Details

SCOTTISH CO-OPERATOR
M/V(1)
Capt. T.S. Robertson, Master.
2000ca
30th May
2300ca
Left the Downs for Dunkirk.
0530
Arrived until off Dunkirk. Kept on the move
2
31st May
daylight.
0600
0630
Proceeded into harbour.
Moored 50 alongside breakwater. Embarked
wounded and about 350 troops.
stretcher cases, 150 walking
P-pgir-
A side hospital carrier (2) then camealong-
and the 200 wounded were
transferred to her. Further troops
were then embarked.
1030
Proceeded with about 550 troops on
1600
board, including 7 stretcher cases.
Margate. Disembarked 525.
On leaving Margate Pier, severed the
degaussing cable. Took no further
er
III
part in Dynamo.
Total 525.
1
1)
))
{1} Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Julien. Society Ltd.
Either the Worthing or 105 the St.

Details

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

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. VII
heavy craft, nor even by small craft similar in a pier lop, was it was invaluable
ing troops into small boats. A was completed and commenced in use on the morning of later for embark-
the 30th May at La Panne, and by the the same day the the same same d the morning day the morning day
(See p. 47).
2 or 3 motor yachts and paddlers to
Bray; none proceeded east of the Bray pier, where the
Captain Howson goes on to say that arrived in the and afternoon anchored one Fortwo skoots and the weskoots and
waited many hours patiently. One tried or two without destroyers or sloops passed from had
the westward to La Panne, and he he success with a lamp to
Admiral Wake-Walker asking him to arrange for this. Captain Howson also
them to anchor off the pier. Eventually managed to get a signal to Rear- tell
sent an officer to Dunkirk to represent learned the urgent need for destroyers off Bray.
It was not until 2 days later that he that all the destroyers, etc., had
been given specific instructions as to which beach they were to anchor off.
Later a certain number of destroyers, sloops and skoots anchored off Bray and
the embarkation proceeded satisfactorily. Unfortunately, time after time,
owing to a lack of naval ratings, he saw a procession of boats going off loaded
with troops, only to be cast adrift and left floating empty out to seaward¹.
Later that evening Captain Howson got in touch with Rear-Admiral Wake-
Walker, then in the Worcester, and obtained permission to embark the following
day in a motor boat off the beaches SO as to prevent a recurrence of this waste
of beaching craft².
In spite of the difficulties and shortcomings emphasised in the above reports
great progress was being made. In fact, beach evacuation reached its peak
on this day; 29,500 troops were lifted from the beaches (as against 24,300
from the harbour) ; and some 50 ships, including destroyers, minesweepers,
skoots, trawlers, drifters, personnel and special service vessels, were engaged
continuously in the arduous work.
The armada grows, but service of ships to Dunkirk is slowed up
Meanwhile the build-up of ships continued, and some 31 additional craft
reached of Dunkirk and the beaches this day. They included two minesweepers
of the 8th M.S.F.³, the Fleet Air Arm training vessel Grive, 4 yachts and a drifter
the Dover M/S Command4, the corvette Kingfisher, (with the ex-Belgian
canal the boat Sambre in tow), the Yarmouth Examination Service yacht Laroc,
and M/V Scottish Co-operator, the S/M tender Dwarf, the drifters Fair Breeze
minesweeper barge Skipjack), the motor coasters Seine and Sheila, (in the coasting
Ocean Breeze, the ex-Belgian canal boats Ambleve and Escaut tow of the
the Viking, the ex-Dutch eel-boat Johanna (in tow Lady of the skoot Jutland),
water, and (R.N.L.I.) lifeboat Prudential (towing barges 7 Sark and with fresh
Ramsgate sailing barge Beatrice Maud, and the dumb Shetland. hopper The
the oyster dredging smacks Seasalter and Vanguard, the steam W.24,
borough, the punt Carama), and the Margate wherries loaded Lord South-
wherries. were The manned by their own crews, but (R.N.L.I.) naval lifeboat manned the
appeared on the scene. and picked up 244 troops. Another A/S patrol, to
Bray beach in error trawler Olvina, which should have been on ratings went
I At long last a dozen of the long awaited important motor contingent boats
R.O.III, p.396.
2 R.O.III, p.397.
4 3 The The Glen Avon and Glen Gower.
and 5 The the danlaying danlaying Constant yachts drifter Gulzar and Sargasso, the echo and Conidaw
Triton, Silver Pauleter Adventuress, and sounding Ma Black Joie. yachts Arrow, Chico Sunshine, Reda,
60

Details

Details

INDEX
Royal Air Command, 64, 83-4, 4, 88 (evacuated (fired from France), 17, 20, 30,
(attacks 38 all that was asked of them, concentrated 123. at dawn and dusk): 100,
(patrols Stren batteries) ; 99 (patrols on by own ships), 89, 93, 99
Royal Daffodil, 20, 25, 100-1. 29, 54n, 62, 102, 110 (damaged).
110-111, 115; did
Royal Royal Sovereign, 29n, 54n, 64n, 107n, 108-9, 114n, 115, 117.
Eagle, 42, 81,
95 (sunk).
Royally,114n,
Sabre, 23, 27, 44, 47n, 49 (takes across with beach parties), 53, 54n, 55, 62n, 64 (damaged), 86,
97, 101, 107, 114n, 118 (crosses compass damaged).
St. Abbs, 71n, 90 (sunk).
Achilleus, sunk, 93.
St. St. Andrew, Shelled, 18: bombed, 20 ; last trip, 87.
Ste. Bernadette de Lourdes, 107n.
St. Clears, 32, 46.
St. David, damaged, 38, 95.
Ste. Denise Louise, 107n.
St. Fagan, 71n, 88 (sunk).
St. Helier, 20, 25, 64n, 94, 98-9, 108-9.
Ste. Isabelle, 74.
St. Julien, shelled, 17 bombed, 20, 43; crew supplemented, 48n; last trip, 87.
St. Olaves, 107n.
St. Patrick, 75n.
St. Seiriol, 22, 24, 29, 43, 48 (damaged).
Saladin, 44-5 (damaged).
Salamander, 28n, 31, 42, 47, 86 (damaged), 89-90.
Saltash, 91-2.
Sambre, 60.
Sandown, 23n, 27, 31, 42, 105 (forbidden to sail).
Santosy, lost, 117.
Saon, 34n, 110.
Sargasso, 60n, 107n, 108.
Sark, 60.
Saturn, 114n, 118.
S.C.6 (French), 107n.
Sceneshifter, rushed and sunk by French troops, 53.
Schuyts. see skoots.
Scimitar, 20n, 28n, 54n, 55, 62n, 91.
Scotia, 29n, 54n, 83 (in collision), 92 (sunk), 118 (record lift).
Scottish Co-operator, 60.
Sea Falcon, 75n.
Seaplane Tender 243, 71n, 75n, 110 (sunk).
Seaplane Tender 254, 71n.
Seaplane Tender 276, 71n, 110.
Seaplane Tender 291, 71n, 75 (damaged).
Seasalter, 60.
Sea Transport Officials, serve in personnel ships, 48; in Dynamo Room, 74.
Secrecy, effect on supply of small craft, 15.
Seine, 31n, 60, 102.
Sequacity, 19, 28.
Seriola, 71n.
Shamrock, lost, 53.
Sharpshooter, 28n, 54n, 97.
Shearwater, 34, 88, 99.
Sheldvake, 34, 37n, 69 (hunts S/M.), 93.
Shell fire (German) : causes serious interruption to shipping, 19; Route Y under fire, 48;
La Panne beach shelled, 60, 76; interrupts sailings of personal ships, 70; danger of,
magnified at Dover, 98.
Sherfield, 72n, 90.
Shelland, 60.
Shikari, 20n, 28n, 47n, 54n, 55, 97, 102, 107, 114n, 119-20 (in Operation CK), 127.
Shipmates, 23n.
Signalling, see Communications.
Silver Dawn, 32n, 51n.
205

Details

Page 6.
r OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY 4TH JUNE, 1940.
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS (continued)
OTHER BRITISH SHIPS (continued)
MINORU II (M.B.)
#
RENOWN
MINWOOD
RESOLUTE
MONARCH
RICAS
MOTOR-BOAT 42
ROBERT CLIFF
MOTOR-BOAT 27 B
ROSA WOOD AND PHYLLIS LUND
MOTOR-BOAT 43 (R.A.F.
ROWAN (Smack)
MOTOR-BOAT 101 (R.A.F.
RYGATE II (Yacht)
MOTOR-BOAT 102 (R.A.F.
ST. ABBS
MOTOR-BOAT 243 (R.A.F.
ST. CLEARS
MOTOR-BOAT 270 (R.A.F.
#
ST FAGAN
MOTOR-BOAT 275
ST OLAF
M.L. 8 (W.D. Craft)
SAMBRA (M.B.)
MURIOUS
SAVIOUR
NANETTE (M.L.)
SCENE SHIFTER
NELSON (M.B.)
SCOTTISH CO-OPERATOR
NEMO IV
SEA FALCON
NEWHAVEN LIFE-BOAT
SEA FOAM
NEW PRINCE OF WALES
SEASALTER
No. 4
SEINE
No. 101
(Hopper Barges)
SHAMROCK
No. 102
SHEFFIELD (M. Barge)
OCEAN BREEZE
SILICIA (Coaster)
OFFERIA
SILVA FOAM
OLIVIA
SILVER BREEZE
ORIENT LINE (M.B.)
PAULETEER
SILVER QUEEN (M.B.)
SINGAPORE
PEGGY IV
PELLAG II
SYKLARK (Abandoned)
PERSIA (Tug)
SKYLARK I
PIGEON (W.D. Craft)
SKYLARK II
PIONEER
SKYLARK VI
PRIMA (Tug)
SMALL VIKING
PRINCE OF WALES
SOUTHEND BRITANNIA
PRINCESS FREDA
SPEEDWELL Renumed FRANCOLIN NOWJACKDAN
PRINCESS LILY
SPRITE (Harbour Launch)
PUDGE
SULTAN
QUEEN
SUN IV
QUEEN ALEXANDRA
SUN x
(Tugs)
QUEEN BOADICEA II
SUN XI
QUEEN'S CHANNEL
SWALLOW
(Hopper Barge)
S.O. ONE
QUEENSLAND
TANGA (Tug)
QUICKSILVER
THARK
QUI SI SANA (M.B.)
TENIAS
RAMSGATE LIFE-BOAT
THYFORSA
THYRA
RAPIDE
REDA (M.B.)
TONY
TRITON
RELIANCE
Renamed Wranglu.
TUG XV
# Sunk
(Continued)

Details

Page 6.
LIST OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940.
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS (continued)
OTHER BRITISH SHIPS (continued)
MINORU II (M.B.)
# RENOWN
MINWOOD
RESOLUTE
MONARCH
RICAS
MOTOR-BOAT 42
ROBERT CLIFF
MOTOR-BOAT 27 B
ROSA WOOD AND PHYLLIS LUND
MOTOR-BOAT 43 (R.A.F.)
ROWAN (Smack)
MOTOR-BOAT 101 (R.A.F.
RYGATE II (Yacht)
MOTOR-BOAT 102 (R.A.F.
ST. ABBS
#
MOTOR-BOAT 243 (R.A.F.
ST. CLEARS
MOTOR-BOAT 270 (R.A.F.)
#
ST FAGAN
MOTOR-BOAT 275
ST OLAF
M.L. 8 (W.D. Craft)
SAMBRA (M.B.)
MURIOUS
SAVIOUR
NANETTE (M.L.)
SCENE SHIFTER
NELSON (M.B.)
SCOTTISH CO-OPERATOR
NEMO IV
SEA FALCON
NEWHAVEN LIFE-BOAT
SEA FOAM
NEW PRINCE OF WALES
SEASALTER
No. 4
in
SEINE
No. 101
(Hopper Barges)
SHAMROCK
No. 102
)
SHEFFIELD (M. Barge)
OCEAN BREEZE
SILICIA (Coaster)
OFFERIA
SILVA FOAM
OLIVIA
SILVER BREEZE
ORIENT LINE (M.B.)
#
SILVER QUEEN (M.B.)
PAULETEER
SINGAPORE
PEGGY IV
SYKLARK (Abandoned)
PELLAG II
PERSIA (Tug)
SKYLARK I
PIGEON (W.D. Craft)
SKYLARK II
PIONEER
SKYLARK VI
PRIMA (Tug)
SMALL VIKING
PRINCE OF WALES
SOUTHEND BRITANNIA
PRINCESS FREDA
SPEEDWELL
PRINCESS LILY
SPRITE (Harbour Launch)
PUDGE
SULTAN
QUEEN
SUN IV
QUEEN ALEXANDRA
SUN X
SUN XI
~~~
(Tugs)
QUEEN BOADICEA II
QUEEN'S CHANNEL
SWALLOW
(Hopper Barge)
S.O. ONE
QUEENSLAND
TANGA (Tug)
QUICKSILVER
THARK
QUI SI SANA (M.B.)
TENIAS
RAMSGATE LIFE-BOAT
THYFORSA
THYRA
RAPIDE
REDA (M.B.)
TONY
TRITON
RELIANCE
TUG XV
# Sunk
(Continued)

Details

CSW
S
GULAR SERVICE
c
W
24
LL.TH
S
TELEPHONE: LEITH 37088-9
BOSTON
TELEGRAMS: "TRANSHIP. EDINBURGH"
LONDON
SCOTTISH Co-operative WHOLESALE Society LTD.
allow
amm
Lap
-
HB/MS
COASTAL SHIPPING DEPARTMENT.
6 JOHN'S PLACE.
LEITH, 20th June 19⁴⁰.
The Private Secretary,
Ministry of Shipping,
Berkeley Square,
LONDON, W.1.
Dear Sir,
I have to thank you for your letter of 19th June,
together with letter addressed to Captain Robertson of our ship
"Scottish Co-operator" in relation to services rendered by his
and other merchant ships during the evacuation of Dunkirk.
We confirm that this covers the only ship owned
by this Society which could be engaged on the service above
mentioned and in accordance with your request, the letter is being
sent on to Captain Robertson. Before doing so, however, we are
making a slight correction as the initials of the Captain are
"T.S." and not "T.F." as shown. The matter will now be in
order if your own records are adjusted accordingly.
as
yours faithfully,
Hunger Transport Manager.
LORINA
WORTHTOWN
NORMANNI
John " Stewart London, & E.Shipping Ltd.,
/CANTERBU
YEWDALE
308 Clyde Street,1.
Capt R.
MAID OR
John stewart Glasgow, & Co. Street, Shipping Ltd.,
/BIARRITZ
AUTOCARRI
YEWGLEN
308, Clyde C.1.
Glasgow,

Details

GUIAR SERVICE
HSW
59
LITH
S
TELEPHONE: LEITH 37088-9
BOSTON
TELEGRAMS: "TRANSHIP, EDINBURGH"
LONDON
SCOTTISH Co-operative WHOLESALE SOCIETY LTD.
181
9
64
REGISTRY
17 AUG
RECEIVED
1010
COASTAL SHIPPING DEPARTMENT.
6 JOHN'S PLACE.
LEITH, 16th August 19 40.
The Director of Sea Transport,
Ministry of Shipping,
Berkeley Square House,
Berkeley Square,
LONDON, W.I.
Dear Sir,
Your Reference T.M.6213/40/S.T.A.6 of 7th August.
With reference to above and ours of 13th August, we
enclose herewith statement as made by Captain T. S. Robertson,
Master of the m/v "Scottish Co-operator" in relation to the
Dunkirk operation.
We trust that the information is exactly as required
by you for your purposes.
Yours faithfully,
Jobryce
Transport Manager.
arrival there I found there was not sufficient water at the pier
of
for my ship and I had to go to Margate where we arrived at 4 p.m.
cort
After discharging troops we were about to leave again for Dunkirk
the
but discovered that our degaussing cable was cut and owing to
aft
this I was ordered to anchor and await orders, which I did.
After the evacuation was completed I was sent to Sheerness to
have degaussing wire repaired, after which I was ordered back
to Newhaven where we arrived on Saturday 8th June, 1940.
(Signed) T. S. ROBERTSON, Master.
o0o

Details

58
M.V. "SCOTTISH CO-OPERATOR".
EVACUATION OF B.E.F. FROM DUNKIRK.
165
Regarding the part taken by the above vessel in the
evacuation of Dunkirk, there is very little to tell.
When these operations were begun we were loading
ammunition in Newhaven, Sussex and this was completed on the
evening of Tuesday 28th May. Orders were then received that
this ship was required for other duties and the cargo just
loaded was to be discharged. Work to this end was begun on
the morning of Wednesday 29th May and completed the same day,
after which we shifted and bunkered to full capacity.
On Thursday 30th May at 5 a.m., we sailed from Newhaven
with instructions to proceed to Dover for orders. On arrival at
Dover, about noon, I spoke to Examination Vessel and was informed
that we were going to Dunkirk to embark troops and that we were to
anchor and await further orders. At about 5 p.m. we were ordered
into South Downs where we were to close the Examination Vessel
which would provide us with sailing orders and routing instructions.
On receiving these routing instructions I asked the
Examination Officer where the troops were to be embarked, and
whether I had to enter the port of Dunkirk and I was told that
I would receive further instructions from British Naval Craft
when I arrived off Dunkirk. At about 8 p.m. we sailed from
the Downs and at about 11 p.m. arrived off Dunkirk Piers where
several vessels were patrolling but none of these was able to
give me any information as they all appeared to be in the same
position as ourselves. One of them informed me, however, that
there were sunken craft in the entrance and therefore it would
not be safe to attempt entering during the hours of darkness so
I decided to keep on the move, at slow speed, until daylight.
There were several enemy aircraft over during the night which
were engaged by our own or Allied Fighters, and driven off.
By 5.30 a.m. on Friday 31st, it was daylight and I
decided to proceed into harbour and we moored alongside break-
water at 6.30 a.m. The Germans, who were about five miles to
the westward of Dunkirk, had the range of the breakwater and were
keeping it under almost continuous shell fire, but fortunately
neither the ship nor any member of the crew was hit, although
overhead. shells were falling all around and occasional shrapnel bursting
The embarkation began immediately on arrival and after
we had embarked 50 stretcher cases, 150 walking wounded and about
350 able men, we were about to sail when just then an hospital
ship came alongside and it was decided to transfer all stretcher
cases and walking wounded from our ship to the Hospital ship.
This was completed in about forty minutes and I then had to wait
and fill up again with able men. At 10.30 a.m. we sailed
with 550 men on board, including seven stretcher cases.
I had orders to discharge these men at Ramsgate but on
arrival there I found there was not sufficient water at the pier
for my ship and I had to go to Margate where we arrived at 4 p.m.
After discharging troops we were about to leave again for Dunkirk
but discovered that our degaussing cable was cut and owing to
this I was ordered to anchor and await orders, which I did.
After the evacuation was completed I was sent to Sheerness to
have degaussing wire repaired, after which I was ordered back
to Newhaven where we arrived on Saturday 8th June, 1940.
(Signed) T. S. ROBERTSON, Master.
o0o