TNA Unclassified 1

118
men on dech during the morning also all an ailable bully. help Mr many had been without food In days.
I went almpide man at Boo, finding that my engines one to astern at nery slow shee filters also being chohed I ashed homes to Carry ont up air which we my defect prov inj too heavy for arranged with hole. Ramsjali to p to apair in mesers Claxtins you, the unes bas in at 2000
my Crew then had the
14ghts ust since 24th instant, they almost all, at the end then tel may 31ˢᵗ
Itwas forew that up take 48 home, I was uni proced in Such Cm detion as the i fo astem, as I considered it would he the throwing away of ship crew ope solders, if has been stuch in the
I then ashed for 8
Command the 30 knot C.M.B. Haig thing mounting being Carned and hausferred Lewis funo, Junners
E.R.A. I sailed independently for Dr al-full speed, arriving about 1430
During this time nu air laid lueve in propress, the "Ske being sunh head me. & a ddetime passage excellent Rul Ldg yea Haffai made machine funned b a messerschmed practice that he must have

Dynams 232
205
192
LOG of H.M. Motor Boat LADY CABLE of Torquay during operations carried out June 2md and 3rd, 1940.
In command: Acting Sub-Lieutenant G.A. Cadell, R.N.
Cadet Rating G.R. Price
Stoke Worsall
Able Seaman or Ordinary Seaman Smith from Newfoundland,
Sunday, June 2nd, 1940.
Took over boat during forenoon from Mr. Gooding who operates boat for owner at Torquay. She had done one trip to the beaches near Dunkirk. Took on provisions, water, petrol, etc. Mr. Gooding showed Stoker Worsall the working of the engines Cylinder Atlantic running on petrol.
At about 1500 went over to Prince of Wales Pier and was then taken in tow by SUN VI, together with two life-boats and one other craft. Started for Dunkirk at approximately
1530, having been handed previously copy of Sailing
Instructions to Drifters, together with rough sketch map of course to follow. After uneventful trip arrived off
Dunkirk harbour at about 2230 and received orders to proceed in harbour and go a long way up the Mole to embark soldiers - fill up and return to tug, then go in for further loads. At times had difficulty in persuading
French troops to embark in LADY CABLE, the reason apparently being reluctance to break their units or to act without definite orders from their officer who was probably still in the town of Dunkirk. However, we took four boat loads off - each load containing between 40 and 50 soldiers.
Three loads I took to tugs and one to H.M.S. WISHART when tug was not in usual position. Spoke to tug after fourth trip and was informed that it would soon be light and that she could'nt wait much longer. In reply to a question if any British officers were still left on the Mole, I replied that on earlier trips I had seen one who had asked me not to leave him behind. This officer was engaged in helping the embarkation of the troops. I had not seen him on my last trip but told tug I would make another trip to see if he was there. Informed tug would be as quick as possible and if tug could not wait, would return to England under own power. Tug said she could only wait a short while.
On going in for fifth time engines began to go badly and stopped altogether before reaching point of embarkation.
Engines got going again and we went alongside and collected about 24 more French soldiers. There was no sign of British officer and Price reported to me that French on the Mole told him he had gone. I sent Price up on to the Mole to make enquiries. Owing to the improbability of tug waiting for us, I only took 24 soldiers as a greater number would have made trip back to England under own power too hazardous. Just after passing lighthouse at end of harbour, engines stopped again. Noticed we were close to W.D. craft (later found to be HAIG) who I imagined from her position was watching us and would/

206
123
would be able to assist us if necessary and realised that we were the last English boat leaving harbour. Could not get engine of LADY CABLE to start but after a short while
W.D. boat came nearly alongside her engines were running and making considerable noise. Their action then appeared to me suspicious she appeared to be undamaged in the half light.
By now dawn was nearly breaking. When W.D. boat came close to us I ordered one of my crew Cadet Rating Price -
to board her. He managed to jump aboard but the two boats drifted apart. Price shouted that there was nobody aboard.
Yet her engines were going in neutral of course. Displaying great initiative and resourcefulness, Price was able to make
HAIG go slow ahead and was able to steer her close enough to LADY CABLE for me to jump aboard. Our first efforts to get a line between the two boats were unsuccessful.
The operation was made difficult by the LADY CABLE being full of French soldiers who did not of course appreciate what was happening and were therefore unable to be of much assistance however willing they might be. After some time the two boats were secured but in order to pass a line it had been necessary for Price to swim from the HAIG to the
LADY CABLE with it. Price did this on his own initiative and displayed great courage and efficiency.
By the time the two boats were secure it was almost broad daylight and we were still very close to Dunkirk
Harbour and appeared to have drifted inshore to the S.W. and were very close to the pall of smoke which shrouded the coast to the West of Dunkirk.
On inspecting condition of HAIG found that she had a fair amount of water forward and was damaged extensively on the port bow. However, I got French poilus to work the pump in relays and towing LADY CABLE and going very slow ahead were able to make progress and prevent the water forward from rising.
For some time we did not discover that each engine had a separate control lever and had been going ahead on one engine only. For several hours we made slow progress.
Worsall was trying to get LADY CABLE's engine to start again and Smith was steering her. I left most of the French in
LADY CABLE.
I saw a submarine half surface about half a mile ahead on one occasion and also a number of German aircraft passed close ahead of us. Luckily we were either not seen or not deemed of sufficient importance to attack. A French destroyer came and had a look at us but I did not signal to her as we were making fair progress. A flight of 3
Hurricanes flew low over us and later we saw Spitfires and Defiants, but luckily no German planes approached us.
The starboard engine of HAIG packed up I think about
0730. I had not time to keep a detailed log of events.
By this time Stoker Worsall had got engine of LADY CABLE
to go again and I secured her alongside HAIG as towing her astern with only our port engine going was too difficult.
For a considerable time we made very slow progress using engines of both boats. LADY CABLE's engine kept stopping, which made our progress very slow and steering difficult. At last/ French
4-funnelled light cruiser or large destroyer X 440 (I think)
with bow wave painted on her, saw us and came up to help. I
had/

207
194
I had great difficulty in manoeuvring alongside and this difficulty was made worse by the attitude of a few of the
French soldiers who had become panicky and kept shouting
"Au Secours" and shouting at me to hurry up and get them alongside! Only a small section of the soldiers took this attitude which was formulated by a soldier (Heaven knows what rank or capacity) who looked at least sixty, having a pointed grey beard! I found it so difficult to get the boats alongside while we were secured together that I decided to cast off the HAIG and left Cadet Rating Price on board her with orders that I would come back to the HAIG as soon as the French soldiers were on board the cruiser.
We were very close to X440 and I was alongside her in about two minutes. The French troops scrambled aboard her and I spoke to a French Naval Officer and asked him to wireless Dover that I had the W.D. craft in tow, that we were in difficulties and needed assistance. He promised to do this and also told me the course we should follow from our present position. I noticed that while the French troops were boarding X440, the HAIG had drifted alongside
X440 further aft and I noticed Price talking to the French sailors but do not recall seeing him go aboard X440.
As soon as the troops were aboard I shoved off and
X440 went ahead. HAIG was now astern of X440 and I went alongside her at once. To my amazement there was no sign of Price, who must either have fallen overboard or else boarded the X440 and had not been able to get back aboard
HAIG before X440 went ahead. There was no sign of anyone in the water.
I was now left with Worsall and Smith to manage both the HAIG and LADY CABLE. There was no chance of the HAIG
towing the LADY CABLE owing to the fact that only HAIG's port engine was working and this would have made steering very difficult and also it would not have been possible to prevent the water from rising forward as there were no spare hands to pump. I decided then to try and tow HAIG alongside
LADY CABLE. First I stopped HAIG's engine there was no object in leaving it running. It took us quite & while to discover how to stop the engine!
Efforts at towing alongside were unsuccessful - the lines kept parting and the bollard aft in LADY CABLE was not up to the strain. The only possible chance left of towing
HAIG was astern but this meant that the tow rope would have to be secured forward around the mast of LADY CABLE and led aft along the deck. We could not secure the tow rope aft efforts at towing HAIG alongside.
owing to the bollards having been carried away by our previous
I realised that there was a considerable risk towing from forward that the tow rope might jump over the engine room cabin housing and I took every care to watch for this happening. We managed to make a little progress but several times the tow rope nearly jumped the cabin and unfortunately this finally happened when our engine had almost stopped and the HAIG yawed away to port. I went overboard like a shot from a gun and felt the screw of LADY CABLE touch my left foot. Luckily I caught hold of a fender alongside
HAIG. Worsall quickly got on board HAIG and he and Smith
(who was already abord HAIG) were able to pull me out of the water. After this episode I decided reluctantly that any further efforts at towing HAIG were impossible, especially/

208
195
my left foot.
especially as I was partially incapacitated by a wound on
As we were a long way from the French coast I decided that there was very little chance of HAIG falling into enemy hands and that no doubt help would soon be forthcoming in reply to the wireless message I had asked X440 to send.
I hauled down HAIG's ensign and took it aboard LADY CABLE and we tried to make towards the English coast. Unfortunately the engine kept stopping and we made very slow progress and finally nothing would make our engine start again. We drifted helplessly for several hours and then sighted a Bell
Buoy which I believe may have been the N.W. Goodwin Bell
Buoy, but we did not get close enough to make sure. At last we sighted a warship and waved HAIG's White Ensign to try to attract stention. We were seen and the ship altered course towards us and came up close to LADY CABLE. She was the French transport ROUEN of Dieppe and was packed with troops from Dunkirk. An officer asked what I wanted and I
told him that we were broken down and asked to be taken aboard. To my surprise my appeal was met with a blunt
"No" - with no explanation, and the ROUEN steamed away.
My crew and I felt angry at this in view of the fact that we had rescued over 200 French soldiers during the night.
No doubt the ROUEN had good reasons for not taking us aboard but no explanation was given and I would like if possible to discover why she was unable to help us.
Luckily another ship some considerable distance away had noticed the ROUEN and observed that she had not picked us up. This ship was the CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH and she came up and took us in tow to the Downs where she was bound for in ballast. On arrival in the Downs where CITY OF
CHRISTCHURCH dropped anchor, we were able to start up the engine of LADY CABLE and I decided once again to try to make for Dover. However, we broke down after a run of about
15 minutes and were picked up by a tug (Operational I
don't know her name). She had orders to proceed to Ramsgate with H.M. Drifter VIKING in tow and was about to do this when we broke down near her. She towed us to the VIKING
and I boarded the VIKING to have my injured foot attended to and get some rest. VIKING and LADY CABLE were towed round to Ramsgate where we arrived about 2100. I was landed and taken to "Merrie England" and then to Ramsgate General
Hospital.
The Commanding Officer of VIKING at my request reported the return of LADY CABLE and that one member of my crew,
Cadet Rating Price was missing but might be aboard French warship X440. He also reported direct to C. in C., Dover, about HAIG. A little later, while I was still at "Merrie
England", the Commanding Officer of VIKING arrived to tell me that he had been informed from Dover that HAIG was safe.
Unfortunately he had no news for me of Cadet Rating Price.
The behaviour of my crew throughout the operation had been magnificent. The taking off of over 200 French troops and 6 British from the Mole was conducted quickly and calmly under difficult and hazardous conditions. Later,
Cadet Rating Price's work in helping to get the HAIG alongside LADY CABLE cannot be too highly praised. Without the great initiative and efficiency he displayed the operation would not have been successful and the HAIG would have drifted ashore to the S.W. of Dunkirk.
After/

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196
After I had transferred French troops to X440 and the disappearance of Cadet Rating Price, both Stoker Worsall and Smith displayed great determination and efficiency when we were trying to take HAIG in tow. When I was knocked overboard they both acted with great speed and yet showed great coolness in their difficult job of trying to get me out of the water. I knew that a great physical effort from me would defeat its object and that my one hope was to be pulled out of the water slowly. Worsall and Smith carried out my orders perfectly and I owe my life to their efforts.
When I went overboard I was wearing an Army Captain's British
Warm - a considerable weight - and this fact, coupled with the knowledge that my heart is not good, made me realise at once that to save my life I must not make a great physical effort myself. The realisation of this and the way in which
Worsall and Smith carried out my instructions enabled me to escape from a very nasty predicament.
The fine but unsuccessful efforts of Worsall and Smith in trying to get the engine of LADY CABLE going again after we had abandoned HAIG, deserve the highest praise. Their cheerfulness during the hours we drifted helplessly in the
Channel before being taken in tow by the CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH
was magnificent.
It will be realised from this report that I cannot speak too highly of the courage, coolness and efficiency shown by my crew.
(Signed) G.A. Cadell
Acting Sub-Lieutenant, R.N. (Retired)
Report completed 8/6/40,
Ramsgate General Hospita.

Dynam 195. 369
HR
Car. Troup's report
347
I left Ramsgate on the night 2nd - 3rd June in
War Ministry fast motor boat "Haig" with three other fast
W.M.M.B's. I took with me the French Naval Attache Captain de Revoir who came over to see how the embarkation was going on on the pier. I gave instructions to the Officers in charge of boats to act independently and ferry troops to ships taking a final boat load back to Ramsgate.
I entered Dunkirk harbour and proceeded alongside the centre pier and with great difficulty persuaded 40
French soldiers to come aboard. These I took to 8 big ship outside and returned for more. After loading 39
I again proceeded out and just in the entrance was rammed by a French tug on the prto beam; as the hole was a good foot above the water line I went on. I had not gone more than 200 yards when another French tug altered course and rammed me in the forecastle, cutting halfway through the upper deck and right up to the keel.
I managed to get clear quickly and took the boat alongside the "Westward ho" and got the soldiers out, one of whom got his shoulder smashed in the collision. A destroyer coming across the bow of the "Westward ho" caused her to go astern and the wash from her paddle filled the boat up with water and washed her away from the ship. Asx soon as the ship stopped I again got alongside and as it was now three oclock and the Captain had been ordered to clear out everyone else having gone, I decided to abandon the boat and get on board the ship with my crew and return to
Margate. On the way over Captain de Revoir told me there was some difficulty on the pier and suggested he should go there the following night and help. I therefore arranged to take him.
On night on 3rd- 4th I left Rangsate in the
W.M.M.B. "Swallow" at 2000, but I left without Captain de Revoir who missed the boat, arriving at Dunkirk at
2230 going straight alongside the centre pier where I
landed and sent the boat off ferrying, with orders to come back at 0330 for me.
I found I could be usef as was suggested by
Captain de Revoir in making ships fast, finding out the number of men they could take and then getting the French
Officers to help me embark the troops quickly, So I
decided to make myself Piermaster and everything else combined. The French soldiers were very loath to be separated from each other, their companies or their
Officers but by promising them they would only be separated for two hours and would meet again in England they moved quicker. I embarked at least 10,000 troops.
The French ficer Captain le Comte leChartier de Sedouy on the staff of General Lucas of the 32nd Division was very helpful and I arranged with him to take the general and a staff off with me not later than 0330, I had some qualms about the boat returning for me as her engines were somewhat groggy I instructed the Officer in the boat if he was in any doubt to close one of the other boats and order him to come in by 0300 at the latest. It so happened that he broke down altogether and told no one and it was into harbour about 0305 just at the time I was beginning
Just by luck that the motor boat which took me off came to wonder.
I would like to put on record the wonderful discipline of the French troops when the last ship left about 0300.

487
SPECIAL FLEET ORDER No. 1.
458
8th June, 1940
EVACUATION of the BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE from DUNKIRK
The undermentioned ratings of the War Department Fleet are commended for the gallant part they played in connection with the evacuation of the
British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk - 30th May to 3rd June, 1940
W.D.M.L."GROUSE"
T/Mate i/c
Mason, W.T.
T/A.B.
Taylor, J.R.
T/3/Engr.
Hewett, C.
W.D.M.L. "HAIG"
A/1/Cl.Mr.
Wales, F.J.
A.B.
Allen, 8.
A.B.
Farmer, 7.
1st Engr.
Walter, R.
3rd Engr.
Crabb, S.
W.D.M.L. "KESTREL"
Mate 1/c
Cains, A.B.
A.B.
Vine, A.E.
T/3/Engr.
Spain, J.H.
W.D.M.L. "MAPLBOROUGH"
A/1/Cl.Mr.
Matthewa, J.
T/A.B.
Ferrier, C.
T/O.S.
Durrant, K.
T/3/Engr.
Stone, A.L.
T/3/Engr.
Stewart, R.
W.D.M.L. "PIGEON"
T/Mate 1/c
Yealland, E.L.
T/A.B.
Brenton, J.
T/3/Engr
Rowe, S.B.
W.D.M.L. "SWALLOW"
T/Mate i/c
Clarke, W.R.
A.B.
Hay, H.
3rd Engr.
Cherry, F.
T/2/Cl.Mr.
Beard, E.L.
W.D.M.L. "WOLFE"
Thompson, A.
A.B.
T/3/Engr.
Hodgkinson, D.
Mate i/c
Bell, L.C.
W.D.M.L. "VULTURE"
T/A.B.
Parry, A.J.
3rd Engr.
Bygrave, F.

Mostly with Scratch Crews on 4th trip and all on 5th
1.6.40. Brought down an enemy aeroplane by Lewis Gun.
2.6.40. Rammed by tug & reported sunk with 30 men on board.
All saved. saved,Engr,Walter landed at trip.
Margate.
3.6.40. Salved by R.A.F.
4th trip. Leaking badly.
5th trip. Reported sunk off
Dunkirk, but towed
1971
5th trip. Towed back to Dover.
462
8
into Margate.
TOTAL
Numbers rescoed, Same
5
55
132
Dynam 333.
490
Dyuam 333.
A.D.M.T.
461
ddressee, any reply being made on a separate paper.
Ramsgate and Margate - Dynamo Proceedings
D.M.I. 's office,
ARSENAL,
II
RAMSGA
WOOLWICH, S.E.18.
3217/212
14th June
1940
ag Officer Commanding Dover.
Forwarded in continuation of
3172/212 of 11/6/40 appendix 3.
employment under S.N.O.,
Captain T.W.G. Duka was sent to
Ramsgate - Dunkirk.
msgate to tend War Department Boats lent r Dynamo operation. He saw to the
-servicing him that of these craft and it was due ips. they got in so many successful
T.W.G.Duka, who returned here on Saturday you have a brief summary of the vessels of yed under you from May 31 onwards at Ramagate ion from Dunkirk.
or your information in case they may be of
7th June 1940.
Captain.
he number of trips made to Dunkirk by the
Naval Officer in Charge,
1 find on the top of page 1 in the rightscratch crews, as the W.D.Fleet, all of whom th trips on June 2 and 3 were carried out
ICE ADMIRAL ADMIRA
after the third trip with the exception of amen, namely:
18 JUN 1940
1st Engineer in the "HAIG".
the Engineer in the "KESTREL".
the "SWALLOW".
the "SWALLOW".
of the W.D.Fleet Special Fleet Order No. 1
formation contained in the above may be of
1 such a vast "pack" in the way you did.
al show you ran.' I am lost in admiration is sincerely,
(Colonel)
S.N.O.,
Naval Base,
Ramsgate.

-
197
Mostly with Scratch Crews on 4th trip and all on 5th
1.6.40. Brought down an enemy aeroplane by Lewis Gun.
2.6.40. Rammed by tug & reported sunk with 30 men on board.
All saved,Engr,Walter landed at
462
Margate.
3.6.40. Salved by R.A.F.
4th trip. Leaking badly.
5th trip. Reported sunk off
Dunkirk, but towed into Margate.
5th trip. Towed back to Dover.
trip.
TOTAL
Numbers rescued.
35
945
55
132
Same pace 314460
Dynams 333.
T.
1251
461
Dyuanno 333.
being made on a separate paper.
The D.M. 's office,
Ramsgate and Margate - Dynamo Proceedings
ROYAL ARSENAL,
2.
II
SGA
WOOLWICH, S.E.18.
No. 3217/212
14th June
1940
Flag Officer Commanding Dover.
Forwarded in continuation of my 3172/212 of 11/6/40 appendix 3.
r S.N.O.,
2.
Captain T.W.G. Duka was sent to te - Dunkirk.
Ramsgate to tend War Department Boats lent for Dynamo operation. He saw to the re-servicing of these craft and it was due to him that they got in so many successful returned here on Saturday trips.
summary of the vessels of cm May 31 onwards at Ramagate
WRRhithmiN
ion in case they may be of
Captain.
17th June 1940.
Naval Officer in Charge,
Ramsgate.
ps made to Dunkirk by the
P of page 1 in the right-
2 and 3 were carried out
S the W.D.Fleet, all of whom
VICE ADMIRAL
trip with the exception of
18 JUN 1940
#
the "HAIG".
DOVER
the "KESTREL".
t Special Fleet Order No. 1
ined in the above may be of
: I am lost in admiration to control such a uned to control such a vast "pack" in the way you did.
Yours sincerely,
Yours sincerely,
(Colonel)

491
Mostly with Scratch Crews on 4th trip and all on 5th
1.6. 40. Brought down an enemy trip.
aeroplane by Lewis Gun.
2.6.40. Rammed by tug & reported sunk with 30 men on board.
All saved,Engr,Walter landed at
3.6.40. Salved by R.A.F.
4th trip. Leaking badly.
trip. Reported sunk off
Dunkirk, but towed
5th trip. Towed back to Dover.
462
into Margate.
Margate.
5th
TOTAL
Numbers
35
945
55
132
Dynam 333,
461
Communication to be retained by the addressee, any reply being made on a separate paper.
aphic Address. "TRANSPORT, WOOLWICH."
NAVA JUNISTON The DIER. 's office, hone No.: Woolwich 2080, Extension 54.
212.ROYAL ARSENAL, ny further communication on this subject ald be addressed tosst. Director of Military Transport,
RAMSGA
WOOLWICH, S.E.18.
Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, S.E. 18,
I not personally to any Officer.
14th June
1940
The following number should be quoted ference No. C.R.1320.
Subject Launches and their employment under S.N.O.,
Ramsgate - Dunkirk,
Dear S.N.O.,
My representative Captain T.W.G.Duka, who returned here on Saturday tells me you asked him to let you have a brief summary of the vessels of the W.D. Fleet which were employed under you from May 31 onwards at Ramagate in connection with the evacuation from Dunkirk.
I attach two statements for your information in case they may be of some use to you.
Statement No. 1 - - shows the number of trips made to Dunkirk by the different launches, and you will find on the top of page 1 in the righthand column that the 4th and 5th trips on June 2 and 3 were carried out with what I have described as scratch crews, as the W.D.Fleet, all of whom of were civilians, declined to go after the third trip with the exception two Engineers, and two Able Seamen, namely:
1. R.WALTER
- who was 1st Engineer in the "HAIG".
2. J.H.SPAIN - who was the Engineer in the "KESTREL".
3. H.HAY
- A.B. in the "SWALLOW".
4. F.CHERRY
- A.B. in the "SWALLOW".
Statement No. 2. A copy of the W.D.Flest Special Fleet Order No. 1
of the 8th June, 1940.
of the information contained in the above admiration may be of some I hope that some What capital show you ran.' I an lost in did.
as to use how to you you. managed to a. control such a vast "pack" in the way you
Yours sincerely,
(Colonel)
S.N.O.,
Naval Base,
Ramsgate.

DUNKIRK. May 30, 31, June 1, 2 & 3.
Trips to Dunkirk.
TOTAL
Mostly with Scratch Crews
W.D.LAUNCH
Date & time
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
Numbers on 4th trip and all on 5th arrival
0400 hrs.
1415 hrs.
Various hrs
Various hrs.
Various hrs.
rescued.
trip.
Ramsgate
31.5.40.
31.5.40.
1.6.40.
2.6.40
3 - - 4 June
0815 hrs.
15 French
20 French
Out of
Out of action
35
1.
"GROUSE"
action
Portsmouth
31.5.40.
2215 hrs.
1830 hrs.
1.6.40. Brought down an enemy
"HAIG"
0845 hrs.
Ferry service
Escorted a.
80
Salved by R.A.F.
945
aeroplane by Lewis Gun.
2.
Lowestoft at Dunkirk.
badly damaged at Dunkirk p.m. 3 June.
2.6.40. Rammed by tug & report-
31.5.40.
800 saved destroyer to
Sailed back to Ramsgate ed sunk with 30 men on board.
Brought back
Sheerness
All saved. Engr. Walter landed at
65 at 2200
Margate.
hrs.
1830 hrs.
3.6.40. Salved by R.A.F.
0815 hrs.
35
20 French
"KESTREL"
Back empty
Reported sunk Dunkirk
55
4th trip. Leaking badly.
5.
Portsmouth
3 June, Towed into
5th trip. Reported sunk off
31.5.40.
2215 hrs.
2030 hrs, o500 hrs.
Margate, engine disabled.
Dunkirk, but towed
(3.6.40)
into Margate.
51
21 French
40 French
20 French
Towed into Dover. Lost
132
"MARLBOROUGH"
p.m.
5th trip. Towed back to Dover.
4.
propellers and rudder
50.5.40.
2007 hrs.
1830 hrs.
0430 hrs.
491

Statement from S.Y Vincea: (Re, Dankish
522
C. B.O.
Sir,
6x Imday the 31" M May, are the Jug Vincia left Ramagah in taw of three skelfs for Durkich at
2.45pm.
at 4Pm see were off the Sandethe Bany, who
548
eport by Lieut. V.A. de Mauny, R.N. (contd).
- 518
1500
From 1500 onwards we were subject to almost continuous attack by enemy aircraft and had the satisfaction of seeing 7 bombers brought down by destroyers' and shore batteries' anti-sireraft fire. Two enemy pilots escaped by parachute.
Majority of troops embarked at this point were
French.
1700
On hearing that there were a number of British troops on the beach near La Panne proceeded there with Sub. Lt. Cornish and his motor boat and succeeded in embarking a number of British.
Total number embarked was not recorded by no but was approximately 150 altogether.
2030
Having valuable cargo aboard and observing that there were a number of schoots and other craft who, owing to the absence of small power driven craft, were unable to get any troops. I decided to return to Base with my load and turned over my whaler to Sub. Lt. Cornish and asked him to report to the Schoot "Atlantic", the Commanding
Officer of which told me that he had been there all day without being able to get a single man on board for reasons explained above.
Proceeded by route X in company with other drifters, troop ships, tugs, etc. and were attacked by enemy aircraft until past No 6 W Buoy, when they were driven off by anti-aircraft fire from
British destroyers.
1st June.
1430
Arrived N. Goodwin L/V and anchored owing to insufficient water in Ramagate.
1600
Weighed and proceeded in to Ramagate and discharged
That troops. evening was ordered to return to Dunkirk in
"Ocean Breeze" but order was cancelled as we could not reach destination by 2130.
2nd June.
Ordered to proceed in Power Boat "Haig" with Lt. in
McMullan R.N.R. and Sub. Lt. Hollingshead
Proceeded with Marlborough in company with company with Marlborough, Kestrel and Swallow. Cmdr.
2100
Troop R.N. in command of "Haig" and with one lifeboat in tow.
3rd June.
0030
Approached Dunkirk; obliged to out lifeboat adrift she became full of water and was hampering bollard.
Entered speed Dunkirk Harbour and proceeded alongside as of "Haig" and damaging towing

522
C.B.O.
Sir,
6x Imday the 31" M May, are the S.Jug. Vincia left Ramagah in tan of three skiffs for Dunkish at
2.45pm.
as 4pm see were off the Sandetter Bany, old
Report by Lieut. V.A. de Mauny, R.N. (contd).
5+9
-
519
centre jetty and embarked French troops (approx
50 in number). Discharged troops to steamer lying outside and returned for further load.
Were informed that there were 700 troops aboard &
steamer aground off Nouveau Avant Port so proceeded alongside and took off 39 French troops.
As it was approaching daylight Cormdr. Troop decided to return to base with load.
0200
Off entrance of harbour we were struck on portside by two French motor vessels in rapid succession and holed on port side amidships and portside for'd. Forepeak rapidly filled with water so we proceeded alongside paddle sweeper "Westward
Ho" which was on point of leaving.
As "Westward HO" already had her engines moving and wash from her paddles was causing "Haig" to fill rapidly, speedy abandonment was necessary and all hands and troops boarded "Weatward Ho"
by port paddle-box door.
3rd June.
0700 Landed Margate.
ben June.
1530 Having been asked by Commander Hammond, D.S.O.,
D.S.C., R.N. to come as his navigating officer, boarded schoot "Pascholl" (Lt. Wise R.N.V.R.)
and proceeded (Cmmdr. Hammond in command) with
"Lena", "Hondsrug" and another in company with orders toreach Dunkirk No. 12 W buoy at 2300.
Courses and speed as requisite for Dunkirk.
2300
On arrival at Dunkirk entered harbour and endeavoured to find Jetty in Nouveau Avant Port.
This was not practicable owing to insufficient water so proceeded alongside centre jetty (East side) and embarked 255 French troops. During embarkation enemy action was conspicuous by its absence and all was quiet.
th June.
0200
Left Jetty in order to allow other vessels to come alongside and set course and speed as requisite for Ramsgate. Left by X route and arrived off
N. Goodwin L/V at 0630. Owing to insufficient water in Ramsgate and inability to anchor, proceeded to Downs by Gull Stream and Downs
Channel and up Ramsgate Channel, arriving in time to enter harbour at 0815. Discharged troops.