Details

Officer in
could be
oney ha
nt that
ed go
11th June, 19
In accordance with last nights instruction I am sending a report
e
the
fishing fleet from the Eastern District sent for the evacuation of th
tish
Expeditionary Force.
ed
on
On 30th May, shortly before 1700, I received your telephone messa
so,
of
ould
all boats capable of crossing the English Channel should be ordered to
at once. I at once got in touch with suitable persons, usually the Cd
wer
Hannam
g
thirty
of statistics, at different points round the coast and explained to th
extreme urgency of the situation. Contact with the different stations
established as under:-
Wells.
1700.
Yarmouth.
1915.
Leigh-on-Sea.
1710.
Maldon.
1935.
Harwich.
1730.
Burnham.
1940.
Deben Estuary.
1740.
West Mersea.
1945,
Sheringham.
1800.
Orford.
2010.
Brightlingsea.
1805.
At some stations it was evident that the Naval Authorities were also II
in the same matter and yachts were also being detailed. Early in the day
Lieut. Cator, R.N.V.R., from the Small Vessels Pool had visited Lowestoft a
Yarmouth to select yachts and I remained in touch with him during his visit.
the evening I visited Kessingland and found that the boats, mostly with car
a
engines and no reverse gear, were unsuitable for the service. This also ap
to Aldeburgh. At 2110 Mr. Hannah notified that the two large Sheringham Whll
boats had sailed. There was no discussion of terms or conditions. The
sed
fishermen simply knew they were urgently wanted and they had a pretty good id
why. Some left for Lowestoft immediately they came ashore from the fishing
grounds. Early on the morning of June 1st I reported on the situation to N.O
Lowestoft as the little ships had to be routed, supplied with fuel and etc. by
all
him. He asked me to take full charge of the operations. This simplified th
work and by noon 16 vessels from stations to the North of and including Lowes
were ready for the first stage of their journey complete with petrol, paraffi
water and 4 days provision. These sailed at 1420. Others were standing b
as
under orders but were eventually not required. The vessels from stations
of Lowestoft came for the most part under direct orders from local naval
authorities. Lists of all vessels advised by our various representatives
in the attached schedules.
La
Volunteers for crews were not lacking and it is of passing interest tha
youngest volunteer was 141, a Coastguard' S son Peter Haines, a sea scout, and
the eldest man was 73 (Mr. C.A. Pegg). The latter has now returned to his crab
fishing and the Coastguard's son has been appointed messenger to the 1st. Lieut,
Naval Base, here. In view of the difficulty likely to be experienced by the
fishermen when dealing with the Naval Authority at Harwich and Ramsgate it was
B
agreed that Mr. Graham should accompany the party. This proved a most
Later
satisfactory arrangement and his handling of the variety of problems which arose
200
called the highest praise from the fishermen. The following is his report:-
9th J
1030
"We left Lowestoft for Harwich at 1420 on 1st June in a group of sixteen
Rose
boats. T. Nielsen of Wells was Chief Skipper. The subsequent movements of these
Q. &
sixteen vessels are known up to the time they reached home ports again. It will
10th 1820. June
be some time before the movements of vessels from other stations are fully known
and reported by local fishery officers. One vessel, the "Boy Fred" HH.15, was in
Minist
company with my party for operations from 5th - 7th June.
1300.
The following narrative of the movements of the sixteen and the "Boy Fred" is
All V
constructed from my log and from records in the Fishery Office.
rts, exc
1st June.
T.O. Har
Tony L.N.40 (Leader), Malvina L.N.15, Bessie LN.16, 8. and JJ. LN.88.
1420 Left Lowestoft.
Rose LN.76.
Little Admiral LN.85, all of Wells.
Ace, IN.27.
Aunty Guss IN.29,
Jane Hannah IN.98, of Blakeney.
Rose LN.19, Seagull LN.203, Amity LN.47, of Brancaster.
Edna YH.119, Liberty II YH.104, of Sheringham.
Narcissa IT.38, Winston LY.142, of Lowe toft. ich.
2000 Spoke to Examination Vessel of
2150 Moored in Harwich