Details

LADY BRASSEY
Rescue Tug
(Dover Harbour Board)
F.J. Hopgood, Master(1
27th May
1200
Assisted tug Simla to tow A.B/V.
Mona's Isle into Dover.
29th May
0030ca
Having embarked the Assistant Salvage
Officer, Lieut. G.M. Robinson R.N.R.,
left Dover to assist dr. Montrose.
which had been in collision with a
tug [the Sun v].
0300
Found Montrose about 1 mile W.S.W. of
No.2 Buoy. Towed her to Dover,
stern first, being assisted when off
the eastern entrance by the Simla
0630
Dover. Secured Montrose to No.8 buoy.
30th May
1100
Left Dover for Dunkirk, with the tug
Foremost 87 in company.
1830ca
Arrived Dunkirk Pier. Entered harbour.
2230ca
With assistance of Foremost 87, towed
the P/V Prague out of the harbour.
31st May
0030
Left Dunkirk for Dover, Foremost 87
in company.
0700
Diverted to N. Goodwin to assist the
dfrs. Golden Gift and Shipmates
which were aground. Foremost 87
continued on to Dover.
0810
Met Golden Gift, which had refloated.
No sign of Shipmates.
1015
Returned to Dover.
1st June
1200ca
Left Dover to assist Prague, which was
contacted off N.W. Goodwin.
1330
Took Prague in tow.
1630ca
Prague beached on Sandwich Flats.
2100ca
Towed Prague inshore east of Sandown
Castle.
2nd June
2000
Left Dover to assist the H/C Paris,
near W buoy, Dunkirk.
-
Passed Ramsgate tug Fabia, returning,
having been unable to find the Paris.
3rd June
0015
Arrived off W buoy.
0315
Sighted Paris 1 mile east of W buoy,
listing heavily, and settling fast.
She had been abandoned (see
Foremost 87)
0400
paris sank 4 mile east of W buoy in 17
fathoms.
0800
Arrived Dover.
Nil
Authority R.O.II, p.432.
The following awards were made:
Mention in Despatches.
Capt. F.J. Hopgood, Master.
(1) There Referred to in Supplement No. 34925 of London Gazette of
16th August 1940 as "F. J. Hopwood". 133

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MONA'S ISLE
A.B/V.
Cdr. J.C.K. Dowding, R.D.,
R.N.R.
26th May
2000
2116(1)
Anchored off Deal.
Sailed for Dunkirk, by Calais route.
27th May
0115
Off Dunkirk.
Entered the harbour, but fouled the
propeller, so backed out of the
harbour. The propeller cleared
itself.
0130
Proceeded down channel to interrogate
French craft as to the situation.
0250
Signalled V.A. Dover for instructions.
A.B/V. King Orry"in similar position".
0321
Ordered to enter harbour at daylight.
0416
Entered harbour and berthed at Quai
Felix Faure during an air attack.
0530
Commenced embarking about 1500 troops.
0704
Proceeded out of harbour.
0730ca
Off Gravelines, some small craft and a
hospital ship [the Isle of Thanet]
were observed some distance ahead
being shelled.
0750
Mona's Isle straddled by shore guns;
some casualties.
0825ca
Attacked by six Messerschmitts;
casualties and damage.
0924
The dr. Windsor came alongside and put
a doctor on board. She then
escorted Mona's Isle to Dover.
1214
Entered Dover harbour, assisted by the
tugs Lady Brassey and Simla.
1353
Disembarked 1420 troops( (2) including
23 dead and 60 wounded.
1835
To Granville Dock for repairs.
1st June(3)
0909
Left dock. Proceeded to Dunkirk by X
route.
1305
Observed the wreck of the P/V Scotia.
H.15 [the dr. Esk] was alongside the
wreck taking off survivors. Closed
the wreck in company with a great
number of small craft proceeding to
Dunkirk; lowered 3 boats and picked
up a few survivors.
1422
Proceeded towards Dunkirk.
1505
Between Nos. 11 and 13 buoys, straddled
by 2 salvoes from dive bombers.
Ship shaken, but no damage.
1540
Berthed inside Dunkirk at east pier.
Embarked troops.
1730
About 1500 troops on board. Waited till
darkness set in.
2100
Proceeded.
(1) D.R. first of the personnel vessels to reach was
Dover states that the Dynamo had commenced at 1857/26, at
the after Operation vessel Mona's Isle which arrived
Cdr. 2230/26 with 1312 definitely troops. states that his ship made and 2nd trips
armed boarding This is evidently incorrect. 2
Dowding at Dover on 27th May Mona's June
It only, 1s disembarking that troops D.R. has mentioned the although A. B/V. the
Isle probable P/V Mona's Queen, hours
latter in did error not for arrive the at Dover until the early of
(2) D.R.
27th May.
(3) D.R. Isle disembarked 1,500 troops (1) on
lst states June; that this Mona's is evidently incorrect (see Note
above).
295

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Details

TUGS (continued)
Portsmouth Dockyard
c.9
Prima
Dover Harbour Board
Lady Brassey
H.M.Tugs
St. Abbs
St. Fagan
St. Clears
St. Olaves
400
The following tug also went over to Dunkirk:
Dromedary
THE FOLLOWING TUGS CARRIED OUT HARBOUR DUTIES ONLY:
Gondia
Hibernia
William Watkins Ltd.
Simla
Watercock
The Gamecock Steam Towing Co.
Betty
Gaselee and Son Ltd.
C.11
Portsmouth Dockyard.
Vesta
-
245

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59
H?M.S. MONA'S ISLE. A.B.V.( REPORT CONT.)
0924 Windsor alongside. put Doctor on board and escorted us to Dover.
53
1000.( approx.) off Dover entrance; Windsor asked for tug. reported the
casualties.
1054. Tug Lady Brassey fast. orders to wait for berth;
1156. Tug Simla fast with orders to enter, and go to Eastern arm.
1214. Entered Harbour. and waited for berth.
1353. Berthed at Admiralty pier. cam'ced disembarking at once.
1835. All ashore, including about 23 dead and about 60 wounded. all due to
air attack.
Remained at Pier all night and berthed in
Granville Dock at 0520 28th May. to effect numerous repairs to all
boats, steering gear, D.G. winding; electrical circuits; dynamo.
IFresh and Salt water tanks and services.
The behaviour of the entire ships company under very trying conditions
was magnificent, especially that of the Engine Room branch, whose work
was considerably hampered by the congestion of troops and wounded round
about the engine room, ( on the Main deck.)
The coolness, confidence, cheerfulness and courage of all ranks of the
Military was a great incentive to all concerned.
The fear lest a 600 gallon Diesel Oil tank on the shelter deck should be
perforated and take fire, being quite unprotected was the greatest concern.
J.C.K. Dowding
Comdr R.N.R.

Details

Reseue Eug Lady Brassy
Wed may 1940
411
his
Regarding the try Sr. abbs.
I was in charge of the Lady Brassiy when
about /. am we received a message the
salvage Officer was coming on board. about
1.40 am the Solvage Officer arrived H Robrison
We proceeded off to Mo2 Buay Calois Route.
r found the Destroyer Montrose about 11 miles
off, who informed us that he had been in
collision with a Jug We didnot All any
tug whilst approaching the Montrose.
her position being about / mile W.S.W %'2 Buay.
she had extensive bow damage r we trued
her in stern first r was assisted the simla when
by
off the Eastern Entrances to make her fast
to nos Buoy. as 6.30 am.
yo
K.H.M. M.
yours faithfully
7.9 Hopgood
master
signed Tuesday gune

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59
H?M.S. MONA'S ISLE. A.B.V.( REPORT CONT.)
0924 Windsor alongside. put Doctor on board and escorted us to Dover.
53
1000.( approx.) off Dover entrance; Windsor asked for tug. reported the
casualties.
1054. Tug Lady Brassey fast. orders to wait for berth;
1156. Tug Simla fast with orders to enter, and go to Eastern arm.
1214. Entered Harbour. and waited for berth.
1353. Berthed at Admiralty pier. com'ced disembarking at once.
1835. All ashore, including about 33 dead and about 60 wounded. all due to
air attack.
Remained at Pier all night and berthed in
Granville Dock at 0520 28th May. to effect mmerous repairs to all
boats, steering gear, D.G. winding; electrical circuits; dynamo.
/Fresh and Salt water tanks and services.
The behaviour of the entire ships company under very trying conditions
was magnificent, especially that of the Engine Room branch, whose work
was considerably hampered by the congestion of troops and wounded round
about the engine room,( on the Main deck.)
The coolness, confidence, cheerfulness and courage of all ranks of the
Military was a great incentive to all concerned.
The fear lest a 600 gallon Diesel Oil tank on the shalter deck should be
perforated and take fire, being quite unprotected was the greatest concern.
J.e.K. Dovding
Condr R.N.R.

Details

Dynamo 336.
2979
SECRET.
WAR. DIARIES.
DOVER
In compliance with Memo No. A14/0/330/40 dated 5th
February, the following record of the part played by the Dock-
yard Departments at Dover in the events which took place between 10th
May 1940 and 5th June, 1940 is forwarded.
ON MAY 10TH, at 0400 the German invesion of Holland, Belgium
and Luxemburg began.
In accordance with previous orders the operation XD was commenced
at about 0630 May 10th, and by 0830 over 20 tons of explosives had
been placed on board "Falconet", "Lady Brassey", "Gondia" and
"Simla". These stores and & Naval Demolition Party of 300 men
were then embarked in H.M.S. "Whitshed" "Wild Swan" "Verity" and
"Brillient" who sailed at noon for Dutch and Belgian ports.
ON MAY 11th. H.M.S. "Whitshed" arrived with several easualties
H.M.S. "Sandhurst" and at once taken in hand for repairs.
and damage caused by heavy air attacks. She was placed alongside At
2030 H.M.S. "Venimous" and "Verity" each embarked a Royal Marine
detachment with stores and ammunition and proceeded at midnight
for the Hook of Holland.
FROM TO MAY 22ND the principle activities in the Some Dockyard
were MAY 11TH with repairs to ships damaged by bombs.
destroyers concerned had between 50 and 80 holes caused by bomb splinters or or
aircraft patching. cannon, Damage to electrical circuits was also by
repairs to which were affected by welding sustained
nearly all
Belgian coast became expended and the difficulty of for the sole duty
The supply urgent owing to the large embarking number this rounds at of
ships. of ammunition to vessels operating of on the
A.A. ammunition Some destroyers were detailed coast. A
any of other port. to the vessels on the Belgian for them where
berth crane and at West reilway Pier, facilities are available. also
carrying ammunition Submarine Basin was reserved Ammunition was
sent off to ships in harbour tugs.
AT of to H.M.S. 0900 explosives ON "wild MAY were 23RD Swan", loaded operation "Venimous" in "Falconet" XDI were and was "Viay". carried also and embarked. "Simla" out, About about and 470 Commander taken 26 Royal tons off
Marines and details of the landing party. sailed for Boulogne.
from the Army At 1230 the
Welman, operation R.N. was was completed in charge and the destroyers of
ON MAY 24TH "Wolsey" and "windsor" and sailed embarked with at severe 0945. 6 tons damage in H.M.S.
"Wild explosive, the and at embarked and 80 were Royal taken Marines hand and
sustained for in action 1600 H.M.S. "verity"
ON H.M.S. "Wolsey" and Calais. "Wolfhound" embarked Military used for stores
ammunition repairs. and sailed for Calais.
The Prince ammunition of Wales Pier and stores from now in lighters and barges and for Dunkirk. small
and MAY 25TH and sailed for on was extensively for
The craft Submarine requiring repairs. "Burza" The in The ship's bottom in the
embarkation of Basin water was used for tugs a the had sailed
with been the Polish destroyer by air shattered attack. but temporary the night repairs the enemy had
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< certain the During aress Harbour, in of it and had several the been Harbour mine swel,
No outside seen and reported. and exploded. being laid.
was carried mines closed out were to 8 found in until Harbour but These the lgying positions One mine were exploded plott
and actually the mines had in been the later Western were Entrance swept within an hour of
damage was sustained.

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Reseue Eug Lady Brassy
Wed may 29.1940
411
his
Regarding the try Sr. abbs.
I was in charge of the Lady Brassiy when
about /. am we received a message the
solvage Officer was coming on board. about
40 am the Solvage Officer arrived H Robrison
We proceeded Iff to Mo2 Buay Calois Route.
r found the Destroyer Montrose about 11 miles
off, who informed us that he had been in
collision with a Jug We didnot All any
tug whilst approaching the Montrose.
her position being about / mile W.S.W % Busy.
she had extensive bow damage r we trued
her in stern first r was assisted simla when
by the
off the Eastern Entrances to make her fast
to nos Buay. or 6.30 am.
yo
K.H.M.
yours faithfully
7.9 Hopgood
master
signed Tuesday gune