Details

SODALITY
(107)
F.T. Everard & Sons
Ltd.
R. Roberts, Master.
3rd June
This ship did not take part in England Operation 16 troops. Dynamo. (1)
[She was at Dunkirk from 22nd to 24th May].
Soizle 40414
aux M/S
officiences Equapages
SUEUR
(hot by finbus
of treach of beated
E D.R. records the "Sarzik" landed 16 troops.
160

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ESD
5.
454
424
sleep sometime during the 24 hours.
23/5
We discharged supplies from M.V.Sodality during the day and in
her I sent back and urgent message to D.S.T.O Dover that ships must
bring with themgear for discharging cargo and that there were still
several cranes in action. Unloading continued hampered many times by
air raids but considering these inconveniences the amount discharged
was very satisfactory. The labour employed was largely men from No.
151 Railway Construction Company under Major Edwards and although an
appreciation of their work will doubtless be forwarded from another
source I must take this opportunity of expressing my praise at the way
they not only carried out this - to them - strange work but also the
manner in which they returned to it after every raid.
22/5
About 2115 one destroyer and two hospitals sailed and about 0400
M.V.Sodality sailed having been delayed by the tide. Although commun-
ications were extremely poor I managed to get a signal passedto D.S.T.O
Dover regarding the sailing of the four ships with & request that the
information should be forwarded to the Ministry of Shipping and Mar
Office (Searail 3).
Difficulty was experienced in obtaining reliable information from
the look-out station at the lighthouse 30 I asked that three saval
-81b
signal ratings should be sent out and these duly arrived. 1 billetted
them with the French in the lighthouse and having given them a list of
ship's lettersof those requisitioned ships which were likely to be
employed in such shallow wateri instructed them to report to the office
the names of ships arriving or leaving. They proved of the greatest
assistance to se and when the remainder of the Sea Transport Staff left
that there were

Details

Details

5.
335h
sometime during the 24 hours.
We discharged supplies from ,Sodality during the day and in
her I sent back and urgent message to D.S.T.O Dover that ships must
bring with themgear for discharging cargo and that there vere still
357
353
41 KNIGHTSBRIDGE COURT.
SLOANE STREET.
LONDON. S.V.1
5th JUNE 1940
Sir,
I haveto report as follows on my activities during the period
20th May until 1st June:-
carned
After arriving back at Dunkirk from Ostend (having out the eyac-
uation of British refugees from that port and also completed & recon-
naissance of the docks - which has since been lost) I received tele-
phone instructions from P.S.T.O. French Ports through Commander H.P.
Henderson R.N. the British Naval Liaison Officer that 1 vas to take
charge of the port and relieve Zieutenant-Commender V.R. Dunnett R.N.R
who at that time was S.D.O in charge. This message 1 received about
1630 on 20th May.
1 attended & conference at Headquarters at which the sevly
appointed Commander - Colonel Whitfeld - presided; the remaining Director
ficers present Area baing the B.N.S.O. the representative various of The Nove-
ment of Docks; Control representative officers. prepare At to of this evacuate supply conference and between Transporti the 2000 President and and 2500 intimated troops and
that we were to as he called them/t to land supplies, petrol about 25
(useless mouths embark about 35qofficers and men plus returned
ammunition and to Component. After this conference I Dunnett to
vehicles of the where Air 1 started to take over from Lieut-Comdr. to give I
but S.T,O's as there office were go many decisions to make and orders

Details

5
5.
335h
sometime during the 24 hours.
We discharged supplies from M.V.Sodality during the day and in
her I sent back and urgent message to D.S.T.O Dover that ships must
bring with themgear for discharging cargo and that there were still
2.
358
354
decided to postpone this until the next day. I learned from military
sources taht one ship with 300,000 rations (approximately 700 tons)
would be ready to sail on 21st and another with 200,000 rations on
the following day both for Dunkirk although it was not clear from which
port they would sail. In order that I should know the total number of
British ships in the port I sent Lieutenant J.Swinsco R.N.R. to obtain
this information which proved to ber-
(I) S.S.Belwyn
(2) S.S.Bawtry
(3) S.S.Dover Dover Abbey
(4) S.S.Rupera (2)
On the following day (Tuesday Rist) 1 gave orders that "Bawtry"
would be required for R.A.F personnel/and 933 to sail as soon as they
had embarked but owing to the state of the tide and the look gates the
personnel were embarked in another ship and "Bawtry" was, I think, sunk
in the harbour by a bomb. "mipera" apparently safled without orders of but
the remaining two vessels I took over in the name of the Minister
Shipping instructed the masters to await orders TO sailing from to me
and that and these would not be given until arrangements had been made
fill them with troops.
afternoon Lieutenant-Commander R.A.B.Williams R.N
During the but at the same time Lieut-Comdr, Dunnett was wounded in a
nesessitating French reported for duty his evacuation It was during home this - in somewhat the meantime exciting Commander he period was placed V.H.Seymour that some
hospital. staff arrivedvis: Lieutenant N.L.V.
members R.N.V.R., of Lieutenant P.S.T.O's W.Blandy R.N.V.R., Paymaster Lieutenant

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5
33
sometime during the 24 hours.
We discharged supplies from M.V.Sodality during the day and in
her I sent back and urgent message to D.S.T.O Dover that ships must
bring with themgear for discharging cargo and that there were still
3
355
3.
Ruoff R.N.R. with instructions that they were to re-join the Commodore
if possible at Winereux. As this was absolutely out of the question
I co-opted them onto my staffand they remained as my assistants until
they left for the United Kingdom on 29 th May. 1 found Lieutenant
Blandy's knowledge of the port invaluable particularly as My predecessor
had been wounded before he had been able to turn over to 200 and I was
working rather in the dark.
The principle I adopted after consultation with Lieutenant-
Colonel N.M.Jesper who took over the duties of Director of Deeks was to
use the Monitor Quay for hospital additions and personnel ships and use
those berths in the docks which were the most suitable for our purpose
after making the necessary arrangements with the French authorities
and I was given to understand that the only commodities with which we
would/be called upon to deal sere supplies, ammition and petrol. and Lieut-
Comdre. Seymour and illiams 1 placed in charge of Nunitor Quay It was
$
Lieuts. Swinsco and Blandy of the other berths in the port.
hoped wounded and personnel during the whole 24 hours this whereas reduced 3
the to embark other ships would work from 0500 until 2200 - and also
hours store of unloading and was due to lack of properly shaded of air lights raids occurred
d
to during the the scareity day but of between skilled known raids stevedores. to most Colemel of A Jesper the number French and Port I managed Officials. to French call
y
Alll upon supplies and these make for gentlemen both that ourselves we the were were military not very in helpful and a civilain position but made population to pick us have realise and were to choose work that arriving vis-a-vi our in
berths the port without and consulting them but that we should

Details

5.
335h
sometime during the 24 hours.
We discharged supplies from M.V.Sodality during the day and in
her I sent back and urgent message to D.S.F.O Dover that ships must
bring with themgear for discharging cargo and that there were still
356
4.
with the French authorities,
On my return to my office I found Lieutement Nettle R.N.R. of
P.S.T.O's staff with instructions to obtain from ne an appreciation of
the situation; this I give hereunder :-
The situation varies from raid to raid. At the moment nearly normal
a
and there are a few tugs and pilots. The Engineer of the Port's office
"
is open. Police de Navigation is run by the French Naval Authorities
.
the office is in the abri and is functioning fairly normally. Ship due
"
at 1430 has not yet arrived (1520): she is for personnel. Two store
"
ships expected with rations this afternoon, all arrangements made for
4
their discharge etc. Lieut-Comdr. Dumett rounded in air raid yesterday the town
"
being evacuated In personnel ship to-day. Main water supply in (where
"
appears to be out of action but auxiliary supply is a certain few hotels parts but
" a 4 " staff bread. electricity a smoke are screen Town living) functioning. largely to enemy in fair evacuated, aircraft. No.151 order. Petrol Construction local tanks Cas Food dock is still shortage out labour ablase off Company. acute in being unfortunately Large particularly supplemented number dis- adding of for
discharging our ships by yesterday, majority have
" " "appeared. 4. unarmed ship. direct Communications Belgian Reported Bastion soldiers that poors 32 60 about working civil stevedores the line at town the arriving phone moment; 1244 in military working this afternoon's line intermittently out of store
line
to
order."
(22/23rd) repeated air raids if or they bombardments continued as
During the night place and I decided that obtain some
the extra French staff call would them be took required in order that officers might

Details

335th
sometime during the 24 hours.
We discharged supplies from ,Sodality during the day and in
her I sent back and urgent message to D.S.T.O Dover that ships must
bring with themgear for discharging cargo and that there were still
several cranes in action. Unloading continued hampered many times by
air raids but considering these inconveniences the amount discharged
was very satisfactory. The labour employed was largely nen from No.
151 Railway Construction Company under Major Edwards and although an
appreciation of their work will doubtless be forwarded from another
source I must take this opportunity of expressing by praise at the way
they not only carried out this to them - strange work but also the
manner in which they returned to it after every raid.
About 2115 one destroyer and two hospitals sailed and about 0400
Sodality sailed having been delayed by the tide. Although commun-
ications were extremely poor I managed to get a signal passedto D.S.T.O
Dover regarding the sailing of the four ships with a request that the
information should be forwarded to the Ministry of Shipping and Bar
Office (Searail B).
Difficulty was experienced in obtaining reliable information from
the look-out station at the lighthouse so I asked that three naval
signal them ship's with ratings lettersof the French should those in be requisitioned the sent lighthouse out and ships these and having which duly to arrived. were given report likely them to 1 billetted a to the list be office of
employed such shallow waterI instructed them
the in arriving or leaving. They proved of the greatest Staff
assistance names of to ships me and when the remainder of the Sea Transport left

Details

108
THE
109
NS, LTD.
TELEPHONES
MANSION HOUSE 9751 (5 LINEST
GREENHITHE 123 12 LINES)
TELEGRAMS:
EET,
EVERASHIP, BILGATE, LONDON
EVERASHIP GREENHITHE
8th September, 1940.
DATE
FSB/SL
6th September, 1940.
Gentlemen,
91
I have to acknowledge the receipt
92
Hynard
of your letter FSB/HL of the 6th instant
and to thank you for the reports of the
se,
UMA
Masters of the m.vs. "SEQUACIST" and
"SODALITY" on the part taken by their
ships in the Dunkirk evacuation.
inBellamy
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant, of the 7 th August, we here-
with (Sgd.) B.E. Bellamy the asters of the m.vs. "SEQUACITY"
for Director of Sea Transport. in the Dunkirk evacuation.
Messrs. F. T. Everard & Sons Ltd.,
Yours faithfully,
22 & 23, Great Tower Street,
E.C.3.
EVERARD & SONS LTD.
Director.
Enc.
mane une ship fast ourselves. At 11.30 p.m.
went to look for lock gatemen managed to get them to open
locks for us to enter Dock planes still bombing and kept
bombing all night. Midnight made fast in berth.
3
The Naval Officer who spoke to us at 8 p.m.
promised to berth us but we did not see him until 5 a.m.
on the 23rd, we were on the wrong berth. 5.15 a.m. shifted.

Details

108
F.T. EVERARD & SONS, LTD.
TELEPHONES
DIRECTORS
MANSION HOUSE 9751 15 LINES)
S.A. EVERARD
SHIPOWNERS.
GREENHITHE 123 12 LINES)
A.E EVERARD
TELEGRAMS:
F.W EVERARD, M.I.N.A.
22 & 23 GT. TOWER STREET,
EVERASHIP, BILGATE LONDON
W.J. EVERARD, M.I.N.A.
EVERASHIP GREENHITHE
A.M. EVERARD, M.I.M.E.
LONDON, E.C.3.
SHIPYARD & WHARE GREENHITHE, KENT
YOUR REF
DATE
OUR REF.
FSB/HL
6th September, 1940.
92
W.G. Hynard Esq.
Director of Sea Transport,
Ministry of Shipping,
Berkeley Square House,
UMA
Berkeley Square,
LONDON. W.1.
imBellamy
Dear Sir,
Further to your letter of the 7 th August, we here-
with enclose reports from the Masters of the m.vs. "SEQUACITY"
and "SODALITY" who were engaged in the Dunkirk evacuation.
Yours faithfully,
EVERARD & SONS LTD.
Director.
Enc.
-- mane une ship fast ourselves. At 11.30 p.m.
went to look for lock gatemen managed to get them to open
locks for us to enter Dock planes still bombing and kept
bombing all night. Midnight made fast in berth.
The Naval Officer who spoke to us at 8 p.m.
promised to berth us but we did not see him until 5 a.m.
on the 23rd, we were on the wrong berth. 5.15 a.m. shifted.

Details

EVERARD & SONS LTD.
107
F.
LONDON, E.C.8.
*
m.v. "SODALITY"
22 & 23, 22 & GREAT TOWER ST.
LONDON
93
May 19th, 1940. Received orders to proceed to Deptford
Victualling Wharf to load; midnight made fast in berth.
4 a.m. May 20th commence loading.
.st May 0.45 a.m. Received orders from Albert Dock to cast off
at 1 p.m. and to proceed to Dover for further instruct-
ions, arrived off Southend Pier 5 p.m. and ordered to
remain at anchor until 5 am. on the 22nd.
Arrived off Dover noon 22nd and told to
wait outside for orders. 1.20 p.m. received orders for
Dunkirk proceeded on voyage, when entering narrow channel
East of Gravelines, seen 2 steamers on fire in channel,
thinking channel being mined kipt about ships length to S
starboard of channel.
When some two miles off Dunkirk one of
our own Destroyers came up alongside and ordered us to
stop asked our speed, speed given 10 knots all out.
Was then ordered to follow in Destroyers Line as he would
be passing very close to sunken wrecks.
When 1 1/2 miles off Dunkirk Destroyer turned
back and told us there would be no one to assist us and that
we were to do the best we could. We entered harbour and
made fast at Dock entrance.
At 8 p.m. one of our naval Officers came
and told us that we would dock at 10.30 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Entered Locks and before we had time to make fast German
Palnes were over the Lock gate. Men went for shelter and
left us to make the ship fast ourselves. At 11.30 p.m.
went to look for lock gatemen managed to get them to open
locks for us to enter Dock planes still bombing and kept
bombing all night. Midnight made fast in berth.
The Naval Officer who spoke to us at 8 p.m.
promised to berth us but we did not see him until 5 a.m.
on the 23rd, we were on the wrong berth. 5.15 a.m. shifted.