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TNA Unclassified 1

TNA Unclassified 1
Collection details

TNA Unclassified 1

A working collection of Operation Dynamo source material whose definitive National Archives catalogue reference is still being identified.

Holding archive
TNA
Collection reference
Unclassified 1

Source: The National Archives, Kew, Unclassified 1. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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473
a
445
The career of the Thames barge before meeting 3.0.6. is worthy of comment. From accounts tt would seem that the
220 soldiers arrived at Braye dunes at approximately 0500
and saw the barge lying off-shore. They waded out and found she was aground. One officer examined the engine and when the ship floated with the rising tide started the diesel. Unfortunately it was in astern and they again beached themselves. After some delay they floated off and again started the engines making sure it was in shead.
They came up all standing on the anchor. After ineffective efforts to weigh the anchor they ran it out to & clinch and let it go., by which time the air bottles were exhausted and they were unable to start the diesel. They therefore decided to sail, but due to the absence of anyone with sailing knowledge their efforts created nothing but slight leeway which was counteracted by the set. They were therefore stationary they when discovered.
I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of all members of the crew during this somewhat trying time and it is difficult to mention anyone speliciabliyssex specifically.
toget
Sub.Lieut.Dehammel's safe-conduct of the barge is worthy of note, while the tireless energy and keenness of motor-mechanic Whittaker and the efficient way in which he kept the engines running and dealt with unexpected contingencies was also a magnificient effort.
VICE ADMIRAL
6.9. Event
11 JUN 1940
*
Jun HRN
DOVER
on passage to Dunkirk.
0115 Arrived Dunkirk and embarked C.O's of block-ships and Captain Dangerfield.
Carried out reconnaissance of the harbour.
0200 returned to block-ships.
Thames Barge Dangerfield Dover Whittaker

Raw OCR

Unformatted machine-generated OCR for document page 555.

- 5 -
473
a
445
The career of the Thames barge before meeting 3.0.6. is
worthy of comment. From accounts tt would seem that the
220 soldiers arrived at Braye dunes at approximately 0500
and saw the barge lying off-shore. They waded out and
found she was aground. One officer examined the engine
and when the ship floated with the rising tide started
the diesel. Unfortunately it was in astern and they again
beached themselves. After some delay they floated off and
again started the engines making sure it was in shead.
They came up all standing on the anchor. After ineffective
efforts to weigh the anchor they ran it out to & clinch and
let it go., by which time the air bottles were exhausted
and they were unable to start the diesel. They therefore
decided to sail, but due to the absence of anyone with sailing
knowledge their efforts created nothing but slight leeway
which was counteracted by the set. They were therefore
stationary they when discovered.
I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of all members
of the crew during this somewhat trying time and it is difficult
to mention anyone speliciabliyssex specifically.
toget
Sub.Lieut.Dehammel's safe-conduct of the barge is worthy of note,
while the tireless energy and keenness of motor-mechanic Whittaker
and the efficient way in which he kept the engines running and
dealt with unexpected contingencies was also a magnificient
effort.
VICE ADMIRAL
6.9. Event
11 JUN 1940
*
Jun HRN
DOVER
on passage to Dunkirk.
0115 Arrived Dunkirk and embarked C.O's
of block-ships and Captain Dangerfield.
Carried out reconnaissance of the harbour.
0200 returned to block-ships.