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Portsdown

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ORDE Registry

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Small Craft Service List

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Red List (1939–40) — OCR

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Ship Details

These details have been aggregated from multiple sources and may include contemporary records, later recollections, claims or assertions for which no corroborating evidence has been identified. Inclusion does not establish that any account or assertion is accurate. The information may be incomplete, out of date, disputed or incorrect and should be checked against the underlying source records and independent evidence before being relied upon.

  • Ship type: MN Paddle Steamer

Lloyd’s Yacht Register (1939)

Source: Lloyd’s Register Foundation, Heritage & Education Centre, Lloyd’s Register of Yachts 1939, digitised via Internet Archive. Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Images have been converted, resized and watermarked for web display; machine-generated table OCR has been added.

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Document Collections — Tagged Pages

20 pages

Imaged document collections containing pages whose OCR text or table data has been tagged with the name Portsdown. Open a collection to view the page images and transcriptions.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Details
Page 337
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OCR text
EUJITUAN
Naval pontoon boat
You
T.B. Godern, R.N.V.R.
[0/20. Godman had been to Denkirk in
yay njës
the yeaht See under Portsdown he had
transferred to the yacht Noneta, in which he
took over the Naval Steam Pinnace.
returned to Remsgate. At 0530 on 1st June, he
1st June
0600
Left Hamegate with a crow of 5 and
0830
fuel for six hours steaming.
A passing trawler temporarily repaired
the Steam Pinnece's engine and
give her 3 sacks of coal. Bhe then
took the steam pinnace in ton.
1030
The tow rope broke for the third time.
The steam pinnace was taken in tow by
another trawler which had overtaken
her.
1200
Blipped the tow outside Dunkirk harbour
and proceeded towards La Panne.
Air attack on a sloop off the herbour
entrence [1t was the G/B Mosquito];
the sloop half submerged, consed fire
Just west of La Panne, picked up a
dinghy and making several tripe,
ferried 15 British troops to the
steam pinnace.
1400ca
Off La Penne, sighted the M/B Marsayru
drifting with the tide and unoccupie
[She had broken away on the previous
night when in tow of the lighter
X.217
The Mareayru was found to be in work-
ing order; the engine wes started
up, and an A.B. and a moldier were
taken as crew.
P.O. Morrison use loft to charge of
the steam pinnace, with orders to 1ay
off and wait for the return of the
Marsayru.
With the dinghy in tow, the Marsayru
proceeded to the western end of the
besch and anchored; the dinguy
ferried about 24 troops to her.
There WES insufficient room in the
to take any more.
1700
The kareayro weighed anchor, cast the
disghy advist. and proceeded eastward
to pick up the steam pinnace. She
VILTORIA
was found anchored, near the harbour,
and deserted. It wes decided to
leave her there.
The Marasyni proceeded to Remagate.
1900
Closed the OF Decreasebank which gave
the MATURATH case Fuel and the
course for Desegate. It USD
observed that the stemp pinnes's
orew were ou board END
2330
usde fast to a contant risabing bucy
and unsted for anytight.
2nd June
0430
A travier truis the to tow
to
0800
Arrived CANADA 19
FORMA
325
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Page 420
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OCR text
Oropesa trawler
POLLY JOHNSON
Skipr. Lieut. L. Lake, R.D.
R.N.R.
0430
Left Ramsgate in company with 5
29th May
Oropesa trawlers of the Dover M/S
command, under Lieut. Bill, R.N. in
the tr. Fyldea (q.v.)
2150
1330ca
Off Dunkirk harbour.
1420ca
Entered the harbour and berthed along-
side the tr. Brock which lay along-
side the Fyldea; the Fyldea was
secured alongside the east pier.
1600
Air attack. Damaged by a near miss.
Six casualties.
1815ca
Polly Johnson got clear of the harbour
vone
with survivors of the dr. Grenade
2nd
and troops on board.
1830ca
Ship making water fast. Water over the
stokehold floors. Signalled tr.
Arley to keep close to Polly Johnson.
Ordered to transfer troopa and crew
to the Arley. The Arley fired 2
rounds at the Polly Johnson. When
last seen Polly Johnson was afloat,
midway between Middel Kerke Bank and
Nieuport Bank buoys.
Nil
Arrived
Total 618
Authority - R.O.IV, R.O.II, p.517. p.166. Portsdown she
you or)
- 20.11, 8.207=
P.O.TII. P.66.
following made:
Kention 1n Despatches
R.H. Ghurch, R.N.K.
CL. E. white.
sta. F.O.
is Rumel,
4/818
P.A. Kent.
Ord, See.
A.T. Burton.
3
(1) First in D.I.
Duan M or Wilson Insurance Lid
minesveeper. shown degaussed, This
WES
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Page 421
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OCR text
P/S
PORTSDOWN(1)
S/Lt. S/Lt. R.H. Church,
M.V.H. Caplat, R.N.R. R.N.V.R.
1st Lieut.
1230
Left patrol Sheerness for Dunkirk. R.A.F.
1st June
entire aircraft encountered along the
Abeam Dunkirk breakwater.
route to F.G. buoy.
2150
2205
Anchored off beach. Under shore
bombardment. Embarked troops, using
the ship's 2 dinghies. One of them
sank later. on its 4th trip; the other
0300
In 1 1/2 hours, a large motor boat had
2nd June
ferried 500 troops to the Portsdown.
0400ca
Early dawn. Proceeded.
0450
1 mile west of Dunkirk breakwater,
transferred about 1,000 troops
from a French vessel which was
aground.
Transferred. 25 troops from a motor
boat, which declined a tow.
-
Picked up Cdr. J.C. Clouston R.N., and
his party (about 12 in all) from a
motor driven "Naval pontoon boat".
Cdr. Clouston ordered that she was to
be abandoned.
Obtained a course from the cr. Calcutta,
-
0930ca
Arrived Ramsgate. Disembarked 168
B.E.F., and 450 French t roops. (2)
Total 618
[As Portsdown was not degaussed, she
was not again used in Dynamo].
Authority - R.O.II, p.107.
R.O.III, p.66.
The following awards were made:
8/Lt. R.H. Church, R.N.R.
Mention in Despatches
Cl. H. White.
W. Ramel.
Ord. Sea.
P.A. Kent.
A.T. Burton.
(1) First later, The as ship a
(2) crew.
Wils
report. even
403
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Source: The National Archives, Kew, ADM 116 4649. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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OCR text
Page 59
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. PORTSDOWN - Sub.Lieutenant Richard Hepworth Church, R.N.R
return troops to beaches under heavy gun fire.
This from ship Dunkirk spent the night of 1st/2nd June evacuating
take Ramsgate on the 2nd, she was not allowed On
had not been degaussed.
part in any further operations at Dunkirk as she to
Recommendations.
OFFICER.
Sub.Lieutenant Richard Hepworth Church, R.N.R.
Displayed great initiative, determination and
good seamanship.
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS.
Leading Signalman Percy Alfred Kent, P/JX.137932.
Showed consistent attention to duty under
heavy gunfire. Displayed exceptional qualities.
Recommended for mention.
E.R.A. Henry White, P/MX.51366.
Carried out engine room duties with exceptional
ability without a complete equipment of tools.
Recommended for mention.
Stoker Petty Officer William Ramel, P/11878.
Performed valuable service on the upper deck
in addition to his engine room duties.
Recommended for mention.
Ordinary Seaman Arthur Thomas Burton, P/JX.182142.
Was at sea for the first time. Performed
excellent boat work under fire.
Recommended for advancement.
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0
Petty Officer Horace Leonard William
Leading Seaman John Charles W.
VAble Leading Seaman Stoker Edward Kearvell, Gair, P/KX.99946, WORCESTER
Stoker Ralph Bert H.M.S. WORCESTER
Ordinary Seaman Marston, Frederick 175182,
Lieutenant-Commander R.N., Arthur Ivone
J
(Retd.), H.M.S.
Lieutenant-Commander Reginald Arthur R.N.,
Sub-Lieutenant J. David Alexander Shaw, H.M.S. FITZROY
H.M.S. FITZROY
Leading Seaman Cole, C/B.21535, H.M.S. FITZROY
Leading Seaman L. Aspen, C/D.107, H.M.S. FITZROY
Leading Leading Stoker Seaman J. E. Collison, C/KX.78651, H.M.S. FITZROY
Able Seaman L. Derby, JX.193835, H.M.S. GLENGOWER
Seaman A. Farrow, H.M.S. GLENAVON
Travers, JX.133139, H.M.S. GLENGOWER
Petty Engine Officer Room Steward
Leading THE
Commander
Lieutenant William McKee, Harry R.N.R., H.M.S. KELLETT KELLET
Engine Room Artificer H.M.S.
Lieutenant-Commander Rodolph Cecil Drummond Haig, R.N.,
Engineer Sub-Lieutenant James Irvin, R.N.R., H.M.S. H.M.S. LYDD MEDWAY
Commander St. John Cronyn, R.N., H.M.S.
QUEEN
VSub-Lieutenant 'Sub-Lieutenant John Grosby, R.N.V.R., H.M.S. NIGER
Leading Richard Hepworth Church, ORIOLE H.M.S. PORTSI
Vxv
Signalman Percy Alfred Kent, P/JX.137932, R.N.R.,
Vxv Enginer Ordinary Stoker Petty Room Artificer Officer William Henry White, Ramel, P/MX.51366, H.M.S. H.M.S. PORTSDOW PORTSDOW PORTS
Seaman Arthur Thomas Burton, P/11878, P/JX.182142, H.M.S.
the H.M.S.
PORTSDOWN
H.M.S. SALAMANDER
H.M.S. Guy Maunsell, SALAMANDER R.N.,
VV Acting PM/39426,
VActing Chief Engine Room (Retd.), Artificer H.M.S. Allerton SPEEDWELL Bywater,
/XVChief Petty Commander Officer S.P. Goldsmith, Herival R.N.V.R., H.M.S. SUTTON QUEEN OF THANET
Signalman J.A.G. Pensioner No. THANET
(Late
xvMr. Signalman Frederick Charles QUEEN OF THANET BIDEF
Sieutenant-Communder James H.M.S. H.M.S. CALCUTTA
CANADA H.M.S. CALCUTTA Harriso
Mayhew H.M.S. KINGFISHER Vaughan
THE Ableutenant Signalman the
Able Seaman E.G. H.M.S. KINGFISHER KINGFISHER
H.M.S. H.M.S. KINGFISHER
Able Seaman H.M.S. KINGFISHER
KINGFISHER
Signalman LOCUST
Chief Telegraphist James Ridell H.M.S. MOSQUITO C/JX.132
Petty Officer George Arthur Sawyer, H.M.S.
MOSQUITO
C/J.46680.SQUIT
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Source: The National Archives, Kew, ADM 199 790. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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OCR text
4.
.
37194
33.
Lieut. "Mermaiden Nimmo, back R.N.R. to Weymouth. - Took "Filleul" yacht
/.
34.
Lieut. J.S. Seal, R.N.R. - in "Queen Boadicea
picked up three seamen survivors from' Janis"? II"
Dunkirk Pier. The latter's Captain Sub Lieut. off Bell
by a bomb on Friday may 31. The survivors were
R.N.V.R.? and a stoker had been killed outright
landed at Ramsgate.
35,
Mr. C.V. Cogger - signed in "Seine" at Rochester.
Left her on Wednesday full of water for the aches
( Lieut. Cdr Filluel in command). Brought hack
350 British and French troops to Ramsgate. Sailed
again for Dunkirk and brought back 300 troops.
36.
Sub Lieut. W.E. Mercer, R.N.V.R. of "Strathelliot" -
saw the"Mary Rose" and "Skylark" sink in mid ocean,
crew all brought back. Following were seen abandoned
as Dunkirk :- "Malden" "Annie IV" and "Empress".
The former was used as a pier.
37.
"Scene Shifter" was swamped by French troops on
Wed. June 29th. "Triton" was cast off while in
tow with foul screw.
38.
Lieut. W.B. Whitworth, R.N. did 6 trips in "Aeger".
39.
Mr. R. Brown - went over in "Madame Sansgene" on
night of Monday June 3rd. Elgar H. Jefferey and his
brother were also in the boat. Towed over by "Tanjar"
(Tug) with another Motor boat. On way back boats
fouled a rope, which had been veered by the "Tanjar"
to stutch it as it was new, and the boats had to be
abandoned. The "Madame Sansgene" claimed to have
shot down a bomber.
40,
P.O. E. Wells, R.N.R. - went over in "Nanette II",
who had a Lieut. R.N.V.R. in charge. They went to
Ostende an then to Dunkirk and brought back mostly
French troops, some of whom had been in the water
for 12 hours. "Nanette" was finally returned to
41.
Dover.
Sub Lieut. Church, R.N.R. - In "Portsdown"
see separate report.
42
Coxn. George Senior, O.N. 239990 - In YC 78
Wed, May 29th for Ramsgate. Sailed from Ramsgate at at
(Lieut. Mortimer R.N.R. 1/c). Left Sheerness on
2245 Thursday night and arrived at Dunkirk
1100 on Friday. The only soldiers on the beaches vessels
there, They left Dunkirk about 1830 towing
on 45 of them, were ferried off in the YC 71
and a about midnight and anchored. H wever, and
skiff. Thornycroft motor boat. The YC 72 broke down the
herself boat managed to start up again about must
Thornycroft informed Ramsgate for a tug came out 0700
have and towed YO 78 and YC 71 back to Ramsgate.
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Source: The National Archives, Kew, ADM 199 792. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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Table OCR
DESTROYERS PERSONNEL SHIPS MINESWEEPERS PADDLE MINESWEEPERS SKOOTS FRENCH DESTROYERS
CODRINGTON 878 ST. HELIER 1334 NIGER 300 MARMION 225 LENA 400
ICARUS 677 MANXMAN 177 PANGBOURNE 27 EMPEROR OF HONDSRUG 500
WHITSHED 512 ROYAL DAFFODIL 1500 ALBURY 200 INDIA 213
VENOMOUS 632 NEWHAVEN 716 LYDD 200 ORIOLE 750 900
WINDSOR 624 COTE D'ARGENT 1250 DUCHESS OF FIEE 390 MEDWAY QUEEN 426
SABRE 756 SUTTON 725 SNAEFELL 461
SHIKARI 470
WINCHELSEA 1100 7877
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TORBAY II 122 PORTSDOWN 618 39
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17.
'Dell
Leonard Travers,
Able Seaman a D/JX.133219, H.MS. Glengowe
Able Seaman James Wallis, C/SSX.27313, H.M.S. Keith.
Able Seaman Edwin George Webster, C/JX.142167, H.M.S. Kingfisher.
Able Seaman George John Woodger, C/J.45802, H.M.S. Keith.
Able Seaman Frederick William Jacobs, C/J.100758, R.F.R., B.23901,
H.M.S. Malcolm.
Able Seaman James Kidd, R.F.R., D/SSX.13321, H.M.S. Jaguar.
Able Seaman Frederick James Slack, C/J.93546, R.F.R., B.21781, H.M.S.
Crested Eagle.
Able Seaman George Tilbury, c/ss.7850, R.F.R., B.17336, H.M.S.
Crested Eagle.
Able Peaman Richard Philip Smith, R.N.V.R., БЕЗДХХЗЛАЙ MD/X.1950,
H.M.S. Codrington.
Signalman Harold Oscar Carter, C/SSX.17317, H.M.S. Locust.
Signalman Charles Raymond Craig, D/JX.141848, H.M.S. Bideford.
Signalman Harry Guy, C/JX.150713, H.M.S. Calcutta.
Signalman Eric Ernest Roden, C/J.103654, H.M.S. Locust.
Signalman Stanley Thompson, C/JX.133505, H.M.S. Kingfisher.
Signalman Leslie David Ball, R.M.V.R.? LD5/X.3548, H.M.S. Codrington.
Signalman James Stanley Duffy, R.N.N.R.A,C/TDX.1412,
Signalman Ronald Henry Walters, R.N.V.R., C/LDX.4178.
queen of Thanet.
Signalman John Albert Williamson, R.NV.R., LD/X.4036, H.M.S. Glenaven
Stoker First Class Jack Chadwick, D/KX.81834, HLM.S. Jaguar.
Stoker First Class Samuel Comben, P/K.62179, H.M.S. Vimy.
Stoker First Class Charles Irvine, C/KX.86537, H.M.S. Sabre.
Stoker First Class William Reginald Gordon Jones, C/KX.92890, H.M.S.
Wolsey.
Stoker First Class Percy William Spray, P/KX.87052, Newhaven Rosa Life Boa
Sick Berth Attendant Eric James Littlewood Gibson, D/MX.56025, Ivanhoe. H.M.S.
Sick Berth Attendant (R) Alfred Bassford, c/x.8080, R.N.A.S.B.R.
Sick Berth Attendant Albert William Keller, R.N.A.S.B.R., D/X.6785,
H.M.S. Havant.
Sick Berth Attendant James Timothy Tomlinson, R.N.A.S.B.R.? P/X.6941.
H.M.S. Vivacious.
Sick Berth Attendant Edward Welch, R.N.A.S.B.R., P/SBR/X.7341, H.M.S. Esk.
Sick Berth Attendant John Yeoman, R.N.A.S.B.R., P/X.7093, H.M.S. Express.
Ordinary Seaman Noel Edward Holmes Berry, D/JX.158456, H.M.S. Jaguar.
Ordinary Seaman Arthur Thomas Burton, P/JX.182142, H.M.S. Portsdown.
Ordinary Seaman Dominic Kenny, D/SSX.30221, H.M.S. Shikari.
Shaw
Ordinary Seaman William Lyons, D/SSX.30211, H.M.S. Shikari. are
Brigana aire
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Page 2.
HICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940.
WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS.
CRUISER.
TTTA
ROYERS.
ONY
INTREPID
VENOMOUS
LISK
IVANHOE
VERITY
INGTON
JAGUAR
VIMY
JAVELIN
VIVACIOUS
ESS
KEITH
WAKEFUL
ANT
MACKAY
WHITEHALL
TON
MALCOIM
WHITSHED
ADE
MONTROSE
WINCHELSEA
HOUND
SABRE
WINDSOR
ESTER
SALADIN
WOLFHOUND
NT
SCIMITAR
WOLSEY
US
SHIKARI
WORCESTER
LSIVE
VANQUISHER
P.
EFORD
VETTES.
LLEMOT
MALLARD
SHELDRAKE
GFISHER
SHEARWATER
WIDGEON
BOATS.
UST
#
MOSQUITO
ESWEEPERS.
ROSS
URY
HEBE
SALAMANDER
GHTON BELLE
KELLETT
SALTASH
GHTON QUEEN
LEDA
SANDOWN
ONIA
LYDD
SHARPSHOOTER
HESS OF FIFE
MARMION
MEDWAY QUEEN
SKIPJACK
DALK
SNAEFELL
PEROR OF INDIA
NIGER
SPEEDWELL
CZROY
ORIOLE
SUTTON
ENAVON
PANGBOURNE
WAVERLEY
ENGOWER
PLINLIMMON
WESTWARD HO
SSAMER
PORTSDOWN
CIE FIELDS
PRINCESS ELIZABETH
WHIPPINGHAM
LCYON
QUEEN OF THANET
(Continued)
Sunk.
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Page 60
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
Page 59
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. PORTSDOWN - Sub.Lieutenant Richard Hepworth Church, R.N.R.
return troops to Ramsgate beaches under heavy gun fire.
This from ship Dunkirk spent the night of 1st/2nd June evacuating
take part in on the 2nd, she was not allowed On
had not been degaussed.
any further operations at Dunkirk as she to
Recommendations.
OFFICER.
Sub. Lieutenant Richard Hepworth Church, R.N.R.
Displayed great initiative, determination and
good seamanship.
M
Recommended for mention.
RATINGS.
Leading Signalman Percy Alfred Kent, P/JX.137932.
Showed consistent attention to duty under
heavy gunfire. Displayed exceptional qualities.
Recommended for mention.
E.R.A. Henry White, P/MX.51366.
te
vo
Carried out engine room duties with exceptional
ability without a complete equipment of tools.
ho
Recommended for mention.
X
Stoker Petty Officer William Ramel, P/11878.
Performed valuable service on the upper deck
in addition to his engine room duties.
Recommended for mention.
Ordinary Seaman Arthur Thomas Burton, P/JX.182142.
Was at sea for the first time. Performed
excellent boat work under fire.
Recommended for advancement.
OF
nu
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Page 60
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. PRINCESS ELIZABETH. - Lieutenant Cecil John Carp, R.N.V.R.
Did four trips, being continuously on the go without
stopping for four days, bringing back over 1,600 troops.
Ship was attacked by aircraft on many occasions and also
the boats when working from the beach.
Recommendations.
OFFICERS:
Lieutenant Cecil John Carp, R.N.V.R.
By his skill, seamanship and great devotion to
duty throughout the operation a large body of troops
were brought back to England without any serious
damage to his ship.
Page 59
Operation "DYNAMO" - Recommendations of Personnel.
H.M.S. PORTSDOWN - Sub.Lieutenant Richard Hepworth Church, R.N.R.
This ship spent the night of lst/2nd June evacuating
troops from Dunkirk beaches under heavy gun fire. On
return to Ramsgate on the 2nd, she was not allowed to
take part in any further operations at Dunkirk as she
had not been degaussed.
Recommendations.
OFFICER.
Sub. Lieutenant Richard Hepworth Church, R.N.R.
Displayed great initiative, determination and
good seamanship.
Recommended for mention.
3
RATINGS.
Leading Signalman Percy Alfred Kent. P/JX.137932.
Showed consistent attention to duty under
heavy gunfire. Displayed exceptional qualities.
Recommended for mention.
E.R.A. Henry White, P/MX.51366.
Carried out engine room duties with exceptional
ability without a complete equipment of tools.
Recommended for mention.
Stoker Petty Officer William Ramel, P/11878.
Performed valuable service on the uppenti sonennes
in addition to his engine room duties.
Recommended for mention.
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Source: The National Archives, Kew, ADM 199 795. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

TNA ADM 199 795 page 213 icon
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Summary of Reports concerning the Evacuation of Trooss.
from the Dunkirk Area - May 27th - June 4th, 1940.
4
6.
ODD SHIPS.
rage
BIDEFORD
CALCUTTA.
9
H.M.S. DOLPHIN'S POWER BOAT.
13
16
DORIEN ROSE.
35
DWARF
40
LORMONT
16
MASSEY SHAW
NS4
-
MONA'S ISLE.
NEW PRINCE OF WALES.
63
66
PORTSDOWN.
-
SCOTTISH CO-OPERATOR.
70
SIROCCO.
73
WHIPPINGHAM.
75
a
EX LIGHTER X.209.
PORTSMOUTH BARGES TAKING PART. 88
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Source: The National Archives, Kew, ADM 234 360. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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CHAP. X
THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
arranged from 801 and 806 Command been
of them (Appendix 0830 until J.7). 1100 Air on protection 2nd June, by and Coastal Fighter Command had
Command three aircraft during of Nos. these 206, hours, 235, to cover Route Squadrons X. operated under patrols Coastal of
Fifth column activities (Appendix H27-32)
such "Dynamo", effective fifth use during the war. type time during Operation
On the Ist June column there came activities to notice, of the for the of first
empty, the to keep a look out and turn such
Sutton in and company, orders were met sent a out from Dover power to the and small the Dunkirk with thing boats return the boats returning boats returning
At 2150 on the 1st the Minesweeper number of Niger, boats en route to
Apparently the severe minesweepers, conditions it was at in and first from enormous believed the S.N.T.O. at wastage Dover on that the small French boats boats and were Belgian to daunted their coasts; duty. by
but a report came about the Ramsgate during the evening that
fifth column skoot was going first beaches at Dunkirk giving false informa- a
tion and orders to return. The example to come to notice was at 1300
the 1st when the skoot Oranje, off Dunkirk Channel, was informed by another on
sufficient ships in Dunkirk Harbour, and that the Oranje's boats were not
skoot that evacuation from the beaches was complete, that there were already
required. The Oranje remained where she was, however, in case the four boats
turned for home about 1515, subsequent to air attack.
she had towed over were needed, and until all ships in her neighbourhood
Although on the night of the 1st-2nd June the services of a number of small
craft were lost to the coast, there actually were a sufficient number off the
beaches to cope with the troops available.
Embarkation from the beaches
The first ships of the night flight to arrive off the beaches were minesweepers,
which began to anchor off Malo about 2000 on 1st. Here there were already
some 3 or 4 Thames barges, besides the paddle minesweeper Medway Queen
which had arrived some four hours earlier and had been engaged in filling up
with troops ever since. The skoot Lena had been there since 1300 on the 1st.
embarking 340 B.E.F. and 6 French troops; she was slightly damaged by air
attack during the day, and sailed at 2145 for Ramsgate. By midnight on the
1st-3nd June there were anchored off the beaches the minesweepers Marmion,
Snaefell, Niger, Glen Avon, Emperor of India, Glen Gower and Lydd, besides the
personnel ship Portsdown and the special service vessel Royal Eagle. Loading
was a slow process, for there were more ships lying off the beaches than could
be loaded by the boats available. Only one ship finished in 3 hours, most of
them taking nearly twice that length of time.
with 213 troops. She left behind her, abandoned the beach, the R.N.L.I.
The Emperor of India was apparently the first ship to sail from Malo, at 0238,
motor lifeboat Mary Scott which had ferried troops on and towed the Emperor of
India's whalers from the shore until she broke down. Queen left
shot at troops boat, 0245, down and and after an some nearly enemy details, Il aircraft hours including at on anchor the 10 beach Spanish during west which refugees of Dunkirk. the The rescued ship Medway claimed from She took an to have open 426
down the crews of two motor boats, the whose engines broke
unrecorded, like SO many small craft which came to grief in the course of render-
after some hours of ferrying troops and one, towing, Aura, and another, with name
100
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DUSK TO DUSK, 1ST-2ND JUNE
CHAP. X
very clear and the Rear-Admiral decided to get the ships away at 0300
now of 0330 as originally planned. The Admiralty orders that evacuation
Dunkirk Pier was to continue until 0700 did not
apparently Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker not receive the orders which went
by Dunkirk (Appendix did R.20, 23) ; and it is to be pre-
out from the Admiralty at 0115/2, that destroyers were to continue the evacua-
tion until 0700 (Appendix R.21). Although men were still coming down the
the Rear-Admiral was unwilling to run the risk of having ships sunk
alongside pier, and blocking the pier and harbour. Accordingly he told the ships
to leave and himself followed out of harbour the last of them, apparently the
destroyers Winchelsea and Whitshed about 0300.
British rearguard held up
Meanwhile, a most disquieting message had been received at Dover. At
0040 on the 2nd the Lydd, while embarking troops off Malo beach, was requested
by the Brigadier of the brigade then embarking to transmit to Rear-Admiral
Wake-Walker a message from Major General Alexander reporting that on
account of French congestion on the mole at Dunkirk a considerable number
of British troops were held up and further arrivals were still expected. It was
essential that the rearguard of the B.E.F. should embark from the beaches east
of the mole, where they were expected to arrive by 0230.
What had happened was, that French troops had cut into the flow of British
making their way along the road to the East Pier, by a converging route; and both
British and French troops were now being embarked at the pier.
Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker apparently never received the message and
knew nothing of the state of affairs at the East Pier until he arrived there at
0200.
Vice-Admiral Dover, who received the message at 02001, at once sent orders
to all destroyers of Force K still on the coast, the minesweepers, and the gun-
boat Locust which was off Bray supporting the evacuation by covering fire, to
endeavour to embark the British rearguard from the beach, remaining after 0300
if necessary. The coding and transmission of the message took some time,
and the orders apparently went out too late; all ships had sailed, and the rear-
guard could not get away that night. Only the personnel vessel Portsdown
was left on the coast. This was an undegaussed ship manned by a naval crew,
which had anchored off Malo at 2205/1. After running to death her own two
dinghies ferrying troops she got hold of a large motor boat, and she sailed
about 0400. On the way home the ship collected further troops from a French
vessel aground off Dunkirk, and from two further vessels encountered, and she
eventually disembarked at Dover 168 British and 450 French.
Bombing of the hospital ships Worthing and Paris. (App. S)
There was a large number of wounded in Dunkirk because no hospital ships
had sailed for 24 hours, orders having been given to evacuate fit men in prefer-
ence, since, other considerations apart, embarking wounded would have taken
up too much valuable time. The cessation of daylight sailings rendered it
possible for hospital ships to occupy berths alongside, without detriment to
the operation, and jt was decided to get some of the wounded away in daytime
in hospital ships, in the hope that the Germans would respect them.
In order to afford the enemy no excuse to attack a warning signal was sent
0120. I Dover Report, p.27. The time of receipt on the flimsy of the decypher appears to be
103
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Pascholl (Poole) (Lieut. T. Johnston, R.N.) (Relieved and appointed i/c Portsdown) (Lieut. J.N. Wise, R.N.V.R.) (Cdr. C.E. Hammond, D.S.O., D.S.C., R.N.) (Retd.) (i/c Group) 695
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INDEX
Phillips, Vice-Admiral T.S. V., 16.
Phipps, L/St. M., 81.
Pickford & Co., 72n.
Pierre, set on fire, 74.
Pierre et Marie, 73.
Piers (beach) built at La Panne, 47, 60, 76; of barges impracticable, 49; built at Bray,
59, 82.
Pigeon, 72n, 114n.
Pim, Capt. R., R.N.V.R., 78.
Playmates, 13n.
Polly Johnson, 13n, 39, 40 (damaged), 43, 44 (sunk).
Pool, S/Lt. R. A. W., 72.
Port of London Authority, 32.
Porter, Col., 47.
Portsdown, 100, 103.
Portsmouth, C. in C.: sends destroyers, 20; provision of boats, 51 Inner Patrol yachts,
71 A.S.'s. barge, 117 (abandoned).
Pownall, Lt. Gen. H. R., 4.
Prague, 29n, 54n, 64n, 91 (damaged).
Président Briand, 93.
Preston, Vice-Adm. Sir L. (D.S.V.P.), 21.
Princess Elizabeth, 47n, 89, 114n.
Princess Lily, 75n.
Princess Maud, 48n, 53 (goes aground), 62 (damaged), 114n, 118.
Prudential, 60.
Pudge, 71s.
Queen of England, sunk, 53.
Queen of Thanet, 91, 114m.
Queen of the Channel, 22, 24, 29 (sunk).
Queen's Channel, 72n.
Racia, 71n, 114я, 117.
R.A. Dover, see Wake-Walker, Rear Admiral W.F.
Ramsay, Vice-Adm. Sir B. (V.A. Dover) : to control evacuation, 4; to arrange air cover,
5 ; asks for more destroyers, 20; driving force, 23, 33 ; promulgates disembarkation
ports, 25 ; efforts to increase supply of small craft, 23, 32; plan for night 29/30th
May, 50; orders all ships to beaches, 51; concern at losses of destroyers, 94; calls
for volunteers, 105; reports exhaustion of crews, 113.
Ramsgate, N.O.I.C. Administers in shore flotilla, 21, 94; services skoots, 30.
Raphael-Raymonde, 73n.
Rapid I, 72, 92.
Reda, 53, 60n.
Reed, 7ln.
Refugees, 37, 100-1, 119.
Reiger, 32, 47m, 64, 101-2, 116.
Reine des Flots, 102, 107n, 109.
Reliance, 73n.
Renascent, 71n.
Renown, 73, 93 (sunk).
Resolute, 73n.
Revoir, Capt. de, 115.
Rewga, 71n.
Reynaud, M., 10, 11.
Richardson, Cdr. H. du P., 80n, 82, 83n.
Riggs, Mr. H. C., 21.
Rika, 41.
Rina, 117.
Robinson, Cdr. C. E. C., killed, 37.
Roebuck, in collision, 83.
Rope for towing, 61.
Rose Marie, 72n.
Ross, 28n, 44, 97.
Rouen, 94, 107n, 108 (goes aground), 109, 112n, 120 (aground).
Route, X prepared, 20; mined, 38; tested by destroyers, 39 taken into use, 48; last
route to come under fire, 96-7 ; traffic suspended, 98.
Route, Y adopted, 20, 29 ; under fire, 48; E-boats, on 85; in use, 93 ; mines on, 110.
Route, Z under fire, 20, 48; to be used in darkness, 29, 48.
204
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Source: The National Archives, Kew, MT 40 36. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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LIST OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS.
A.A. CRUISER.
CALCUTTA
DESTROYERS.
ANTHONY
INTREPID
VENOMOUS
BASILISK
IVANHOE
VERITY
CODRINGTON
JAGUAR
VIMY
ESK
JAVELIN
VIVACIOUS
EXPRESS
KEITH
WAKEFUL
GALLANT
MACKAY
WHITEHALL
GRAFTON
MALCOLM
WHITSHED
GRENADE
MONTROSE
WINCHELSEA
GREYHOUND
SABRE
WINDSOR
HARVESTER
SALADIN
WOLFHOUND
HAVANT
SCIMITAR
WOLSEY
ICARUS
SHIKARI
WORCESTER
IMPULSIVE
VANQUISHER
SLOOP.
BIDEFORD
CORVETTES.
GUILLEMOT
MALLARD
SHELDRAKE
KINGFISHER
SHEARWATER
WIDGEON
GUNBOATS.
LOCUST
MOSQUITO
MINESWEEPERS.
ALBURY
HEBE
ROSS
BRIGHTON BELLE
KELLETT
SALAMANDER
BRIGHTON QUEEN
LEDA
SALTASH
DEVONIA
LYDD
SANDOWN
DUCHESS OF FIFE
MARMION
SHARPSHOOTER
DUNDALK
MEDWAY QUEEN
SKIPJACK
EMPEROR OF INDIA
NIGER
SNAEFELL
FITZROY
ORIOLE
SPEEDWELL
GLENAVON
PANGBOURNE
SUTTON
GLENGOWER
PLINLIMMON
WAVERLEY
GOSSAMER
PORTSDOWN
WESTWARD HO
GRACIE FIELDS
PRINCESS ELIZABETH
WHIPPINGHAM
HALCYON
QUEEN OF THANET
Sunk.
(Continued)
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Source: The National Archives, Kew, MT 40 66. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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ST OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS.
A.A. CRUISER.
CALCUTTA
DESTROYERS.
ANTHONY
INTREPID
VENOMOUS
BASILISK
IVANHOE
VERITY
CODRINGTON
JAGUAR
VIMY
ESK
JAVELIN
VIVACIOUS
EXPRESS
KEITH
WAKEFUL
GALLANT
MACKAY
WHITEHALL
GRAFTON
MALCOLM
WHITSHED
GRENADE
MONTROSE
WINCHELSEA
GREYHOUND
SABRE
WINDSOR
HARVESTER
SALADIN
WOLFHOUND
HAVANT
SCIMITAR
WOLSEY
ICARUS
SHIKARI
WORCESTER
IMPULSIVE
VANQUISHER
SLOOP.
BIDEFORD
CORVETTES.
GUILLEMOT
MALLARD
SHELDRAKE
KINGFISHER
SHEARWATER
WIDGEON
GUNBOATS.
LOCUST
f
MOSQUITO
MINESWEEPERS.
ALBURY
HEBE
BRIGHTON BELLE
ROSS
KELLETT
BRIGHTON QUEEN
SALAMANDER
LEDA
DEVONIA
SALTASH
LYDD
DUCHESS OF FIFE
SANDOWN
MARMION
DUNDALK
SHARPSHOOTER
MEDWAY QUENEN
EMPEROR OF INDIA
SKIPJACK
NIGER
FITZROY
SNAEFELL
ORIOLE
GLENAVON
SPEEDWELL
PANGBOURNE
GLENGOWER
SUTTON
PLINLIMMON
GOSSAMER
WAVERLEY
PORTSDOWN
GRACIE FIELDS
WESTWARD Ho
HALCYON
PRINCESS ELIZABETH
WHIPPINGHAM
QUENN OF THANET
Sunk.
Conti
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Source: The National Archives, Kew, Unclassified 1. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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4.
I
.
37194
33.
back R.N.R. to Weymouth. - Took "Filleul" yacht
/.
MB
34.
Lieut. J.S. Seal, R.N.R. - in "Queen Boadicea
Dunkirk picked up three seamen survivors from' Janis"? II"
R.N.V.R.? and a stoker had been killed outright
Pier. The latter's Captain Sub Lieut. off Bell
by a bomb on Friday may 31. The survivors were
landed at Ramsgate.
35,
Mr. C.V. Cogger - signed in "Seine" at Rochester.
Left her on Wednesday full of water for the beaches
( Lieut. Cdr Filluel in command). Brought hack
350 British and French troops to Ramsgate. Sailed
again for Dunkirk and brought back 300 troops.
36.
Sub Lieut. W.E. Mercer, R.N.V.R. of "Strathelliot" -
saw the Mary Rose" and "Skylark" sink in mid ocean,
crew all brought back. Following were seen abandoned
as Dunkirk :- "Malden" "Annie IV" and "Empress".
The former was used as a pier.
37.
"Scene Shifter" was swamped by French troops on
Wed. June 29th. "Triton" was cast off while in
tow with foul screw.
38.
Lieut. W.B. Whitworth, R.N. did 6 trips in "Aeger".
39.
Mr. R. Brown - went over in "Madame Sansgene" on
night of Monday June 3rd. Elgar H. Jefferey and his
brother were also in the boat. Towed over by "Tanjar"
(Tug) with another Motor boat. On way back boats
fouled a rope, which had been veered by the "Tanjar"
to stutch it as it was new, and the boats had to be
abandoned. The "Madame Sansgene" claimed to have
shot down a bomber.
40.
P.O. E. Wells, R.N.R. - went over in "Nanette II",
who had a Lieut. R.N.V.R. in charge. They went to
Ostende an then to Dunkirk and brought back mostly
French troops, some of whom had been in the water
for 12 hours. "Nanette" was finally returned to
41.
Dover.
Sub Lieut.
Church, R.N.R. - In "Portsdown"
see separate report.
42.
Coxn. George Senior, O.N. 239990 - In YC 73
(Lieut. Mortimer R.N.R. 1/c). Left Sheerness on
Wed, May 29th for Ramsgate. Sailed from Ramsgate at
2245 on Thursday night and arrived at Dunkirk at
1100 on Friday. The only soldiers on the beaches
there, 45 of them, were ferried off in the vessels
skiff. They left Dunkirk about 1830 towing YC 71
and a Thornycroft motor boat. The YC 72 broke down
herself about midnight and anchored. H wever, the
Thornycroft boat managed to start up again and must
have informed Ramsgate for a tug came out about 0700
and towed YO 78 and YC 71 back to Ramsgate.
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Operation Dynamo Map — Movement Logs

Movements recorded for Portsdown during the evacuation period, as plotted on the Operation Dynamo map.

Departed Route Arrived Troops Notes Source
Dunkirk Stationary
HMS report explicitly names this location; a complete dated movement is unavailable
TNA ADM 116 4649, page 99
Ramsgate Stationary
HMS report explicitly names this location; a complete dated movement is unavailable
TNA ADM 116 4649, page 99

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