TNA Unclassified 1

2186
OPERATION DYNAMO.
ICLOSURE NO. 13.
SHIP: H.M.S. DOLPHIN's MOTOR BOAT.
OFFICER REPORTING: SUB-LIEUTENANT E.F. CORNISH-BOWDEN, R.N.
In company with H.M.S. EXCELLENT'S Power Boat, this boat sailed from Dover harbour at 0240 on Friday,
31st May.
2.
Soon after passing the North Goodwin Light Vessel,
EXCELLENT's boat signalled to the effect that she was very doubtful whether she could get to the French coast at maximum speed owing to lack of petrol and so speed was reduced to about 8 knots, the speed over the ground being considerably less owing to considerable yawing in a following sea.
3.
The two boats were routed to leave the usual course for Dunkirk some 20 miles from that place and proceeded through shallower water to La Panne and Bray.
About 15 miles N.W. of Bray an enemy floating mine was seen and an attempt was made to sink it by rifle fire.
This, however, failed, and the position of the mine was later reported.
4.
Owing to an error in navigation, caused largely by an inaccurate boat's compass, DOLPHIN arrived at Bray at
1100 and after enquiring as to our whereabouts proceeded to La Panne and attempted unsuccessfully to obtain petrol from H.M.S. HEBE.
5. Owing to the shortage of petrol I returned to
Bray and to try and fill my tank. However, this again proved impossible and so I decided to use what petrol I
had and ask for a tow home when the tank was dry.
6. EXCELLENT's boat had damaged herself on a submerged object and was close inshore. I was about to go to her aid when I was informed that the depth of the water was only 3
feet and I was ordered not to go in tooclose. I therefore was unable to be of any assistance in embarking troops from the improvised pier. I therefore asked ships present if I
could be of any assistance to them, but unfortunately they were already getting all that they needed.
7.
I then proceeded back to La Panne but when almost there the enemy started shelling the ships which immediately weighed and proceeded to Bray. On return to Bray, I
consulted the Senior Officer present as to my usefulness and it was decided that I should obtain a tow back to Dover to refuel when I hoped to obtain a tow back to Dunkirk with a full tank and where I believed I could be more usefully employed.
SARGOSSA, 8. arriving at Dover Harbour at about 1930, since
I left Bray at 1415 in tow of the dan-laying yacht when I have been employed towing and carrying despatches in
Dover harbour.
(Signed) E.F. Cornish-Bowden
Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.
[OVER

25a
241
ST. CLEARS 428
LADY BRASSEY
130
DANLAYERS.
FOREMOST 87
ST. OLAF
X3+30
GULZAR
GREY MIST
M.T.B's, M.A.S.B's.
SARGASSO
D.C.M.B. & W.D.M.I.
+39
COMFORT
NAUTILUS
STARLIGHT RAYS
M.T.B. 107. 447
THOMSONS
M.T.B. 68 405
M.T.B. 67, 443
M.T.B. 16,
ECHO SOUNDING YACHTS.
M.T.B. 1020 459
CONIDAW
M.A.S.B. 10/474
CHICO
D.C.M.B., 484
M.A.S.B. 61468
RAMSGATE
M.L.
100 476
M.A.S.M. No.7x479
MOTOR BOATS.
W.D.M.L's 8.V487
SMALL CRAFT UNDER CONTROL OF
DOVER M/S COMMAND.
493
CONTRABAND CONTROL BASE
WEYMOUTH.
LL. TRAWLERS.
M.B. FORTY TWO
THOMAS BARTLETT
LIGHTER Y.C.72
INVERFORTH
M.B. TWO RIVERS
LORD INCHCAPE
M.L. MERMAIDEN
OUR BAIRNS
LORD GREY
REPORTS OF SMALL CRAFT RECEIVED
CLYTHNESS
FROM, CAPTAIN, H.M.S. EXCELLENT,
RELONZO
PORTSMOUTH.
RESTRIVO
H.M.S. ST. FAGAN
OROPESA TRAWLERS.
D/C MOTOR BOATS.
H.M.S.EXCELLENT'S A.A. MOTOR BOAT
BOTANIC
HOPPER GALLION'S REACH
FYLDEA
MARETTA
VESSELS OWNED BY LONDON &
ARLEY
ROCHESTER TRADING CO. LTD.
POLLY JOHNSON
1493.
BROCK
THYRA
CALVI
PUDGE
JOHN CATTLING
CABBY
SEINE
"M" DRIFTERS
DETAILED FROM
YARMOUTH.
FEASIBLE
SWIFT WING
REED
JOHN AND NORAH
GENIUS
ALCMARIA
LORD HOOD
LORD BARHAM
OVERFALLS
JEANNIE MACINTOSH
GULA
REWGA
TARANSAY

CONFIDENTIAL
Drynam 375.
Subject.
REPORT ON EVACUATION OF B.E.F.
563
From
The CAPTAIN, H.M.S. EXCELLENT. Portsmouth.
68
Date
24th JUNE 1940.
No. 781/4.
To
THE VICE ADMIRAL, DOVER.
B.E.F., Motor Boats, by H.M.S. Commanding Officers, H.M.S. ST. FAGAN, of the
The the attached reports on the evacuation
"Gallions EXCELLENT'S A.A. Motor Boat and D/C
tial Portsmouth General Order 1700/40.
Reach" are forwarded in accordance with Confiden- Hopper
VIV ADMIRAL *
26JUN 1940 26JUN DOVER
a
CAPTAIN.
wy.
just clear of the suit, throw a line to the pulling- boats and then tow them out to the ships. One boat, heavily laden with men in full equipment capsised just as it we managed to recover one who revived after some was reaching us. most of the men sank like stones treatment. but
While this our screws became foul In of spite doing obstacle and rendered useless.
sunken of the anchor and vain efferts by other boats, the strong suit and ebbing tide soon drove us aground.

CONFIDENTIAL
Drynam 375 Bw/
Subject.
REPORT ON EVACUATION OF B.E.F.
593
}
From
The CAPTAIN, H.M.S. EXCELLENT, Portsmouth.
Date
24th JUNE 1940.
No. 781/4.
To
THE VICE ADMIRAL, DOVER.
The attached reports on the evacuation of the
B.E.F., by the Commanding Officers, H.M.S. ST. PAGAN, D/C
Motor Boats, H.M.S. EXCELLENT's A.A. Motor Boat and Hopper
"Gallions Reach" are forwarded in accordance with Confidenne tial Portsmouth General Order 1700/40.
ADMIRAL
OIL DOVER 26JUN1940
CAPTAIN.
&
a line to the pulling boats to the ships. One boat, heavily a prequipment capsised just as it aproul the men sank like stones but m dune who revived after treatment.
aws became foul of some ine * sendered useless. In spite
Ourto omeetfurts by other boats, the strong drove on drove us aground.

CONFIDENTIAL
Subject.
REPORT ON EVACUATION OF B.B.P.
564
68
From
The CAPTAIN, H.M.S. EXCELLENT. Portsmouth
Date
24th JUNE 1940.
No. 761/4.
To
THE VICE ADMIRAL, DOVER.
The Vine Octual
The attached reports on the ovnolation of the
B.E.F., by the Commanding Officers, H.H.S. ST. PAGAIF, D/C
Motor Boats, H.M.S. EXCELLENT's A+A+ Notor Boat and Hopper
"Gallion's Reach" are forwarded In accordance with Confidential Portsmouth General Order 1700/40.
three the how per cold 7 gallions events Reach after E.J.P.BRIND
the In Commander accestance which GAPTAIN.
my Portsmonth Comed at the Mappers Poternanth douth wy
1
cating- boats
Michael Lifer) the Let Washe I Rest heavily
Hits Nationals the Albre fine intenst as it
TAXTET enects Insurancely tones but
== rate boulthe the treatment.
AM D/2 teste sudar agreement the of some
In spite
KOME SHE - listogh in is an 12m quarte, the strong
LasHa Colours See at whop and.

604
2
569
H.M.B Excellent.
12 June.
Sir,
He
I have the honour to submit the following narrative of events covering the period 2200 Wednesday 29th May until the morning of saturday June 1st
In accordance with verbal orders, 9 sailed from
Portomouth in H.M.S' EXCELLENT'S A/A motor Boat about 2200 May 29th. The following afternoon it became necessary to put in to Dover owing to insufficient fuel to proceed to Ramsqate. While refuelling I received orders to remain at Dover.
about michight I got sailing orders to proceed at once to BRAY DUNES to assist with the terrying operations between the beach and waiting ships.
and went straight inshore. There was heavy sust
Early on Friday morning we arrived off BRAY
and many of the pulling boats which the soldiers were manning from a jethy of abandoned army transports appeared to be in difficulties. The general idea was for the power boats to nun in just clear of the suit, throw a line to the pulling boats and then tow them out to the ships. One boat, heavily laden with men in full equipment capsised just as it we managed to recover one who revived after some was reaching us. most of the men sank like stones treatment. but
While doing this our screws became foul In of spite obstacle and rendered useless.
sunken the anchor and vain efferts by other boats, the strong suit of and ebbing tide soon drove as aground.