Details

FOAM QUEEN(1)
Shipping Co.
Brit. Channel Ids.
Capt. A.T. Mastin,
31st May
-
Dunkirk. troops. Beached herself. Embarked Naster
-
Floated off at H.W.
lst June
0300
0910
Proceeded to Ramsgate.
Ramsgate. Disembarked 98 troops. (2)
Total 98
Authority - R.O.III,p.119.
(1) Roam Queen is a vessel of 1,000 tons.
(2) Ramsgate report. Not mentioned in D.R.
327

Details

MARSAYRU
M/B (42 ft. 6 in.)
See also under
Hr. G.D. Olivier, Skipper,
Naval Steam Pinnace] S/Lt. T.E. Godman, 31st R.H.V.R., May
lat-2nd June
31st May
0530ca
Left Sheerness for Dunk1rk with a
whaler in ton. In company were the
motor lighters X.217 (s/Lt. R.A.W.
1600ca
Pool, R.N.), X.213 and X.149(1)
Arrived off Dunkirk beach. Marsayru
sent her whaler into the beach.
It vaB rushed by about 50 French troops
and capsized.
Mr. Olivier says: Withdrew my ship
to review the position..... Managed
to pick up a ..... naval cutter which
we ..... used a little further down
channel".
Mr. Olivier continues: "Took off
many boat loads for Bome 5 hours,
loading X.217, S.S. Roam Queen,
S.S. Jaba and BC on. on this first
day we also managed to pull Foam
Queen off the mud". [The captain of
the Roam Queen, a vessel of 1,000
tons, says that she "floated off at
high water".]
[2100ca]
S/Lt. Pool in the X.217 says: "Having
collected some 250 French troops
I took the motor boat [1.e. the
Marsayru] and cutter in tow and left
for home".
The Marcayru evidently broke away
from the tow shortly after starting,
because she was found by a Naval
lst June
1400ca
Steam Pinnace (s/Lt. Godman) at
about 1400 on lot June, off La Panne,
drifting with the tide and unoccupied;
she was seaworthy and her ongines
were in working order. S/Lt. Godman
took command of the Narsayru, put
a crew on board her, started up the
engine, embarked about 24 troops
("there was insufficient room for
more" he says) and proceeded to
2nd June
0800
Ramogate, which he reached at 0800
on 2nd June.
"Later", says S/Lt. Godman, "the
previous crew took the boat over
again, on instructions from N.O.I.C"
Mr. Oliviers' report differs
ammont
from
the foregoing account. After stating that the
Foam Queen was pulled off the mud on 31st May,
Dr. Olivier says:
"Throughout this day and the days and
nights that followed (its all a
complete jumble in my mind) we were
..... under constant fire ..... but
ship was not hit by anything.
on ..... one day - Sunday 2nd June I
think - we were singled out for
uttention (we were alone, nearest
ship being about miles away) by
Bays: "X.217 and two other drifters".
245

Details

Details

Dynamo 18.5
182
MOTOR YACHT "MARSAYRU"
170
6th.June 1960
SKIPPER. G.D.OLIVIER.
SIGINEER
C.COGGINS.
CREW
Messrs.FORBES, HUMPHRIES and Leading Seaman BROWN.
I have the honour to report that I took over dommand
of the Motor Yacht "Marsayru" on Wednesday 29th.May 1940.
Before commencing this report I tried to sort things
out a bit but find that my recollection, regarding any particular
date on which incidents occurred, is extremely hazy. I therefore
hope that a general report on our doings will suffice.
We sailed from Sheerness on Friday 31st.May 1940 at
4 A.M., bound for Dunkirk, in company with X217 and 2 other
drifters under the comand of .Lieutenant POOL,R.N. We
steamed at 5 knots approximately. About 3 p.m. we came in sight
of the coast, a long line of fires, smoke and explosions as far
as the eye could see. About one hour later we contacted the
Naval forces engaged in evacuating the French soldiers from the
beaches. I had a whaler and sent it to the beach; it was
immediately stormed by about 50 Frenchmen and capsised at once.
My rating, Brown, had a job to prevent himself from being more
or less forcibly drowned. I then withdrew my ship to review
the position. Warps were everywhere, stuff that looked like
42", also smaller ropes which were the devil as I knew that
sooner or later we were bound to get our propellers in the way
of one of them. However this did not happen as soon as I had
feared. In our retreat p from the beach we managed to pick
up a very nice naval cutter which we captured and used a little
futther down channel where the French troops appeared to be a
little calmer. life took off many boat-loads for some 5 hours,
loading X217, S.S. "Foam Queen", S.S. "Jaba" and so on. On this
first day we also managed to pull "Foam Queen" (about 2000 tons
I should say) off the mud, into which she had put her nose.
I thought this spoke well for the engines of "Marsayru" and
Mr. Coggins who attended them. Throughout this day and the
days and nights that followed (it's all a complete jumble in
my mind) we were of course under constant fire of various kinds,
but I have the honour to report that the ship was not hit by
anything. On one day - Sunday 2nd.June I think - we were
singled out for attention (we were alone, nearest ship being
about 2½ miles away) by 4 brave Messershimits who dived and
machine-gunned us with much vigour but exceedingly poor aim
for about half an hour. We had a Bren and 2 rifles but did
not use them as the German pilots seemed disinolined to come
nearer than 2000 feet and I had given orders to hold our fire
Hurricanes have in sight and we saw no more of the Messerschmits
to 1000 feet range. A pity. After half an hour of this 3
after that.
Another day we were bombed by a large formation of
Heinkels flying miles up. At least I think it was our little in
ship they were after, unless it was one on the horison,
which case they missed by miles.
the course of these operations we took off
from the beaches During upwards of 400 French soldiers. To our luckier. bitter
disappointment we could find no British, others were tow -
He also mislaid out ship for a few hours - she was on
having propeller completely tied up with bits broke of and line we and
could not find engine her though we cast about for a time. arrived However
the other one knocking hard. The tow rope
back turned Sheerness up yesterday evening having called from Ramsgate - nice
she again next day - faithful thing. we
at 1200. at An eventful trip. We borught back 2 "prises" a
18ft

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Details

Dynam 19th
1/9105
REPORT OF MR. A.T. MASTIN, MASTER OF S.S. FOAM QUEEN. 104
(Given verbally to Licut. Condr. D.E.Holland-Martin, R.N.)
June 7th, 1940.
The "Foam Queen" 1s a vessel of 1,000 tons belonging
to the British Channel Islands Shipping Co., Ltd.,
2. She went over to the Durkirk beaches on Friday May
As there were no small boats there, she was ordered
31st. beach herself by a Patrol boat. This she did and Isunched shore
transa to her life boat which towed a grass ashore. The used
to end ferry the life bont to and from the ship. In this my
of the grass was secured to 8 lorry and the grass
100 troops were brought off.
The "Form Queen" floated off at High unter and
more waited troops. There were none, and so she returned
3. till 0300 on Sat. 1st June, hoping to find same to
Ramsgate.
1
lis

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501470
1 Sick Quarters at Ramsgate 4 SION HILL
June 7th
19 40
To NAVAL OF FICER IN CHARGE
RAMSGATE
Submitted
Report on the Medical Organisation at Ramsgate Naval
Base during the evacuation of the B.E.F. from the
French coast.
In such an emergency a basis of procedure had to
be rapidly improvised and modified according to
circumstances. Collaboration between the Naval. medical
personnel and the RAMC was essential and after the first
day was found to be working smoothly and efficiently.
The suggestion that the floor of the Merrie England
base should be used as & Clearing Station was supported
by the NOIC, and traffic from the eastern pier head
ATO
was so organised. Very little delay was found in
rapidly clearing the wounded from ships as they berthed.
tels
Smaller boats were dealt with at the Dover steps further
down. A naval and military doctor was always available
at the pier head for some time before and after high
led
tide at which time many of the larger vessels entered
the harbour. A pier head rallying point was
established for medical personnel, and here stocks of
dressings, stretchers and medical essentials were kept.
Transport in the form of ambulances Military, ARP, and
St.John's was always available and ample. I would
RILEA
United
JUTLAND
FREDANJA
TYCAP
CRASTS
JAJA
FOAM QUEEN
PACIFIC
BORNRIO
PASCHOLL
REIGER
SUN IV
LINIRED STAR
PATRIA
QUEEN
BRANDARIS
TANIA
RUJA
RESTREL
DELFUSE
SUN XV
HOPPER-
HANDBRUG
BARGE 24
(INO GEORGE y
SWALLOW
DWARP
CAVA
GROUSE
BOURNRIFT
ROYAL DAFFODIL
FABIA
PRINCE OF WALES
CARISTA
BAN
CELLETT
BOX FRED
ROYAL SOVERSION
LENA
VIRINO
SALVINA
DUCHESS OF FIFE ORIOLE

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Details

Page 4.
OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYN/MO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940.
PART I - - BRITISH SHIPS (contimued)
PERSONNEL AND HOSPITAL SHIPS
ARCHANGEL
MANXMAN
AUTOCARRIER
MONA'S QUEEN
BEN-MY-CREE
NEWHAVEN
BIARRITZ
NEPHRITE (Store Ship)
CANTERBURY
NGAROMA
CLAN MACALISTER
NORMANIA
COTE D'ARGENT
PARIS (Hospital)
COTE D'AZUR
PRAGUE
DINARD (Hospital)
PRINCESS MAUD
DORIAN ROSE (Store Ship)
QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL
FENELLA
ROEBUCK
FOAM QUEEN
ROUEN
ISLE OF GUERNSEY (Hospital)
ROYAL DAFFODIL
ISLE OF THANET (Hospital)
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
KILLARNEY
ST. ANDREW (Hospital)
KING GEORGE V
ST. DAVID (Hospital)
LADY OF MAN
ST. HELIER
LEVENWOOD (Store Ship)
ST. JULIAN
LOCH GARRY
ST. SEIRIOL
LORINA
SCOTIA
MAID OF ORLEANS
TYNWALD
MALINES name
WORTHING (Hospital)
MANXMAID
of Inen
WHITSTABLE
OTHER BRITISH SHIPS
ADVENTURESS
BONNY BELLE
AGNESS CROSS (Life-boat)
BOURNEMOUTH LIFE-BOAT
ALBATROSS III
B.P. ONE
ALOUETTE
BRITANNIA
ANDORA
BULLFINCH
ANDORA II (R.A.F. Launch)
CABBY
ANNE IV
CANVEY QUEEN
ATHOLA
CAVERSHAM (M.B.)
AURA
CHAMOIS (Lighter)
BAIL
CHERFIELD
BAT (Lighter)
CLAUDE (Water Boat)
BEE (Lighter)
COMMODORE
BELFAST
CONSTANT NYMPH
BLACK ARROW
CORDELIA
BLACK JAVA
CORNELIA
BLACKPOOL
C. 9
)
BOBELI (Motor Cruiser)
(Tugs)
C. 11
)
BONNY HEATHER
C.Y. 63
DABB II
DEFENDER
DHOON (Trawler)
Sunk
(Continued)

Details

Page 4.
LIST OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940.
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS (contimued)
PERSONNEL AND HOSPITAL SHIPS
ARCHANGEL
MANXMAN
AUTOCARRIER
MONA'S QUEEN
BEN-MY-CREE
NEWHAVEN
BIARRITZ
NEPHRITE (Store Ship)
CANTERBURY
NGAROMA
CLAN MACALISTER
NORMANIA
COTE D'ARGENT
} french
PARIS (Hospital)
COTE D'AZUR
PRAGUE
DINARD (Hospital)
PRINCESS MAUD
DORIAN ROSE (Store Ship)
QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL
FENELLA
ROEBUCK
FOAM QUEEN
ROUEN
ISLE OF GUERNSEY (Hospital)
ROYAL DAFFODIL
ISLE OF THANET (Hospital)
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
KILLARNEY
ST. ANDREW (Hospital)
KING GEORGE V
ST. DAVID (Hospital)
LADY OF MAN
ST. HELIER
LEVENWOOD (Store Ship)
ST. JULIAN
LOCH GARRY
ST. SEIRIOL
LORINA
#
SCOTIA
MAID OF ORLEANS
TYNWALD
MALINES
WORTHING (Hospital)
MANXMAID
WHITSTABLE
OTHER BRITISH SHIPS
ADVENTURESS
BONNY BELLE
AGNESS CROSS (Life-boat)
BOURNEMOUTH LIFE-BOAT
ALBATROSS III
B.P. ONE
ALOUETTE
BRITANNIA
ANDORA
BULLFINCH
ANDORA II (R.A.F. Launch)
CABBY
ANNE IV
CANVEY QUEEN
ATHOLA
CAVERSHAM (M.B.)
AURA
CHAMOIS (Lighter)
BAIL
CHERFIELD
BAT (Lighter)
CLAUDE (Water Boat)
BEE (Lighter)
COMMODORE
BELFAST
CONSTANT NYMPH
BLACK ARROW
CORDELIA
BLACK JAVA
CORNELIA
BLACKPOOL
C. 9 (Tugs)
BOBELI (Motor Cruiser)
C. 11
BONNY HEATHER
C.Y. 63
DABB II
DEFENDER
DHOON (Trawler)
Sunk
(Continued)

Details

Dynomo 185
182
MOTOR YACHT "MARSAYRU"
170
6th.June 1960
SKIPPER.
G.D.OLIVIER.
SIGINEER
C.COGGINS.
CREW
Messrs.FORBES, HUMPHRIES and Leading Seaman BROWN.
I have the honour to report that I took over dommand
of the Motor Yacht "Marsayru" on Wednesday 29th.May 1940.
Before commencing this report I tried to sort things
out a bit but find that my recollection, regarding any particular
date on which incidents occurred, is extremely hazy. I therefore
hope that a general report on our doings will suffice.
We sailed from Sheerness on Friday 31st.May 1940 at
4 A.M., bound for Dunkirk, in company with X217 and 2 other
drifters under the comand of ib.Lieutenant POOL,R.N. We
steamed at 5 knots approximately. About 3 p.m. we name in sight
of the coast, a long line of fires, smoke and explosions as far
as the eye could see. About one hour later we contacted the
Naval forces engaged in evacuating the French soldiers from the
beaches. I had a whaler and sent it to the beach; it was
immediately stormed by about 50 Frenchmen and capsised at once.
My rating, Brown, had a job to prevent himself from being more
or less forcibly drowned. I then withdrew my ship to review
the position. Warps were everywhere, stuff that looked like
42", also smaller ropes which were the devil as I know that
sooner or later we were bound to get our propellers in the way
of one of them. However this did not happen as soon as I had
feared. In our retreat p from the beach we managed to pick
up a very nice naval cutter which we captured and used a little
futther down channel where the French troops appeared to be a
little calmer. We took off many boat-loads for some 5 hours,
loading X217, S.S. "Foam Queen", S.S. "Jaba" and so on. On this
first day we also managed to pull "Foam Queen" (about 2000 tons
I should say) off the mud, into which she had put her nose.
I thought this spoke well for the engines of "Marsayru" and
Mr. Coggins who attended them. Throughout this day and the
days and nights that followed (it's all a complete jumble in
my mind) we were of course under constant fire of various kinds,
but I have the honour to report that the ship was not hit by
anything. On one day - Sunday 2nd.June I think - we were
singled out for attention (we were alone, nearest ship being
about 2½ miles away) by 4 brave Messershimits who dived and
machine-gunned us with much vigour but exceedingly poor aim
for about half an hour. We had a Bren and 2 rifles but did
not use them as the German pilots seemed disinolined to come
nearer than 2000 feet and I had given orders to hold our fire
to 1000 feet range. A pity. After half an hour of this 3
Hurricanes have in sight and we saw no more of the Messerschmits
after that.
Another day we were bombed by a large formation of
Heinkels flying miles up. At least I think it was our little
ship they were after, unless it was one on the horison, in
which case they missed by miles.
During the course of these operations we took off
from the beaches upwards of 400 French soldiers. To our bitter
disappointment we could find no British, others were luckier.
He also mislaid owe ship for a few hours - she was on tow -
having one propeller completely tied up with bits of line and
could not find her though we cast about for a time. However
the other engine knocking hard. The tow rope broke and we
back at Sheerness up yesterday evening having called from Ramsgate
she turned again next day - faithful thing. No arrived
at 1200. An eventful trip. We borught back 2 "prises" - a nice
18ft