Details

Details

Details

Details

Details

Details

Details

ARGYLLSHIRE
Trawler (Harwich)
S/Lt. J.S. Weddle, R.N.R.
S.O. 11th A/S Striking
Force
29th May
On patrol east of S buoy, the trs.
Lord Melchett and Stella Rigel in
company.
30th May
Patrolled S. Falls buoy to West Hinder.
(See Appx. J. signal J.16)
31st May
Patrol continued.
1st June
0245ca
The Argyllshire was about 2 miles east
of S. buoy in company with the same
two trawlers.
Many trawlers and other small craft
were in the vicinity.
Argyllshire commenced an attack on
what appeared to be a S/M.
0250
The Stella Rigel crossed Argyllshire's
bows and the latter reduced speed,
the target then being about 1800
yards on the starboard beam.
Shortly afterwards, there was an
explosion aft in the Argyllshire,
caused, it is believed by a torpedo
which struck her on the starboard
quarter.
She sank immediately.
5 survivors were picked up by the
Malabar (See Appx. J, signal J.31);
they were the Captain, an officer, a
signalman, a W/T Ope rator and an
able seaman.
The Malabar transferred the five
survivors to a "drifter" (signal J.31d)
i.e. the Stella Rigel.
Authority - R.O.II, pp.329, 330.
R.O. Case 6256.
68

Details

LORD MELCHETT
Harwich
trawler
Skipper R.C. Raylor, R.N.R.
Group Offr. Lt. W.H. Ward,
R.N.V.R.
29th May
1525
Left Parkeston Quay with trs.
Argyllshire and Stella Rigel.
Patrolled from N. Goodwin to West
Hinder buoy. Patrolled from S. Falls
0615
buoy to W. Hinder.
Sighted wreck 2 miles west of T buoy.
Picked up some of the P.M/S Gracie
Fields' bags. papers and 3 soldiers kit
31st May
Patrolled between S. Falls and West
Hinder.
1st June
Patrolled S buoy to W. Hinder.
0245
The Argyllshire was torpedoed 1/2 mile
east of S buoy, and sunk. The
Stella Rigel picked up 5 survivors. (1)
Joined by the tr. Cape Argona.
Resumed patrol.
2nd June
Patrol to W. Hinder.
1055
Air attack.
1130
Air attack. The Cape Argona damaged.
1530
The trs. Blackburn Rovers and
Westella were torpedoed (2) and sunk.
Resumed patrol.
3rd June
Patrolled to N. Goodwin.
0320
Ordered to base, with the Stella Rigel.
1210
Berthed.
Nil
No
Authority - R.O.II, p.329.
Lord
(2)
4th June
(1) (2) D.R. states "survivors taken off by "Malabar".
D.R. p.29 states "sunk by mines.
Rot
Ramagate
193

Details

Details

146
CONFIDENTIAL.
144
Page 25
Operation "DYNAMO" Narrative of Events.
1/5
Saturday, 1st June (continued).
proportion 50 per cent. British and 50 per cent. French. The
plan was set in motion without incident until 2200, when it
was reported that a number of towing craft and small boats
were returning empty from the coast. All ships were warned
to look out for these, and to force them back to their duty on
the coast.
Subsequent investigation gives reason to believe that
this defection was due to false information being passed
between ships on the coast and believed to originate from a
non-identified skoot.
77. Commander Maund proceeded to the mouth of the harbour
in a motor boat commanded by a Dutch Naval Officer with a
Dutch naval crew and led all ships into harbour to their berths.
The Rear Admiral, Dover, was also afloat in a M.T.B. supervis-
ing traffic control.
By 2300 the night was very dark, sometimes as many as
6 or 7 vessels were entering the port of Dunkirk at once whilst
yet others were leaving. All were without lights and displayed
the highest degree of seamanship in these difficult and fateful
circumstances.
78. At 2315 the S.N.O., Dunkirk, signalled: "Withdrawal
now proceeding according to plan. Shall have certain reserves
here tomorrow to assist French. Intend to complete evacuation.
tomorrow by midnight."
Remarks.
78A. The outstanding feature of the day was the series of
events leading to the abandonment of daylight evacuation.
Increasing enemy air attack, which the R.A.F. were unable to
smother with the means at their disposal, caused serious loss
of ships, and continual interruption of embarkation on the
beaches and in Dunkirk. Further, the sole remaining cross
channel route was now under fairly heavy and accurate shore
artillery fire.
In these circumstances it was apparent that continua-
tion of the operation by day must cause losses of ships and
personnel out of all proportion to the number of troops
evacuated, and if persisted in, the momentum of evacuation
would automatically and rapidly decrease.
79. Casualties to H.M. Ships on 1st June.
Trawler ARGYLLSHIRE sunk by torpedo from M.T.B. near
S. Buoy. Survivors taken off by MALABAR.
Trawler STELLA DORADO sunk by torpedo from M.T.B.
Survivors picked up by KINGSTON GALENA.
Minesweeper SALAMANDER attacked by enemy aircraft and
hit at about 0850. Ship disabled but was able to return to
Dover under her own steam.
Personnel/

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
Page 25
Operation "DYNAMO" - Narrative of Events.
Saturday, 1st June (continued).
proportion 50 per cent. British and 50 per cent. French. The
plan was set in motion without incident until 2200, when it
was reported that a number of towing craft and small boats
were returning empty from the coast. All ships were warned
to look out for these, and to force them back to their duty on
the coast.
Subsequent investigation gives reason to believe that
this defection was due to false information being passed
between ships on the coast and believed to originate from a
non-identified skoot.
77. Commander Maund proceeded to the mouth of the harbour
in a motor boat commanded by a Dutch Naval Officer with a
Dutch naval crew and led all ships into harbour to their berths.
The Rear Admiral, Dover, was also afloat in a M.T.B. supervis-
ing traffic control.
By 2300 the night was very dark, sometimes as many as
6 or 7 vessels were entering the port of Dunkirk at once whilst
yet others were leaving. All were without lights and displayed
the highest degree of seamanship in these difficult and fateful
circumstanoes.
78. At 2315 the S.N.O., Dunkirk, signalled: "Withdrawal
now proceeding according to plan. Shall have certain reserves
here tomorrow to assist French. Intend to complete evacuation
tomorrow by midnight."
Remarks.
78A. The outstanding feature of the day was the series of
events leading to the abandonment of daylight evacuation.
Increasing enemy air attack, which the R.A.F. were unable to K
smother with the means at their disposal, caused serious loss
of ships, and continual interruption of embarkation on the
beaches and in Dunkirk. Further, the sole remaining cross
channel route was now under fairly heavy and accurate shore
artillery fire.
In these circumstances it was apparent that continua-
tion of the operation by day must cause losses of ships and
personnel out of all proportion to the number of troops
evacuated, and if persisted in, the momentum of evacuation
would automatically and rapidly decrease.
79. Casualties to H.M. Ships on 1st June.
Trawler ARGYLLSHIRE sunk by torpedo from M.T.B. near
S. Buoy. Survivors taken off by MALABAR.
Trawler STELLA DORADO sunk by torpedo from M.T.B.
Survivors picked up by KINGSTON GALENA.
Minesweeper SALAMANDER attacked by enemy aircraft and
hit at about 0850. Ship disabled but was able to return to
Dover under her own steam.
Personnel/

Details

- 2 -
paid off on A/P 29th Trawlers August CARBINEER 1940 on lapse II, KASTORIA of T 124 and agreements NAMUR
(M. 06221/40).
IMMEDIATE.
Serial No. 610.
SECRET.
Club, L. Willis Rye and The has R.N.O. his taken title Hastings, up has his Headquarters Vice Admiral in (Commander)
SPECIAL SECRET BRANCH ACQUAINT.
To change in the area covered now by been this amended R.N.O. is to R.N.O., involved.
The following information is circulated for guidance
and for such action within each Admiralty Department as may be
(M. 016366/40).
necessary.
62
.0. i/c Haifa The following as patrol police craft on launches Palestine have been commist
G.Britow
for Head of Military Branch.
MOQITA
SEALION
19th September, 1940.
SEAWOLF
SHARK
HAWK
EAGLE.
1.
Correspondence to Naval authorities in the Shetlands.
All will be borne nominally on books of STAG.
In connection with the distribution of copies of
(M. 017235/40).
Admiralty letters of a General nature regarding anti-invasion
measures, the Secretary to F.O.C. Shetlands has stated that
epartm
such Admiralty circular letters of general application need be
S.S.
sent to F.O.C. Shetlands only and not to N.O. i/c Lerwick and
imiral
R.N.O. Sullom Voe.
(M. 014684/40).
Whale Catcher ORNEN III was commissioned on 24th June
2. 1940 as a tender to MALABAR II for minesweeping and patrol
duties at Trinidad.
(M. 018275/40).
beer
Orope
Catcher THORVARD was commissioned on 9th July 1°
ovided
3. as a tender Whale to MALABAR II for minesweeping and patrol duties at
(M. 018274/40).
Trinidad.
quisit
has been approved to requisition M/B DANDY under (owner
WILL
4. Sergeant J. It Cumming) for Air Rescue work at Herne Bay
supervision of R.N.O. Whitstable. (M. 016623/40).
5. Belgian (H 62: & different vessel from be DE taken DRIE up as
M/F.V's LEOPOLD NERA, ANNA LEOPOED, BELGICA GEZUST a:
acc
DE DRIE GEZUSTERS 540 (8)) manned by Poles) are to manned by
tenders (S.S.B.A. to No. observation minelayers. They will be Belg
(M. 017640/40).
CH
crews.
MEDON
6. Boat LERINA at Appledore for A/P (4. duties. 016300/40).
Approval has been given to take up Motor Passenger
01
S.S.B.A. No. 554 (7) Passenger but Launch put into MEUSE
ommodat
7. commissioned Reference for the Dunkirk Operations,
was service not with civilian crew. (M. 010027/40).
and
Chasseurs 23 and 25 were turned 24 over to
8. Free French Wooden Navy French on 9th September 1940, and Chasseur on
(M. 012992/40).
16th September 1940.
lers
ai
9.
M.L. 119 commissioned on 18th September 1940.
(M. 013007/40).
(3)) and and SILANION 3rd
10. August
equisit
AHAMA
September (S.S.B.A. 1940
W
11.
CH

Details

CHAPTER IX
SATURDAY, 1ST JUNE
GERMANS RENEW THEIR HEAVY AIR EFFORT
E-Boat activity : sinking of the Stella Dorado and Argyllshire
During the night of 31st May-1st June there was a recrudescence of enemy
E-boat activity. After the torpedoing of the destroyers Grafton and Wakeful
off Nieuport in the early hours of the 29th May M.T.B. patrols had been estab-
lished during the dark hours to prevent enemy E-boats from using the inshore
channels.
It was, however, in the less confined waters along Route Y that the enemy
obtained their successes, despite intensive air and surface patrols. Route Y
was patrolled that night by 2 corvettes and 6 trawlers, while Coastal Command
provided 6 aircraft with bombs and parachute flares; and owing to magnetic
mines ships evacuating troops were given permission in the early hours of 1st
June to use that route as well as Route X.
At 0230 on the 1st June the A/S trawler Stella Dorado, which 24 hours earlier
had picked up 55 survivors from the Siroco, torpedoed by an E-boat near
T buoy, was herself torpedoed in the same position and sunk whilst on patrol.
About a quarter of an hour later the A/S trawler Argyllshire, on patrol in
company with the Lord Melchett and Stella Rigel about 2 miles east of S buoy,
commenced an attack on what appeared to be a submarine. Within 5 minutes
she was struck by a torpedo fired by an E-Boat and sank immediately. Five
survivors, including her Captain, Sub-Lieutenant J. S. Weddle, R.N.R., S.O.
11th A/S Striking Force, were picked up by the trawler Malabar.
At the time there were many trawlers and other small craft in the neighbour-
hood, and one of the two E-Boats responsible for these sinkings was reported
to have been disguised as a sailing boat.
Final evacuation postponed
Already on the afternoon of the 31st May ships in Dunkirk road had come
under fire from guns on shore at Mardyck, and early on 1st June it became
evident that Major General Alexander's force could not be evacuated com-
pletely on the night of 1st/2nd June. At 0800, therefore, he agreed on a modi-
fied plan with Admiral Abrial and General Fagalde which involved holding his
present line till midnight 1st/2nd June, so as to cover Dunkirk and to enable
the French to evacuate as many of their troops as possible. Subsequently
Major General Alexander was to withdraw to a bridgehead round Dunkirk with
all available A/A and anti-tank guns and such troops as had not yet embarked.
Embarkations over Bray beaches
It was not only in Dunkirk roads that the ships had been under fire on the
previous day; off Bray they had the same experience. Troops were moving
westward, and embarkation at La Panne was no longer possible. It was clear
to Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker that beach work at Bray would be costly, and
he so informed Vice-Admiral, Dover (0235/1), who concurred, whilst pointing
out the necessity of using the beaches up to the last possible moment.
85

Details

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
APPENDIX J
to return the to effect England. that a was at Dunkirk telling Margate boats to
During the evening skoot of the 1st going June a along report the was beaches recieved from S.N.T.O.
Antje The intended Antje was to hailed get confirmation and told with to from survivors return. her, when A warship the troop was carrier Scoficinity, sarrier Scoticinity, and
skoot Oranje with boats in tow was England and complied.
close to her; so Antje filled up told to return and to returned. is understood sunk that
another skoot was of these details. was hands. It has not occasion been
In view of these informed reports, message that Dunkirk 2335/1 was in sent German out. On an earlier
possible to get confirmation
2332/3
APPENDIX J
SIGNALS RE PATROLS IN THE NORTH SEA SOUTH AND ON THE
ROUTES TO DUNKIRK
Sunday, 26th May
1. ADMIRALTY to C.-IN-C. NORE, (R) V.A. Dover, F.O.I.C. Harwich, F.O.I.C. Humber
All available forces are to be used for covering operation Dynamo tonight Sunday.
1937/26
2. Widgeon to C.-IN-C. NORE
Siroco was torpedoed by 2 M.T.B.'s
0200/31
Saturday, 1st June
3. Malabar to ANY-BRITISH MAN-OF-WAR
explosion 2 miles ? S buoy.
Argyllshire sunk by torpedo. Survivors report submarine submerged before
0310/1
4. Kingston Galena to VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER (R) Capt. A.P.
to Dover.
Stella Dorado torpedoed. Picked up 5 survivors, 1 badly injured. Proceeding
0430/1
5. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to SHIPS & AUTHORITIES NORE & DOVER COMMAND
Magnetic mines reported to have been laid vicinity of buoy F.G. on route X.
2310/1
Sunday, 2nd June
6. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to Epervier (R) Léopard, Savorgnan de Brazza.
N. Goodwin L.V. 8 miles. Caused by shell fire. Vanquisher left Dover 1305 B.S.T.
Three aux. patrol vessels reported out of action at 1214 B.S.T. in position 090°
to investigate and report.
1315/2
7. VICE-ADMIRAL, DOVER to Calcutta, (R) C.-in-C. Nore, Admiralty, Savorgnan de Brazza
patrol to that carried out today Sunday is to be carried out tomorrow Monday,
Return to Sheerness and revert to 1 hours notice for steam. An exactly similar
provided patrol line. C.-in-C. Nore can provide a screen. Inform the French vessels on your
1247/2
were was not already sufficient ships in Dunkirk harbour and that was Oranje's complete, tow of 4 boats,
I A skoot informed Oranje that beach evacuation that there
required. About an hour later the Oranje did in fact return to England.
172

Details

INDEX
Lord Southborough, 60, 69, 83.
Lorina, sunk, 45.
Louise-Irene, 73n.
Louise Marie, 62n.
Lucian Gougy, 107n.
Lusyne, Capt. P., 116.
Lutteur, 62.
Lydd, 28n, 36-7, 44, 52, 100-1, 103.
Lydie-Susanne, 73.
M.41, 73n.
McClelland, Lt. Cdr. J. W., 59n, 75-7 (work at La Panne).
McCullough, Lt. Cdr., 59n.
Mackay, 20n, 27, 35-6 (put out of action).
MacKewn, Lt. A. R., R.N.R., takes over St. Seriol, 48.
McRea, Lt. H. C. J., 37.
Maid of Orleans, 16-17, 22n, 24, 31n, 54n, 87 (damaged), 127.
Mainwaring, Lt. A. H., killed, 93.
Ma Joie, 60n.
Malabar, 85.
Malcolm, 28n, 54n, 55, 62 (makes two trips on 30th May), 83 (collides with Dunkirk pier),
109 (sent back empty), 112n, 114n, 116, 118.
Malden Annie IV, abandoned, 72.
Malet, Pilote, 73.
Malines, 29n, 37.
Mallard, 34, 99, 104.
Mallow, 88.
Malo, see Beaches.
Manxman, 29n, 54n, 102, 114n.
March, Mr. F. J., 47.
Maréchal Foch, sunk, 116.
Maretta, damaged, 13.
Margaux, 73.
Marie, 74.
Marlborough, 72n.
Marmion, 28n, 54n, 100-1, 107n, 109.
Marrack, Capt. H. R., 74.
Marsayru, adventures of, 72-3.
Mary Rose, sunk, 72.
Mary Scott, 100.
M.A./S.B.6, 52 (sinks Minikoi), 66-7 (takes Lord Gort to Dover), 75.
M.A./S.B.7, 111-112 (in operation CK.).
LA./S.B,10, 101-2, 108, 119.
Massey Shaw, 119.
Maund, Cdr. G. O., speeds up embarkation, 63-64; leads ships into Dunkirk, 101.
Medical Parties, sent across, 49.
Medway Queen, 23n, 27, 31, 100-1, 105, 107n, 109, 114n.
Merchant Navy, see Civilians.
Mermaiden, 72n.
Meuse, 114n.
M.F.H., 72n.
Michael Stevens, 107n.
Midas, 23n, 107n.
Mines and mining, British, 34; German, 38, 93, 110; French, 62-3.
Minikoi, sunk 52.
Ministry of Sea Transport, 21.
Ministry of Shipping, 5.
Minotaur, 72n.
Mirasol, 53.
Mistral, 39, 40n, 41 (damaged), 43.
Monarda, 71n.
Mona's Isle, 16, 19.
Mona's Queen, 16, 28, 31n, 38 (sunk).
Montgomery, Maj.-Gen. B. L., 2, 75, 77 (embarks).
Morrison, P. O., 72.
Montrose, 20n, 27, 32n, 36 (put out of action).
202