up, boat were and grew of barge "DUCHESS" that had anchored in the Roads, and then the next wave of bombers were overhead.
(Continued)

COPY.
EXTRACTS FROM LOG.
161
t.FOREMOST 87"
Sunday, 26th May.
Arrived at Portsmouth towing "O.R.P. BUZA" stern first at
10 p.m. Slight Fog.
Monday, 27th May.
Coaling and storing in Portsmouth Harbour.
Tuesday, 28th May.
Left Portsmouth Harbour 6-0 a,m. Steamed towards Dover
Harbour, arriving and making fast 6-0 p.m.
Wednesday, 29th May.
Lying Submarine Dock Dover Harbour. At 3-30 p.m. Ordered to assist m.v. "RUYA" from berth to berth. Tooke hold of vessel at
4-0 p.m., finishing 4-15 p.m. At 4-20 p.m. took hold of S.S. "KING ORRY"
and assisted from Eastern Arm Dover Harbour to Sea, eastern Entrance
Dover, finishing at 4-50 p.m.
Thursday, 30th May.
At 8-0 a.m. received orders to proceed from Dover Harbour to Dunkirk. On nearing Dunkirk Harbour heavy bombing and shelling in progress. Went inside Harbour and received instructions to take barges
"SARK" and "SHETLAND", which were at anchor off St. Malo beach, in tow and to beach same on the shore 100 yards apart on St. Malo shore,.
Dunkirk, - Heavy aerial bombing and ground gunfire going on while doing this job, shrapnel splinters hitting deck very hard. Finished this and steamed inside Harbour again. Things getting worse but everybody happy. Troopship "PRAGUE" unable to get away from Eastern Arm Dunkirk
Hatbour, loaded with troops, so took same in tow and towed out clear to
Dunkirk Roads. Told to stand by and assist in any way. One or two little jobs leading Destroyers to berths in the dark rendered - heavy shelling and air raids still in progress. At 12 midnight told to return to Dover.
Friday, 31st May.
Returned from Dunkirk arrived Dover at 6-0 a.m. At 2-0 p.m.
received orders to take two sailing barges in tow to Dunkirk. Took hold of same at 2-45 p.m. and towed to Dunkirk. Orders received were t beach them at St. Malo Beach. This was accomplished under heavy bombing and shelling. The beach was one mass of troops. Time of beaching barges was 11-0 p.m. The sky was lit up with fires caused through bombing and shelling. Returned to Dunkirk Harbour, told to keep clear of heavy barrage which was prevailing and to stand by outside Harbour. Still steaming outside Harbour at midnight.
Saturday, 1st June.
At Dunkirk standing by. Assisting in anything and everything possible. At 2-0 a.m. received orders to return at once to
Dover. Arriving at Dover at 7-30 a.m.
Sunday, 2nd June.
Lying at Dover Harbour. At 3-30 p.m. received orders to take lifeboats R.N.L.B. "CECIL and "LILLIAN PHILPOTT" and "R.N.L.B.
THOMAS KIRK WRIGHT" in tow to Dunkirk Towed same to given position then did job of work with Hospital ship "PARIS" survivors who had been bombed and machine-gunned by Enemy aircraft.
(Continued)

COPY.
EXTRACTS FROM LOG.
16%
(3)
s.t. "FOREMOST 87".
Sunday, 2nd June.
Rendered assistance to 95 survivors - five of these being nurses who were seriously wounded, also some of the crew of "PARIS"
who were scalded badly by boilers exploding. We also took 13 Spaniards on board from small boat. Landing all survivors (including lad of sixteen dying through injuries received in bombing of "PARIS") at Dover on the morning of 3rd June, Monday, at 4-30 a.m. at Admiralty Pier,
Dover.
(Signed) J. Fryer.
Master of Tug "FOREMOST 87"

COPY OF STATEMENT REGARDING SURVIVORS FROM HOSPITAL SHIP
"PARIS"
163
by s.t. "FOREMOST 87"
June
Wednesday, 5th May, 1940.
Dear Sir,
On Sunday afternoon, the 2nd June, I received orders from
Naval Authorities Dover to proceed to Dunkirk. My orders being to take Lifeboats R.N.L.B. "CECIL & LILLIAN PHILPOTT and R.N.L.B.
"THOMAS KIRK WRIGHT" in tow to assist in evacuating troops from
Dunkirk Harbour and Beach.
I cleared Eastern Entrare of Dover Harbour about 3-50 p.m.
with Lifeboats in tow, and on instructions before leaving towed towards given position where I had to cast lifeboats.o: I arrived at this position and was giving lifeboat coxwains courses for Dunkirk
Harbour, when, on hearing aircraft overhead and several explosions,
I noticed to the southward of me a Hospital ship which proved to be
S.S. "PARIS" of Newhaven, in, as It thought, difficulties. I at once altered my course, irrespective of routing instructions, towards said vessel, and onnnearing same I noticed several of her lifeboats full of survivors who had survived this bombing and machine-gunning which
I was afterwards informed had happened. I at once gave orders to crew to get lines etc. ready to take these survivors on board, some of whom were Sisters who were very seriously injured, also some of crew whod been badly scalded.
I managed to get all of the 95 survivors out of our boats, some of which were half full of water, on board of "FOREMOST 87", and did everything to make wounded (one of whom passed away on board Tug
"FOREMOST 87") as comfortable as I could, and then headed at full speed towards Dover.
I had hardly altered my course when I noticed another boat full of people. I stopped engines and on nearing this boat I found that it had 13 Spaniards aboard. I ordered these to be taken on board and kept apart from survivors of "PARIS" as I was uncertain of their Nationality, and I was unable to gather from them how and when they came to be in the boat I found them in.
I headed for Dover, time being about 10-50 p.m., at full speed. Arriving at Dober Pierheads Eastern Entrance about 3-30 a.m.
on Monday, 3rd June, and received orders to proceed direct to
Admiralty Pier and land survivors, this I did as soon as possible, everything being ready on shore to assist in this job of work. I
kept Spaniards on board until they were escorted ashore by armed guard, who no doubt found out more about them than I could.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Signed) J. Fryer.
Master of s.t. "FOREMOST 87".

YO
sa to bas so visa your 0.03m bne benes 20
39
3
DBY
Lenns
&
GT6
196
&
se, tw del Nest
.4.6213/40/S.T.A.6.
W.L.
15th August, 1940.
loat
7
Vice-Admiral, Dover.
A record is being compiled in the Ministry of Shipping of the part played by the Merchant Navy in the Dunkirk operation, and the owners of the vessels concerned have been approached for copies of any reports they may have received from the Musters.
The Southern Railway state that reports from the Masters of their steamers have been submitted to you through the P.S.T.O.
In the circumstances, would it be possible, please, for you to supply copies of the reports, or, alternatively, to loan the originals for inspection? The names of the Southern Railway steamers in question are:-
LORINA, NORMANNIA, CANTERBURY, MAID OF ORL ANS, BIARRITZ,
AUTOCARRIER, PARIS, ISLE OF GUERNSEY, DINARD, WORTHING,
ISLE OF THANET, HYTHE and WHITSTABLE.
(Sgd.) B. E. BELLAMY.
for
La
Director of Sea Transport.
o ship)ii p.s. "GOLDEN
SOVEREIGN"
channel
#
cl
#
S.S. "ABUKIR"
passenge for by steamer G.S.N.
r the Ministry)
Lo in
GS an our
Newmar entrance enemy ---
A call for th an es bombs. the British Mission had previously would be waiting for me off consisting port. This of attack two destroyers lasted for half an hour when the airc returned to Ostend.

(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.

Cxtract Joon any weekly Intelligine Report
No. 15 (21* June 1940). boky on T.09474. 17
BRITISH MERCHANTMEN OFF DUNKIRK.
242
The British Motorship "Royal Daffodil" 2,060 tons, under
Government charter, on May 27 brought away 900 troops from Dunkirk, a further detachment on May 28, 750 on May 29, 2,500 French on
May 30 and 1,600 on June 1. On June 2 she started back to Dunkirk again and was attacked at 1955 off the Ruytengen Bank Buoy by six enemy aircraft soon after the British Hospital Ship "Paris", 1,790
tons, had been sunk. Captain G. Johnson, the Master of the
"Royal Daffodil" reports that he saw the German aircraft mabhinegunning the "Paris's" boats containing nurses and medical personnel.
When the attack was made on the "Royal Daffodil", the aircraft dropped what the Master described as aerial torpedoes. Five of these missed, but the sixth hit the ship, passed through three decks, entered the engine-room and went out through the starboard side before exploding when just clear of the ship. The collar of the missile went through the bilge. The engines stopped and the aeroplanes machine-gunned the ship with tracer bullets, which started small fires. The ship began to make water through the hole made by the bomb and listed to starboard. Gear was shifted to the port side and the port boats were lowered to the deck and filled with water.
This raised the starboard side enough to lift the hole just clear of d the water line. Mr. J. Coulthard, the Chief Engineer, and
Mr. W. Evans, the Second Engineer, took all the beds they could find and used them to plug the hole. Mr. Evans stood up to his neck in the water in the engine room holding open the bilge valve while
Mr. Coulthard kept the pumps going. With a diesel-engine ship this was a great risk; but the "Royal Daffodil" managed to get back to
Romsgate, with the engines running very slowly, as they had three parts of water to one of oil in their system, and was able to land all the troops she had taken on board. In all she had takenoff about 8,000 British and French from Dunkirk.
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The British Levenwood, 803 tons, was at anchor about two miles east of Dunkirk at 1200 on May 31, when she was attacked by German aircraft. Her 12-pdr. Lewis gun and Bren gun were manned. The
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Merchant Navy Gunlayer, Mr. G. Knight, hit one enemy with his first shot from the 12-pdr., while the Chief Officer worked the Lewis gun.
The German aeroplane was seen to crash on the dunes. The officer in command of a naval launch then asked the Master, Captain W.A.
Young, if he could beach the Levenwood, so as to facilitate the embarkation of troops. The fore-peak tank was blown and the ship got her nose on the beach in about 8 ft. of water. The Master kept steaming slow ahead and steered allthe time SO as to prevent the ship from swinging round broadside on to the beach on the
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rising tide. She was thus kept about a quarter of a mile from where the beach was dry. The Master lowered his own boats and got out on the "long messenger". The Chief Officer, with four men was sent through the surf, collected men from the beach and put them in a
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boat which was then hauled back to the ship by the "long messenger"
and, when empty, hauled ashore again. From 1430 to 1750 they worked this till one of the boats was holed and the ship had to float herself red off at high tide. They were hombed allthe time but no bomb fell nearer than about 100 yards away. The Master describes the soldiers as having been "all very good indeed. They were very tired but there was no panic, and this also applies to the French troops".
Mr. R. Moodey, a ship's fireman, kept going overboard and swimming to the soldiers who were wading out to the boats. He encouraged them and swam back with those who were so tired that otherwise they might have given up. He also brought some who were unable to swim and got them into the boats through the surf. Moodey carried on in this way for three hours and al the time there was a heavy swell and much surf.
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