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MARQUIS
Tug. (Saml. Williams & Son. Ltd). er. Skimer,
28th May
Disembarked 45 troops. (1)
favoRes
[Marquis left Ostend at 2200 on 26th May.
There is no evidence that she took part a
in Dynamo.
motor lighters X.217 company (0/1. Remalds
were
the
1600ca
Pool, R.N.), X-213 nnd X.149(1)
Arrived beach. Harmayry
It was rushed by about 50 French trons
(Ther (Th) into the bench.
and enpaised.
U.S. Olivier DAYS: ","ithdrew my ship
to review the positions.... linnaged
to pick up 0 ***** navel cutter which
we used a little further down
channel".
Mr. Olivier continues: "Took off
many boat loads for some 5 hours,
loading X.217, S.G. Poem Queen,
S.S. Jaba and so one On this first
I
day we also managed to pull Form
Queen off the mod". The captain of
the FOR Queen, a vessel of 1,000
tons, Buys that she "floated off at
1.
high water".
[2100ca]
S/Lta Pool in the X.217 says: "Having
collected some 250 French troops
I took the motor boat [1.0. the
Harsayrul and cutter in tow und left
for home".
The warsayru evidently broke away
from the tow shortly after starting,
because she who found by a Navel
100 June
1400ca
steam Pinnace 15/Lte Godman) at
about 31:00 on 101 June OX) Pannas
drifting with the tide and unocoupied
she WIS senvorsby and her engines
were A order. S/Lte Godman
took cocumed or the Naresvry pus
a orew on board her, started up the
engine, cabarked about 24 troops
("there T/GS insurficient room for
more" be says) and proceeded to
260 June
0800
Remognte, which he reached at 0800
on 2nd June.
"Lator", says s/Lt. Codenn, "the
again, on instructions from N.O.I.O
provious crew took the boat over
Mr. foregoing accounts After stating on 31at my, the
Oliviere' report differe - that from
Poom the 00067 una pulled off the mud
Un Drivier coysi
(11)
the days all a and
complete under constant fire anything. *****
Jush10 or (And) the usre but
ship was not his by
on you us vore singled for
del - 2nd out
vitention while Rd by
(en alone, away) nearest
RIV
(1) D.R.
244

Details

TUGS
THE FOLLOWING TUGS TOOK PART
IN OPERATION DYNAMO:
William Watkins Ltd.
Cervia
Kenia
Doria
Persia
Fabia
Racia
Fairplay I(1)
Tanga
Foremost 87(1)
Vincia
Java
W.H.J. Alexander & Co. Ltd.
Sun
Sun VIII
Sun III
Sun X
Sun IV
Sun XI
Sun V
Sun XII
Sun VII
Sun XV
The Gamecock Steam Towing Co.
Crested Cock
Ocean Cock.
Gaselee and Son Ltd.
Fossa
Saml. Williams and Sons Ltd.
Duke
[Marquis] (2)
Prince
Princess
Elliot Steam Tug Co. Ltd.
Challenge
Contest
United Towing Co. Ltd.
Empire Henchman
Southern Railway Co. Ltd.
Foremost 22
(1) Managed by W. Watkins Ltd.
(2) Left Ostend at 2200 on 26th May. There is no record of
her having taken part in Dynamo.
244

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Page 5.
ICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO". - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS (continued)
TTISH SHIPS (continued)
GER BANK
HANDY BILLY
TA (Tug)
HASTINGS LIFE-BOAT
ADNOUGHT II
HOLLAND
ADNOUGHT III
HOPPER 26
HESS OF YORK
HOUND (Lighter)
RF
HYTHE (Coaster)
1 )
IOLANTHE
4
IOTE
7 (Harbour
IRMA MARIA (Fishing boat)
9
Launches)
JABA
6
JACINTA (Trawler)
C. 715
JAMES 67 (Hopper Barge)
G. 694
JANIS
G. 950
JOHANNA (Eel Boat)
STBOURNE LIFE-BOAT
JONG
WARD NISSEN
JORDAN
WINA (Trawler)
KAYELL
IZABETH QUEEN
KESTREL
M.E.D. (Motor Life-boat)
KINGSGATE
PRESS
KITCAT (M.B.)
PRISE (Harbour Launch)
K.L.
DEAVOUR
LADY BRASSEY (Rescue Tug)
TERPRISE (M.B.)
LADY CABLE (M.B.)
ICA
LADY SHEILA
SKBURN
LADY SOUTHBOROUGH
AIR BREEZE (Drifter)
(Hopper Barge)
AWLEY (Gosport Ferry)
LANDANIA
ERRY KING (Gosport Ferry)
L/NSDOWNE
ERVENT
LAROC
ISHBOURNE (I.O.W. Ferry)
LETITIA (Smack)
OREMOST 2 (Hopper Barge)
LITTLE ANN (M.B.)
OREMOST 87 (Tug)
LOTUS
ORMIDABLE
LOUISIANA
ORSA
MADAM SANSGENE
OSSA (Tug)
MAID ERRANT
RIGHTENED LADY
MALDEN
.W. 23 (Lighter)
MALDEN ANNIE IV
ALLEON'S REACH (Hopper)
MA JOIE
ALZAR
MARASOLE
AY CRUSADER
MARGERITA
LENWAY (Barge)
MARLBOROUGH (W.D. Craft)
LITTER II
MARQUIS (Tug)
OLIATH
MARY ROSE
GOURKA
MARY SPEARING I
GRACE DARLING
MARY SPEARING II
GRAPPLER (Lighter)
MASSEY SHAW (Fire Float)
GREATER LONDON LIFE-BOAT
MAYSPEAR
GONDIA (Tug)
MEANDER
H. 75
MERMAIDEN (M.L.)
HAIG HALFWAY (W.D. Craft)
M.F.H. (Lighter)
MICHAEL STEVENS
MINEKOI (Tug)
(Continued)
Sunk

Details

Page 5.
OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY . 4TH JUNE, 1940
PART I - - BRITISH SHIPS (continued)
OTHER BRITISH SHIPS (continued)
DOGGER BANK
HANDY BILLY
DORIA (Tug)
HASTINGS LIFE-BOAT
DREADNOUGHT II
HOLLAND
DREADNOUGHT III
HOPPER 26
DUCHESS OF YORK
HOUND (Lighter)
DWARF
HYTHE (Coaster)
D.1 )
IOLANTHE
D.4
IOTE
D.7
(Harbour
IRMA MARIA (Fishing boat)
D.9
Launches)
JABA
D.16
JACINTA (Trawler)
D.C. 715
JAMES 67 (Hopper Barge)
D.G. 694
JANIS
D.G. 950
JOHANNA (Eel Boat)
EASTBOURNE LIFE-BOAT
JONG
EDWARD NISSEN
JORDAN
EDWINA (Trawler)
KAYELL
ELIZABETH QUEEN
KESTREL
E.M.E.D. (Motor Life-boat)
KINGSGATE
EMPRESS
KITCAT (M.B,)
EMPRISE (Harbour Launch)
K.L.
ENDEAVOUR
LADY BRASSEY (Rescue Tug)
ENTERPRISE (M.B.)
LADY CABLE (M.B.)
ERICA
LADY SHEILA
ESKBURN
LADY SOUTHBOROUGH
FAIR BREEZE (Drifter)
(Hopper Barge)
FAWLEY (Gosport Ferry)
LANDANIA
FERRY KING (Gosport Ferry)
LANSDOWNE
FERVENT
LAROC
FISHBOURNE (I.O.W. Ferry)
LETITIA (Smack)
FOREMOST 2 (Hopper Barge)
LITTLE ANN (M.B.)
FOREMOST 87 (Tug)
LOTUS
FORMIDABLE
LOUISIANA
FORSA
MADAM SANSCENE
FOSSA (Tug)
MAID ERRANT
FRIGHTENED LADY
MALDEN
F.W. 23 (Lighter)
MALDEN ANNIE IV
GALLEON'S REACH (Hopper)
MA JOIE
GALZAR
MARASOLE
GAY CRUSADER
MARGERITA
GLENWAY (Barge)
GLITTER II
MARLBOROUGH (W.D. Craft)
GOLIATH
MARQUIS (Tug)
MARY ROSE
GOURKA
MARY SPEARING I
GRACE DARLING
MARY SPEARING II
GRAPPLER (Lighter)
GREATER LONDON LIFE-BOAT
MASSEY SHAW (Fire Float)
MAYSPEAR
GONDIA (Tug)
MEANDER
H. 75
HAIG (W.D. Craft)
MERMAIDEN (M.L.)
HALFWAY
M.F.H. (Lighter)
MICHAEL STEVENS
MINEKOI (Tug)
Sunk
(Continued)

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Details

Page 5.
LIST OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS (continued)
OTHER BRITISH SHIPS (continued)
DOGGER BANK
HANDY BILLY
DORIA (Tug)
HASTINGS LIFE-BOAT
DREADNOUGHT II
HOLLAND
DREADNOUGHT III
HOPPER 26
DUCHESS OF YORK
HOUND (Lighter)
DWARF
HYTHE (Coaster)
D.1)
IOLANTHE
D.4
)
IOTE
D.7
(Harbour
IRMA MARIA (Fishing boat)
D.9
Launches)
JABA
D.16
JACINTA (Trawler)
D.C. 715
JAMES 67 (Hopper Barge)
D.G. 694
JANIS
D.G. 950
JOHANNA (Eel Boat)
EASTBOURNE LIFE-BOAT
JONG
EDWARD NISSEN
JORDAN
EDWINA (Trawler)
KAYELL
ELIZABETH QUEEN
KESTREL
E.M.E.D. (Motor Life-boat)
KINGSGATE
EMPRESS
KITCAT (M.B,)
EMPRISE (Harbour Launch)
K.L.
ENDEAVOUR
LADY BRASSEY (Rescue Tug)
ENTERPRISE (M.B.)
LADY CABLE (M.B.)
ERICA
LADY SHEILA
ESKBURN
LADY SOUTHBOROUGH
FAIR BREEZE (Drifter)
(Hopper Barge)
FAWLEY (Gosport Ferry)
LANDANIA
FERRY KING (Gosport Ferry)
LANSDOWNE
FERVENT
LAROC
FISHBOURNE (I.O.W. Ferry)
LETITIA (Smack)
FOREMOST 2 (Hopper Barge)
LITTLE ANN (M.B.)
FOREMOST 87 (Tug)
LOTUS
FORMIDABLE
LOUISIANA
FORSA
MADAM SANSGENE
FOSSA (Tug)
MAID ERRANT
FRIGHTENED LADY
MALDEN
F.W. 23 (Lighter)
MALDEN ANNIE IV
GALLEON'S REACH (Hopper)
MA JOIE
GALZAR
MARASOLE
GAY CRUSADER
MARGERITA
GLENWAY (Barge)
MARLBOROUGH (W.D. Craft)
GLITTER II
MARQUIS (Tug)
GOLIATH
MARY ROSE
GOURKA
MARY SPEARING I
GRACE DARLING
MARY SPEARING II
GRAPPLER (Lighter)
MASSEY SHAW (Fire Float)
GREATER LONDON LIFE-BOAT
MAYSPEAR
GONDIA (Tug)
MEANDER
H. 75
HAIG (W.D. Craft)
MERMAIDEN (M.L.)
M.F.H. (Lighter)
HALFWAY
MICHAEL STEVENS
MINEKOI (Tug)
Sunk
Continued)

Details

& SONS LIMITED.
War Transport,
13
21st July, 1941.
Dear Loring,
of 19th June I with reperence am now writing to to your let you personal know the letter
results of the enquiries made by this Ministry. Of
the two ships mentioned in your letter, the "DUCHESS"
appears to be ruled out, as our information about her
movements is not consistent with her having been at
Ostend on or about the 27th May last. The "MARQUIS"
is recorded as having sailed from Ostend about that
date and we have asked the owners whether they have
brought away among her passengers. They have informed
any record of a family named Emmerson having been
us, however, that (as is understandable in the
circumstances) the Master had no record of the names
of any of the civilian passengers whom he took
board; her but as they told us that the ship disembarked on
answers the specific question in your letter.
passengers at Dover on the 28th May, 1940, this
use reach to you. If any further relevant particulars
I hope this information may be of some
me, I will, of course, let you know.
With kind regards,
Yours sincerely,
W. CARTER.
Commander F.G. Loring, O.B.E., M.I.E.E.,
STATE
TO
Connaught House,
International Marine Radio Co. Ltd.,
63, Aldwych,
DECEIVED
1112
London, W.C.2.
ALL FREIGHT ENGAGEMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS AND EXCEPTIONS OF OUR USUAL FORM OF CHARTER

Details

MAY & SONS LIMITED.
War Transport,
13
Glasgon 21st July, 1941.
Dear Loring,
of 19th June I am now writing to your let you know the
with reperence to personal letter
results of the enquiries made by this Ministry. Of
the two ships mentioned in your letter, the "DUCHESS"
appears to be ruled out, as our information about her
movements is not consistent with her having been at
Ostend on or about the 27th May last. The "MARQUIS"
is recorded as having sailed from Ostend about that
date and we have asked the owners whether they have
any record of a family named Emmerson having been
brought away among her passengers. They have informed
us, however, that (as is understandable in the
circumstances) the Master had no record of the names
of any of the civilian passengers whom he took on
board; but as they told us that the ship disembarked
her passengers at Dover on the 28th May, 1940, this
answers the specific question in your letter.
I hope this information may be of some
use to you. If any further relevant particulars
reach me, I will, of course, let you know.
With kind regards,
Yours sincerely,
"X" W. CARTER.
STATE
ID
Commander F.G. Loring, O.B.E.,M.I.E.E.,
Connaught House,
International Marine Radio Co. Ltd.,
DECEIVED
11/12/19
63, Aldwych,
London, W.C.2.
ALL FREIGHT ENGAGEMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS AND EXCEPTIONS OF OUR USUAL FORM OF CHARTER

Details

J. HAY & SONS LIMITED.
TELEPHONES:
TELEGRAMS:
RENFIELD STREET: 8331 CENTRAL (3 LINES)
STEAMER DEPT: "HAYSTRATH"
PORT DUNDAS:
1359 DOUGLAS
LIGHTER DEPT.
"HAY"
GRANGEMOUTH
129
GRANGEMOUTH:
"HAY"
BOWLING:
17.
KIRKINTILLOCH: 344
CODES: Scott's. WATKINS
H
(BOATYARD)
AND BOE
ON.
ALSO AT GRANGEMOUTH. BOWLING & PORT DUNDAS
STEAMSHIP OWNERS & BROKERS,
LIGHTER OWNERS & FORWARDING AGENTS.
STEAMERS
45 Renfield Street, 14
THE PRESIDENT
THE MONARCH
THE DUKE
THE EARL
THE VICEROY
THE MARQUIS
THE SULTAN
THE COUNTESS
THE DUCHESS
THE EMPEROR
THE BARON
THE MARCHIONESS
ALSO FLEET OF COASTING LIGHTERS AND CANAL BARGES.
Glasgow C.2. 5th July, 1941
The Director of Sea Transport,
Ministry of War Transport,
Berkeley Square,
LONDON W. 1.
Dear Sir,
S.S. "THE MARQUIS".
We duly received your letter of 1st instant,
and were able to get into touch promptly with the Master
of the above steamer. We enclose a letter from him
dated 3rd. instant, of which we have retained a copy.
Unfortunately, he is unable to give any information
regarding the Emmerson family, but perhaps the details
he supplies will be helpful to you in your enquiries.
Yours faithfully,
J. Hay & Sons Limited,
Faithfully
monal
enclo:
BONS
Director.
Received y me 15/7/41
&
NOT ACKNOWLEDGED
IN REGISTRY,
MISTRY RECEIVED 7 1/19/1198 40 JUL OF SHIPP 1941 131/18
ALL FREIGHT ENGAGEMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS AND EXCEPTIONS OF OUR USUAL FORM OF CHARTER PARTY AND WAR CLAUSE

Details

22
A
MINISTRY OF
-15
1AY & SONS LTD. S.S. THE Marquis"
HIM
STI
I-SHIP OWNERS
Preston
15
at
GLASGOW, C.2
Date
Dear Air.
3rd July
1941
a family named Emmerson believed to have
with reference to your letter of the 2nd Instant regarding
embarked in ThE Marquis at Ostand on the 27th may 1940
This name across I have from No record ostend and of taking neither a family do throw of
The names of any of ihe civilian passengers Ihad oubrard
about half an hour before E Sailed from ostend,
The french Naval authorities Transferred a good many
of my passengers to another ship named aboukir owned by
the London Sleam Navigation Co., unfortunately the was lost shortly
after 1 leaving bstand, it- is Therefore quite possible That the
Emmersons were among Those Transferred from
ThE Marquis to the aboukir and it is also possible
That they were among The passengers landed by
Me at Druer on The 28ᵗʰ may 1940
HAY & SONS LTD
yours amprism Faithfully
* A5 S. RENFIELD SHIPOWNERS ST. GLASGOW 0.2 *
masker
VB ИЕМЬ
SMAN:

Details

C.S
MINISTRY OF WAR TRANSPORT
NOID
15
REFERENCE SHEET.
TA6
16
(Rm YOY!)
how S.H. Brown
S.T.
In
1st July, 1941.
24
Gentlemen,
p&S. THE DUCKS.SS "THE MARQUIS"
ss THE MARQUIS
An enquiry has been received on behalf of a
Miss Emmerson, resident in Spain, regarding relatives
who endeavoured to get to England from Antwerp when
Belgium was invaded. It is believed that the Emmersons
embarked in "THE MARQUIS" at Ostend on the 27th May, 1940.
as
possible I should be glad if you would be good enough to
inform me whether you have any record that a family of
this name embarked in "THE MARQUIS" and, if so, at what
Port they di sembarked in this country.
and game, 1940.
I am, Gentlemen,
TA
Your obedient servant,
brans
S
(Sgd.) B.E. Bellamy
for Director of Sea Transport.
Herearth
Messrs. J. Hay & Sons Ltd.,
45 Renfield Street,
GLASGON, C.2.
Mb

Details

Details

18
VO 15 LND V BIC
TO MR W.H.BROWN
FROM MR GROSS
1520/27
YOUR SRL 63 1330/27
THE DUCHESS
AR CLYDE 29/4/40 SD GLASGOW 7/5
AR BOULOGNE ABT. 14/5 AT BOULOGNE 18/5,SD?
SD DOWNS 21/5 ARR LONDON 21/5 SD22+5
AR CLYDE 28/5 AND SD 2/6
AR ST MALO 4/6 SD 11/6
AR GLASGOW 14/6 SD 17/6
AR MILLAN PREV.20/6 SD 20/6
AR SWANSEA 21/6 SD 25/6
AR NEWPORT 25/6 SD 26/6
AR/#8A////
AR CORK A// 28/6 SD 1/7 FOR CARD IFF
THE MARQUIS
AR LONDON 29/4/40 SD 3/5
AR GLASGOW 8/5 SD 10/5
AR ROUEN 14/5 SD 15/5
AT CAEN 16/5 SD 18/5 APPROX
AR LONDON 18/5 SD 22/5
ANCH. SOUTHEND 23/5 SD DOWNS 24/5 BOUND FOR OSTEND, BXX NO RECORD
OF ARRIVAL OR SAILING DATED FROM a a OSTEND. ANCH DOWNS 27. 28/5
SD 28/5
AR DOVER 28/5 SD 5/6
AR LONDON 6/6 SD ? PD SOUTHEND 9/6
AR GLASGOW 12/6 SD?
ANCH GOUROCK BAY 29/6 AND SD 1/7 FOR SHOREHAM
10++++
/RECD 1530/27

Details

21
INTERNATIONAL MARINE RADIO COMPANY LIMITED,
DIRECTORS:
F. GILL.O M.INST C.E. M.I.E.E.
CONNAUGHT HOUSE,
TELEPHONE: HOLBORN 8765.
COMMANDER F.G. LORING, O.B E.M.I.E.E.
TELEGRAMS: INTELCOMAR,ESTRAND,LONDON.
H. THORPE-WOODS, M.N.E.C.INST.
63, ALDWYCH,
UNLAND
A.DAVIDSON,
T.G. SPENCER.
LONDON,W.C.2.
19th June 1941.
W. Carter Esq., C.B.E.,
Ministry of Sea Transport,
Berkeley House,
Passual
Berkeley Square,
S.W.1.
Dear Carter,
I should be very grateful for your help in making the following inquiry,
assuming there is no objection to it.
We have been asked by our Spanish company to try and trace the relatives of
their English secretary, Miss Emmerson. The Emmersons were a British family
resident in Antwerp, who endeavoured to get to England when Belgium was invaded.
It has been ascertained from the Harbour Master at Ostend, that these people
left Ostend in either the S.S. "Marquis" or the S.S. "Duchess" on 27th May, 1940.
Nothing more has been heard of them by Miss Emmerson. The first inquiry seems to be to
ascertain if these ships (or either of them) on 27th May 1940, reached an English
port, and if so which port.
If you could help to obtain this information, it would be very kind of you.
Please forgive my troubling you, but I do not know how to set about this inquiry
otherwise.
With kind regards.
Yours sincerely,
7.00mg

Details

The General Iteam Navigation Company Ltd
ALEGRAMS-GLYCONIC TELEX LONDON
ELEPHONE-ROYAL 3200.7 (23 LINES)
CLORE
CODEs-PRIVATE
15, Trinity Square,
BENTLEYS PHRASE
SCOTTS 10TH EDTN.
A.B.C. 5TH EDTN.
BOE
London.E.c.3
Bofons
20mg
OUR REFERENCE WJP/LK
only
NUTOP
YOUR REFERENCE
13th August, 1940.
199
SECTO
The Right Hon. Ronald H. Cross, M.P.,
Minister of Shipping,
Berkeley Square,
LONDON, W.1.
Dear Sir,
EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
Further to our Chairman's letter of the 27th
último, we understand that you wish to collect information
regarding the services rendered by the ships of the Merchant
for THE GENERAL STEAM NAVIGATION M.Philpott CO. LTD.
Navy in connection with the evacuation of the B.E.F. from
Northern France and Flanders and we, therefore, take the
liberty of attaching copies of a few confidential reports
Yours faithfully,
which we have received from various sources. If it would
be of interest to you we should be pleased to forward
e
Company when we are able to obtain same.
similar information regarding other vessels owned by this
,WO
As you are aware, in normal times the cargo and
the
passenger vessels of this Company operate chiefly in the
10
coasting and home trades, and the special knowledge and
perience and which our Masters and Officers have of the channels ex-
enabled approaches to the Northern French and Belgian coasts,
tense
them to find their way to the beaches and berths
ming
under the difficult conditions. In the case of the
ut
and pleasure ships, their shallow draft was also of
15.
journeys backwards and forwards with a minimum of delay. to
their good bunker capacity enabled these vessels assistance make
y to
L a
The copies of reports enclosed, refer to :-
)
m.v. "ROYAL SOVEREIGN"
m.v. "QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL" (cross channel
to
"
o t.
p.s. "GOLDEN EAGLE
(cargo vessel managed by G.S.N.Co.
(Passenger paddle steamer)
" passenger ship)
S.S. "ABUKIR"
for the Ministry)
ch
the
cut
.rd in-
Lowed
ing the
agreed. my cluding out entrance lines of the crew, and enemy A port sailed soldiers the and British Belgi S.S. was dopping "MARQUIS" sent informed waiting out Verey as me for Mr. that lights me Newman an off and escort the of
bombs. the consisting British the be an hour when the aircraft
port. returned to Ostend.

Details

COPY.
REPORT ON LOSS OF H.M.T. "ABUKIR"
May 24th for the Downs for orders, arriving there in the
We cleared from Southampton on the afternoon of
morning of May 25th where we received orders to proceed to
Ostend, to land supplies for the B.E.F., arriving off that
port about 20.00 of the same day.
The town was then in flames and the majority of the
buildings on the sea front were in ruins, the quays and signal
stations being absolutely deserted. The pilot boarded me
when I was almost in my berth and informed me that apart from
a few French Naval Officers there was no-one of any authority
in the port.
I interviewed these Officers who apparently had no
knowledge of my ship, but suggested that I should start dis-
charging at day-break.
On the way back to the ship I met a British Army
lorry driver who told me that a Lieut Harris with 38 British
troops who were adrift from their units were standing by at a
farm about five miles outside the town. We went out and
brought them in but on our arrival back at the ship we were
bombed SO intensely - the quay being the target - that I
decided to abandon the ship until daylight. At 02.00 on May
26th I managed to get into telephone communication with the
British Mission at Bruges, who instructed me to commence dis-
charging, which I did with the assistance of the troops and the
ship's crew. We were bombed off and on throughout the day.
Later on the British Mission informed me that a British bomber
had made a forced landing at Ostend and would I try to make
contact with her crew. Lieut. Harris and myself located these
men at the Stane Aerodrome. After firing the machine, the two
officers and two men who formed her crew joined my ship later
on in the afternoon, bringing with them the machine guns and
instruments of the destroyed bomber. On the way back from the
Aerodrome we picked up another 25 British troops who had also
been separated from their units, also two wounded R.A.F. men.
At 20.00 on the 26th May the bombing became so intense
that once again we abandoned the ship until day-break, resuming
work with the assistance of Dutch Army deserters. Throughout
the day German aircraft were continually bombing us and at 15.
they started dive bombing and machine gunning us so heavily tb
once again I decided to abandon the ship, having had two
casualties, one being an R.A.F. gunner shot in the arm and a
Belgian civilian shot in the left eye. Getting through to
Bruges again they instructed me to cease discharging and to
what Army vehicles I could, the rest to be destroyed, also t.
British Mission had decided to evacuate by my ship that night
I suggested sailing after dark at 22.00 to which the
agreed. The Mission boarded me and at the stated time I cut
my lines and sailed with approximately 220 people on board in-
cluding crew, soldiers and Belgian refugees. I was followed
out of the port by the British S.S. "MARQUIS". On clearing the
entrance enemy aircraft flew over dopping Verey lights and
bombs. A call for assistance was sent out as Mr. Newman of
the British Mission had previously informed me that an escort
consisting of two destroyers would be waiting for me off the
port. This attack lasted for half an hour when the aircraft
returned to Ostend.