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Dynama 163.
H.M.S. "MARE",
HARWICH.
309
5th June, 1940.
Captain G.W.H. Heaton, D.S.O., R.N.,
HARWICH.
LAG OFFICER IN CHARGE
-7JUN1940
X
Sir,
HA
207
I have the honour to report that the "MARE", "SARAH HIDE" (Lieut.
Cruickshank, R.N.V.R.), "STRIVE" (Skipper H.A. Catchpole, R.N.R.), "THREE KINGS" J.I.
(Skipper W.A. George, R.N.R.), "RIG" (Skipper E.F. Beckham, R.N.R.) and
(Skipper G.A. Smith, R.N.R.), "TWEENWAYS" (Skipper E. Fawcett, R.N.R.), "UNICITY"
"JACKEVE" (Skipper C.E.F. Reynolds, R.N.R.), sailed from the Cork Light Vessel
morning. at midnight on Thursday, 30th May, and arrived at Ramsgate 0930 the following
The "SARAH HIDE", "STRIVE", "JACKEVE", "THREE KINGS" and "RIG" were
sent to Dunkirk by Captain E.L. Wharton, R.N., on Friday, 31st May, and separate
reports from their Commanding Officers are appended.
On Saturday, 1st June, I sailed for Dunkirk in "MARE" with "THREE
KINGS", "TWEENWAYS" and "UNICITY" in company. At 1248 when rounding the
S.E. Guter Ruytingen Buoy, observed three patrol trawlers being bombed by enemy
aircraft. The splashes made by these bombs, which must have been of large size,
were yellowish green in colour and quite as high as the funnels.
At 1300 saw the troop ship "SCOTIA" lying on her starboard side having
been bombed and set on fire by enemy aircraft. A British destroyer was lying
alongside taking troops on board and the mast of a two-funnelled paddler could
be seen about half a mile away. Altered course, and seeing several men in the
water, sent away a ship's lifeboat which had been borrowed at Ramagate. This
brought back nine French soldiers and six more were hauled on board the "MARE",
one of whom was restored by artificial respiration. These men were transferred
(together with two picked up by the "THREE KINGS" and one by the "TWEENWAYS"), to
the Ramsgate bound drifters "JACKETA" and "FIDGET".
When coming round full speed for Dunkirk a man was seen to wave a white
handkerchief on the poop of the burning troop ship, so proceeded alongside and
took him off with the boat. He was wounded in the face, and as there were no
more "homeward bounders", he was put below and made as comfortable as possible.
While engaged in picking up these men the Skipper, Mr. A.H.W. Pendle,
saw a bomb strike a trawler of which nothing could be seen when the smoke had
cleared away. Another trawler close by was also struck by a bomb but kept
afloat for some time.
Proceeded on course, soon afterwards passing a blazing motor launch,
and at 1450 rounded No. 5 Buoy in channel leading to Dunkirk. While doing so
came under fire from German shore battery and a heavy bomb was dropped ahead,
probably intended for a a troop ship in company with us. The concussion shook
the engines but did no damage.
of British 1540 the East Pier, proceeded to go alongside, but before to
arrived off Dunkirk Piers at low water and seeing a large number
making troops ordered on by Captain of British destroyer lying there with proceed
to West fast Pier was embark French and Belgian troops. A steam hopper drifter
"JEANNIE MacINTOSH" and lying alongside here were already at this pier.
iron ladder astern of them, ordered "TWEENWAYS" MACINTOSH". to
As another, the and "THREE three long ladders these four vessels were having soon about 200 with in
"MARE" went KINGS" to and "UNICITY" to go outside "JEANNIE filled
French hopper had the "THREE KINGS" and "UNICITY" and "MARE" and
troops and sailed, and paddler were the next to leave followed them
each "TWEENWAYS" ship. The destroyer taken on board a about 230 French and Belgians, astern.
at 1645. The having "MARE" also put 14 men in lifeboat towed
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