Details

EMILE DESCHAMPS
French fleet
auxiliary
4th June
-
This vessel was en route for England
from Dunkirk, crowded with troops
and refugees.
0558ca
The M/S Albury, about 5 cables ahead
of the Emile Deschamps, signalled her
the course to the N. Goodwin L.V.
which she had missed.
0600
21 miles east of the N. Foreland (near
the Elbow Buoy), the Emile Deschamps
struck a mine and sank in about a
minute. The fire-float Massey Shaw,
which was about 1 cableaway, picked
up 40 French sailors and transferred
them to the Albury.
Nelson's M/B picked up survivors, the
most seriously injured of which
she transferred to the Albury.
The P/V King George V which had just
passed the Emile Deschamps before
she was sunk, lowered 4 boats and
picked up 67 survivors; she put 10
aboard "H.M.S. Leader" [this was (1)
either the M/S Kellett or the Albury
0615
The M/S Kellett, to whom the Albury had
signalled, picked up some very
badly injured survivors.
A fog came down as the rescue
operations were completed.
The survivors which included 7 French
women and a boy, were landed at
Margate.
Authority - R.O.I., pp.221, 281.
R.O.III, p.51.
RM,6213/40.
TO.9144/41.
Emile Deschamps
AD 20
accx. M/S
Enseigne de vaineau
Tellier
(Kifled 4 th your)
Note by Cdr. Cras of French
Historical Dept.
(1) There damaged was M/S no vessel Leda was present some distance named "Leader". away, being The escorted
by the corvette Kingfisher.
280

Details

KELLETT (continued)
3rd June
-
0730
Sailed for Sheerness.
Arrived troops. Sheerness. Disembarked 364
1530
Sailed for Dunkirk.
4th June
0100
Arrived off Dunkirk harbour. Attempted
to go alongside the west pier, but
the Kellett's bows grounded.
Obtained a life-boat [the M.L/B
Greater London] which towed the
Kellett's stern away from the wall,
so that she was able to back away.
Embarked troops from M/B's. Ordered
to leave by R.A. Dover.
0220
Sailed for Margate.
0530
Encountered the M/S Leda with her
bows damaged(1) and escorted by the
M/S Albury. Sent the Albury on to
Margate, while Kellett proceeded with
Leda.
0615
The Albury reported that a ship had
been mined. Kellett went to her
assistance. (2) She was the French
auxiliary Emile Deschamps. Picked
up survivors who were nearly all
very badly injured.
Also in the vicinity were the P/V
King George V and a "Belgian scoot"
[the French M/S/Ste. Elisabeth full
of soldiers. As soon as the survivors
were picked up, a rog came down.
0830
The Kellett led the "scoot" into
Margate.
The Kellett disembarked 30, plus 3
French women. (3)
Total 1456
Authority - R.O.I, p.279.
R.O.III, p.275.
The following awards were made:
D.S.M.
Ord/Sea. J.F. Shiret.
Mention in Despatches
Cdr.
R.C. Haskett-Smith, (4) R.N.
E.R.A.4th Cl. G.H. Redmoud.
L/Tel.
E. Hatch.
(1) She had collided with and sunk the Belgian trawler
(2) The Marechal corvette Foch. Kingfisher escorted the Leda to Margate.
(3) (4) Margate Referred report. the London Gazette of 16th August 1940,
Supplement to in No. 34925, as "Hasket-Smith".
117

Details

KINGFISHER - continued
4th June
0010
Making a little water, the Kingfisher
proceeded at 7 knots.
0505
In company with the "Lida" [1.e. the
M/S Leda] which had been in collision
[with the Belgian trawler Marechal
Foch], and requested Kingfisher to
stand by.
0540
Sighted French destroyer at anchor
near N. Goodwin L.V.; she also had
been in collision.
0615
Observed heavy explosion in position
51° 23' N., 1° 31' E., [near Elbow
Buoy, North Foreland] and "unknown
ship" [the French auxiliary Emile
Deschamps] sink. The M/S's Albury
and Kellett and other ships nearby
picked up survivors.
0714
The Leda and the Kingfisher arrived
off Margate.
0745
Thick fog. The P/V King George V hit
the Kingfisher on the starboard bow
when entering Margate road. Only
minor damage.
Total 640
Authority - R.O.II, p. 265.
The following awards were made:
D.S.M.
Sto. 1st Cl. F.F. Beer.
Mention in Despatches
Lieut. Cdr. G.A.M.V. Harrison, R.N.
L/Sea.
P.J. Ball.
A.B.
S. Collie.
A.B.
A.B. Harkin.
A.B.
T.O. Pigg.
A.B.
R.H. Shipp.
A.B.
E.G. Webster.
Sig.
S. Thompson.
120

Details

KING GEORGE V (P/V) (David MacBrayne Ltd) Capt. R.M.MacLean,
Master.
29th May
0200
To Dunkirk.
p.m.
1820
Dunkirk. Embarked troops and proceeded.
Margate. Disembarked 853 troops. To
Sheerness to coal.
30th May
p.m.
Margate to Dunkirk.
-
Dunkirk. Embarked troops and proceeded.
31st May
0915
Margate. Disembarked 500 troops.
To Sheerness to coal.
p.m.
Margate to Dunkirk.
1st June
a.m.
Air attack on entering Dunkirk harbour.
1740
Embarked troops and proceeded.
Margate. Disembarked 700 troops.
2nd June
p.m.
Margate to Dunkirk.
2158
Dunkirk. Embarked about 1,600 troops.
2225
Proceeded.
3rd June
0400
Margate. Disembarked 1,460 troops.
To Sheerness to coal.
1830ca
Margate to Dunkirk.
4th June
a.m.
Dunkirk. Embarked troops and proceeded.
0300ca
Fog very thick at times. "Small
French naval vessel" blew up astern
on magnetic mine; 67 survivors
picked up and 10 put on board
"H.M.S. Leader", (1) who had picked
up about 40.
1132
Margate. Dis embarked 750 troops and
67 survivors.
Total 4,330
330.
Authority - R.O.III. p. 125.
TM. 6213/40.
The following awards were made:
D.S.C.
Capt. R.M. McLean, Master.
Mr. W. McGregor, Chief Engineer.
D.S.M.
A.B. D.J. McKinnon.
(1) Leda, which had collided None of with H.M. and
This sunk was the probably Belgian the trawler M/S arechal Foch.
ships is named "Leader".
121

Details

LOCHGARRY P/V (David MacBrayne Ltd). Capt. E. Mackinnon,
Master.
28th May
2056
Left Dover.
2345
North Goodwin L.V. Anchored because
of haze.
29th May
0250ca
0300
Was passed by the Clan Macalister.
Proceeded.
0648
West Hinder Buoy. Among other ships
that overtook Lochgarry was the P/V
King George V.
0845
Nieuport Buoy.
1125
Dunk1rk harbour. Berthed and embarked
"about 2,500 troops". Air attack.
1400
Cast off. One of the two trawlers (3)
which were assisting to manoeuvre the
ship, cut Lochgarry's D.G., causing
a fire. It was extinguished.
-
Outside the harbour, waited for her
escorting destroyer, Jaguar. (1)
1545ca
Jaguar seriously damaged by near miss.
Lochgarry slightly damaged, proceeded
without escort. Passed the Clan
Macalister, stopped and on fire.
-
Near Kwinte buoy saw the Gracie Fields
hit by a bomb.
1803
West Hinder buoy.
0110
Dover. Disembarked 1,001 troops. (2).
31st May
Under repair.
Total 1001.
Authority - TM. 6213/40.
R.O.II. p. 517.
R.O. III. 140.
The following awards were made:
Mention in Despatches.
Capt. E. Mackinnon, Master.
A
(1) Capt. Mackinnon this was the destroyer "F. 34, the
says but F.34 was the Jaguar's pendant, and it
Greyhound" was the Jaguar - which was to have acted as escort. (see
(2) D.R. Jaguar) It 1s probable that this was an Fyldea. under estimate.
(3) The Arley. The other trawler was the
178

Details

Page 128
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
HOSPITAL CARRIER - ISLE OF GUERNSEY - Ernest Leonard Hill Master
she was heavily bombed and damaged. No further trips
This carrier did two trips, and on the second trip
were made owing to this damage.
Recommendations.
OFFICERS.
Master, Ernest Leonard Hill.
Showed great initiative and seamanship in getting
alongside at Dunkirk, due to the number of ships and
the number of wrecks.
On the second trip, ship was bombed, but the
Master still carried on, and again through his
initiative reached Dunkirk and loaded up.
Recommended for decoration.
Chief Officer R. F. Pembury.
This Officer displayed great initiative in
assisting the Master to get the ship alongside
during the above two trips.
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS.
Able Seaman J. Fowles.
Showed great courage in climbing down ship's
ladder whilst under way to try and rescue an
airman. Unable to do so as ship was then attacked
by bombs, cannon and machine guns. Airman was
later picked up in another ship.
Recommended for mention.
PERSONNEL SHIP - KING GEORGE V. - Robert Mallum McLean, Master.
This vessel was employed on fetching troops.
Proceeded to Dunkirk Harbour during the operation and
brought back a very large number of troops. This was
done continuously under severe bombing and machine
gunning, which was a very great strain on the Master
and crew of the ship, as in addition they had to
proceed each time to recoal at Sheerness.
Recommendations/

Details

Page 129
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
PERSONNEL SHIP - KING GEORGE V. (Continued).
Recommendations.
OFFICER.
Master, Robert Mallum McLean.
Displayed great gallantry in the handling of his
ship, in view of the difficulties of entering into
Dunkirk Harbour with the number of ships and the
wrecks in the vicinity.
Recommended for decoration.
RATING.
Able Seaman Donald Joseph McKinnon.
Displayed great gallantry. Jumped to a spare
Lewis gun and to the last, blazed away with
remarkable skill, despite being machine gunned
from plane. He kept the gun going, reloading himself,
until the attacks had ceased.
Recommended for decoration.
H.M. TRANSPORT - LEVENWOOD - William Oswald Young, Master.
This ship proceeded to Dunkirk on the 31st May and
proceeded to the beaches, where she was heavily bombed
by enemy planes. After having been there for a matter
of four hours, lying off the beaches, the Master
proceeded to put the ship on the beach in order to
facilitiate the loading of troops.
Recommendations.
OFFICER.
Master, William Oswald Young.
By his seamanship and initiative, and by the use
of his lifeboats, he was able to pick up a large
number of troops. This continued until, owing to
the tide, it was impossible to hold the ship.
On this particular day a considerable surf was
running throughout this operation, and there were
continual raids by aircraft.
Recommended for docoration.
RATINGS

Details

Wt. 22622/4318 50M 9/38 S.E.R. Ltd. Gp. 671.
09)
base 6801 Val 2
03VC
Register No.
Minute Sheet No.
Naval of the Secretary. Merchant have been inserted on the instructions and men of
The following Navy additional names of officers
D.S.C.
Mr. David Douglas Robb, Chief Engineer, ISLE OF GUERNSEY.
Mr. William MacGregor, Chief Engineer, KING GEORGE V.
Mr. George Clifford Frederick Todley, Second Engineer, MAID OF ORLEANS.
Mr. Rowland Baxter, Master, PRAGUE.
Mr. Walter Ernest Oxenham, Chief Engineer, PRAGUE.
Mr. A.Patterson, Chief Officer, ROYAL DAFFODIL.
Mr. Andrew Sinclair, Chief ineer, ROYAL SOVEREIGN.
Mr. A.B. Freeman, First Officer, ST. HELIER.
Mr. H.Whiteway, Master, TYNWALD.
Mr. Charles Mason, Radio Officer, TYNWALD.
D.S.M.
Quartermaster Henry Russell, MAID OF ORLEANS.
Donkeyman Albert Delamain, ROYAL DAFFODIL.
Chief Steward Thomas Edward Manser, ROYAL SOVEREIGN.
Quartermaster Clarence T. Walkey, ST.HELIER.
Mention in Despatches. (Posthumous)
Fireman A. Phillips, BIARRITZ.
Mention in Despatches.
Captain R.Hughes, Master, KILLARNEY.
Captain C.G. West, O.B.E., Master, NEPHRITE.
Captain H. Clarke, Master, PRINCESS MAUD.
Captain J.N. Larbalestier, Master, ROEBUCK.
Mr. W.Lister, Purser, TYNWALD.
Carpenter J.Garre, TYNWALD.
Donkeyman A.Allen, TYNWALD.
Jumph 25th July, 1940.
Naral Secretary.
Naval Secretary has given orders for the following further
names to be inserted:-
Mention in Despatches.
Captain Thomas C. Woods, Master, LADY OF MANN.
/Captain A.M. Poole, Master, LADY SOUTHBOROUGH. (Hopper Barge).
Captain Ewen Mackinnon, Master, LOCH GARRY.
Captain R.G. Banks, Acting Master, Lighter X.209.
Captain William Josiah Penny, Master, Tug St. Clears.
/Captain Robert Durrant, Master, Drifter LORD RODNEY.
/Captain John William Dickinson, Master, NGORAMA.
vMr. Victor Smith, Mate, Drifter JAVA.
/Mr. Raymond Crane, Engineer, M.V. LAROC.
Mr. Jack Lynn, Mate, M.V. LAROC.
Xxxx Steward H.A.E. Frost, M.V. LAROC.
Deckhand Leonard Lynn, M.V. LAROC.
deshington
for Naval Secretary
28th July, 1940.

Details

164
163
APPENDIX I.
Page 2
of
and final.
181
Operation "DYNAMO"
-
Narrative of Events.
FLARE BURNING
BOY ROY
GOLDEN GIFT
PAXTON
DRIFTER:
EILEEN EMMA
GOLDEN SUNBEAM
SHIPMATES
FORECAST
LORD HOWARD
THE BOYS
GERVAIS RENTOUL
LORD HOWE
TORBAY II
GIRL GLADYS
MIDAS
UT PROSIM
GIRL PAMELA
NETSUKIS
YORKSHIRE LASS
YOUNG MUN
GUARDSHIPS AND
LORMONT
MONA'S ISLA
KING ORRY
A.B.V's:
LLANTHONY
CORVETTES:
KINGFISHER
G
ILLEMOT
F.A.A.
AIR FORCE
GRIEVE
AMULREE
TRAINING VESSEL:
M.T.B's:
16
M.A.S.B's:
6
67
7
68
10
100
102
107
PERSONNEL SHIPS:
ARCHANGEL
LOCH GARRY
PRINCESS MAUD
AUTOCARRIER
LORINA
QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL
BEN MY CHREE
HAID OF ORLEANS
ROUEN
BIARRITZ
MALINES
ROYAL DAFFODIL
CANTERBURY
MANX MAID
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
COTE D'ARGENT
MANX- MAN
SCOTIA
FENELLA
MONA'S QUEEN
ST. HELIER
KILLARNEY
NEWHAVEN
ST. SEIRIOL
KING GEORGE V
NORMANIA
TYNWALD
LADY OF MAN
PRAGUE
OSPITAL CARRIERS: DINARD
ISLE OF GUERNSEY ST. ANDREW
ISLE OF THANET ST DAVID
PARIS
ST JULIAN
WORTHING
OTE:
In addition, some 23 of H.M. Trawlers, Drifters and
Yachts of the Nore Command assisted by taking one or more
tows of boats to the coast.

Details

Details

APPENDIX
to
1st June
Page 7
Operation "DYNAMO" Narrative of Events.
DESTROYERS
PERSONNEL SHIPS
MINESWEEPERS
PADDLE MINESWEEPERS
SKOOTS
FRENCH DESTROYERS
VANQUISHER (I)
640
ST. HELIER
659
GOSSAMER
845
QUEEN OF THANET 850
DEMOK
114
FLORE
351
HAVANT
882
LADY OF MANN
870
NIGER
310
SANDOWN
800
ORANJE
100
BOUCLIER
300
WHITEHALL (I)
871
MAID OF ORLEANS 1856
FITZROY
67
ORIOLE
470
HEBE
365
SCIMITAR (I)
584
TYNWALD
2000
LYDD
252
PRINCESS ELIZABETH 510
AEGIR
130
WOLSEY
533
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
47
LEDA
650
MEDWAY QUEEN
700
ANTJE
150
MALCOLM
1200
KING GEORGE V
700
DUCHESS OF
WESTWARD HO
918
PACIFICO
414
WORCESTER (I)
661
BEN-MY-CHREE
2080
FIFE
535
WIPPINGHAM
2500
AMAZONE
111
WINDSOR
493
ST. HELIER
1250
HALCYON
243
QUEEN OF THANET 1500
HILDA
530
VIVACIOUS
427
ROUEN
800
SALAMANDER
479
WESTWARD Ho
900
RIKA
200
Total 58,4
VANQUISHER (II)
1200
COTE D'ARGENT 1000
SPEEDWELL
972
FRISO
648
HARVESTER
576
SALTASH
400
ICARUS
1114
QUEEN OF THE
ROSS
260
CODRINGTON
746
CHANNEL
52
DUNDALK
280
SABRE
451
HALCYON
508
SHIKARI
623
SALTASH
400
DRIFTERS
MISCELLANEOUS
453
HOSPITAL SHIPS
FOREIGN VESSELS
WINCHELSEA
1150
SUTTON
SCIMITAR (II)
376
KELLETT
40
Miscellaneous 1110
FOREMOST
200
ESK (I)
979
WESTWARD Ho
900
ST. ANDREW 130
INCENIEUR CACHIN
1
GOLDEN GIFT
123
VINCIA
108
PATRIE
WHITEHALL
(II)
34
157
GRIEVE (F.A.A.
GASTON RIVER
120
WORCESTER
(II)
900
OCEAN BREEZE
TRAWLERS
Trg. vessel)
374
MISCELLANEOUS (Cont.)
MONIQUE CAMILLE
302
JACKETA
564.
MOSQUITO (Gunboat) 610
REINE DE FLOTS
62
LORD INCHCAPE 240
LOCUST
"
620
LADY
ANDRE LOUIS
317
17.97
SATURN
307
NEPHRITE
500
SOUTHBORO
350
CHALUTIER
100
D. TRAWLER
100
ESKBURNE
27
RAPID
25
CHASSEUR MARIE
117
GRIEVE (Yacht)
411
MAYSPEAR
15
NORMANVILLE
500
647
UNNAMED M.B.
23
TENIAS
100
ONDERS ONS
95
II's CHANNEL
108
GALLEON
FRANSAH
500
KINGFISHER (A/S Exp.
REACH
123
Ship) (I)
180
HOPPER 24
580
KINGFISHER
-do-
(II)210
LLANTHONY
90
IOLANTHE
35
(ex serv.vessel)
10593
173171
THREE KINGS
59
GOLDEN EAGLE
KINGSGATE
910
(sp.serv.) 1250
CHRISTOBEL II
33
ROYAL EAGLE
10503
OLIVIA
103
(AA Ships)1250
ATHOLA
6
ROEBUCK (Coastal steamer)408
Lifeboat
35
MINWOOD
=
51
509
MONA'S ISLE
(A.B.V.)
1500
FL
TB
S
3
e
S
d
it

Details

Details

Details

APPENDIX I.
Page 2
of
and final.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
URNING
BOY ROY
GOLDEN GIFT
PAXTON
:
EILEEN EMMA
GOLDEN SUNBEAM
SHIPMATES
FORECAST
LORD HOWARD
THE BOYS
GERVAIS RENTOUL
LORD HOWE
TORBAY II
GIRL GLADYS
MIDAS
UT PROSIM
GIRL PAMELA
NETSUKIS
YORKSHIRE LASS
YOUNG MUN
IPS AND
LORMONT
MONA'S ISLE
KING ORRY
:
LLANTHONY
ES:
KINGFISHER
GUILLEMOT
CE
GRIEVE
G VESSEL:
i
16
M.A.S.B's:
6
67
7
68
10
100
102
107
EL SHIPS:
ARCHANGEL
LOCH GARRY
PRINCESS MAUD
AUTOCARRIER
LORINA
QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL
BEN MY CHREE
HAID OF ORLEANS
ROUEN
BIARRITZ
MALINES
ROYAL DAFFODIL
CANTERBURY
MANX MAID
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
COTE D'ARGENT
MANX MAN
SCOTIA
FENELLA
MONA'S QUEEN
ST. HELIER
KILLARNEY
NEWHAVEN
ST. SEIRIOL
KING GEORGE V
NORMANIA
TYNWALD
LADY OF MAN
P. LGUE
L CARRIERS: DINARD
ISLE OF GUERNSEY ST. ANDREW
ISLE OF THANET ST. DAVID
PARIS
ST. JULIAN
WORTHING
In addition, some 23 of H.M. Trawlers, Drifters and
achts of the Nore Command assisted by taking one or more
OWS of boats to the coast.

Details

Details

Details

Details

Details

Sub-Lieutenant John Francis Worthington, R.N.V.R., H.M.S. Halcyon.
Temporary Sub-Lieutenant James Tomkin, R.N.V.R., H.M.S. Princess
Probationary Sub-Lieutenant Eric Sidney Flint, R.N.R., Elizabeth. H.M.S.
Midshipman Ian Kinloch Bryce, R.N.R., H.M.S. Fitzroy. Mosquito.
Midshipman Malcolm John Ball, R.N.R., H.M.S. Scimitar.
Commissioned Engineer Reginald Thomas Jones, Royal Navy, H.M.S.
Commissioned Engineer Thomas Kirby Reynolds, Royal Sabre. Navy, H.M.S.
Gunner Frederick William Benoy, Royal Navy, H.M.S. Salamander. Wolsey.
Gunner (T) Reginald William Clare, Royal Navy, H.M.S. Grenade.
Skipper Andrew Buchan, R.N.R., H.M.Drifter The Boys.
Skipper George Hattan, R.N.R.,
Reed.
Skipper Herbert Holden, R.N.R., H.M.Drifter Midas.
Skipper William Francis Reynolds, R.N.R., H.M.Drifter Dorienta.
Captain Clifford Rowland Baxter, Master, S.S. Prague.
e.
Captain John Fréyer, Master, Tug Foremost 87.
Captain Charles Archibald Hancock, Master, S.S. Canterbury.
or
Captain Ernest Leonard Hill, Master, Sx8x Hospital Carrier Isle
of Guernsey.
Captain William Henry Hughes, Master, S.S. Scotia.
C Captain Robert McCallum McLean, Master, H M.hanspat King yearge V.
Captain Reginald Richard Pitman, Master, S.S. St. Helier.
Captain William Thompson, Master, S.S. Dorrien Rose.
Captain William Oswald Young, Master, H.M. Transport Levenwood.
Captain a ohn Henry Whiteway, Master, S.S. Tynwald.
Mr. Terence O'Hanlon, Mate, S.S. Dorrien Rose. S.S.
S.S.
Mr. Hubert Donald Freeman, First Officer, St. Helier. S.S.
Mr Arthur Patrick Joseph Paterson, Chief S.S. Officer, Royal Daffodil.
Mr. Frank Edward Martin, Second Officer, 1/1 St. Helier.
SS.
15.5 Mr. Allan Watterson, Second Officer of Tynwald.
Mr. Joseph William fred Coulthard, Chief Engineer, Royal Daffodil.
Mr. William MagGregor, Chief Engineer, H.M. Transport King George V
Mr. Bernard Murphy, Chief Engineer, S.S. Dorrien Rose.
Mr. Walter Ernest Oxenham, Chief Engineer S.S. Prague.
Mr. David Douglas Robb, Chief Engineer M.V. Hospital Guernsey. Carrier Isle of
Mr. Andrew Sinclair, Chief Engineer, S. Royal Sovereign.
D
Mr. George Frederick Todley, Second Engineer, S.S. Maid of Orleans.
all
MR. James Lang Crockart, Engineer S.S. Biarritz.
Mr. Charles/Mason, Radio Officer Tynwald.
Queen.

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Work of Personnel Vessels.
PERSONNEL VESSELS.
Twenty-nine personnel vessels were used during
operation "Dynamo"; a list is given in the enclosure.
Of these, seven were sunk, five so damaged by bombing
or gunfire as to render them unfit for further use during the
operation, and two were damaged in collision.
of these ships the following, namely MONA'S QUEEN,
BIARRITZ, CANTERBURY, QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL, MAID OF ORLEANS,
AUTO CARRIER and ARCHANGEL; ST. HELIER and KING GEORGE V, had
been engaged prior to Dynamo, in operations at Dunkirk,
Boulogne and Calais, and had completed the following trips:
MONA'S QUEEN 3 QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL 1 ARCHANGEL
1
BIARRITZ
2 MAID OF ORLEANS
3 ST.HELIER
2
CANTERBURY
3
AUTO
CARRIER
2 KING GEORGE V.1
2. There was no doubt that the Captains and crews of
these ships were feeling the strain when operation Dynamo
started. After completing two round trips to Dunkirk harbour
in operation Dynamo the Master of the CANTERBURY stated on the
28th that he would not take his ship to sea for a third trip.
The P.S.T.O. went on board and explained the gravity of the
situation and ordered him to sail at 2230, but discovered some
of the crew had been given leave. The P.S.T.O. therefore put
an officer and some seamen and stokers on board to augment and
stiffen the crew. The ship sailed at 0930/29, but was bombed
and damaged on her return voyage from Dunkirk, and after landing
troops did not take any further part in the operation.
3. After completing one round trip the Captain of the
St. SEIRIOL refused to sail, and accordingly one officer, an
armed guard and 7 stokers were put on board at 1000 on the 29th.
The Captain was placed under open arrest and the ship sailed at
1100. On her return voyage the ship was bombed and damaged and
did not sail again.
4.
The TYNWALD transported 7534 troops in 5 voyages; she
should have completed 0 voyages. When due to commence her
fourth voyage at 1945/1, she refused to sail and did not sail
again until 1945/2.
On a written enquiry from the S.T.O., Folkestone, on
the 2nd June, whether or not the ship would sail for Dunkirk if
required, the Master, W. Qualbrough, replied by letter as follows:
"Dear Sir,
Your letter received. I had a signal from
the master of the MALINES last night to say him and
the master of the BEN MY CHREE had considered it
hopeless to proceed to Dunkirk. Our crews have been
continually on their feet all the week and especially
the deck officers who have had to be on their feet
for so long. I myself have had 4 hours rest for the
week and am at present physically unfit for another
trip like what we have had. If it is absolutely
necessary to go I will abide with the masters of the
other ships decision.
P.S. absolutely nervous wrecks and certified by the naval
There is two more of the crew going ashore now
doctor.
In/

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 3.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Work of Personnel Vessels.
Personnel Vessels (continued).
remaining; she started a trip but failed to make Dunkirk. On
return, original Captain rejoined with some of the original
crew. She should then have sailed at 2010/3, but the Captain
reported 3 engineers short at the last minute. It was not
to wait for the engineers and the Master
and the new crew provided for the second
time. Before further use could be made of her, however, the
evacuation terminated.
9. The MONA'S QUEEN was sunk by a mine on her second
voyage to Dunkirk, and the FENELLA was bombed and sunk on her
first voyage.
10. The MALINES who had completed two trips, refused to
sail on the 1st, left Dover at 1600 on the 2nd without orders and
was subsequently found to have proceeded to Southampton.
11. It was felt that trouble might occur in the ST. HELIER
and PRINCESS MAUD, and accordingly a naval party was put on
board to supplement the ships crews, and in consequence no
trouble occurred,
12. The outstanding ships were the MAID OF ORLEANS 6 trips,
one being diverted without completing the trip, and once
returning due to collision. ROYAL DAFFODIL 7 trips, on one of
which she was turned back by a French destroyer -
ROYAL SOVEREIGN 6 trips
KING GEORGE V
5 trips
COTE a' ARGENT
5 trips
ST. HELIER
4 trips after having refused to
sail once.
PRAGUE
3 trips with full loads, bombed,
severely damaged and
beached on the last return
trip.
13. Eleven other ships were concerned in the Operation,
details of which are as follows:
27th May BIARRITZ
Damaged by shell fire and returned.
27th May
ARCHANGEL
Damaged by shell fire and returned.
27th May
QUEEN OF THE
Sunk by bombing attack.
CHANNEL
28th May LORINA
Sunk by bombing attack.
29th May
NORMANIA
Sunk by bombing attack.
28th May LOCH GARRY
One trip.
28th May SCOTIA
One trip.
2nd June
1111
Sunk by bombing attack.
28th May KILLARNEY
One trip.
2nd June ROUEN
One trip.
2nd and 3rd
June AUTO CARRIER Two trips.
2nd and 3rd
June
NEWHAVEN
Two trips.
ce
of
Enclosure:-
ER. Officer Commanding,
Details of Personnel
June, 1940.
Ships used.

Details

Details

Page 128
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
HOSPITAL CARRIER - ISLE OF GUERNSEY - Ernest Leonard Hill Master
This carrier did two trips, and on the second trip
she was heavily bombed and damaged. No further trips
were made owing to this damage.
Recommendations.
OFFICERS.
S
Master, Ernest Leonard Hill.
Showed great initiative and seamanship in getting
alongside at Dunkirk, due to the number of ships and
the number of wrecks.
On the second trip, ship was bombed, but the
Master still carried on, and again through his
initiative reached Dunkirk and loaded up.
DSC
Recommended for decoration.
Chief Officer R. F. Pembury.
This Officer displayed great initiative in
assisting the Master to get the ship alongside
during the above two trips.
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS.
Able Seaman J. Fowles.
Showed great courage in climbing down ship's
ladder whilst under way to try and rescue an
airman. Unable to do so as ship was then attacked
by bombs, cannon and machine guns. Airman was
later picked up in another ship.
Recommended for mention.
PERSONNEL SHIP - KING GEORGE V. - Robert Mallum McLean, Master.
This vessel was employed on fetching troops.
Proceeded to Dunkirk Harbour during the operation and
brought back a very large number of troops. This was
done continuously under severe bombing and machine
gunning, which was a very great strain on the Master
and crew of the ship, as in addition they had to
proceed each time to recoal at Sheerness.
Recommendations

Details

The
Page 130
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
Page 129
peration "DYNAMO" easy Recommendations of Personnel.
NNEL SHIP - KING GEORGE V. (Continued).
: his
Recommendations.
in
ER.
laster, Robert Mallum McLean.
Displayed great gallantry in the handling of his
ship, in view of the difficulties of entering into
ch
Dunkirk Harbour with the number of ships and the
his
wrecks in the vicinity.
DSC
O
Recommended for decoration.
VG.
Able Seaman Donald Joseph McKinnon.
this
0).
Displayed great gallantry. Jumped to a spare
Lewis gun and to the last, blazed away with
n
remarkable skill, despite being machine gunned
alais
from plane. He kept the gun going, reloading himself,
ought
until the attacks had ceased.
DSM
number
Recommended for decoration.
TRANSPORT - LEVENWOOD - William Oswald Young. Master.
This ship proceeded to Dunkirk on the 31st May and
proceeded to the beaches, where she was heavily bombed
by enemy planes. After having been there for a matter
of four hours, lying off the beaches, the Master
proceeded to put the ship on the beach in order to
facilitiate the loading of troops.
Recommendations.
ed
CER.
Master, William Oswald Young.
GUE
By his seamanship and initiative, and by the use
of his lifeboats, he WELE able to pick up a large
number of troops. This continued until, owing to
the tide, it was impossible to hold the ship.
On this particular day a considerable surf was
running throughout this operation, and there were
continual raids by aircraft.
Recommended for docoration.
RATINGS/

Details

Operation - Recommendations of Personnel. Page 128
"DYNAMO"
SPITAL CARRIER This and carrier ISLE OF did GUERNSEY two - Ernest Leonard Hill Master
were she was made heavily owing bombed to this and damage. trips, damaged. and on No the further second trips trip
Recommendations.
FFICERS
Master, Ernest Leonard Hill.
alongside the number of Dunkirk, wrecks. due to the number of ships in getting and
Showed at great initiative and seamanship
Master carried on, and again through his
On the still second trip, ship was bombed, but the
initiative reached Dunkirk and loaded up.
Recommended for decoration.
DH
Chief Officer R. F. Pembury.
This Officer displayed great initiative in
assisting the Master to get the ship alongside
during the above two trips.
86
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS.
Able Seaman J. Fowles.
Showed great courage in climbing down ship's
ladder whilst under way to try and rescue an
airman. Unable to do so as ship was then attacked
by bombs, cannon and machine guns. Airman was
later picked up in another ship.
Recommended for mention.
PERSONNEL SHIP - KING GEORGE V. - Robert Mallum McLean Master.
This vessel was Harbour during the operation This was and
employed on fetching troops.
Proceeded to Dunkirk large number of troops. and machine
brought back a very under severe bombing on the Master
done continuously was a very great strain they had to
gunning, which the ship, as in addition Sheerness.
proceed and crew each of time to recoal at
Recommendations/

Details

Operation "DYNAMO"
SHIP - Recommendations of Personnel. Page 129
SONNEL KING GEORGE V. (continued).
Recommendations,
FICER
Master, Robert Malium McLean.
Displayed
great
Dunkirk wrecks ship, in in view with the of handling entering of into his
of ships and the
Recommended for decoration.
RATING
Able Seaman Donald Joseph McKinnon.
Lewis gun and to the last, blazed away with a
Displayed great gallantry. Jumped to spare
remarkable skill, despite being machine
from plane. He kept the gun going, reloading gunned himself,
until the attacks had ceased.
Recommended for decoration.
86
H.M. TRANSPORT - LEVENWOOD - William Oswald Young, Master.
This ship proceeded to Dunkirk on the 31st May and
proceeded to the beaches, where she was heavily bombed
by enemy planes. After having been there for a matter
of four hours, lying off the beaches, the Master
proceeded to put the ship on the beach in order to
facilitiate the loading of troops.
Recommendations.
OFFICER.
Master, William Oswald Young.
of his lifeboats, This until, to
By his he was able to pick up a owing
seamanship and initiative, and by large the use
number the tide, of troops. it was day the a
running On this throughout particular this operation,
continual raids by aircraft.
Recommended for docoration.
RATINGS/
of

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Work of Personnel Vessels.
PERSONNEL VESSELS.
Twenty-nine personnel vessels were used during
operation "Dynamo"; a list is given in the enclosure.
(i
Of these, seven were sunk, five so damaged by bombing
a:
or gunfire as to render them unfit for further use during the
operation, and two were damaged in collision.
er
Of these ships the following, namely MONA'S QUEEN,
nd
BIARRITZ, CANTERBURY, QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL, MAID OF ORLEANS,
le
AUTO CARRIER and ARCHANGEL; ST. HELIER and KING GEORGE V, had
been engaged prior to Dynamo, in operations at Dunkirk,
Boulogne and Calais, and had completed the following trips:
MONA'S QUEEN 3 QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL 1 ARCHANGEL
1
BIARRITZ
2
MAID OF ORLEANS
3 ST.HELIER
2
CANTERBURY
3 AUTO CARRIER
2 KING GEORGE V.1
a
2. There was no doubt that the Captains and crews of
these ships were feeling the strain when operation Dynamo
started. After completing two round trips to Dunkirk harbour
in operation Dynamo the Master of the CANTERBURY stated on the
28th that he would not take his ship to sea for a third trip.
The P.S.T.O. went on board and explained the gravity of the
situation and ordered him to sail at 2230, out discovered some
of the crew had been given leave. The P.S.T.O. therefore put
os,
an officer and some set nen and stokers on board to augment and
stiffen the crew. The ship sailed at 0930/29, but was bombed
and damaged on her return voyage from Dunkirk, and after landing
troops did not take any further part in the operation.
3. After completing one round trip the Captain of the
St. SEIRIOL refused to sail, and accordingly one officer, an
armed guard and 7 stokers were put on board at 1000 on the 29th.
The Captain was placed under open arrest and the ship sailed at
1100. On her return voyage the ship was bombed and damaged and
did not sail again.
should 4. have completed 6 voyages. When due to commence her
The TYNWALD transported 7534 troops in 5 voyages; she
fourth voyage at 1945/1, she refused to sail and did not sail
again until 1945/2.
On a written enquiry from the S.T.O., Folkestone, on
the 2nd June, whether or not the ship would sail for Dunkirk if
required, the Master, W. Qualbrough, replied by letter as follows:
"Dear Sir,
Your letter received. I had a signal from
the master of the MALINES last night to say him and
the master of the BEN MY CHREE had considered it
hopeless to proceed to Dunkirk. Our crews have been
continually on their feet all the week and especially
the deck officers who have had to be on their feet
for so long. I myself have had 4 hours rest for the
week and am at present physically unfit for another
necessary to jo I will abide with the masters of the
trip like what we have had. If it is absolutely
other ships decision.
P.S. absolutely There nervous wrecks and certiffed by the naval
is two more of the crew going ashore now
doctor.
In/

Details

Details

Details

Details

129
114
From :- R.M.Maclean Master S/S King George V
Yes
To
:- Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
Whilst entering Dunkirk on Saturday June 1st there was
a severe air attack onthe ship. This ship had four Lewis guns
but only three gunners. D.MacKinnor A.B. immediately manned the
seaman to man Lewis gun and show such remarkable coolness
spare gun and blazed away like an expert. For & Merchant Navy
and iniative under a heavy bombing and flying shrapnel was deserving
of all praise.

Details

130
FOI
Depramo 196.
- BI-II de shall de Deverent firth normal
115
opening outs octo Vd essessed , of obser 0'10"
am and
"LADY OF MANN"
May. 8th 1940.
JI
P.S.T.O. Transport Dover Office
129
114
From :- R.M.Maclean Master S/S King George V
Yes
To
:- Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
a severe air D.MacKinnor A.B. immediately Merchant Navy the
Whilst attack onthe ship. This ship had four manned guns
entering Dunkirk on Saturday June 1st Lewis there was
but only three and blazed gunners. away like an expert. For a coolness
and seaman iniative to man under a heavy bombing and flying shrapnel was deserving
spare gun Lewis gun and show such remarkable
of all praise.
well
King George IVI
chal org Mule
KGP 15 walk as
kking.
Mastes. Robert McCullum Mchean
5
Ch. officer. Malcoln Black.
"C
Ch.
Enginee,
William he Gregor
1/-
C
He,

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. VI
and returned to harbour; the remainder Chantecler reached and the La Panne at 0500/30.
Dutch eel-boats Johanna and Chantecler M.B. Golden Lily also The
and Ramsgate " compass at which 2200/29. was reached situated The the over beaches, the was engine. however, only capable revolved at 0900 of slowly 4 knots, round and and left her
she had no charts, lost way 30th Later darkness, and returned to
and brought back 30 troops. her in the Downs in the get over on May,
round"¹. She The Johanna did not on the 30th
Ramsgate on the morning of the May. on that day she was towed
to the beaches by the skoot Jutland.
Troops transported on 29th May
reduction in the number of destroyers available and with failure to achieve
The 29th May closed with a formidable list of ships lost or damaged, a marked
the high rate of evacuation hoped for. The effect of the day's occurrences
even more marked next day, when instead of the 50,000 to 60,000 British was
troops which had been calculated as the probable achievement, only 48,000 odd
were in fact transported.²
Nevertheless, 47,310 troops (including some 2,000 casualties) were landed
in England on the 29th May (see Table 2), 13,752 having been lifted from the
beaches and 33,558 from the harbour. Only about 11 per cent of these were
French troops³, whose organised evacuation had not yet begun. (See Appen-
dices Y.2 to Y.5).
During the morning and forenoon of the 29th May, when there was no
bombing of Dunkirk harbour, 1Q personnel vessels⁴ lifted 14,760 troops from
the east pier; during the afternoon, in spite of the bombing, the Canterbury
lifted a further 1,960.
The development of beach evacuation is indicated by the fact that nearly
21 times the number of troops were lifted from the beaches on 29th May as
compared with the number lifted on the previous day. Seventeen destroyers
each made one round trip during the 24 hours of the 29th May and an eighteenth
destroyer, the Icarus, made two such trips. On these trips the 18 destroyers
embarked and transported to England 10,694 troops of which 6,198 were
lifted from the beaches and 4,506 from Dunkirk harbour. Nine minesweepers⁶
together lifted 2,426 troops from the beaches although one of them, the Albury
did not land her troops in England until the next day.⁷ Among other ships
which brought back troops from the beaches was the cruiser Calcutta with
1,200.
The record of troops landed in England now stood as follows :-
From the
From the
Total for
beaches
harbour
the day
26th May
Nil
Nil
Nil
27th May
Nil
7,669
7,669
28th May
5,930
11,874
17,804
29th May
13,752
33,558
47,310
I Report by Chantecler.
40,724. This figure probably puts does not include troops carried by foreign ships (See Prague,
3 2 D.R., D.R. p.11, which para. incidentally 38. the total of troops and casualties landed on 29th Table May 2). as
The Côte d'Argent, Killarney, King George V, Maid of Orleans, Manxman,
Javelin, Malcolm, Express, Verity, Wolsey and Marmion
Royal 5 The Daffodil, Anthony, Royal Codrington, Sovereign, Esk, Scotia, and Tynwald. Greyhound, Harvester, Intrepid, Worcester. Ivanhoe,
6 The Albury, Duchess Sabre, of Scimitar, Fife, Emperor Shikari, of Vanquisher, India, Fitzroy, Halcyon, Hebe, Leda,
and Sharpshooter.
7 See Table 3, in conjunction with the reports of ships' proceedings in Vol. II.
54

Details

CHAP. IX
THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
Loadings at Dunkirk during the day
In
the
space
of
a
few
hours
the
supply cerned to shipping at at any the as losses time, during of asked the destroyers, whole the of enemy a the type previous had of vessel caused 7 which days. almost was as much damage Noremase
and services carrying used of ing personnel attack. 6 only through of power; in no vessels positions In less serious the no than short was other where damage. 15 perhaps view, of vessels they them however, Admiralty equally could could had been manoeuvre the compare serious. to effect lost give to with on The orders the thigh speed under bor them. operation, that possessed Up 9 to by date the sinking great loss the
Dunkirk Nevertheless, through and the despite growing the number increasing of difficulty of threading
was throughout day, though not without a series of setbacks. vessels
maintained the wrecks, the supply of personnel a way into
The Côte d'Argent, a French mail boat transferred to the orders of
Admiral Dover, disembarked 1,000 troops from Dunkirk harbour on the Vice-
disembarked 1,250 troops at Dover in the morning and left again about 0930
June, the King George V 700, the French vessel Rouen 800. The St. Helier. 1st
At 1530 she entered Dunkirk harbour to embark wounded and troops, and was
twice hit by shore batteries before sailing for Dover once more at 2230 with
1,334 troops.
The controlling organisation
The organisation which controlled the supply of shipping functioned in a
room below Dover Castle, known as the Dynamo Room from the codeword
of the Dunkirk operation. In charge was Captain M. M. Denny, R.N. With
him there were 20 or more officers, soldiers, naval officers and Board of Trade
and Sea Transport officials, and the work they did was marvellous. They
were controlling, organizing, fuelling and supplying, not only men-of-war, but
a variety of merchant vessels. Sometimes a merchant vessel would need a
crew to take her over to Dunkirk again, but within a few hours the Sea the
new Transport Officer would get one and the ship would sail. At Ramsgate, collected
and various other places besides Dover, ships and boats were where
Nore, and organised, but the head and control of the whole was in this room,
they worked continuously and tirelessly against time day and night.¹
for the numerous small craft, working parties, and beach small parties craft were of
provided by the Chatham serviced and controlled by N.O.I.C. to assist
Crews Depot. The great majority of the Ramsgate. At
Harwich, which exceptional called there to make a quick turn round their by vessels.
the inshore an flotillas were Naval and Military system was organised relieving the
tired those ships' ships companies of the work of cleaning and clearing
NAVAL LOSSES OF THE DAY.
SUNK BY AIR ATTACK.
Destroyers-Basilisk, Havant, Keith, French Foudroyant.
Gunboat Mosquito.
Minesweepers French Minesweeping Brighton Trawlers Queen, Skipjack. Denis Papin, Moussaillon, Vénus.
Personnel vessel Scotia.
Tugs St. Abbs, St. Fagan.
Barges Lady Robinson, Doris.
I Report of R. A. Wake-Walker, M 017978/41, p.27.
94

Details

THE NIGHT 2ND-3RD JUNE
CHAP. XI
Teteghem, the event this was postponed 2000 and when it took place some
on a front of two miles. The until French intended to counter-attack at
There was no movement in the port. Later Admiral
was in the hands of the enemy, but they had not
advanced beyond. Further attacks were expected by the French this day,
when the situation regarding munitions might become critical.
Sailing of the night flight from England
The movement from England towards Dunkirk commenced at 1700. The
armada consisted of 13 personnel vessels, 2 large store carriers, 11 destroyers,
5 paddle minesweepers, 9 fleet sweepers, 1 special service vessel, 9 drifters,
6 skoots, 2 armed yachts, 1 gunboat, a large number of tugs, lifeboats, etc.,
formed either in organised tows or proceeding individually. For various
reasons, however, not all of these ships evacuated troops.¹
The composition of the French contingent was not known at Dover. Actually,
3 French torpedo boats, two minesweeping trawlers, two patrol vessels, and
17 trawlers and motor fishing vessels landed troops in England on the 3rd June.
One Belgian patrol boat and 16 or 17 trawlers brought troops.
B.E.F. evacuated, 2330/2
The first destroyers to reach Dunkirk were the Sabre and Shikari, which
sailed together from Dover at 1845. As the latter ship rounded No. 6 W buoy
enemy shore batteries opened fire, but caused no damage. Berthing was
carried out by an officer with a loud speaker at the pier head. Both destroyers
sailed again at 2200, the Sabre with 500 and the Shikari with 700 troops. The
Venomous, which arrived at 2150, had difficulty in going alongside the East Pier.
This was not a solid jetty, but was built of concrete piles through which the
west-going tide set. This, coupled with a fresh easterly wind, made it very
I The following ships (other than those on patrol which picked up survivors and landed
them) landed troops in England on 3rd June, (numbers in brackets) :-
BRITISH Destroyers - Codrington (44), Esk (500), Sabre (500), Shikari (700), Vanquisher (37),
Venomous (1500), Whitshed (82), Winchelsea (152), Windsor (1022) ;
Gunboat Locust (800)
Minesweepers - Albury (200), Duchess of Fife (300), Dundalk (399), Gossamer (490),
Halcyon (416), Kellett (364), Marmion (198), Medway Queen (481), Niger (430),
Oriole (750), Pangbourne (47), Speedwell (300), Westward-Ho (48) ;
Special Service Ship Golden Eagle (1);
Drifters - Forecast (108), Golden Sunbeam (163), Lord Howard (100), Midas (43),
Netsukis (119), Starlight Rays (319), Ut Prosim (49), Yorkshire Lass (103)
Trawler Cayton Wyke (300) ;
Skoot Doggersbank (50) ;
Yacht Sargasso (252) ;
Personnel ships - Côte d'Argent (955), King George V (1460), Newhaven (396),
Lady of Mann (18), Rouen (1286), Royal Sovereign (1500), St. Helier (2000),
Tynwald (1200) H.M.S. Nelson's M.B. (27)
Tugs - St. Olaves (200), Sun X (211), Sun XI (188), War Dept. M.Ls. (69)
Sailing barge Glenway (213)
R.N.L.I. Lifeboats Cecil & Lilian Philpot (51), Michael Stephens (52) :
3 motor boats and launches (300).
FRENCH Torpedo boats - Bouclier (340), La Flore (410) ;
Destroyer Léopard (19) ;
S/M Chaser 6 (50, apparently disembarked at Havre) ;
M/S trawlers - Ste. Bernadette de Lourdes (79), Ste. Denise Louise (78) ;
Patrol vessels - Lucien Gougy (78), Reine des Flots (500) ;
17 trawlers and M.F.V's. (1663).
BELGIAN Patrol boat A.5 (229) ;
17 trawlers (1583).
107

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. XI
difficult for ships to get alongside until the tide turned, about 2300. Rear-
Admiral Wake-Walker, who was afloat in M.A/S.B. 10 used the latter to
harbour was now filled with numbers of small French craft of every sort, size
the Venomous in and tried to get other small craft to do likewise. The narrow push
and description. At this moment a defect Venomous developed in the M.A /S.B's clutch,
apparently her from going as the astern result and of down pushing made on turning her the from a most both alongside, directions. hazardous which adventure prevented with
boats of all sorts bearing The
was away again in half an hour, with 1,500
Alexander and his staff who had been taken on
Admiral Wake-Walker and transferred to the
had difficulty in getting alongside but managed to clear the harbour with 1,022
troops, one minute before the next destroyer was due to enter. The stream of
British troops was evidently diminishing in volume now, for the Winchelsea,
which arrived at the pier at 2300, embarked only 152. The gunboat Locust,
however, which sailed two minutes later, carried 800 troops, a proportion of
whom were French.
Eight drifters disembarked 1,004 men in England, the Starlight Rays bringing
319 of these. The yacht Sargasso brought 252. Only two personnel vessels
lifted British troops from the East Pier; the King George V embarked 1,460
in 27 minutes and sailed at 2225 and the St. Helier embarked 2,000 and sailed
at 2330 for England.
This completed the evacuation of the British rearguard.
At 2330 Captain Tennant made the welcome signal "B.E.F. evacuated."
He embarked in M.T.B. 102, together with the demolition party and left for
Dover.
A pause in the embarkation
After the last of the B.E.F. were clear there was a long pause. French
troops should have followed the British rearguard on the East Pier, but they
did not appear. The West Quay, however, was crowded with French in their
distinctive helmets, though there seemed a scarcity of ships on that side of the
harbour. The personnel ship Royal Sovereign, which had been joined that
afternoon by Commander L.P. Skipwith as adviser to the Master, Captain T.
Aldis, went alongside the West Quay at 2130, handled magnificently, turning
and going alongside bows out", as Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker reported. She
embarked 1,500 French troops and sailed at 2205 for Margate. The Rear-
Admiral also sent the personnel ship Rouen, a French cross-channel steamer,
to the West Quay. In getting away she got broadside on to the wind and
grounded just to the westward of the quay, where she lay, on a falling tide,
showing up clearly against an oil fuel fire behind her. A tug was sent to help
her but drew too much water and could not get near. However, the ship
remained unhit throughout the shelling, and she floated off with the next tide
in daylight and reached England safely with 1,286 men.
Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker was unable to discover the reason for the
cessation of the flow of French troops to the East Pier; it was apparently caused
make a counter-attack, for the counter-attack which was to have been made
by the necessity either of repelling a German attack or holding them up to
at 1500 to restore the line east of Bergues was postponed until 2000. With
destroyers waiting to be filled the situation was most exasperating. Five
destroyers had to be sent back to England for lack of to fill them. The
she Vanquisher was ordered to return to Dover to 0230, taking troops only 37 troops which
embarked from a small boat while lying off the harbour. The Codrington
108

Details

THE NIGHT 2ND-3RD JUNE
CHAP. XI
also stopped off the harbour by entered orders at the 0050 harbour and had only 44 troops when
she devoid of troops and was by Whitshed found Wake-Walker to return to
was sailed at 0250. The Express ordered Rear-Admiral at 0200, found the pier
sailed at 0245 with 82 men collected small craft. Finally, the Malcolm
and Dover lay outside with orders to hail from stop other ships from entering. She
with the Codrington. The and no berth on arrival at 0030
was ordered back at 0248, empty. Thus five destroyer trips were wasted.
Only the minesweepers which berthed at the inner end of the East Pier after
the British rearguard had embarked, managed to collect normal quotas from
the trickle of French troops.
Dunkirk was the headquarters of a French Naval Command and there was
always a considerable number of French marines in evidence. But after the
British naval ratings left at 2300 there was difficulty in getting ships berthed,
as the French did not replace them.
The Albury embarked 200 French troops, the Duchess of Fife 300, the Dundalk
399, the Gossamer 490, the Halcyon 416, the Kellett 350 French and 14 British,
the Marmion 198, the Medway Queen 481, and the Speedwell 300. The Niger
slipped at 0120 with 430 French troops. While turning an unknown French
craft crossed her bows and was rammed, though apparently no damage was
done to her. A few minutes later the Frenchman returned and rammed the
Niger.
Personnel ships did well. The Royal Sovereign sailed at 2205 with 1500
troops, the King George V at 2225 with 1460, the St. Helier at 2330 with 2,000.
The Côte Argent took 955 men, the Newhaven 396 French, the Tynwald 1,200,
the Rouen 1,286; but the Lady of Mann was ordered back for lack of troops
and took only 18 French embarked from a small boat.
Amongst the French ships the torpedo-boat Bouclier embarked 340 men and
the La Flore 410. The patrol vessel Reine des Flots embarked 500 troops
during a violent bombardment" and also reported air attacks (from German
strays returning no doubt), en route to England, for which she sailed from
Dunkirk at 2300 on the 2nd. Seventeen French trawlers and motor fishing
vessels brought off 1,662 troops and a Belgian patrol boat 229.
Summary of troops evacuated, night 2nd-3rd June
To Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker, who had worked out a programme by
which 37,000 men could have been lifted, in addition to those that would get
off in small craft, this had been a most disappointing night's work, owing to
the long pause when the flow of men to the East Pier ceased for some hours
after the British rearguard completed its embarkation, and the difficulty of
getting ships berthed owing to the failure of the French to replace the British
naval parties after these left Dunkirk. Between midnight on 2nd-3rd and
0300 on the 3rd a lifting capacity of about 10,000 men was left empty.
There were disembarked in England on 3rd June 26,700 troops. Of these,
British ships lifted 21,671, French ships 3,216 and Belgian ships 1,812. The
great majority of these, namely 24,830, were embarked in Dunkirk harbour,
principally by ships berthed alongside, though a few were ferried to ships
waiting outside the port. Most of the remainder were taken out of small craft
by ships which were likely to reach England with greater expedition and
certainty many of these found in small craft had no doubt come off from
the beaches.
109

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. XI
The Admiralty had already continued (2312/2) for the undertaken evacuation that ships would be
night the evacuation 3rd to 4th on June, this and night. they To this the French agreed. complete on the
vided and air protection now urged the French of Admiralty trops pro-
Plan for the night
embarkation, the hours of 2230/3 and with such ships for
For this last and night the maximum it was decided effort to was cut to down be made, by one hour the time
mained available, between to be made by personnel 0230/4. From the as re-
Pier, liftings were to be sent to the entire vessels, destroyers, and East
minesweepers; be ships received, were and it was estimated that length of the pier as paddle
as they could Drifters and fast
thus be provided and for docks 14,000 of men. the inner harbour. small craft were to go would
up to the quays be French ships, for which right
latter pier the remaining would also lift ships (minesweepers the other than paddle, the
beach, the Quai Félix Faure, British Avant Port (West Pier) ; from
numbers could be estimated, were and the to New responsible for evacuation from Malo no
boats. Locust was to remain loads ferried out to her by small
vettes and skoots) outside and troops, receive to number of 5,000. The gunboat cor-
It was intended to employ on the work a force of 9 personnel vessels, 9
destroyers (all that were available), 4 paddle minesweepers, 7 fleet minesweepers,
9 drifters, the Locust, 2 corvettes, 4 French torpedo boats, and a number of
organised motor boats flotillas including lifeboats from Ramsgate and Dover,
together with a large number of French and Belgian fishing vessels. Eleven
small French ships and 3 small tugs left Cherbourg for Dover on the night
2nd-3rd June ; Le Havre was scheduled to send 8 trawlers, 2 minesweepers,
1 tug, and 20 small dinghies ; and Fécamp sent 14 trawlers.
During the afternoon of the 3rd the French authorities transmitted the figure
of French troops still remaining in Dunkirk. This was about 30,000, a pro-
portion of whom belonged to other than combatant units. The total capacity
of the lifting force, if used to the full, was 30,000, but this was about 5,000 more
than the facilities within the port would permit of being embarked in 4 hours,
even if the French troops moved with the greatest rapidity at all points of
embarkation. On previous occasions there had been some instances of difficulty
in persuading French troops to embark otherwise than as complete units.
Vice-Admiral Ramsay consequently impressed on the French liaison officers
the necessity of speed, and he added a number of French officers and ratings
to the augmented pier parties which were despatched to Dunkirk at 2200, in
I The following ships landed troops in England on 4th June (numbers landed in brackets)
British - destroyers Express (611), Malcolm (736), Sabre (592), Shikari (383), Vanquisher
Minesweepers Albury (400), Halcyon (501), Kellett (30), Leda (500), Medway Queen (266),
ferred to trawler off Dunkirk on account of collision damage) Gunboat Locust (196)
(414), Venomous (1200), Whitshed (444); Corvettes Guillemot (460), Kingfisher (200, trans-
Princess Elizabeth (329), Queen of Thanet (150), Speedwell (396) Trawler Saturn (418)
Drifters Forecast (123), "L.H.W.D." (90) Skoots Bornrif (96), Hondsrug (308), Pascholl
(255), Ruja (300) ; Yacht Gulzar (140) ; Personnel vessels Autocarrier (712), Canterbury
Princess (659), Côte d'Argent (1349), King George V (817), Lady of Mann (1244), Newhaven (729),
(1350), Tynwald (3000) ; Tugs Racia (123), Sun XV (37) War Dept. M.Ls.
Maud (1270), Royal Sovereign (took the place of Manxman which refused to sail)
Pigeon (23), Swallow (23) ; Sailing Barge Beatrice Maud (31), Tanga not reach England until 5th
and June) launches (260) ; R.N.L.I. lifeboats Edward Z. Dresden (50), Greater (did London (48) ; Motor boats
Nayland Bonny Heather (210), Diana Mary (28), Elizabeth Green (10), Meuse (50),
Coliath trawlers (355), 3 patrol vessels (836), 13 trawlers and M.F.Vs. (1416), 1104. Belgian Tug
3 M/S (55), Walker II (76). French 5 Torpedo boats 2 S/M chasers (127),
(183), 5 trawlers (554).
114

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. XII
Casualties from collison and grounding
had It embarked was under 200 conditions French such troops of as the at these harbour the West that per which
was rammed when just clear 20 feet from the stern, 2319,
line, Edmond cutting René; her her degaussing port bow, circuits. and the The troops collision was caused opened the up two to the wawler water
which was undamaged. eventually joining a water, trawler,
swing alongside one another, The Kingfisher, making trans-shipped little to the ships to
towards England at 7 knots, casualty. company with the minesweeper proceeded
Leda, another collision
West Pier about an hour into the prevailing fog, and off 0300, the on the way back the
The Leda, having embarked after the 484 Kingfisher. French troops, At had pushed off from
she ran down the Belgian The Leda's bows
Margate, the ship ran trawler Maréchal Foch. Goodwin Light Buoy to
damaged, and for a while the minesweeper the Albury, which had sailed from were
West Pier at about the same time as Leda, with 400 troops, stood by her; the
but the Leda's forward bulkhead held, so the ship continued on her way to
Margate, escorted for a while by the Kellett until the latter had to break off
assist a ship in greater trouble and left her with the Kingfisher as companion to
in misfortune. The fog was thick at Margate, and in the roads the Kingfisher
was rammed once more, the personnel vessel King George V hitting her on the
starboard bow, though only minor damage was caused.
Meanwhile, the Maréchal Foch had sunk. In economy of operation this
Belgian trawler seems to have been unequalled, for despite the fact that her
entire complement consisted only of the Master, Captain P. Lusyne, and one
man, (F. Decoster), she had embarked no less than 300 troops. To accomplish
this, the ship had lain alongside the quay at Dunkirk since the 2nd of June, for
she had grounded on the falling tide and did not get away until the night of
the 3rd-4th. It is satisfactory to know that the Captain and his crew were
picked up and landed at Dover ; but half of the 300 troops she was carrying
were drowned. The French M.T.B. V.T.B 25 which was bringing Admiral
Abrial from Dunkirk picked up some but was hampered by a propeller disabled
by wreckage, and some were rescued by the destroyer Malcolm, which left
Dunkirk at 0245 and reported picking up, in fog near the North Goodwin,
survivors of an unknown schuyt' which had been sunk in collision with a
minesweeper.
Another ship that grounded in Dunkirk and was lost in consequence, was the
Skoot Lena. This vessel had sailed from England at 1530 on the 3rd June, in
company with four other skoots, the Pascholl (S.O.), Hondsrug, Bornrif, and
Reiger. The latter ran aground on the Quern Sand soon after leaving Rams-
gate, and was left behind. Going alongside the middle pier of Avant Port"
at Dunkirk (probably the West Quay or Guiding Jetty, or possibly the Inner but
Western high none British water, was drifter Pier) available orders were the having Lena and unsuccessful. attempts grounded been given made At at that about 1045 to no tow on 2300. further the her 4th off A embarkation tug June, by was the two asked Bornrif was hours crew for, to and after take em- a
place after daylight, it was decided to abandon ship. Part of remainder, the in-
barked in a British drifter, part in a French drifter, and the
cluding the officers, were ferried to the Locust outside the harbour.
forthcoming to tow off owing the difficulty for minutes
It was presumably to of tug was
considerable convoy of tugs Lena, arrived off within the entrance a to the
116

Details

THE FINAL NIGHT, 3RD-4TH JUNE
CHAP. XII
The Locust also, after embarking troops ferried out to her from 2300, came
alongside the East Pier at 0225, and when she sailed ten minutes later had on
board 196 troops.
Mining of the Emile Deschamps
The personnel vessel King George V which left the East Pier about 0300 with
817 troops, ran into thick fog off the English coast. About 0615, near the
Elbow Buoy 21/2 miles east of the North Foreland, she passed a "small French
naval vessel." Suddenly there was a heavy explosion astern of her, and
within a minute the vessel had sunk.
The small French ship was the Fleet Auxiliary Emile Deschamps which had
sailed from Dunkirk for England at about 2100 on 3rd June, crowded with
troops and refugees. About 0558 the minesweeper Albury, 5 cables ahead of
her, gave her a course for the North Goodwin Light Vessel, which the French
ship had missed. A quarter of an hour later the Emile Deschamps struck the
magnetic mine which sank her.
Several vessels were near and hastened to rescue the survivors. The fire-
float Massey Shaw, on passage from Ramsgate to London, was only 200 yards
away at the time and picked up 40, reported to be all sailors, which she trans-
ferred to the Albury. The King George V lowered four boats and picked up
67. The minesweeper Kellett, called up by signal from the Albury, rescued
some very badly injured people as did also H.M.S. Nelson's motor boat, whose
log contains the apparently, but no doubt unintentionally, casual entry
' 2400. L/Sea. Eggington lost overboard with candle-lantern." Fog came
down again as the rescue operations were completed. Among the survivors
landed at Margate were 7 French women and a boy.
Blocking Operation repeated night 3rd-4th June
Owing to the failure of the blocking operation of the previous night to close
the port, the Admiralty, during the forenoon of the 3rd June, ordered it to be
repeated on this night with Admiral Abrial's concurrence. Captain E. Danger-
field, R.N. was again in charge. The ships employed were as follows :-
destroyer :
Shikari;
coastal craft: M. A./S. B. 10,
M.T.B. 107
blockships
Gourko, 1975 tons, built 1911,
Moyle, 1761 tons, built 1907,
Pacifico, 687 tons, built 1905.
The force sailed from the Downs at 2030 on the 3rd by Route Z, M.T.B. 107
being in tow of the Shikari, and anchored at 0130 on the 4th between No. 14 W
and 16 W buoys, near the entrance to Dunkirk harbour.
At 0230 Captain Dangerfield, who had transferred to M. A/S. B. 10 ordered
the ships to weigh and the Shikari proceeded to lead them to the entrance.
The Gourko's anchor was barely aweigh when a violent explosion occurred aft,
caused, it is reported, by a magnetic mine, although the ship was degaussed
and had been wiped in Chatham Dockyard as recently as the 31st May. The
Gourko began to sink rapidly and was ordered to be abandoned. She sank
stern first in 3 minutes. M. A/S. B. 10 took off 9 survivors and transferred
them to the Shikari. M.T.B. 107 rescued 7 others, some of them from the
water. One of the crew was missing, and 8 were wounded.
Meanwhile, the other two blockships carried on with the operation. The
119

Details

Details

INDEX
Johanna,54, 60.
John, and Norah, 71n.
39, 43-4. D.
G., 76.
G. de S. (P.S.T.O. 60. Dover), 48.
Jutland, 47n, 54,
Keith, at Boulogne, 9-10; In Dynamo, 55, 64, 66, 67 (flag of R.A. Dover), 71, 74, 76, 86,
Kaap Falga, 20, 29.
88-90 (sunk).
Kellett, 28n, 32, 41, 46, 97, 107n, 89. 109, 114n, 116-7, 119.
Kenward, Lt. (E) W. H., killed,
Kestrel, 72n.
Kingfisher, 60, 87, 89 (damaged), 114n, 116 (rammed), 117.
Killarney, 29n, 54n.
King George V, 54n, 94, 107n, 108-9, 114n, 116, 119.
King Orry, 16, 19, 28, 45 (sunk), 97 (damages Dunkirk pier).
Kingston Alalite, 34n, 110.
Kingston Andalusite, 34n.
Kingston Galena, 34n.
Kingston Olivine, 110.
Koeltz, General, 19.
Kuno, 20n, 24n.
Lady Brassey, 28n, 36, 91, 104.
Lady Haig, 72n.
Lady of Mann, 48n, 87, 107n, 109 (sent back empty), 114n, 118.
Lady Philomena, 34n, 91.
Lady Robinson, 94 (sunk).
Lady Rosebery, 71n.
Lady Sheila, 60.
Lady Southborough, 72n.
La Flore, 107n, 109.
Lahloo, 66, 71n.
Laidsell, Lt. Gen. W. G. (Q.M.G.), 8, 26, 59, 90.
Lambart, Capt. Hon. L. J. O., R.N. (ret.), lost, 93.
Lansdowne, 72n.
La Panne. See Beaches.
Lark, 71n, 95 (sunk).
Laroc, 60.
Leda, 28n, 32, 54n, 97, 114n, 116 (sinks Maréchal Foch), 118.
Lena, 20, 24, 27-8, 100, 116 (lost), 117.
Léopard, 73, 99, 107n.
Letitia, 73.
Lewes, Lt. Cdr. J. H., 45.
Lewis, Cdr. E. R., 106.
L.H.W.D., 114n.
L'Impétueuse, 62.
Llanthony, 71n.
Lloyd, General, 84.
Lochgarry, 29n, 39, 41.
Locust, 46, 58, 87, 107n, 108, 114, 116, 119.
Lord Barham, 71n.
Lord Cavan, 32n, 98 (sunk).
Lord Collingwood, 32n, 47n.
Lord Grey, 45.
Lord Hood, 71n.
Lord Howard, 23n, 107n.
Lord Howe, 13, 23n.
Lord Keith, 32n, 47n.
Lord Melchett, 85.
Lord Rodney, 47n.
Lord St. Vincent, 32n, 47n.
201

Details

VESSEL
OWNER
REMARKS
KING KING GEORGE V (Rowbrat)
LOST OR MISSING. (Noic. RAMSSATE).
J.Mears
Returned to owners 11.6.40
KING FISHER
R.D. Gerans (6A)
Re-allocated to Spl.Admy. Servic
KINGWOOD
J.Mears
Returned to Owners.
KINTAIL
W.E. Turner
A.P.S.
KIT.KAT
J.Swain
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
KITTY
Basso & Co.
Returned to Owners 2.6.40 DNG
KONGONI
Comd.Hare
A.P.S.
KESTREL R7
S.Rowden
Returned to Owner
KESTREL
No information received of reti
from Dunkirk
LADY CABLE
C.W.Mott
Damaged Returned to Owners
LADY HAIG
H. Meakins
Returned to Owners 2.6.40
LAPY ISABELLE
T. Westhead
Returned to Owners
LADY KAY
c/o WATERCRAFT
Returned to Owners.
LADY RITA
S.L.Bullock
To A.P.S.
LAMOUETTE
P.C.Allen
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
LANSDOWNE
V.Messum
No report received from list 0
Missing Vessels.
LARK
A. Fayers
No trace of return from Dunkir
Presumed lost.
LATONA
E.M.Wood
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
S
LAZY DAYS
Mr.Lazarus
Re-allocated A.P.S. 1,6.40
S
LEACH'S ROMANCE
Bob Leach & Sons
Released 3.6.40. Re-allocated
SPL.ADMY.SERVICE (6A)
LEADING STAR
E.J.Breeds Senr.
Re-allocated to Spl.Admy Serv
NT LILLY
Jubilee Fishing Co.
Released 3.6.40. Re-allocate
Admy Service (6A)
:
LETITIA
W.E. Browning
Abandoned.
LETITIA
A.Dench
No damage reported. Returne
Owners
LIBERTY
K.C.Frisby
Returned - unsuitable
LEILA 4
Burnay
Being returned to Owner.
LIEBERSTRUM
H.C.Hunt
T.98 Returned to Owners 19/6
(
LITTLE MAYFLOWER
F.G.Barton (6A)
Re-allocated to Spl.Admy Serv
(
LITTLE O'LADY
Bob Leach & Sons
Released 1.6.40. Re-allocate
(
Admy. Service (6A)
6
LIBERTY II
W.C.Craske
Returned unsuitable to Owners
6
LORNA DOONE
c/o Toughs
A.P.S.
G
C
LADY NANCY
Mr. Richmond
Returned to Owners.
6
C
LIJNS
C.O,Powis
Returned to Owners.
Q
LURLINE
E.W.Monkhouse
T.98 Re-allocated to A.P.S.
c
Q
C
LEANDER
J.T.Phelps
Returned to Owner. Prepared
C
go.
TI
LAVINIA
A.Hurley
A.P.S.
LITTLE ANN
Turnour
Reported by S.V.P. Presumed
LADY BE GOOD
S.W.Langthorn
Prepared for Bynamo but did
R.
5
LADY ROSEBERRY
Sam. West Ltd.
Reported lost'st Dunkirk
R
4
LITTLE ADMIRAL
C.A.Pegg
Returned to Owners.
RI
C
N
LN 85
RI
M
C
LAUREL LEAF
Cosens & Co.
Pre-Dynamo Requisition Retu
RI
M
Service
Ric
M
LYDIE SUZANNE
Eversert Prosper
Lost at Le Havre
RI
MA LILY (Plobat)
J.GISTY.
Reported lostor missing by NOIC
RC
M(
LEADER FY287
WESTCOTE
BEREHED
MC
RC
36
RO
30
MADAME POMPADOUR
Lt.Col. H.E.Day
Re-allocated to A.P.S.
RO
Mo
MAGNET
Mr.Melmore
Broke down and did not go,
R
M
MAID OF HONOUR
H.Sands
T.98 No information of re
*
Mo
from Dunkirk.
MOT
MAGNET (now BOAT)
A.HALL
LOST or MISSING. (Noie Ramsga
- 6 -

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

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

S.S. "BIARRITZ"
D.S.C.
James Lang Crockart
1000
Engineer
finall Howl
S.S. "CANTERBURY"
D.S C.
Master
Charles Archibald Hancock
Motor Boat "CONSTANT NYMPH"
D.B.M.
Owner
Basil Arthur Smith
setuall
S.S. "DORRIEN ROSE" Teldo
tal
I
повтоляз
D.O.C.
hamesthod
Master
Chief Engineer
D.S.C.
William Thompson
Bernard Murphy
D.S.C.
Mate
Terence O'Hanlon
D.S.M.
Gunner
D.S.M.
J. W. Watson
TOJEBN
A.B.
D.S.M.
J. O'Rowe
doonignS Totdo
0.8.
W. Barnett
D.S.M.
A. Gibson
Drawers Ieldo
Fireman
Tug "FOREMOSH 87"
D.S.C.
IntooM
Master
James Fryer
JRL
S.S. "ISLE OF GUERNSEY" bee
Francis waugh Hodges.
D.S.C.
Master
Brnest Leonard Hill
Chief Engineer
D.S.C.
David Douglas Robb
D.S.M.
A.B.
John Fowles
retual well
Tug "JAVA"
7001290 and
Seaman
D.S.M
Master
Harry Griffith
4001990
S.S. "KING GEORGE V"
Master
D.S.G
Robert McCallum McLean
Chief Engineer
D.S.C.
William MacGregor
Greaser
D.S.M.
Angus Macdonald
D.S.M.
A.B.
Donald Joseph McKinnon
S.S. "LEVENWOOD"
Master
D.S.C.
William Oswald Young
M.N. Gunner
D.S.M.
George. Knight
niewaxe0
D.S.M.
Fireman
Robert Moody
S.S. "MAID OF ORLEANS"
Master
D.S.C.
Gordon Dyer Walter
Chief Engineer
D.S.C.
George Frederick Tooley
D.S.M.
Q.M.
Harry Russell
Motor Yacht "MASHYRA"
D.S.M.
Skipper
G. D. Oliver
8.8. "PRAGUE"
Master
D.S.C.
Clifford Roland Baxter
Chief Engineer
D.S.C.
Walter Ernest Oxenham
D.S.M.
Frederick Wm. John Rushby
Boy
in

Details

Tm4324pl p
a
Tugs :
Telephone Nos.:
SUNRISE "
ROYAL
Avail
II"
"SUNSHINE "
General
Office
6921
fo
N III "
"SUNFISH :
(4 lines)
Nig
ar
JN IV "SUNBIRD "
Towage
5325
Sur
SUN V"
Office
lines)
u
"SUN VI"
"SUN VII "
City Office:
"SUN VIII "
MANSION HOUSE
"SUN IX
GRAVESEND 66,
"SUN X"
Telegrams and Radio
"SUN XI"
Telegrams :
"SUN XII "
"SKIFFS, PHONE
"SUN XV"
LONDON "
S.S. CARINTHIA' 20,000 tons gross. Approaching King George V Dock. Towed by "SUN" Tugs
City Office :
COMMERCIAL SALE ROOMS
W. H. J. ALEXANDER, LTD.
ST. JOHN'S WHARF
WAPPING
24, MARK LANE, E.C.3
DIRECTORS: W. P. ALEXANDER. G. F. ALEXANDER. C.G. ALEXANDER
London, E.1 20th July 1940 19
The Minister of Shipping
Ministry of Shipping
Berkeley Square House W.1.
Sir,
We beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, covering
your letter to the Master and crew of our s.t. "SUN XII" engaged in the recent
evacuation, which we have passed on to our Master and it is much appreciated.
We are, Sir,
Your obedient Servants
W. H. J. ALEXANDER LTD.
9.7.alumuncker
Director

Details

Time
4342
e
plpwpp
3
56
Telephone Nos.
im Tugs :
ROYAL
Ava
"SUNRISE"
General
6921
fo
Office
"SUNSHINE'
(4 lines)
NI
III" "SUNFISH"
Towage
5325
Sur
IV" "SUNBIRD"
Office
lines)
JN V"
UN VI"
City Office :
SUN VII"
MANSION HOUSE 4.
"SUN VIII "
GRAVESEND 66, 19
"SUN IX"
Telegrams and Radio
'SUN X"
Telegrams :
"SUN XI"
"SKIFFS, PHONE,
"SUN XII "
LONDON
"SUN XV"
S.S. CARINTHIA" 20,000 tons gross. Approaching King George V Dock. Towed by "SUN" Tugs
City Office :
W.H.J. ALEXANDER,LTD.
ST. JOHN'S WHARF
COMMERCIAL SALE ROOMS
WAPPING
24, MARK LANE, E.C.3
DIRECTORS: W.P. ALEXANDER. G.F. ALEXANDER. C.G. ALEXANDER
London, E.1 21st June 1940 19
The Minister of Shipping,
Ministry of Shipping
Berkeley Square House W.1.
A
Right Honourable Sir,
X
We have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the
19th instant, and thank you for letters addressed to the Masters of nine of
our "SUN" tugs engaged in the recent evacuation of Dunkirk, which are much
appreciated.
Our s.t."SUN XII", Master A.V.Mee, was also engaged;
we understand a letter was made out for this tug, B. R. Mastin Master. He
was only on board temporarily as navigating master, and We shall be obliged
if you will let us have a letter in the name of A. V. Mee, Master, he and the
crew of the tug having been on board during the whole of the operations.
We are, Right Honourable Sir,
Yours faithfully
W. H. J. ALEXANDER LTD.
Director
th
er
"1
1y
g
of the
shore now
the naval
rized.
In/

Details

JOHN STEWART WATKINS.
JOHN ROGERS WATKINS.
DIRECTORS.
MAX HAMILTON.
40
VILLIAM WATKINS, LTD.
E
W
(ESTABLISHED 1883).
FENTON HOUSE,
STEAM TUG OWNERS.
TELEPHONE: ROYAL 5434-6.
112, FENCHURCH STREET,
TELEGRAMS: TOWAGE, FEN, LONDON.
KING GEORGE v. DOCK (Pier Head): ALBERT DOCK 2668
WITH EXTENSION TO NORTH WOOLWICH MOORINGS.
LONDON, 21st June, 1940.
AFTER OFFICE HOURS
E.C.3.
TELEPHONE: GRAVESEND 4227.8 Royal Terrace Pier
TELEGRAMS: TOWAGE, GRAVESEND
Day & Night.
JRW.
Dear Sir,
The Ronald Ministry T. Cross, of Shipping, Esq., M.P.,
Berkeley Berkeley Square, Square, House,
LONDON, W. 1.
Sir,
The
We beg to thank you for your letter of the 19th instant, with
enclosures, which we will have very great pleasure in delivering to the
SANS
Masters of our Tugs.
We are, Dear Sir,
Your obedient Servants,
WILLIAM WATKINS, LIMITED.
Director.
V. H. Esq
to the of
ALL WORK UNDERTAKEN BY US IS SUBJECT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM STANDARD TOWAGE CONDITIONS,
apt R.
th
er
1y
of the

Details

32
/
TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS
MACBRAYNE. GLASGOW.' Louthern
TELEPHONE: CENTRAL 9956 33
(PRIVATE BRANCH EXCHANGE)
ROM
DAVID MACBRAYNE, Ltd. General Managers
BIOD
REFERENCE
44 ROBERTSON STREET,
To
Waterloo
22nd Hation June, 1940.
MD/1855/40
GLASGOW, C.2.
HL/ET.
Private Secretary,
Minister of Shipping,
Berkeley Square House,
Berkeley Square,
LONDON, W. 1.
Dear Sir,
We have to acknowledge receipt of your favour of 19th inst.
enclosing letters from the Minister of Shipping to the Masters
of the T.T.S.S. "KING GEORGE V" and S.S. "LOCHGARRY" in connection
with their work in the recent evacuation from Dunkirk.
We much appreciate the Minister's speedy recognition of the
services rendered by the Mercantile Marine, which appreciation is
shared by our Masters, and we are indeed happy to know that two
vessels emergency. of our Fleet were of some assistance in this national
Yours faithfully, Missin
Jun
DAVID MACBRAYNE LIMITED,
Baq Minis General W.1. Manager Hast
,apt R.
th
er
1y
Fl
of the
g
ER
OH
shore now
the naval
In/
ized.

Details

Tune,
31 B
CONFIDENTIAL.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Work of Personnel Vessels.
PERSONNEL VESSELS.
Twenty-nine personnel vessels were used during
operation "Dynamo"; a list is given in the enclosure.
of these, seven were sunk, five so damaged by bombing
or gunfire as to render them unfit for further use during the
operation, and two were damaged in collision.
Of these ships the following, namely MONA'S QUEEN,
BIARRITZ, CANTERBURY, QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL, MAID OF ORLEANS,
AUTO CARRIER and ARCHANGEL; ST. HELIER and KING GEORGE V, had
been engaged prior to Dynamo, in operations at Dunkirk,
Boulogne and Calais, and had completed the following trips:
MONA'S QUEEN 3 QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL 1 ARCHANGEL
1
BIARRITZ
2 MAID OF ORLEANS
3 ST. HELIER
2
CANTERBURY
3 AUTO CARRIER
2 KING GEORGE V.1
2. There was no doubt that the Captains and crews of
these ships were feeling the strain when operation Dynamo
started. After completing two round trips to Dunkirk harbour
in operation Dynamo the Master of the CANTERBURY stated on the
28th that he would not take his ship to sea for a third trip.
The P.S.T.O. went on board and explained the gravity of the
situation and ordered him to sail at 2230, but discovered some
of the crew had been given leave. The P.S.T.O. therefore put
an officer and some seamen and stokers on board to augment and
stiffen the crew. The ship sailed at 0930/29, but was bombed
and damaged on her return voyage from Dunkirk, and after landing
troops did not take any further part in the operation.
3. After completing one round trip the Captain of the
St. SEIRIOL refused to sail, and accordingly one officer, an
armed guard and 7 stokers were put on board at 1000 on the 29th.
The Captain was placed under open arrest and the ship sailed at
1100. On her return voyage the ship was bombed and damaged and
did not sail again.
4.
The TYNWALD transported 7534 troops in 5 voyages; she
should have completed 6 voyages. When due to commence her
fourth voyage at 1945/1, she refused to sail and did not sail
again until 1945/2.
On a written enquiry from the S.T.O., Folkestone, on
the 2nd June, whether or not the ship would sail for Dunkirk if
required, the Master, W. Qualbrough, replied by letter as follows:
"Dear Sir,
Your letter received. I had a signal from
the master of the MALINES last night to say him and
the master of the BEN MY CHREE had considered it
apt R.
hopeless to proceed to Dunkirk. Our crews have been
continually on their feet all the week and especially
the deck officers who have had to be on their feet
for 30 long. I myself have had 4. hours rest for th
week and am at present physically unfit for another
trip like what we have had. If it is absolutely
necessary to go I will abide with the masters of the
other ships decision.
i
P.S. There is two more of the crew going ashore now
g
absolutely nervous wrecks and certified By the naval
ER
doctor.
In/
rized.

Details

June,
CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 3.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Work of Personnel Vessels.
Personnel Vessels (continued).
remaining; she started a trip but failed to make Dunkirk. On
return, the original Captain rejoined with some of the original
crew. She should then have sailed at 2010/3, but the Captain
reported 3 engineers short at the last minute. It was not
considered necessary to wait for the engineers and the Master
and crew disembarked and the new crew provided for the second
time. Before further use could be made of her, however, the
evacuation terminated.
9. The MONA'S QUEEN was sunk by a mine on her second
voyage to Dunkirk, and the FENELLA was bombed and sunk on her
first voyage.
10. The MALINES who had completed two trips, refused to
sail on the 1st, left Dover at 1600 on the 2nd without orders and
was subsequently found to have proceeded to Southampton.
11. It was felt that trouble might occur in the ST.HELIER
and PRINCESS MAUD, and accordingly a naval party was put on
board to supplement the ships crews, and in consequence no
trouble occurred.
12. The outstanding ships were the MAID OF ORLEANS 6 trips,
one being diverted without completing the trip, and once
returning due to collision. ROYAL DAFFODIL 7 trips, on one of
which she was turned back by a French destroyer -
ROYAL SOVEREIGN 6 trips
KING GEORGE V
5 trips
COTE d'ARGENT
5 trips
ST. HELIER
4 trips after having refused to
158 rgdl
sail once.
PRAGUE
3 trips with full loads, bombed,
85mght
severely damaged and
beached on the last return
trip.
13. Eleven other ships were concerned in the Operation,
details of which are as follows:
27th May BIARRITZ
27th May
Damaged by shell fire and returned.
ARCHANGEL
27th May
Damaged by shell fire and returned.
QUEEN OF THE
Sunk by bombing attack.
CHANNEL
28th May
LORINA
Sunk by bombing attack.
29th May
NORMANIA
Sunk by bombing attack.
28th May LOCH GARRY
One trip.
28th May SCOTIA
One trip.
2nd June
THE
28th May KILLARNEY
Sunk by bombing attack.
One trip.
2nd June ROUEN
One trip.
2nd and 3rd
Acapt R.
June AUTO CARRIER
Two trips.
2nd and 3rd
June NEWHAVEN
Two trips.
fice of
Enclosure:-
g Officer Commanding,
Details of Personnel
ER.
Ships used.
2 June, 1940.
authorized.

Details

Details

-3-
nip.
Name & Address of Owners
Name of Master.
SS MAUD
London Midland & Scottish
Capt. H. Clarke.
IA
Railway,
Capt. W.H. Hughes.
L.M.S. Railway Headquarters,
Watford, Herts.
ST. SEIRIOL
Liverpool & North Wales
Capt. R.D. Dobb
S.S. Co., Ltd.,
40, Chapel Street,
Liverpool, 3.
/PRAGUE
London & North Eastern
Capt. C. Baxter.
Railway Company,
26, Glengall Road,
Woodford Green,
Essex.
KING GEORGE V
David MacBrayne Limited,
Capt. R.E. MacLean.
LOCHGARRY
44, Robertson Street,
Capt. E. MacKinnon.
Glasgow, C.2.
KILLARNEY
Coast Lines Limited,
Capt. R. Hughes.
2, Crescent Road,
Kingston-on-Thames,
Surrey.
ST. HELIER
Great Western Railway Co.,
Capt. R. Pitman
c/o Chief Docks Manager,
Cardiff.
ST JULIEN
Great Western Railway Co.,
Capt.L.S.Richard
ST ANDREW
Paddington Station, W. .2.
Capt. H.C. Bond
ST DAVID
Capt. C.Joy.
PARIS
Capt. E. Biles
ISLE OF GUERNSEY
Southern Railway Co.,
Capt. F.W. Hodges
DINARD
Waterloo Station,
Capt. P. Lewis
WORTHING
S.E.L.
Capt. C.J. Munton
ISLE OF THANET
>
Capt. A.J. Hammond
60
&
These Masters took over when original Masters were too exhausted to
carry on.
x Evacuation of Calais.
+ This vessel was ordered to Dunkerque laden with B.E.F. petrol and
did not actually evacuate, troops.
INED
orized.

Details

H.XG.1929/40
T.M.6213/40.8.T.A.6 5th November, 1940
25
T.M.6213/40/S.T.A.6.
SIR,
I am obliged for your letter of 8th November, 1940.
the 1st November, and for the return
of the original reports of the
of our vessels which took part in the
Dunkerque evacuation.
Sir,
id
I
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
(Marine Dept. abedient WP/JWA) of the 30th ultimo and to thank
on
ne
you for the interesting reports of the heads of
to
es
Departments on board the S.S. "KING GEORGE V." and
ond
S.S. "LOCHGARRY" on their experiences during the Dunkirk
The Director operations. of bea Transport,
Ministry of Shipping,
Berkeley Square House, Square am, Sir,
Berkeley
Your obedient Servant,
REGISTRY 7 RECEIVED nover 18
Director of Sea Transport.
The Marine Superintendent,
David MacBrayne, Limited,
44, Robertson Street,
GLASGOW, C.2.
On Tuesday the
Wednesday morning
the
ship
was
TAVO
wips
into Dunkist away a rull complement each time. Our ship
seemed to have a charmed life. Ships were bombed and shelled ahead of us
and alongside and astern of us, and yet apart from a few shell splinters and
machine-gun bullets we did not receive any damage.
On Saturday the 1st June the Second Officer, Mr Macdonald, had a narrow
escape. A piece of Shrapnel flew past him and smashed the glass of the docking
telegraph aft alongside which he was standing. It seemed an unlucky day for
him/

Details

148
DSA
To dol niw GSI
DUNKIRK OPERATIONS.
31
T.S.S. "KING GEORGE V.
HAMA a.sw riquest
Letter from Mr W. MacGregor, Chief Engineer of
Lige
me Snidmod
THE
"KING GEORGE V", to J. L. Roxburgh, Esq., Supt. Engineer.
USE
Thursday, 19th Sept., 1940.
VISIT
19001
Sir,
ESW
The above-named steamer left Greenock East India Harbour on Sunday, 14th
January, 1940, at 9.40 a.m. for Boulogne. There was very thick fog and we had
to go alongside Custom House Quay until 12.55 p.m. before the fog lifted. All
went well until 7.45 p.m. when we ran into very thick fog and required to slow
down again for two hours, then we went full ahead again until 1.45 a.m., when
we had to slow down again for three hours. We went full ahead again; all
went well until 16th January 1940, when a submarine was sighted making for us.
I received orders from the bridge to put on all possible speed and try and get
away from her. These orders were immediately carried out, and we managed
wellahead and arrived at the examination vessel and reported the matter to her.
Then we carried on and anchored at Dungeness at 6.55 p.m. until the following
morning. We picked up anchor at 8.45 a.m. on Wednesday, 17th January, and
proceeded up to Dover, when we got orders for Boulogne, but could not go there
owing to shortage of coal and water, so we put into Dover Harbour for coal and
water.
We lay in Dover Harbour until the following day and received stores, then
we got orders to proceed to Boulogne. We were in Boulogne for some time when
we got orders to proceed to Dover. Then we started on our run between Dover and
Boulogne. We got on very well on this run. There was really nothing to worry
about as long as the weather remained good. The only thing was we had to keep
a good look out for floating mines as there were many of them about at times,
and I need not say we had to give them a wide berth. Also, we had to report
them to other ships that were crossing so that they would keep clear.
All went well until the 14th May 1940. We left Boulogne for Dover on our
arrival and got the troops discharged. We got orders to proceed to Rotterdam
to pick up refugees. Fortunately we did not manage to get into that port as
it had fallen into the enemy's hands and H.M.S. Keith signalled to us to follow
him with all possible speed. I got the stokers to keep steam steady and kept
the engines full opened out, but the fires were getting dirty, and I may say it
was very hard for the engine-room staff to keep up the maximum speed. All was
going fairly good until 4.0 a.m. when we were attacked from the air. It was
not a very nice position to be in; still, we got out of it. I am sure he bombed
round us for a full hour before we got quietness again, and we arrived in Dover
without any further excitement.
On the 17th May 1940 we received orders to proceed to Dunkirk for bunkers,
then on the 18th May to proceed to Ostend for refugees. We left Dunkirk at
6.20 a.m. for Ostend, arriving about 9.30 a.m. and dropped anchor. We received
orders to lift anchor and go into the Harbour. During lifting anchor the enemy
air planes came over us and gave us a hot time of it with bombs and machine-gun
fire. Luckily we got out of it but he left a trace of his attack. We left
again excitement. at 12.50 p.m., arriving at Folkestone about 6.10 p.m. without any further
On the 20th May 1940 we left Dover with a very large cargo of high
explosives for Boulogne. I may say it was not a very nice cargo to have on
men/ board in times like these. However, we got over allright, but there were no

Details

- 2 -
34
STORE TOTAL motal
showed me a souvenir pencil with our ship's name on it - "KING GEORGE V" (one
of those we sold in the ship), which he had bought last summer while on a trip
to Staffa and Iona. He was so proud of it, and as I happened to have one or
two on hand I gave his pals a present of them, and they were delighted and
said they would show me them when they were on holiday and we were back on our
own run again.
alvIng
Flow
We arrived back safely at Margate and were not long before we were on our
way back again. We did several trips across to Dunkirk, and in spite of all
the bombing and shelling we received, we always brought our complement of
"passengers" safely home. One trip, shortly before the final evacuation,
going along "Hell's Lane" we had a good laugh at a remark made by one of the
crew. We were being bombed by a Jerry at the time and one of his bombs
Ri
dow
landed very close to us. "By Gosh!" he said, "If that one had landed on us
we would all have been blown into 'Maternity'".
VISA
On our final trip back from Dunkirk we heard a heavy explosion astern of
blos
us, and looking back we saw a cloud of smoke. At once we put about to render
or
what assistance we could, as we knew that some ship had been blown up by a
only
mine. As we came nearer and the smoke had cleared away, the ship had gone, but
the sea was covered with oil and pieces of wreckage and people's heads bobbing
about. We had our life-boats out and manned. It was a gruesome task lifting
the survivors out of the water as most of them were seriously injured. They
40
included men and women; as far as I know we rescued about 69, including the
of
Commander, but he died in one of our life-boats before we got back to our ship.
We carried them into our dining saloon as very few of them were able to walk,
the majority suffering from broken limbs. Our saloon was like a hospital,
and it was not a nice sight. However we did all we could to help the
survivors until we were able to receive medical assistance. We broke up
wooden boxes to make splints and tore up linen to make bandages, and those who
were bleeding badly we made tourniquets, but they were all in a terrible mess
with oil. Some of them had very little clothes on. We gave them blankets
and made them tea and coffee and tried to make them as comfortable as we could,
but unfortunately three of them died before we got to Margate.
When we got there we soon got medical assistance, and stretchers on board,
and had them all removed to hospital. One of the survivors whom we picked up
was suffering very much from shock and cold. We could not get him to stop
shivering, so we put him on top of steam press in the pantry, but forgot to
shut off the steam. Needless to say he did not stay long there - however,
it stopped his shivering.
I never thought I would see the saloon of the "KING GEORGE V" turned into
a first-aid station, but one never knows what is going to happen next, so we
just have to take things as they come along and be prepared for almost anything.
got orders proceed to Southampton. After being a few days at Southampton
We to left Margate for Dover, but were only there for one day when we got
six orders months to proceed to the Clyde, so here we are back to where we left nearly we
hope sound, having completed a duty - shall I say, "well done" (at again,
and ago, and I need not add that we are all glad to be back safe
in the so). I will write you again and let you know how we are getting least, along, I
meantime wishing you all the best.
Yours sincerely,
(Signed) George L. Weir.

Details

- 2 -
56
During the time we were anchored in this place we could, during the
day, hear the roar and fury of the guns and mines on the French coast, the
concussion of which was shaking the "LOCHGARRY" at her anchorage twenty-one
miles away, and at night the same pounding went on with the addition of
immense fires shooting up in the sky - "Calais" on fire? I took bearings by
compass to verify this; it came out to a degree and next morning we heard the
wat" asid OMJ 202 STOW ent
news. At night the dropping of magnetic mines round about was a common
occurrence, and the rat-tat-tat of the Spitfires chasing the enemy away, until
at last nobody was going to bother getting out of his bed to see them. But
if you did get up you were sure to find you were not the only one, although
they had faithfully promised to stick to their bunks. They would be in their
stocking soles, keeking out in some corner. It would be like a great display
adw dom
of fireworks, and one would wonder how many tons of lead were active in the
sky after the minelayer, or whether he would manage to get clear.
On May 28th at 4.30 a.m. orders were received to proceed to Dover for
one
fuel and water at 6 a.m., and at 7.5 p.m. same day we loaded provisions and
made various preparations for going to Dunkirk. At 8.56 p.m. we cast off from
one
Admiralty Pier bound for Dunkirk by a certain route. The night was dark and
hazy, and when we nearly bumped up against the North Goodwin Light vessel,
which was not lit, and after a bit of shouting to the light vessel, I dropped
anchor and we were at stand-easy till 3 a.m. Having no light of any kind we
had to keep a very good lookout. We felt a mighty wash rocking the ship fore
and aft, and right close beside us five destroyers passed at full speed, without
apparently taking the slightest notice. Shortly after another large ship
was bearing down on us, and passed quite close, and after heaving up anchor we
could still see her hull faintly in the gloom. We made up on her and afterwards
learned this was the "CLAN MACALISTER" which I guessed to be going the same way
as ourselves, as by now Dunkirk was the only place on the coast where she could
be going.
At 6.48 a.m. on the 29th May we were at the West Hinder Buoy. Behind us,
tearing along at top speed, was what well may have been termed the "Channel
Fleet". the swift steamers that had left Dover in the early morning, among
them being the "KING GEORGE V". Each as they passed the "LOCHGARRY" gave us
a hearty wave of hands and bonnets. All of them soon passed; on our port
bow was a British Destroyer, and one which we recognised as the one funnel
Polish Destroyer. They were going round in a circle which was gradually
getting smaller, both of them, I believe, taking cross bearing on a submarine.
When the circle got to the smallest possible round they each dropped several
depth charges about the same spot. We were watching for wreckage, but did not
successfully. see any. This would be the smallest depth at which a submarine could operate
A while later the Mate said he saw what appeared to be a spent torpedo
on the surface, but I did not see it. But if there was a submarine in that circle
he certainly is there yet! Now we were in the channel from which the enclosed
photo was taken (bottom picture), and the Mate and I argued as to whether it
was whin bushes or men that covered the sand dunes. On looking through the
binoculars we found that what appeared to be whin bushes were really armies of
the B.E.F. It was hardly credible, but true, the beach was strewn with wrecks
of ships at all angles, and motor lorries which were hardly visible, being
camouflaged, were dashing backwards and forwards.
We steamed along the channel which was some ten miles to Dunkirk Breakwater.
The Breakwater was fully occupied when we arrived there - two and three steamers
abreast. They were the steamers that had passed on the way in, and as many
destroyers, and who would be at the outer end of the Breakwater but the
S.S. "KILLARNEY" our sparring partner. This was a great surprise. How did
she get there? We left her in Dover, and they certainly did not pass us on the
way. But the secret was that the "KILLARNEY" was not degaussed and for that
reason they came by a different route from us! She was loaded with troops to
full capacity and had a very heavy list to starboard, away from the Breakwater,
and it was apparent that there was something wrong. Her belting had caught on
the Breakwater with the falling tide; eventually the belting gave way and she
was free to go, and backed out of the Harbour, closed up to us and waved, then
full away the way she had come good luck to them.
The/