TNA MT 40 66

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/

127
COPY.
S.S. MAID OF ORLEANS
60
Southampton
June 20th '40.
R.P. Biddle Esq.,
Docks and Marine Mngr.
Southampton.
EVACUATION OF B.E.F. FROM DUNKIRK.
Sir,
On May 26th, this vessel received orders to proceed to Dunkirk.
Prior to leaving 6.000 (2 gall) cans of water were put aboard for use of troops at that port, together with other stores, cases of maps etc.
A detachment of troops 250 in number, consisting of details of A.S.C.
Signals etc. were also embarked. Left Dover at 1100 and proceeded to
Dunkirk, taking the short sea route. Came under fire from a battery near Calais. Shells although falling cloas. registered no hits on the ship.
Arrived off Dunkirk, but did not enter port, but returned to
Dover, arriving off the port during the afternoon.
Received orders to return to Dunkirk, this time with an escort and arrived off there at about 1730. Entered and berthed alongside
Mona's Queen at the Gare Maritime. She was already loaded with troops and we could not discharge until she had pulled out, thus allowing us to go alongside the quay to land the water and stores.
There was no interference from aircraft, probably due to the fact that a thick pall of smoke covered the ship from the oil reservoirs burning nearby. All hands then discharged the cans of water. This was done by forming a chain quay from the Well deck to the gangway. Work proceeded until an order from the quay was given to stop. The water supply being considered sufficient. Troops were embarked and the ship left about 0300.
Some difficulty was experienced on leaving owing to the low state of water and the port propeller was slightly damaged on vessel sunk in fairway. The total number carried on this trip was 988, including 8 civilians. Arrived at Dover at 0600 and discharged.
The same afternoon (May 27th) we returned to Dunkirk, but on arrival at the Roads received orders from the S.T.O. Dunkirk
(transmitted by S.S. CANTERBURY) not to enter, so returned to Dover and anchored in Harbour.
On the morning of the 29th May, at 0437, returned to Dunkirk, and berthed alongside East Mole, as far inshore as possible. Shifted ship three times as tide ebbed making inner berths at pier untenable.
Vessel was alongside about five hours, during which time the pier was shelled. On leaving, passed through an area where a submarine hunt was in progress. Stopped off Nieuport and picked up two French officers who were attempting crossing in a small open boat.
The vessel was subjected to bombing attacks. Arrived at Dover and discharged the 1372 troops carried and which included a number of stretcher cases. On May 30th, at 2145 we left again for Dunkirk and arrived at the East Mole at approximately 0100. The only berth now usable being the one at the extreme end as the pier had been subjected to heavy damage from shell fire and bombs.
Embarked 37 Officers and 1216 O.R. (including 42 stretcher cases)
The/

126
62
COPY.
S.S. "MAID OF ORLEANS".
13.6.40.
To
R.P. Biddle, Esq.,
Docks and Marine Manager,
Southern Railway,
Southampton.
EVACUATION OF B.E.F. FROM DUNKERQUE.
Sir,
I have to report that with reference to the above, I made two trips to Dunkerque. About 1500 Officers and men were carried.
On the first trip, I left Dover with 250 Officers and men, and also about 30,000 cans of fresh water. There was no escort, and when shelled by an enemy coastal battery, two Hospital ships bound for after arriving off the French coast just East of Calais, I was heavily
Dunkerque, under the same shelling, returned to Dover, but I carried on up to the West Pass approaching Dunkerque. There was an extensive
Air Raid in progress on the Port and I was being bombed myself. I
was unable to effect an entrance and returned to Dover, being shelled again on route, and after about 2 hours returned to Dunkerque accompanied by a Destroyer. On arriving in the West Pass approaching the Port, both vessels were bombed and machine gunned, but this time
I managed to get in, with difficulty owing to the pall of dense smoke blowing across thefairway. Fresh water cans were landed, being man -
handled by all available ships' Company. Officers and men were embarked and I returned to Dover, was again bombed along the French coastal route.
I made no more trips to Dunkerque as owing to previous pressure of work, acting on medical advice, was obliged to report sick, suffering from exhaustion.
the
I
am,
Sir, the
Yours obediently.
for
A.E. Larkins.
Master.
left
20.30, by
P.T.O

Contrast
2.
105
6, School Terrace,
School Road, also by salvos from shore batteries. Shells were flying all around us, the first salvo went over us, the second, astern of us. I
thought the next salvo would hit us, but fortunately it dropped
PO
short, right under our stern. The ship was riddled with shrapnel, as bever mostly all on the boat and promenade decks. Then we were attacked from the air. A Junker bomber made a power dive towards us and my dropped five bombs, but he was off the mark too, I should say about
150 feet from us. All this while we were still being shelled, although we were getting out of range. The Junker that bombed us was shot down and crashed into the water just ahead of us (no state survivors). Then another Junker attacked us, but before he reached us he was brought down in flames. Then the tension eased a little.
von from the Owing to the bombardment, I could see that the nerves of and some to of my men were badly shaken. I did not feel too well myself, but I mustered the crew and told them that Dunkirk was being bombed and wasxon fire. On being asked if they would volunteer to go in they did so to a man and I am glad to say we took off as many as the "MONA'S QUEEN" could carry. Coming back from Dunkirk, I made a route for myself and am glad to say we arrived safely at Dover and in the early hours of Monday morning. Our degaussing wires were damaged and it was necessary to have them made good; there was and also some machinery defect which was repaired. Captain Holkham ouldrrived to relieve me about 10-30 p.m. on the 27th. and I left vessthe "MONA'S QUEEN on the morning of Tuesday, the 28th. May. On me the 29th. she was sunk by enemy action while entering Dunkirk.
and as my and
I consulted with the Chief Engineer and If we could do the trip, there and back, hoard, and he told D6 that providing we Yours respectfully, speed we might just be able to manage. 1 Chief and Second Officers and we decided (signed) R. DUGGAN.
We arrived off Dunkitk at about 1.00 pom., but we were delayed from entering the Port to avoid a heavy bombing raid Master. then in progress. When this WS.8 over, we berthed on the of the
East jetty and commenced to embark troops and stratcher esces and continued to do SO throughout the siternoon, the embariation being slowed up considerably by continuous heavy bombing attacks,
We had between six and asses hundred troops on board when the enemy dive boinbers scored a direct bit on "TENELLA's promenade deck, doing considerable damage, at about 5.00 p.m. They also scored a hit on the jetty causing it to split in two, parts of the concrete being blown through the sip's side below the water line and into the engine room which immediately began to flood with water. Another bomb fall between the ship and the jetty, Use force of the explosion blowing out the oil cooler from the ship's side and completely wrecking almost every pipe and pump in the angine room, rendering the engines useless.
I inspected the damage in company with the Chief and Second
Officer - the ship was listing badly 5a fortunately inclining howards the jetty and WAS rapidly making water.
Our examination of the damage proved that the ship was doomed and the only course open was to disembark all troops and abandon ship, I instructed the 0.0. troops to this affect.
As the jetty abroant of gangways had been blown away, the only method of diestbhrkation with to climb over the rails on the forecastle head which fortunately YRS level with the jetty.
The enemy WLB particularly active 9.5 this time and Liase his boarding any held DD the disemberking of the troops, but owine to the skilful handling of by Chief and Become
/Officers, all troops and stretcher cases were safely

STATE
COPY.
Po data and
97
ing
Frigue the only casualty School Road,
6, School Terrace,
ODL
throughout leg all injury of these through bomb ONCHAN.
Roy
Motion and J. Cowell who were members of the Lewis and 22nd August, 1940.
R. W. to the ship by the Southamoton 106
won't
OAL
General Manager, the enemy
Cannell, Esq., in very exposed and
VIUS
board landed, I reported the fact to the Embark- on
On Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. Ltd. aure that every ation Officer in charge of the jetty, I then suggested to him
215
Dear Sir, or we to tow by the steamer "FENELLA" during the evacuation of Dunkirk.
I beg to submit the following report of the part played
At about 8.00 a.m., Tuesday, 28th May, I received a signal from the Shore Signal Station to enter Dover Harbour for orders and to obtain fuel oil. We berthed alongside Government Quay at about 9.00 p.m. and at 10.30 p.m. received orders that I was to proceed alongside the oil store ship anchored in the harbour at
12.30 a.m., Wednesday, fill up with oil, then proceed for Dunkirk to embark troops. We left the berth as ordered but when about to berth alongside the Oiler, I was hailed by an Officer on board and told that we were to anchor as they were not ready to receive us alongside. They were busy oiling H.M. Destroyers at this time and we did not get alongside until After berthing alongside, we found that the oiler's pipe connections were not suitable and would not couple up with our connections. This meant that we could not take in any oil, and as there was a continual stream of vessels coming into the Port, requiring oil and water, it seemed to me that we would stand a poor chance of getting any oil that day, and as my Officers and crew were anxious to make the trip to Dunkirk,
I consulted with the Chief Engineer and asked him if he considered we could do the trip, there and back, with what oil he had on board, and he told me that providing we steamed at a slightly reduced speed we might just be able to manage. I then consulted the Chief and Second Officers and we decided to proceed immediately.
We arrived off Dunkitk at about 1.00 p.m., but we were delayed from entering the Port to avoid a heavy bombing raid which was then in progress. When this was over, we berthed on the east side of the
East jetty and commenced to embark troops and stretcher cases and continued to do so throughout the afternoon, the embarkation being slowed up considerably by continuous heavy bombing attacks.
We had between six and seven hundred troops on board when the enemy dive bombers scored a direct hit on "FENELLA's promenade deck, doing considerable damage, at about 5.00 p.m. They also scored a hit on the jetty causing it to split in two, parts of the concrete being blown through the ship's side below the water line and into the engine room which immediately began to flood with water. Another bomb fell between the ship and the jetty, the force of the explosion blowing out the oil cooler from the ship's side and completely wrecking almost every pipe and pump in the engine room, rendering the engines useless.
I inspected the damage in company with the Chief and Second
Officer - the ship was listing badly - fortunately inclining towards the jetty - and was rapidly making water.
Our examination of the damage proved that the ship was doomed and the only course open was to disembark all troops and abandon ship. I instructed the O.C. troops to this effect.
As the jetty abreast of gangways had been blown away, the only method of disembarkation was to climb over the rails on the forecastle head which fortunately was level with the jetty.
The enemy was particularly active at this time and several times his bombing and machine-gunning held up the disembarking of the troops, but owing to the skilful handling of my Chief and Second
Officers, all troops and stretcher cases were safely disembarked,
1.

DITATE
7,000 pads of 250
LONDON & NORTH EASTERN RAILWAY
B 1152
LONDON DEPARTMENT & NORTH To
144
DEPARTMENT STATION
To
Oit tod
STATION193
UR REFERENCE
TELEPHONE
YOUR REFERENCE
.0.5°
turn and very skilfully managed to transfer all except a handful of troops
Last at OF STATE STORE THE SECURITY
while the ship was steaming as fast as possible towards the Downs. This being completed it was possible to concentrate all efforts on saving the gota
"PRAGUE" by getting into as shallow water as possible before we found
Tew
Id ourselves unable to control the inflow of water.
of
By 1331 the ship was well inside the Downs and the Tug "LADY BRASSEY"
SOTO? eng that tuo made fast. Dover was signalled and orders were received to anchor in the
Downs. On receipt of these the ship proceeded to the Small Downs and
Tat Sw add entered the Ramsgate Channel.
Having arrived at a spot slightly North of the ruins of Sandown Castle, beganam about a mile North of Deal, the ship was gently beached, port anchor laid out and all active participation in the evacuation of Dunkirk ceased by
SNT
1730 June 1st.
OTH
of the ensuing period there is little to say except that the ship was boarded by the Admiralty Salvage Officer first thing next morning and the ship examined as thoroughly as possible the next low water.
Each time the after part of the ship drained out with the tide, all the visible leaks both in the shell plating and in the bulkheads were stopped as effectively as possible with the materials at hand, three salvage pumps were rigged in the after 'tween deeks to deal with whatever water which leaked past the plugs.
These operations were in progress until Friday June 7th. when we were towed off the beach by Tug "LADY BRASSEY" and afterwards with the assistance of two tugs towed to London finally arriving at SW India Dock at 6 R.M.
wisting and turning to clear the bombs. I paddled in towards the shore th of the
S.N.T.
a bit, as I could see our crew of the barge and the soldier stevedores
It 1 7
to as gentin 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.
il Fri
SEY"
(Continued)
fi

COPY.
61
EXTRACTS FROM LOG WHILE AT DOVER
s.t. "FOREMOST 87"
160
Wednesday, 22nd May.
Lying in Dover Harbour awaiting orders. At 8-30 a.m., received orders to proceed to Calais. Cleared Eastern Entrance Dover
Harbour at 8-45 a.m., arrived Calais Harbour 11-0 a.m. Air Raid on.
Received instructions immediately ón entering Harbour to force lock gates which had been disabled by bombing by Enemy aircraft, air raid still in progress. Forded locked gates, time taken being 12 hours, and received orders to get S.S. "KATOWICE" loaded with refugees out of Dock as soon as possible. I did this and towed S.S. "KATOWICE"
clear of Galais Harbour and into Calais Roads, finishing at 2-0 p.m.
then returned to Calais Harbour. Aerial combat going on overhead.
Immediately on entering Harbour again, received orders to proceed to Calais Roads to assist S.S. "CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH" from
Roads to Harbour and to get her in at all costs. "CITY OF CHRIST-
CHURCH" in company of Dëstwoyer being bombed from the air. Took hold of steamer at 2-45 p.m. and towed same into Calais Harbour.
While endeavour to do this, three mines (magnetic) were exploded by French Trawlers ahead of "FOREMOST 87" and "CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH".
Things looked very uncomgortable. We managed to berth steamer in outer Dock Calais, finishing at 4-30 p.m. I then received orders to proceed to Calais Roads again for s.m. "WILLIAMSTOWN" as things were a bit quieter. Took hold of vessel at 5-30 p.m. and towed same from anchorage in Calais Roads to berth in Outer Dock Calais Harbour, finishing at 7-30 p.m. Made fast astern of S.S. "CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH"
at 7-45 p.m.
Thursday, 23rd May.
Lying in Calais Harbour. At 2-30 a.m. told to take hold of S.S. "CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH" and tow at once out of Harbour. While taking hold of S.S. "CITY OF CHRESTCHURCH", orders were to let ship lay. There was a 'Fifth column' scare and two men were put under arrest. "FOREMOST 87", however, still kept ropes made fast to the steamer. At 1-30 p.m., ordered to take hold of "CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH", official this time, and to tow out clear of Harbour to Calais Roads.
Got vessel clear of Harbour and into Roads. At 2-40 p.m. returned to Harbour and received orders from Naval Authority to proceed to Dover for Water and Stores. Left Calais at 3-10 p.m. and arrived at Dover at 5-30 p.m. Air Raid in progrees when leaving Calais.
Friday, 24th May.
Lying in Dover Harbour. Received on board stores and water.
At 11-6 a.m. received orders to proveed to Calais. Cleared Eastern
Entrance to Dover Harbour at 11-D a.m. and arrived Calais Roads at
12-30 p.m. Heavings Heavy gunning and bombardment on the shore.
Situation too bad for "FOREMOST 87" to attempt making entrance to
Calais. Steamed about vicinity of Calais Roads. Situation getting worse, with gunfire and aerial bombing. I decided to return to Dover, arriving there at 4-50 p.m.
Saturday, 25th May.
Lying in Dover Harbour, awaiting orders. At 4-30 p.m.
received orders to tow "O.R.P.BUZA" (Polish Destroyer) from Dover to
Portsmouth. "BURZA" having been bombed on the Forecastle head, damaging plates and bulk head under water. Took Destroyer in tow, stern first, at 5-80 p.m. and cleared Dover Harbour Eastern Entrance
6-0 p.m. (Arrived Portsmouth with "O.R.P. BUZA" 10-0 p.m. on 26th
May, Sunday.
(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)

STATE UNITED
G.W.R.
- 4 -
180
O.W.Mly Docks Manager's that it would have been impossible to load even had the occupants of the ambulances been alive. Again the ves el shifted to another
.0. 908, part of the Harbour. This also was done during 8. heavy raid.
CIM.C/3077/3.
In the new borth, impromptu gangways were rigged by the crew from planks, or any handy material which could be produced
BOOKS
from ship or store.
B.23/272.
2800
There again all hands assisted in carrying the stretchers, gas and carry was a. long one, and made more difficult by the large
091
number of Troops that were passing along to embark on other vessels;
and by bombs and shrapnel which were still falling.
Dear Sir, While this was in progress the tide was falling and the daylight going. This was important, as the ship would have been in danger of grounding or hitting submerged wreckage close under her stern when leaving. On these grounds the S.T.O. decided it would be better for the ANDREW" to leave, and instructed the "STDAVID", by morse, where to berth, in order that she may embark the remainder of the wounded and sailvat daylight. By this time the enemy was on the outskirts of the town and was bombarding the quay with shore batteries, but owing to large fires, clouds of dense smoke, and the confusion of shipping on the Pier Heads, it was impossible to say if the message was properly received.
On her way out, when passing along the Grawelines sho Navigat on the homeward passage was both difficult, and dangerous, as there were no aids to navigation, and the risk of over-running the hundreds of small craft, heavily laden with Troops, and which carried ordights, was very great. out of the Channel to avoid gan fure. Later on, air craft (apparently French)
escorted During these fourteen days, very little rest was had by any of the crew - double look-outs were kept, work as stated was done in the French Ports, and while atusea it yas too dangerous to allow the men to use the forecastles; but all carried on with 8. good will.
The next morning she proceeded to the Downs, and the day after It is evident from the foregoing that the fficers and men of sour ST. ANDREW" were exposed to great danger, and it was only g
due to their untiring devotion to duty that thousands of wounded were hurriedly evacuated from France, who otherwise would have been left on the piers to die. sok or the usual aids to navigation and the fact that many vessels had been sunk in the fair-ways since her last leaving that Port. At 8.00/0100k that evening she entered Dünkirk, where Yours faithfully, morning.
Duting the whole (SGD.) J.D. REED. town, quays, etc.
were subjected to terrific bombardment by air and Land, and It became necessary, owing to the laok of for the reamen, Fireman, Stewards etc. to load the wounded themselves.
I hope to be able to report on the Item DAVID" in the course on of ca few daysing the wounded and placing they in the nots etc.
to wed
This work was exceedingly difficult, as the whole area
1g the was in a bad condition, and there was not even any gangways available nd for passing the stretcher cases on board, However, the Ingineers n of whole time of the embarkation.
constructed & wide and useful gangway, which was used during the scor the
W.J. THOMAS, ESQ., craft
CARDIFF.

-2-
ear
189
About 1.00 p.m. I was ordered to shift alongside the S.S.
ROEBUCK" to avoid taking the ground, as I was drawing more than 14
'eet of water. Destroyers, Trawlers and Hospital Ships were arriving continuously, and the embarkation of the troops and wounded proceeded
1990
without interruption, notwithstanding the efforts of the German Bombers
TO
who were continually coming over the port and dropping their bombs.
Lewis Gunner Mellis was continually in action with his Gun and soon had some willing assistants from amongst the troops, who collected ammunition from the other troops and kep the Lewis Gun trays full. About
3.00 p.m. I berthed alongside again and on being asked by the Pier
Commander when I would be ready to sail, replied "I have come for a full load of troops so why sail before I am full up it only means more ships will be required".
The Commander informed me that he had to dispatch the
Destroyers as quickly as possible, and that I could assist the embarkation by taking troops whenever a jam occurred on the Pier, so I carried on accordingly. About this time, the Germans were particularly active, and shore A.A. Guns, Destroyers and ships were hitting back with everything they had. Occasionally a few shells whined overhead and fell into the Harbour, but did no material damage. Numerous air battles were in progress and several machines came down, some of the Pilots baling out.
At 6.00 p.m. the Pier was crowded with French Troops, most of them keen to board the Destroyers in the hope they would be landed in
French Ports. Observing a lot of them coming on board, having a feed and going ashore again, I had a conference with a British Army Captain and a French Major, and decided that if the French Troops would not embark that the ship should sail. I estimated that I had 500 Troops on board, about 70 of them French, and the French still refusing to embark I reluctantly cast off and steamed out of the Harbour.
The homeward roûte was a wonderful sight, hundreds of small craft of every description were seen making towards Dunkirk. Meanwhile the German Bombers were busy, large flights of them appearing and dropping their loads all over the place. I organised a party of ten sildiers on the Forecastle Head with orders to fire at any aircraft coming within ranage. Gunner Mellis was putting in some great work with his gun, and it was afterwards reported to me by an Army Officer that he had registered hits on three enemy 'planes, two of which came down; in fact, the Officer hearing of his excellent shooting went to stand by him with his glasses and observed him shoot down an enemy fighter plane. The Pilot baling out was eventually picked up by a tug about half a mile astern of us. At this time there were more than seventy enemy planes overhead dropping their bombs all around us like hailstones, but our luck held good and we escaped undamaged, but
I feel sure that some of the small boats being towed towards Dunkirk were either hit by the bombs or swamped with the huge columns of water caused by the explosions.
At Dusk the North Goodwin Lt. V. was sighted and navigating the vessel through the Downs in the dark I dropped anchor off Deal at
11.30 p.m. to await daylight to proceed to Dover. Most of the troops

33
m.v. "QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL"
203
This vessel was requisitioned for Government Service as a troop and carrying transport on 8th January, 1940, when lying in the river
Fal.
She proceeded to Dover, where she arrived on 15th January and fitted out for the Service. Fitting out was completed on the 20th
February, compasses adjusted on the 21st, and the first passage made on the 23rd February to Boulogne with 492 troops returning from leave. Five Lewis Guns and Sixteen R.A. Gunners were attached to the ship for defensive purposes.
The vessel continued in this service fairly regularly during
March and April, one voyage being made each day, and carried on an average about 500 troops per passage, and about 13,000 in all.
After leave for troops was stopped, about lstMay, the vessel ran with mails, King's Messenger and troop details until 18th May.
The Irish Guards were carried to Boulogne for final defence of that port, and wounded and R.A.M.C. details brought back to Dover on the 22nd May.
On the 19th May a special voyage was commenced to Dunkirk for refugees, but the ship was stopped off Gravelines and eventually returned to Dover without proceeding to Dunkirk.
On 23rd May, the vessel proceeded to the Downs anchorage, returning to Dover on the 24th and anchoring in the Cuter Harbour until the morning of the 27th. The vessel's Lewis guns were in action against enemy aircraft on the nights of the 23rd and 26th.
On the morning of the 27th May at 5,00a.m. orders were received to stand by to proceed to Dunkirk, vessel victualled and watered and proceeded at 2.00p.m. Arrival at Dunkirk was about 3.00p.m., making fast to Eastern breakwater, about 50
troops were taken on board, after which the ship was ordered to anchor off the beach and send boats ashore for troops. Four boats were sent away and made several trips bringing off about
200 troops.
Fresh orders were then received to return to the Eastern
Breakwater and complete. Poats were hoisted inboard, except one which could not be traced in the dark. Vessel re-secured to breakwater, the balance of men were taken on board, making a total of about 920, and at 2.55a.m. on the 28th proceeded on the return voyage.
During the whole of the time in Dunkirk Air Raids were in progress, bombs being dropped through thick smoke indiscriminately and several wrecks on the banks being also machine-gunned.
For tunately none fell close to the ship.
After sailing, at about 4.15a.m., half-an-hour before sunrise, an aeroplane was observed approaching on the starboard bow about
2,000 feet up, distinguishing marks not being decipherable, this plane circled and dived when on the port beam. Lewis gun fire was then opened from the ship, but 3 or 4 bombs had then been released which straddled the ship a little abaft the mainmast. The slight delay action of these bombs caused an upward explosion which broke the vessel's back, the starboard propellor shaft and rudder, the stern dipping into the water. The wireless aerial had also carried away and No.5. boat was blown across the deck.
-1-

eport from J.McNamee. Chief
165, isiington, fficer. "St.Selrioi"
Liverpool.3.
13th June, 1940.
To.mr.T.G.Brew. To.
234
Dear Sir,
1 submit the following report as equested by you.
Monday 2/ th May. at 1.30 pm. We proceeded to Dunkirk and arrived alongside the Pier about 7.30 pm. There was an Air Raid in progress. Our guns with others were in action. We landed a man on the Pier to hang on our Ropes. About 8.0 pm. Lieut.Comm.Williams.RN
came on board and told the Captain to proceed out of the Harbour, lower his boats and get the men on board from the beach. We got to the Anchorage. I lowered the first boat i/c 2nd Officer H. Roberts A.B.
J. Wishart Fireman. The 2nd boat i/c R. Thomas. J.Kelly A.B.
J. Lewis Signalman. The third boat was taken by the crew of a Trawler.
When 1 was about to lower the 4th boat we received information that there were a number of troops arriving at the Pier.
With the remainder of the Crew we still had on board we proceeded alongside the Pier. We got about 600 men on board, they were arriving in batches, about 11.0 pm. we were told there were no more men in the vicinity, so we cut our mooring ropes. On hearing more men running along the Pier we got the ship alongside the Pier again and got about ou more men on board. During our stay alongside the
Pier we had four Air Raids. While we were leaving the Pier the enemy dropped illuminated parashutes which lit up the whole sea front. Our Captain backed the vessel up the Harbour under the smoke screen made available to us from the burning town of Dunkirk.
We then proceeded to try and pick up our boats and crew, but was ordered by a destroyer to proceed to Dover via Calais. When off Calais we were attacked by bombs and Machine gunfire, the plane coming doen to the level of the Navigation Bridge, but fortunately for us a Destroyer was passing at the time and came into action and the plane was destroyed.
About 5.0 am. Tuesday 28th May. We arrived at Dover and were ordered to disembark at Folkestone.
We remained at Folkestone all day getting Fresh Water, Oil
Fuel and Stores. At 9.0 pm. we went to Anchor East of Pier at
Folkestone.