TNA Unclassified 1

Dyram 95.
CONFIDENTIAL.
263
From.
The Commanding Officer. Sheldrake.
248
Date
2nd June. 1940.
Reference.
RDA/0/37.
To
The Flag Officer in Charge. Harwich.
Subject
Meritorious Service Awards.
1.
Operations in which Sheldrake has been involved during the evacuation from Dunkirk has enabled certain officers and men to distinguish themselves in H.M.Ship under my command. The circumstances are outlined below so that the necessary action may be taken by you should you concur.
2.
Sheldrake was ordered by C-in-C. Nore. to proceed to the KWINTE BUOY
and destroy the Asdic Apparatus of one of our destroyers wrecked in the vicinity
3.
On arrival 'Wakeful' was found to be lying completely capsized with her stern resting on the bottom and only the forefoot visible, which appeared from oil marks on the waterline to be seni buoyant. A Boat under the command of my First Lieutènant, Lieutenant HUGH WILLIAM MACKENZIE ROSE, R.N.
was sent over and placed a berthing wire running from the bull ring round the keel, to the bull ring the other side. It was intended to hang depth charges on this 'necklace' and countèrmine them with other depth charges, using Bickfords fuze.
4.
For the second trip with two depth charges, it was necessary to tow the whaler to the wreck oh the end of a grass and to pump out oil fuel from Sheldrake to counteract the effects of ground swell and strong tide, which made operations difficult, particularly on the weather aide.
Good seamanship and stout hearts succeeded in placing one charge on either bow in the required spot without damage to the boat. Throughout the operation all were acutely aware that we were only 10 miles from Dunkirk with aircraft of both sides passing the ship at intervals, and that at bomb in the vicinity of a boat would have countermined the depth charges that they were placing.
5.
On the whalers return to the ship for the demolition charges,
C-in-C. Nore's signal "Cancel my 1044 area now mined" was received. It confirmed our own fears that we had been working in a mined area. It seemed a pity to leave the job half done and it was decided to sink the wreck by gunfire using D.A. fuze asnear the required area as possible, and if the ship sunk before the charges placed had been exploded, to fire them with a countermining pattern of depth charges. She sank inside ten mintes, and using the escaping bubbles from the punctured stem as an aiming mark, a pattern was dropped, of which the centre charge produced a plume that told us that the desired effect had been achieved. The only damage to Sheldrake was a few light fittings on the Stokers Messdeck caused by the capatan engine
'whipping' on the light deck above.
addition to Lieutenant Rose I wish particularly to mention
6. In Officer Albert Edward Jackson, Official No. 0/JX/125587
my Acting Chief Petty Boatswains Mate, whose energy din the whaler was largely responsible that the depth charges were placed.
second incident which I submit should receive. Trawler recognition
7. concerned The was the rescue of the survivors of H.M. dodging
ST. ACHILLEUS, with which H.M.S. Widgeon, aircraft closed and informed to me stress survivors the for those had been mined. After a night spent that M.T.B.
torpedoes bearing 340 degrees I wish particularly to the scene.
were in the waters this flight of three aircraft in leadin me continued to efficiency of the signal most expeditiously, two aircraft the ship
After circle passing over the area while one of their number flew past indicating

2.
continued.
7. inshore between Nieuport intention of waiting Trapegeer GP.OCC. remained
Having re-embarked Bk. the Gp. demolition Occ. and party at 0017 I
until 0230 with the with a faint hope until R
either left patrol, or by appearing from that on their return journey able to None the half light to be not been established engage. before were met, and the dawn suff of aircraft had I was clear of the path
8.
experience with M. T. few days, in the hope own
In submitting B. the during above report the last I would like to add my methods of operating may up.
from such scraps of unexplained be built evidence a complete picture of that the
9.
During the night of Thursday 30th. May. I was stationed on bow of Vega and Blyskawica, with Widgeon on the other bow, patrol between S Buoy and the West Hinder. At 2330 I was examined closel a Seaplane (floats) fitted with a radial engine. NO attack was made at 0120 the French destroyer Siroco" was torpedoed by M.,BS. with mile of us. Four pairs of red flares had been observed at 0119 al rocket at 0147.
10.
During the night of Friday 31st. May. I was patrolling under the orders of Widgeon, stationed on her quarter, between R and SB
At 2335 an M.T.B. was observed keeping station at 15 knots on the quarter of Sheldrake, distant about 3 cables. Before fire could be opened I heard the 'plop' of the torpedo at 2336, and realising too close to turn and ram and would expose my beam dangerously I
away to comb the track. The torpedo passed a ship's length under stern and up the starboard side. Widgeon had seen the attack, and ma was increased to 20 knots. Corvettes have no searchlight which attacks on these small targets difficult, as they cannot be point to the in the beam of the light, and are only visible throug night guns from the bridge. At 2340 I орепед fire with small illum and turned glasses to innocent small boat which I managed to passe with of the 10" before doing navigation any lights, course west. at ram an her harm. At 0030 an aircraft At aircraft range, at 2000ft. burning N.E. At 0040 flares were seen torpedo astern tra
Widgeon turned to investigate. I more torpedoes were heard saw not returned, course followed. At 0041 a to passed At down my port side, sounded and two alarm by siren, but I 03
one 0135 one aircraft passed overhead, 130degs. 2000ft. a hecti
At 0055 and 0100 Widgeon an course S, at 20000rning ation aircraft passed overhead, course attacks, but I spent following lights. the There continuous were no zig-zags further of widgeon till daylight.
11.
Points that emerge from the above are:-
(a) not made by lying in wait ahead 01
(b) attacks of the target are and always sometimes stopped. be used at the moment sb
(c) attack. small flares may been wate aircraft assisted co-operate by the marked and which gives ships away speeds.
continued