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Seaplane Tender 243( 1)
R.A.F. Stn.
Calshot.
Comr. J.C. Clouston,
Pilot Offr. C.Collings,
R.N.
R.A.F.
30th/31st
See under "Seaplane Tenders".
May
2nd June
1500
ep
Left Dover for Dunkirk with a
embarkation party on board, S.T.276 naval
in company.
1855
About 6 miles from Gravelines, attacked
by 4 A/C. S.T.243 received severe
r
damage from a near miss, began to
sink, and was abandoned.
1900
Cdr. Clouston ordered S.T.276 to
proceed, because the A/C's were
still attacking. S.T.276 subsequently
arrived at Dunkirk.
de
Cdr. Clouston and S/Lieut. M.H.B.
Solomon R.N.V.R. of S.T.243, attempted
to swim to an empty boat about 6
miles away. Cdr. Clouston had to
abandon the attempt and was
subsequently seen drowned.
2300ca
S/Lieut. Solomon boarded a drifting
cutter.
3rd June
0130ca
S/Lt. Solomon was picked up by the
French fishing boat Stella Mavis
which took him to Dover, where he was
31
arrested on suspicion of being a
spy.
A.C.I. B. Kernohan, the only other
survivor of S.T.243 clung to the
wreckage of S.T.243, until, at
0030 on 3rd June he was picked up
by a destroyer [viz: the Whitshed]
Authority - R.O.II, p.191.
R.O.III, p.314.
(1) Referred to in D.R. as "Motor Boat 243 (R.A.F.)".
113

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STELLA MAVIS
French M.F.V.
0130ca
3rd June
S/Lt. Solomon R.N.V.R., a survivor of
the seaplane tender 243, which had
been bombed and sunk off Graveline,
was picked up by the Stella Mavis
and taken to Dover.
Total 1(1)
(1) Estimated. No figures available.
175

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315
291
officer
clinging
to
bows
French about 6 miles to try off to reach in the direction wreck of Gravelines. informed us that he saw an empty boat
of
Cluston shortly same, and he and I decided Asked permission of Commander
abandoned the to go off
boat, and No.2., only which the shore the may water or occasionally, may was not slightly have but swim rough, at and 2230 returned it I was sighted impossible to a cling together. to to see the Commander remains the open
Reached slightly from exhaustion. aboard, as sides were too high, out for. and was destroyer suffering
cutter same but was unable to climb been the original I set large empty
2300. other Decided side where to swim I found for German fender shore but fortunately before swam
the to remains and attempted of my kit to used row as a a ladder, hanging I was down. able to With get the aboard. aid abondoning of the fender boat and
might distance too approximately far, and one hour I abandoned the attempt, imagined as cutter the survivors was too
over, be. After cutter with one oar in direction I Lashed helm hard
large, it was already dark.
0000. Tide Dunkirk changed and and open boat instead of drifting towards the German
remainder overboard, as I did not want to be identified should capture be
Dunkirk of kit Destroyed all personal belongings and identifications, and of threw
between Channel. Calais, started to drift towards the Green flashing buoys shore,
effected by the enemy.
3.6.40.
0130. Destroyers and other ships started passing by, about 25 yards away, but was
unable to attract them, as they could not hear my shouts. Decided to shout in
French and English, and was finally picked up by a French fishing boat, Stella Mavis.
Crew "wined" me and put me in their bunks, dressed in French sailor's uniform, where
I passed out for a while, suffering from exhaustion.
0230. Skipper of Stella Mavis informed me that he was unable to make Dunkirk as he
had no charts and had lost his convoy whilst picking me up. Imenquired his speed
and he replied "6 knots". I estimated by the fires that the distance from Dunkirk was
approximately 15 miles. Therefore it would have been 0530 before ship could have
reached Dunkirk. Pointed out to Skipper that, in my opinion, it would leading a
ship of this type and speed into unnecessary danger if he proceeded to Dynkirk in
daylight. As Skipper had no charts I helped in navigating ship back to Dover, and
at 0730 approximately, we were run down by Torpedo Boat S. 27, but not badly damaged.
Arriving Dover, Stella Mavis closed French Escort Vessel and as I was dressed in a
French Matelot uniform, and my story sounded far-fetched, the Commander held me on
suspicion as a German spy. "Il pretend detre Anglais, mais moi je crois qu'il est
allemand parcequil parle le français trop bien" was the remark passed by the French
Commander. Finally however, I persuaded them to let me be out ashore and arrested
by British authorities.
1030. Successfully arrested by a Naval Lieutenant Commander and reported to Commander
Goodenugh and Admiral Ramsey.
1400. Sent to Chatham Hospital in ambulance for treatment to leg.
GENERAL REMARKS.
I feel mention should be made of the exemplary conduct of the civilian crews of
the cockle boats.
bawley manned by volunteers who were rushed through in one day.
As far All as of I know, them were none of them had ever been under gun fire before, and certainly none
of them under Naval discipline.
which These never ships, leave the it Estuary, and only one of their crew had been than
had ever been should be remembered, were Thames Estuary Cockle further fishing afield boats,
Ramsgate. facts, and although they had neither charts nor equipment, orders
carried perfect out formation with great was diligence, even under actual shell fire
In spite of these maintained throughout the day and night, and and all aircraft attack. were
reports critising the conduct of the French dismissed, on the beach as any and
Mole, such opinion and feel was most the strongly result of the slight lack of understanding
I have overheard some that such illusions should be quickly between French and
British
their On all occasions I came If anything, their discipline was too most as
authorities. in contact with the French on the jetty good, and elsewhere, they
did their conduct best was to embark excellent. as a complete regiment or other Army unit, being
isappointed if they were forced to separate.

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315
291
French officer olinging to bows of wreck informed us that he saw an empty boat
about 6 miles off in the direction of Gravelines. Asked permission of Commander
Cluston to try to reach same, and he and I decided to go off together. Commander
Cluston, however, shortly abandoned the swim and returned to cling to the remains
of the wreck. As the water was slightly rough, it was impossible to see the open
boat, and only the shore occasionally, but at 2230 I sighted a large empty destroyer
outter No.2., which may or may not have been the original I set out for.
Reached same but was unable to climb aboard, as sides were too high, and was suffering
slightly from exhaustion.
2300. Decided to swim for German shore but fortunately before abondoning boat swam
to other side where I found a fender hanging down. With the aid of the fender and
the remains of my kit used as a ladder, I was able to get aboard. Lashed helm hard
over, and attempted to row outter with one oar in direction I imagined the survivors
might be. After approximately one hour I abandoned the attempt, as cutter was too
large, distance too far, and it was already dark.
0000. Tide changed and open boat instead of drifting towards the Corman shore,
between Dunkirk and Calais, started to drift towards the Green flashing buoys of
Dunkirk Channel. Destroyed all personal belongings and identifications, and threw
remainder of kit overboard, as I did not want to be identified should capture be
effected by the enemy.
3.6.40.
unable to attract them, as they could not hear my shouts. Decided to shout
0130. Destroyers and other ships started passing by, about 25 yards away, but in was
French and English, and was finally picked up by & French fishing boat, Stella where Mavis.
Crew "wined" me and put me in their bunks, dressed in French sailor's uniform,
0280. passed of Stella Mavis informed me that he was unable to make Dunkirk his speed as he
I out for a while, suffering from exhaustion.
had Skipper and had lost his convoy whilst picking no up. I enquired Dunkirk
and he no charts "6 knots". I estimated by the fires that the distance from could have was
reached of this and speed into unnecessary danger if he proceeded back to to Dover,
approximately Dunkirk. 15 Pointed out to Skipper that, in by opinion, it Dynkirk in
replied miles. Therefore it would have been 0580 before would ship leading &
daylight. As Skipper we were no run down by Torpedo Boat S. 27, but vas not dressed damaged. in &
ship type had charts I helped in navigating ship badly and
at 0730 approximately, Mavis closed French Escort Vessel and as I held
French Matelot uniform, "Il prétent detre Anglais, mais not je by the French
Arriving Dover, Stella and by story sounded far-fetched, the Commander crois qu'il no eat on
Commander. parcequil Finally parle however, le I persuaded them to let no be out ashore
allemand suspicion as a Garman spy. français trop bien" was the remark passed arrested
by 1030. British Successfully authorities. arrested by a Naval Lieutenant Commander and reported to Commander
Goodenugh 1400. Sent and to Admiral Chatham Ramsey. Hospital in ambulance for treatment to leg.
GENERAL REMARKS.
I feel mention should be made of the exemplary conduct of the givilian crews of
As the far cockle All as of I bawley know, them were boats. none manned of them by had volunteers ever been who under were gun rushed fire through before, in and one certainly day. none
which of them These had ships, ever leave been the it should Estuary, under be Naval remembered, and discipline. only one were of their Thanes crew Estuary had been Cookle further fishing affeld boats, than
Ramsgate. In never spite of these facts, and although they the day had neither and night, charts and not all equipment, orders were
perfect carried formation with great was maintained diligence, throughout even under actual shall fire and aircraft attack.
I have out overheard some reports critising illusions the conduct should be of quickly the French diamissed, on the beach as and any and
Mole, such opinion and feel was most the strongly result of that the such slight lack of understanding between and French elsewhere,
British did their On conduct all authorities. occasions was to embark excellent. I came as a in complete If contact anything, regiment with their the or French discipline other on Army the was unit, jetty too being good, most as they
disappointed their best if they were forced to separate.