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rt of Proceedings of M.T.B. 107
Page 3
401
kships and transferred to H:M. S"VIVACIOUS". 2020 proceeded in two tow
M.S. "VIVACIOUS". 2230 Slipped tow and embarked Captain Dangerfield R.N.
H.M.S. "VIVACIOUS" and proceeded to Dunkirk imdependently. Navigation
rendered difficult by spray obscuring vision and by unknown doviation on
compass which had never been swung. 2330 (approx:) Arrived off Dunkirk
entered harbour and cruised there. Considerable shelling in progress,
icularly in vicinity of East Pier, alongside which M.T.B. 107 secured
and Captain Dangerfield. On his return left harbour and searched for
kships, two only being found, the third having been sunk in collision on
way. During this period M.T.B. 107 was alongside, she was crushed by
e French fishing craft which were engaged in evacuating troops and were
er unable or unwilling to keep clear. After closing the block ships
owed first into harbour and received crew from her boat and transferred
to H.M.S. "VIVACIOUS" lying outside, thereafter going in again and
ing up the remainder of the crew of the second blockship. Thereafter
Dunkirk at 0345 with H.M.S. "VIVACIOUS" and 1.A/S.B 07 arriving Dover
3rd June. Considerable difficulty was experienced in manoeuvring
B. 107 in Dunkirkk harbour, of much heavy wreckage, her inability to go
rnand her large turning circle.
ay, 2nd June
Left Dover 1735 and proceeded to embark Captains of blockships,
sfering them to H.M. S"SHIKARI". 2030 Proceeded in the two tow of H.M.S.
KARI" to Dunkirk inz company of blockships. On arrival off Dunkirk
ped tos and empboyed taking messages to blockships. On blockships
hing at about 0245 attended leading blockshep S.S. Gourko to follow her
nd take off crew. During watting period H.M.S. "SHIKARI" bombed without
ct. Heavy shelling rifle and machine gun fire observed. As Hall.S.
rko" was proceeding to enter heavy explosion was observed on board
from mine, torpedo or bomb. At once closed her to render assistance
secured alongside. At about same time M.A/S.B. 10 did the same and
rked part of her ship's company. XXXXXX S.S. "GOURKO" sank rapidly
king one of M.T.B's 107's lines in so doing. As N.A/S.B. 10 had
eeded into harbour to follow the remaining blockship N.T.B. 107
ined to rescue more of S.S. "GOURKO"S crew who had not succeeded in
ing away. 8 were rescued, including the commanding officer, 3 being
busly and 4 less seritously injured. Very considerable difficulty was
rienced in doing this owing to much heavy wreckage, the presence of
wreck of S.S. "KING ORRY" and the lack of manoeuvring power of M.T.B.
When satisfied that no-one remained in the water proceeded to search
H.M.S. "SHIKARI" to transfer survivors, as the small size of the boat and
of any accommodation made this highly desirable. Aa no sign of H.M.S.
KARI" or M.A/S.B. 10 could be found, and the blowing up of the remaining
ship had already been observed, and it was now practically broad day-
t, the time being between 0350 and 0400, I decided to make for Dover
pendently at utmost speed. On passage thick fog was encountered and,
bn to regretted error in navigation, M.T.B. 107 became involved in the
vins. I thereupon anchored until the weather cleared, having no faith
/ compass. The fog rapidly cleared, and I proceeded across the sands
he North Goodwin buoy, thence to Dover, arriving 0730, 4th June.
lay, 4th June.
At Dover.
esday, 5th June.
Proceeded from Dover to Portsmouth in company with D/C Boat and
B. 102.
Po
DO
servacus
rk closing
from her boat
aufter going
coecond blocksu,
Sand A/S.age the
sexperienn, M.T.B.
rkea Util the weat]
in
king ceared, and I
eeded to Dover, arriv