Details

EDWARD z. DRESDEN
R.N.L.I.
(Clacton)
Lt. Cdr. R.W. Faulkner,
life boat
R.N.R.[?Reta.]
W.P. Trotter (Bank of
England), a Lieut. R.N.R.,
a Lieut. R.N.V.R. and the
Naval crew.
2nd June
p.m.
Left Ramsgate too late to get to
Dunkirk and had to return.
3rd June
Lt. Cdr. Faulkner joined on this day.
1730ca
Left Ramsgate with several other vessels
in company. Outside Ramsgate was
taken in tow by a London tug,
[the Tanga] bound for Dunkirk. Four
other vessels were on the tow, one
of them being the M/B Madame Sans-
Gene.
-
En route, the Sans Gene and another M/B
got rope round their propellers, and
the latter had to be cut adrift.
-
Sighted a floating mine. Unsuccessfully
tried to sink it by M/G fire.
2300ca
Off Dunkirk, the tug cast off the tow.
One of Edward Z. Dresden's propellers
became fouled.
-
Attempted to tow off a stranded skoot
[the Lena] without success. Ferried
French and other troops to ships
outside the harbour. Made several
such trips.
4th June
0300
Proceeded.
10 miles out picked up a ship's life
boat full of soldiers, and embarked
them.
0730ca
Arrived Ramsgate. Disembarked troops.
Estimated Total 50(1)
Authority - J.D.C.
(1) Ramsgate report states "Two life boats - 184 Allied troops."
272

Details

MADAME SANS GENE
45 ft. River
M/L (Owner,
S/Lt. K. Adderley, R.N.V.R.
G. Shelley)
Mr. E.H. Jeffreys (and his
brother)
Mr. R. Brown, Engr.
Mr. G. Kimber, Deck Hand(1)
3rd June
1700
Left Ramsgate with a life boat and
three other boats in tow of the tug
Tanga. En route, a rope, trailed
by Tanga, got wound round the U/L's
port propeller.
2320ca
On arrival at Dunkirk, the Sans Gene's
other propeller was damaged, but she
E
was retained in tow of the Tanga.
4th June
0200ca
The tug was ordered into the harbour,
and the crew of Sans Gene transferred
to her. The tug embarked troops and
proceeded. In Dunkirk Channel
(near No.14 buoy), the towing winch
pulled out and the Madame Sans Gene
0245
was cut loose from the tow and
abandoned.
0800
The crew, in the Tanga arrived Ramsgate.
Nil
Authority - R.O.II, p. 394.
R.O.III, P. 263.
J.D.C.
ffice.
215

Details

MERMAIDEN
C.C.B., Weymouth
M/B (Owner,
Actg. S/Lt. C.E.S.Beale,
Lt.Com. P.M.Filleul,
R.N.
R.N.
P/O F.J. Norton, R.F.R.
29th May
1830
Left Weymouth, Lt. Martin R.N.R. in
command.
30th May
1500
Arrived Dover. Lt. Martin disembarked.
31st May
2300ca
Left Dover for Dunkirk, Pensioner P/O
F.J. Norton in command.
-
Air attack.
1st June
a.m.
Arrived La Panne. Ferried troops.
-
Air attack.
-
Picked up 24 British troops and 1
French officer from small boat.
-
Proceeded.
-
Air attacks. Making water. Engine
trouble.
1420
Ramegate, Disembarked 25 troops. (1)
Carried out repairs to engines.
3rd June
The crew not being willing to proceed,
with the exception of L/Sto. W.A.S.
Horne, they were relieved by
Actg. S/Lt. C.E.S. Beale, R.N. and 3
other volunteers. Commodore A.H.
Taylor was embarked.
1600
The Mermaiden left Ramsgate, in tow
of the tug Sun IV, one of a company
of 14 M/B's, in tow of the tugs
Sun IV, Sun XV, Tanga and Racia.
After passing "W" buoy, Cdre. Taylor
transferred to the W.D/M.L.
Marlborough.
In the neighbourhood of the S.W.
Ruytingen buoy, the tugs slipped the
tows.
2300
Arrived Dunkirk. Proceeded to Quai
Felix Faure. Ferried troops to
a "sloop" (2) outside the harbour and
assisted small boats.
4th June
0230
Proce ded to Ramsgate in company with
sun IV.
0340
Taken in tow by Sun IV.
0745
Arrived Ramsgate.
Total 25
Authority - R.O. II, pp. 364, 422, 588, 592, 595.
R.O.III. pp. 305, 488
(1) (2) Should Ramsgate report states 26 troops troops. to the G/B Locust, It anchored had
off been the arranged Mole but for she Locust to use a box lamp a group
have transferred could not be identified. with
of long flashes every 2 minutes.
267

Details

NIGER (N.73)
4th M.S.F.
Cdr. St. J. Cronyn, R.N.
S.O., 4th M.S.F.
30th May
2145
On passage to N. Goodwin L.V. in
company with the M/S Dundalk,
received signal to carry out ferry
Panne. service between Sheerness and La
31st May
0700
Anchored 5 cables off La Panne. Sent
in both whalers and the M/B.
Considerable surf running. There was
no one 1n charge ashore, and as soon
as the boats arrived in they were
seized by soldiers. One was swamped,
the other overloaded and capsized.
Embarked troops from yachts.
1045
Sailed with over 200 troops for Dover
(being less distance than to
Sheerness). Lieut. R.P. Hichens,
R.N.V.R. was left behind. He moored
2 yachts as pontoons, secured grass
lines to the pier of lorries and
organised the boats "pulley-hauly"
on these lines, thereby increasing
the rate of embarkation and avoiding
the risk of capsizing boats.
1445
Arrived Dover. Disembarked 205 troops.
1715
Sailed for Dunkirk.
2240
Anchored off Braye-Dunes.
2315
A boat under oars came off with some
30 soldiers under the command of
S/Lt. R.H. Bygott, R.N.; the boat
had been towed by the tug Tanga.
S/Lt. Bygott reported that there were
150 troops abreast the ship. Niger's
boats were sent in, but finding no
troops, returned empty.
2350
A S/Lt. R.N.V.R. (name unknown) (1)
from the tug Sun VIII swam off from
the beach and reported that his
motor boat and a ship's boat were
aground with some 60 soldiers, that
he had got 30 off in another boat,
and that about 50 more were waiting.
Niger sent her boats in again, to
tow the boats off and fill up; by the
time they got in, the boats had got
off and left, and the troops had gone.
1st June
0100
A large shore boat 1/c of Lt. Cdr.
Craig came alongside with 40
and Towel. At this time, the Niger's
soldiers, including Brigadiers Robb
boats returned with troops and
continued to bring them off regularly
As dawn came, large numbers of Niger's troops
but slowly.
0330
were floats were pressed
seen on the beach and into
carley Lifebelts were also sent and in
service. some soldiers put these on low
and off. It was now nearly
swam Bray had been shelled from
Nieuport water. continuously throughout
the night.
(1) The speaks of a Lieut. Navy Puckley; List. there
was Sun no VIII's officer report of this name in the
343

Details

Aux. Barge
PUDGE
Lond. &
Mr. W. Watson, Master
Rochester
Trading Co.
Ltd.)
Requisitioned at Millwall and towed
29th May
to Tilbury - thence to Southend.
The Ocean Cock towed the Pudge, and
the barges Doris, Ena and Tollesbury
to Ramsgate and thence to Dover.
1430
Arrived Dover.
30th May
0830ca
Volunteers invited to go to Dunkirk.
31st May
of the 17 barges lying at Dover, all
volunteered. Six barges were
selected - the 3 auxiliary barges;
Pudge, Thyra and Lady Roseberry;
and the 3 sailing barges Doris, H.A.C.
and Duchess.
The 3 auxiliary barges proceeded
forthwith out of harbour with the
sailing barges in tow; and were
picked up by tugs.
Pudge, Doris and Lady Roseberry -
in that order, were taken in tow
by the tug St. Fagan. (1)
1st June
0130ca
Arrived off Dunkirk beach during
0350ca
The darkness. Lady Roseberry was ordered by the
tug to tow the Doris inshore.
While proceeding to do so, and while
the Pudge was starting up her engines
the St. Fagan was blown up by a bomb(2)
The Pudge picked up 1 stoker and the
Mate of the tug.
The were also sunk in the explosion, and
Lady Roseberry and the Doris
the Pudge picked up their crews.
The Pudge sailed.
After about 5 miles, the Pudge was
taken in tow by the tug Tanga.
1130ca
Arrived Ramsgate.
Authority R.O.II, p.620.
Not "St. Fabian" as stated by Mr. Watson.
Watson says 1t was a mine.

Details

ST. FAGAN
Tug (Portland)
Lt.Cdr. G.H. Warren M.B.E.,
R.N.
P/O E. Bastable, Coxswain.
31st May
0830ca
Sailed from Dover, towing 3 Thames
barges (1), two of which, [ the Pudge
and the Lady Roseberry had auxiliary
engines. The other, a sailing barge,
was the Doris.
An average speed of 5 knots only
could be made as the tow had to be
"nursed" because of the wash caused
by destroyers and other vessels
passing at high speed.
2115ca
Passed W buoy.
2300ca
Dunkirk channel.
1st June
0130
Dunkirk harbour abeam.
0230ca
P/O Bastable took the skiff inshore
to find a suitable position for
beaching the barges.
&
0300ca
3 miles east of Dunkirk.
0340ca
One barge Lady Roseberry] started
for the beach, towing the one [Doris]
without engines. Aircraft were
heard overhead.
0355ca
St. Fagan hit by a bomb.
Lt. Cdr. Warren says: "Big explosion
occurred and the ship collapsed and
sank in a very short time. I found
myself in the water with my signalman
and telegraphist, near the 2 barges,
one of which was sinking slowly;
these were reached with little
difficulty and the sinking barge cut
adrift (2) P/O Bastable states that
"the bomb appeared to go down the
funnel of the ship". Of the 25
officers and men of the ship's
company, 2 officers and six ratings
were saved. They were later picked
up by a passing tug [the Tanga]
Nil.
Authority - R.O.II p.608.
The following awards were made:
Mention in Despatches.
P/O E. Bastable.
(1) and Roseberry - in that order and (see the Doris Pudge)
(2) Pudge, According Doris Lady the Lady Roseberry not return
were both to sunk. the Pudge, It is known that they did from
Dunkirk.
62

Details

SUN
Alexander Towage Co. Ltd.
(Tilbury)
Cdr.E.K. Le Mesurier,
M.V.O., R.N.
H.R. Cole, Master.
1st June
1500ca
The Sun arrived at Ramsgate from
(inc signal G.69)
/
1730
Tilbury, with 20 pulling boats in tow.
Sailed for Dunkirk, Cdr. Le Mesurier in
command, assisted by Lieut. J.V.
Wilkinson R.N., and Lieut. R.E.
Lloyd, R.N. A motor boat and 5
pulling boats were in tow. (1)
[The tug Tanga (Lt. Cdr. R.E. Sherwood, R.N.R.) with 2 pulling
boats [4 in tow(2) sailed about the same time. The
tug Racia, evidently unwilling to sail, was left behind. (3)
The tug Sun IV (Cdr. Tyler R.N.) (4) had sailed at 1515 with
two boats in tow.]
On passage, three of Sun's pulling
boats were swamped and were abandoned.
2330ca
Arrived Dunkirk. The Tanga had arrived
a little earlier.
Sun and Tanga anchored about 3/4 mile
east of Dunkirk Mole. Using her boats,
Sun embarked about 45 British troops.
She then went alongside and embarked
about 50 French troops, and picked up
28 French and 4 British ratings from
a broken down M/B; then returned to
anchorage.
2nd June
0245ca
[The Tanga proceeded. Her M/B was left
stranded on the beach].
0300ca
The Sun embarked 50 British troops from
her own boats.
0315ca
Sun proceeded with about 175 British
and French troops, and 28 naval
officers and ratings. One pulling
boat was swamped on passage.
0815ca
Arrived Ramsgate. Disembarked 175
troops. (5)
3rd June
1230
Sun left for Tilbury, towing 6 boats.
[Cdr. Le Mesurier took command of tug
Sun IV]
Total 175
Authority R.O.II, p.418/9.
A.T.C.
& Capt. Cole "a launch and 2 life boats in tow."
Tanga states says, she had 4 boats in tow, and they were apparently
(3) It M/Bs. seems however, that S/Lt. W.R. Williams R.N., took her
(5) Not mentioned in Dover or Ramagate reports.
The Navy List night gives Cdr. T. St. V. Tyler, R.N. (Retd.)
over that (see under Racia)
182

Details

SUN VI (continued).
0515
3rd June)
Arrived Ramsgate.
0700
1600
At Towed Sun XV off Quern Bank.
Mesurier, 4 M.L's. M.V.O., R.N. Took in Le tow
Ramsgate. Embarked Cdr. E.K.
1700
Sun R.E. IV, and the tugs Tanga (Lt.
R.N. R. Sherwood, R.N.R.), Sun XV Cdr. (two
J.I. officers) and Racia (Lt. Cdr.
between Miller, D.S.O., R.N.R. towing
for Dunkirk. Commodore A.H. Taylor
them 14 motor boats, sailed
O.B.E., took passage in the leading
motor boat, Mermaiden; half way
Marlborough. across he transferred to the W.D/M.L.
The following boats were abandoned on
passage or at Dunkirk:
M.B. Thark, was abandoned half way
(foul propeller and rudder).
ml
M/B Santosy was abandoned near W buoy
(water in petrol).
M/B Diana Mary( 2) was abandoned at
Dunkirk (engine trouble).
Admiral Superintendents barge
3
(Portsmouth) piled up on some sub-
merged masonry in Dunkirk harbour and
was abandoned.
2320ca
The convoy arrived at Dunkirk, most of
the towed boats having been slipped
in the vicinity of the S.W.
Ruytingen buoy.
2330
Sun IV picked up 12 French troops from
an open boat at the entrance of the
harbour, and anchored east of the
entrance.
4th June
0115
One of the M/B's [Mermaiden] returned
and reported "no more troops at
Quai Felix Faure", and that Commodore
Taylor had left the Quai.
0200
Followed dr. Malcolm into the harbour,
with the tug Racia.
0230ca
Sun IV proceeded, picked up the waiting
M/B, Mermaiden] which was slightly
damaged, and sailed for Ramsgate.
(Sun XV picked up another vessel
half way across and towed it home).
0340
Took Mermaiden in tow.
of the 14 M/B's which started for
Dunkirk, 8 or 9 had to be abandoned.
The remainder found their way back
to Ramsgate.
0746
Arrived Ramsgate. Disembarked 12
troops, (1) by launch.
[In his report Cdr. Le Mesurier says: "The
spirit of the Masters and crews of the
.....
tugs (especially the Sun tugs) was excellent"
and refers to the fact that the "owner of the
Alexander tug Company" was himself the Captain
of the Sun IV].
Authority R.O.II, pp. 406, 420.
Total 236(1)
W.W.
(1) (2) Not mentioned in
Diana Mary returned D.R. to Dover with 28 troops.
185

Details

TANGA
Tug (William Watkins Ltd.)
H.P. Gouge, Master.
29th May
Towed to the barges Snowdon and Saladin
Ramsgate, where they remained.
1000ca
31st May
Anchored off Ramsgate.
1400
Embarked 4 Lewis guns and 2 gunners
-
also a Lt. Cdr. (1) and a Lt. R.N.R.
Proceeded with 6 boats (one of them a
M.L/B) in tow, towards Dunkirk.
Skpr. A. Gardner, R.N.R. took
passage in the Tanga.
1930
Air misses. attack when nearing Dunkirk. Near
2040
Off Dunkirk harbour. Proceeded 6 miles
further east. Slipped boats and
hung off. [Skpr. Gardner, helped to
ferry troops in the M. L/B, which,
however, broke down and was abandoned.
Skpr. Gardner returned on 1st June
in with the M/S Leda].
1st June
0350ca
Some of the boats returned with about
160 troops. Abandoned all but 1
motor boat "and had to run for it".
When abreast of Dunkirk harbour,
picked up 6 men from a small boat -
survivors from the tug St. Fagan.
A mile further on, picked up the A/B
Pudge with 4 men on board. Took her
in tow.
0900
Anchored off Ramsgate. Motor boats
came off and landed 160 troops. (2)
1600
Proceeded, towing 4 boats, to Dunkirk.
2230ca
Arrived off Dunkirk. Slipped the tow,
and "paddled about outside".
2nd June
0330
"Ordered to clear out and run for it".
None of the 4 boats had returned.
Other boats had brought the Tanga
about 90 British and 80 French troops.
Proceeded, towing a disabled M/B.
0800
Arrived Ramsgate. Disembarked 170
troops. (2)
3rd June
1630
Left Ramsgate towing 4 M/B's(3)
2300
Arrived off Dunkirk. Slipped the tow,
and waited as before.
4th June
0200ca
The tugs Sun IV, Sun XV, Racia and
Tanga were ordered to go alongside the
pier and get as many troops as
The possible. Tanga embarked 37 troops.
"Ordered to clear out". None of the
4 boats towed over had returned.
[See Madame Sans Gene].
0235ca
Cleared the pierhead. Air attack.
Claimed to have shot down a plane.
Off N. Goodwin L.V. took in tow a
-
French fishing lugger with crew of
three.
(1) On 3rd June, Lt. Cdr. Sherwood R.N.R. was in command of
(2) Not mentioned Ramsgate or Dover Reports.
Tanga.
(3) The Madame Sans in Gene, a life boat and 3 other boats.
210

Details

I
TANGA - Continued. (R.96) Travler (Orger,
Stanley
J. Bannaford,
4th June
0730ca
(contd.)
Arrived Ramsgate. Disembarked Skinnery
from boat loads of soldiers, 37
troops. (1)
In "Heig" and other vessels took
after, the tow rope fouled the tly
tow a disabled Total 367
propeller. troops. Continued to embark
D.
Taken in tow by a "patrol ship" and
Authority - R.O.II, R.O.III, p.393. Every available space on board was
towed to Remogate.
T.M., 6213/40.
p.263. filled with troops.
W.W.
M.016146/40.
Retimated Total 50
Authority - T.0.9144/40.
R.O.III, ₽.333.
(1) Not mentioned in Ramsgate or Dover Reports.

Details

TUGS
THE FOLLOWING TUGS TOOK PART
IN OPERATION DYNAMO:
William Watkins Ltd.
Cervia
Kenia
Doria
Persia
Fabia
Racia
Fairplay I(1)
Tanga
Foremost 87(1)
Vincia
Java
W.H.J. Alexander & Co. Ltd.
Sun
Sun VIII
Sun III
Sun X
Sun IV
Sun XI
Sun V
Sun XII
Sun VII
Sun XV
The Gamecock Steam Towing Co.
Crested Cock
Ocean Cock.
Gaselee and Son Ltd.
Fossa
Saml. Williams and Sons Ltd.
Duke
[Marquis] (2)
Prince
Princess
Elliot Steam Tug Co. Ltd.
Challenge
Contest
United Towing Co. Ltd.
Empire Henchman
Southern Railway Co. Ltd.
Foremost 22
(1) Managed by W. Watkins Ltd.
(2) Left Ostend at 2200 on 26th May. There is no record of
her having taken part in Dynamo.
244

Details

241
263
From:- Sub/Lt. K. Adderley, R.N.V.R.
Date:-
5th June, 1940.
To:-
Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
27th May-
Assisted in collection and commissioning of
29th May
pulling boats and motor boats for beach work;
later assisted Act. C.B.O. (Lt. de Mauny, R.N.).
30th May.
0700
Detailed to act as Lieut. to Lieut. McMullan, R.N.R.
in Dutch schoot "Twente". (Lieut. McMullan has
reported separately on commissioning and voyage
to Dunkirk and back).
1st June.
1100
Arrived back Ramsgate; stood by awaiting orders.
3rd June.
1100
Found 45 ft. river motor launch "Madame Sans
Gene" arrived in harbour with crew from River
Emergency Patrol - already detailed to proceed
Dunkirk p.m. same day. Requested permission
assist equipping and victualling and command
in operation. Permission granted by Cdr.
Duffett, R.N.
1700
Left Ramsgate for Dunkirk being towed in company
lifeboat and 3 other boats on tug "Tanga".
with warning, "Madame (a) a rope Sans fouling being Gene" streamed our was port disabled propeller, from tug en without route and, through on -
being hauled in by tug, either bending or
stripping blades or bending shaft.
starboard engine becoming waterlogged
(b) apparently by suction through exhaust owing to
speed of tow could (8 kts). be used for a short while entirely. but
Port engine its transmission gave could out still
subsequently arrival Dunkirk suggested boat towed by
be of Officer in charge of tug evidently
On use in transport of troops if approved
lifeboat. order to lifeboat, which Remained did
and gave and was not seen again. Gene"
not understand of tug after evacuating "Madame charge of Sans tug.
in to tow tug on orders of officer in

Details

Report from Sub. Lt. K. Adderley, R.N.V.R. (contd).
242
"Madame Sans Gene" eventually abandoned in
Dunkirk Channel near No. 14 buoy when winch to
which towing hausers were secured pulled out
of decking, and owing to length of tow being
augmented by her anchor cable and amounting to
about 194 cables length, she became a danger to
other craft. Tow could not be shortened in
time and she was cut loose at 0245/4/6.
4th June.
0800
Arrived Ramsgate in tug "Tanga".
Submit that in view of experience with "Madame
Sans Gene" (which could carry fuel for 20 hours
and had speed of 12 knots) such craft can more
safely cross North Sea under own power than in
tow.

Details

3.
370
22.
Skipper beaches A. Gardner, at 2200 R.N.R. - Went in Tug "Tanga" arrived
bombed machine-gunned throughout the night, while
at the and on Friday, May 31st. They were
lying off an life inprovised boat jetty. He helped to ferry troops
life boat.
down and he returned on Saturday in "Leda", leaving the
in a power which "Tanga" had towed. This broke
23.
Sub Lieut. E.T. Garside, R.N.V.R. - Went to Le Panne in
"Elizabeth Green" and ferried for larger craft. He
sighted "Viewfinder" on the beach. He got back to
Ramsgate on Thursday May 30th, transferred to the R.F.A.
launch "Andora II" and returned to beaches where he ferried
for a bit and then brought back 23 French. Arrived
Ramsgate on Friday. On Monday night he was towed over in
the "Elizabeth Green" by a tug, which he could not after-
wards find and so he brought his load home.
24. Sub Lieut. R. Shrimpton, R.N.V.R. - In an Admiralty, open
36 ft. launch he was towed over by a drifter and pent
Saturday night at the beaches. On a later night he went
into Dunkirk.
25. Sub Lieut. S.C. Allen, R.N.V.R. - Went over to Le Panne
in the "Frightened Lady" which was beached after fouling
the screw. He reported to an Admiral with side whiskers
who was escorting Gort. He was told to help some soldiers
getting abandoned pinnaces away. He also assisted to
build a jetty with trailers etc. Left the beaches in the
"Horst".
26. Sub Lieut. A.V. Weaver, R.N.V.R. - Went over in "Quijijana"
and brought back a party of 18 troops mostly Coldstream
Guards. He went over again in "Sun X".
27.
Sub Lieut. W.G.H. Bonham, R.N. went over in "BOBELI"
in the first batch and ferried until about midnight on
Wednesday night. His boat was broken up by a destroyer
which went full ahead while he was alongside. He went
on ferrying for a bit but had to abandon the "Bobeli" and
returned to Margate in the "Albury". He then went over
in the "Horst" which had to be abandoned owing to engine
trouble and a near miss.
28.
Sub Lieut. J.W. Culham, R.N. - in "Smolt" which broke
down on way over and was towed back by "Midas" ?. Went
over in "Glitter II" to the beaches about 6m East of
Dunkirk arrived at 1600 on Wed. 29th. Stayed ferrying
until 0200 on Thursday when she lost her rudder on some
wreckage and was towed back to Dover by a drifter. The
"Black Arrow" was seen aground at Dunkirk.
29. Sub Lieut. R.A.W. Pool, R.N. - Took lighter X.817 to
Dunkirk and then back to Ramsgate. He went over again
on last night to Dunkirk in the M.T.B. "Marlborough".
Mares
30.
Sub Lieut. E.G.B. Enxnish, R.N.V.R. - in "Skylark" but
she sank on the way over. He also saw "Mary Rose" sink
in mid ocean and the "Ellen Mary" run down by a life
boat and abandoned.
31,
Sub Lieut. E.A.E. Cornish, R.N.V.R. - was in the
"Lansdowne" which slipped her tow outside Dunkirk.

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
394
The Formidable
9 12/6/40.
Carm
H.M.S.J "Formidable",
030/48/40.
Comherston
C/o G.P.O.
Noh
Sir,
Le mesures
I have the honour to submit the following report of
certain minor duties carried out during the evacuation of the
June 3rd./4th. 1940.
British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk on June 1st./2nd. and
I arrived at Ramsgate about noon on the 1st. June with orders
to organise a convoy of motor and pulling boats, to be towed over
to Dunkirk that night by tugs, the convoy to sail about 1400. Not
all the pulling boats then at Ramsgate were suitable for work on
the beaches, being too large and heavy, nor were all the motor boats
in running order. At about 1530, the tug "SUN" arrived from Tilbury
with some 20 more pulling boats in tow. I took this tug under my
orders, and sailed about 1730 with one motor boat and five of the
most suitable pulling boats in tow.
2.
I took with me Lieutenants JJVJ WILKINSON and R.E.J LLOYD (R.N.)
who had had previous experience on the beaches. The Tug "TANGA"
under Lieutenant Commander SHERWOOD, R.N.JRJ sailed about the same
le difficulty in obtaining
393A
CIA was quite evidently
is left behing, The tug
LER, R.N. sailed earlier
1.
18 boats were swamped -
3 in a hurry to get over to
red at Dunkirk at about
Forwarded in continuation of my 3172/212 of 11.6.40
Naval Officer in Charge.
ge; the tug "TANGA" with her
anchored at a point about
akirk, and sent in the
little further to the East.
CAPTAIN R.N.,
take off troops from the
nole joined; on the first
to the tug. While these
on an officer ina fast
proceed alongside the mole
fore they went in again,
r ships and that I would
eet them again. I then
about 50 French soldiers,
ii.
en and 4 English naval
then returned to the origin-
way. The boats returned
monstrance from the French
r about an hour. During
Flag Officer Commanding Dover.
I (having done one or two
ad East by lighter guns. The
from the West by what
nearer G down the mole, At and a
be the mole, and towards
No. 3207/212.
to
appendix 3.
e
Ramsgate.
15.6.40.

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
394
The Formideble
D 12/6/40.
Graft
H.M.S.J "Formidable",
030/48/40.
Comherston
C/o GIP.O.)
Noh Dunknik
Sir,
Le mesures
I have the honour to submit the following report of
certain minor duties carried out during the evacuation of the
June 3rd./4th. 1940.
British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk on June 1st./2nd. and
I arrived at Ramsgate about noon on the 1st. June with orders
to organise a convoy of motor and pulling boats, to be towed over
to Dunkirk that night by tugs, the convoy to sail about 1400. Not
all the pulling boats then at Ramsgate were suitable for work on
the beaches, being too large and heavy, nor were all the motor boats
in running order. At about 1530, the tug "SUN" arrived from Tilbury
with some 20 more pulling boats in tow. I took this tug under my
orders, and sailed about 1730 with one motor boat and five of the
most suitable pulling boats in tow.
2.
I took with me Lieutenants J.V. WILKINSON and R.E.J LLOYD (R.N.)
who had had previous experience on the beaches. The Tug "TANGA"
under Lieutenant Commander SHERWOOD, R.N.JRJ sailed about the same
time with two pulling boats. I had had some difficulty in obtaining
another tug, and the master of the tug "RACIA" was quite evidently
most unwilling to sail, and this vessel was left behing. The tug
"SUN IV" under the command of Commander TYLER, R.N.: sailed earlier
independently with either one or two boats.
3. On the way to Dunkirk, three of the pulling boats were swamped
probably through towing too fast, as I was in a hurry to get over to
Dunkirk - and had to be abandoned. I arrived at Dunkirk at about
2330, after an otherwise uneventful passage; the tug "TANGA" with her
boats arrived a little earlier. Both tugs anchored at a point about
1/2 % mile East of the Eastern Mole at Dunkirk, and sent in the
boats; the tug "SUN IV" was, I believe, a little further to the East.
4.
The boats from my tug "SUN" proceeded to take off troops from the
East mole at a point where the beach and mole joined; on the first
trip they brought about 45 British troops to the tug. While these
were being embarked, I received orders from an officer ina fast
motor boat (possibly Commander MAVND) to proceed alongside the mole
and embark troops, so I told my boats, before they went in again,
to carry on taking troops off to the other ships and that I would
return to the position I was then in to meet them again. I then
proceeded alongside the mole and embarked about 50 French soldiers,
subsequently embarking another 28 Frenchmen and 4 English naval
ratings from a broken down motor boat. I then returned to the origin-
al anchorage, and waited for the boats for about an hour. During
this time there was a slight amount of remonstrance from the French
troops on board who were anxious to get away. The boats returned
about 0300 with another 50 British troops (having done one or two
trips in the meantime to other ships.)
5.
During the night Dunkirk was being shelled from the West by what
seemed to be a heavy battery, and from the East by lighter guns. The
lighter shells appeared to be directed at the mole, and towards
0300 the shelling was coming nearer and nearer down the mole, and a
fire was started either on the mole or just to the Westward. At
about 0300 there was an outburst of rifle fire apparently just on
the mole where the boats had been embarking troops, and Lieutenant

Details

2. 419
boats alongside neighbourhood mole of on the last trip. One or two shells the
WILKINSON informed the me that shells had burst very close to 395
mis-directed. in the the tugs, but I think these were probably burst
I had decided and round to leave at 0300 2nd. June in order to be clear of the
time before 0300, I heard a good deal of shouting from the direct-
been shelling channel from the shore on the day before. A short
channel the No.7 W buoy before daylight, since the enemy had
ion of the harbour entrance; the tug TANGA left about 0245 and I
understand from later conversation with other officers that all
ships were ordered to clear off then. I left at about 0315 having
secured the boats, and having then some 175 English and French troops
on board, besides 28 naval officers and ratings and the tug's crew.
The Tug was very full.
(a) The return passage was uneventful; I posted an English soldier
with a Bren gun, as anti-aircraft armament, the tug having no
protection otherwise. One pulling boat was swamped on the return
passage.
(b) I understand that some orders were issued for this operation,
but these did not reach me before sailing. Fortunately the tugs un-
der my orders went to the right place in the event.
On arrival at Ramsgate about 0815 (2nd. June), the troops were dis-
embarked, and I went ashore for further orders. Finding that no
decision had yet been made, I made contact with various officers
who had been working on the beaches on the night of 1st./2nd. June,
and prepared a short appreciation which I was about to telephone to
Captain DENNY at Dover, when orders were received thatbeach parties
were not required that Sunday night. This tallied with the informat-
ion that I had been able to glean, so I decided not to telephone
to Captain DENNY.
The following is a summary of the information gleaned from various
officers named as to events on the nights of 1st./2nd. June.
(a) Lieut. Commander Miller. DSOJ R.N.ARA
Had been working on the beaches about 1 mile East of Dunkirk,
just to the Westward of a wrecked French destroyer. Left at about
1900 on Saturday 1st. June. At this time, the 2nd. line of defence
was about 1 mile further to the East of this position and the 1st.
line of defence 1 mile still further to the East i.e. about 3 miles
East of Dunkirk. Troops would not come off from this position at
this time.
(b) Lieut. Commander Sherwood. R.N.IRJ
In tug TANGA. Left at about 0245 (2nd. June), at this time
sniping was going on on the Eastern mole, and also on the beaches to
the Eastward of the barges by the wrecked French destroyer 1 mile
East of Dunkirk. TANGA'S motor boat was left stranded on the beach
at about 0215.
(c) Commander Le Mesurier. Lieutenants Wilkinson and Lloyd.
Soldiers at the sea end of the East mole, and some further up.
Proceedings reported above. At 0315 there were still a few
Lieutenant LLOYD said that there appeared to be a few people on
the beach up to 1 mile East of Dunkirk at 0230.
(a) Lieutenant Walker R.N.V.R.)
float This LADY MASSEY (?). He had been working from two barges by the
Officer was in charge of the London Fire Brigade fire
wrecked Frency destroyer 1 mile East of Dunkirk and had done good

Details

3. 396
work getting a line ashore from the barges to the beach by
the pulling the boats hauled off to the barges, the troops then which being
ferried by fire-float to the waiting ships.
Lieutenant WALKER left at 0335 (2nd. June), the fire-float
being then just aground (low water 0400 approx). He had to leave
the beach up to 1 mile East of Dunkirk. At 0345 there were no
about 150 men on the barges, but there were no troops visible on
troops visible on the mole, and a paddle minesweeper was just
leaving. An anonymous Brigadier who boarded WALKER's craft, said
that at about 0200 there would be 1000 - 1500 British (2) troops
still to come.
At this stage, it was the unamizous opinion of all the officers
named above that small slow motior boats and pulling boats would
be of no further use on the beaches. It might have been worth while
trying to reach the barges 1 mile East of Dunkirk with fast
shallow draught craft at about 2200 (2nd. June).
It is worthy of remark that these wrecked barges made excellent
piers for motor boats to use, pulling boats working between them
and the beach with a line to haul themselves off. Three barges were
afloat at any state of the tide and two others were aground about
an hour before low water. M.T.B.S could go alongside the barges 3
hours either side of H.W.I and shallow draught boats for longer.
Beach parties, eventually, were not required on the night of
Sunday 2nd. June, and everybody was able to get some much needed
rest and food.
Monday 3rd. June - Tuesday 4th. June.
A further operation for these nights was organised from
RAMSGATE, a copy of the orders being attached herewith. I organis-
ed the following tugs to tow:-
SUN IV - Commander Le MESURIER, Lieut. MARTIN R.N.J Lieut.
FLETCHER, R.N.R.
TANGA - Lieut. Commander SHERWOOD, R.N.R.
SUN XV Two R.N.R. Officers.
RACIA : Lieut. Commander MILLER, D.S.O. RINdRd, Lieut.
WALKER, R.N.V.R.
Each tug was to take 4 motor boats in tow, with orders to work
from the Nouveau Avant Port and from any point of the East mole
which they could reach, and to ferry troops down to the ships along-
side or to the transport LOCUST. The tugs had no specific orders,
and I instructed the Officers in the tugs that they should wait just
outside the entrance to Dunkirk, keeping clear of ships going in and
out (of which I understood there were to be a good many) and to be
ready to go alongside to pick up troops as opportunity offered or to
assist as required.
The convoy left a little after 1700 with 14 motor boats in all,
two having failed (one with engine trouble, one was aground in
RAMSGATE). The passage across was uneventful, save for a certain
amount of trouble with the tows, and the encountering of two mines
in the neighbourhood of W. buoy which were dealt with by mine-
sweepers. Commodore H.) TAYLOR, R.N.R. took passage with me, but about
halfway Dunkirk. across was picked up by a Motor Torpedo Boat and went on to

Details

398
5.
exception of the one I towed back (MERMAIDEN).
(a) As during regards these recommendations for officers and ratings who did
well: but I am operations, unable the following officers known to me well did
others who must of to say whether they did better than
time to collect necessity remain anomymous, since there many
ion, spirit, both of young officers and ratings was
the names. I can only say that, frompersonal observat- was no
ient. One had only to ask for volunteers for crews to receive magnific- more
applications than were necessary.
(b) Officers names.
Lieutenant J.V. WILKINSON R.N.J
Lieutenant R.E. LLOYD R.IN.
Lieut. Commander MILLER D.S.O. R.N.R.J
Lieut. Commander SHERWOOD R.N.R.J
Lieutenant WALKER R.IN.V.R.
Lieutenant J.E.L. MARTIN R.N. (late "Pelican")
Lieutenant FLETCHER R.N.R. (late at Invergordon)
(a) I also respectfully submit for Their Lordships consideration that
letters of appreciation might be written as follows:-
To The London Fire Brigade
.) for the services of their
fire-float LADY MASSEY (?)
The Alexander Towage Company ) for the services of their
H.J. Alexander Ltd St John: Wharf- Wapping- E.I. tugs SUN, SUN IV, & SUN IV.
The Watkins Tug & Towage Company) for the services of their
Natkurs Ltd 112 Funchusch st- London E.C.S.
tug
TANGA.
(b) As regards the tug RACIA of the Watkins Company, the master of this
vessel was obviously unwilling to go over to Dunkirk, although he
did actually go on the nights of 31st. May and 3rd. June. On the 3rd
of June he was under the orders of Lieut. Commander MILLER D.S.JO.
R.N.R.
(c) The spirit of the masters and crews of the other tugs (especially
the SUN tugs) was excellent. The owner of the Alexander Tug
Company was himself the captain of the tug SUN IV, and a young
Trinity House pilot volunteered to navigate this tug throughout.
Unfortunately I cannot remember his name.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your obedient servant,
Managina to inectes
Edward. K.
Commander R.N.)

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
MESSAGE 0746/3rd June
OUT.
To. V.A. Dover, 438.
Date 3.6.40
Repeated C. in C. Nore. 922.
20
C. in C. Portsmouth. 245,
F.O. 1/c London.
Commodore 1/c Sheerness. 618.
F.O.1/c Portland. 567.
N.O.i/c Ramegate.
N.O.1/c Newhaven.
War Office.
P/L BY T/P
From Admiralty.
IMPORTANT.
Reference Admiralty mesuage 2321/1,
instructions regarding disposal of tugs and lighters
should be amended as follows so far as craft named
are concerned:-
(1) Following London tugs which were requisitioned
specially for Operation should be returned to
CHALLENGE, CONTEST, PERSIA, RACIA, CERVIA, TANGA
Gravesend - -
HIBERNIA, CRESTED COCK, OCEAN COCK, WATERCOCK,
They should be utilised as fully as possible
SUN, SUN X, SUN XI, SUN XII, BETTY.
for towage of craft or boats to be returned to
the Thames or elsewhere en route.
(ii) Under-mentioned tugs which are under orders of
D. of S.T. should proceed as follows:-
(a) EMPIRE HENCHMAN to Portsmonth with barges
SNOWDON and SALADIN for N.S.O. These carges were
left at Ramsgate by tug TANGA on 29th May.
pair of barges from those mentioned in (v) Below
(b) FOREMOST 37 to Weymouth with any convenient
sufficiently seaworthy, for towage as in (1)
(c) FAIRPLAY I to Gravesend being used, if
above. (d) GONDIA to Fishguard with barges SARK and
SHETLAND. These barges ware left at Dover on
20th May by FOREMOST 87.
(iii) Tugs SUN VII and FOREMOST 23 should return to
station at Southend and Newhaven respectively
taking any convenient tow.
(iv) If any of the tuge named above are required to
assist in other more urgent towages arrangementa
should be made by you direct with D. of S.T.
Crews of EMPIRE HENCHMAN, GONDIA and FOREMOST 87
may be given at your discretion up to 24 hours
standeasy before proceeding Westward.
(v) The barges JAPAN, KENYA, EGYPT, APRICA, LONDON
and SCOTLAND which arrived Dover from Tilbury
on 2nd June should not repetition not be
returned/....

Details

27
MESSAGE
To O. in C Portsmouth
0120/14th Juno
OUT
Repeated C. in C Western Approaches
c. in C Nore
Date 14/6/40
Seatrans, Newhaven
Seatrans, Plymouth
Seatrans, Falmouth
Commodore in Charge Sheerness
Seatrans, Littlehampton
Divisional Transport Southsmpton
N.O. 1/c Ramagate.
P/L by T/P
From D of S.I.
The following craft when no longer required for
Operation Cycle should be directed as follows. Tugs PERSIA
and TANGA proceed to Plymouth as Boon as possible and report
to S.T.O. on arrival. Both tugs should be kept at Plymouth
b
ready to sail at short notice. Instructions to S.T.O. will
follow. Tugs CONTEST and QUEENS CROSS tow barges WESTOLIFF
WOKING BRENTLAND and LINCOLN from Newhaven to Felmouth
reporting to S.T.O. on arrival. Tug FOREMOST 87 tow barges
VARSITY and VIGIL from Littlehnmpton to Falmouth. Tug
KROOMAN tow barge SERLO from Southampton to Falmouth. Tug
HEADWAN tow S.B. DORRIEN ROSE from Newhaven to Orchard
Drydock, Blackwall, London and return to Sheerness to tow
barges JULIA and CHARLES I from Shoorness to Scapa. Tug
FAIRPLAY ONE proceed to Sheornese and tow barges BASKET and
CHEEKIE from Sheerness to Portsmouth for dolivery to N.S.O.
Tug WATERCOOK proceed to Falmouth. Tuge SUN XI and CRESTED
COOK proceed to Ramsgate for orders.
0120/14.
for D. of S.T.
D of P (3)
C.O.R.T.
M. (3)
D of S.T.
D.T.D. (2)
D.T.D. (Basement)
D.S.V.P.
Msl
68

Details

241
263
From:- Sub/Lt. K. Adderley, R.N.V.R.
Date:-
5th June, 1940.
To:-
Naval Officer in Charge, Ramsgate.
27th May. Assisted in collection and commissioning of
29th May.
pulling boats and motor boats for beach work;
later assisted Act. C.B.O. (Lt. de Mauny, R.N.).
30th May.
0700
Detailed to act as Lieut. to Lieut. McMullan, R.N.R.
in Dutch schoot "Twente". (Lieut. NcMullan has
reported separately on commissioning and voyage
to Dunkirk and back).
1st June.
1100
Arrived back Ramsgate; stood by awaiting orders.
3rd June.
1100
Found 45 ft. river motor launch "Madame Sans
Gene" arrived in harbour with crew from River
Emergency Patrol - already detailed to proceed
Dunkilek p.m. same day. Requested permission
assist equipping and victualling and command
in operation. Permission granted by Cdr.
Duffett, R.N.
1700
Left Ramsgate for Dunkirk being towed in company
with lifeboat and 3 other boats on tug "Tanga".
"Madame Sans Gene" was disabled en route through -
(a) a rope being streamed from tug without
warning, fouling our port propeller, and. on
being hauled in by tug, either bending or
stripping blades or bending shaft.
(b) starboard engine becoming waterlogged
apparently by suction through exhaust owing to
Port engine could be used for a short while but
speed of tow (8 kts).
On arrival Dunkirk suggested boat could still
subsequently its transmission gave out entirely.
be of use in transport of troops if towed by
lifeboat. Officer in charge of tug approved
not understand gave and was not seen again. Remained
and order to lifeboat, which evidently did
in tow of tug after evacuating "Madame Sans Gene"
to tug on orders of officer in charge of tug.

Details

242
eport from Sub. Lt. K. Adderley, R.N.V.R. (contd).
"Madame Sans Gene" eventually abandoned in
Dunkirk Channel near No. 14 buoy when winch to
which towing hausers were secured pulled out
of decking, and owing to length of tow being
augmented by her anchor cable and amounting to
about also cables length, she became a danger to
other craft. Tow could not be shortened in
time and she was cut loose at 0245/4/6.
4th June.
0800
Arrived Ramsgate in tug "Tanga".
Submit that in view of experience with "Madame
Sans Gene" (which could carry fuel for 20 hours
and had speed of 12 knots) such craft can more
safely cross North Sea under OWD power than in
tow.

Details

16157
CONFIDENTIAL.
H.M.S. "Formidable",
12/6/40.
C/o G.P.O.
030/48/40.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following report of
certain minor duties carried out during the evacuation of the
British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk on June 1st./2nd. and
June 3rd./4th. 1940.
I arrived at Ramsgate about noon on the 1st. June with orders
to organise a convoy of motor and pulling boats, to be towed over
to Dunkirk that night by tugs, the convoy to sail about 1400. Not
all the pulling boats then at Ramsgate were suitable for work on
the beaches, being too large and heavy, nor were all the motor boats
in running order. At about 1530, the tug "SUII" arrived from Tilbury
with some 20 more pulling boats in tow. I took this tug under my
orders, and sailed about 1750 with one motor boat and five of the
most suitable pulling boats in tow.
I took with ne Lieutenants J.V. WILKINSON and R.E. LLOYD (R.N.)
who had had previous experience on the beaches. The Tug "TANGA"
under Lieutenant Commander SHERWOOD, R.N.R. sailed about the same
time with two pulling boats. I had had some difficulty in obtaining
another tug, and the master of the tug "RACIA" was quite evidently
most unwilling to sail, and this vessel was left behing. The tug
"SUN IV" under the command of Commander TYLER, R.N. sailed earlier
independently with either one or two boats.
On the way to Dunkirk, three of the pulling boats were swamped -
Dunkirk and had to be abandoned. I arrived at Dunkirk at about
probably through towing too fast, as I was in a burry to get over to
boats arrived a little earlier. Both tugs anchored at a point about
2330, after - an otherwise uneventful passage; the tug "TANGA" with her
boats; the tug "SUN IV" was, I believe, a little further to the East.
1 - of mile East of the Eastern Mole at Dunkirk, and sent in the
The boats from my tug "SUN" proceeded to take off troops from the
East mole at a point where the beach and mole joined; on the first
motor being beat (possibly Commander MAVID) to proceed alongaide the mole
were embarked, I received orders from an officer ina fast
trip they brought about 45 British troops to the tug. While these
to embark on taking troops off to the other ships and that I would
and troops, so I told my boats, before they went in again,
return carry the position I was then in to meet them again. I then
proceeded to alongside the mole and embarked about 50 French soldiers,
this anchorage, was a slight amount of The French
ratings al from a and waited for the boats remonstrance for about an hour. from the During
subsequently broken down motor boat. I origin-
embarking another 28 Frenchmen then and returned 4 English to naval the
troops about on with another 50 British troops or two
time board there who were anxious to get away. (having done boats one returned
trips in 0300 the meantime to other ships.)
During the night heavy battery, and from at the the mole, and towards guns. The
Dunkirk was being shelled East from by the lighter West by what
0300 lighter shells was coming nearer and just nearer to the Westward, mole, At and a
seemed to be a appeared to be directed down the
about fire was started was an outburst of troops, apparently and just on
the shelling either on the mole or rifle fire
the mole 0300 where there the boats had been embarking Lieutenant

Details

162A
2.158
WILKINSON informed me that shells had burst very close to the
boats alongside the mole on the last trip. One or two shells burst
in the neighbourhood of the tugs, but I think these were probably
mis-directed.
I had decided to leave at 0300 2nd, June in order to be clear of the
channel and round No.7 I bucy before daylight, since the enemy had
been shelling the channel from the shore on the day before. A short
time before 0300, I heard a good deal of shouting from the direct-
ion of the harbour entrance; the tug TANGA left about 0245 and I
understand from later conversation with other officers that all
ships were ordered to clear off then. I left at about 0315 having
secured the boats, and having then some 175 English and French troops
on board, besides 28 naval officers and ratings and the tug's crew.
The Tug was very full.
(a) The return passage was uneventful; I posted an English soldier
with a Bren gun, as anti-aircraft armanent, the tug having no
protection otherwise. One pulling boat was swamped on the return
passage. (b) I understand that some orders were issued for this operation,
but these did not reach me before sailing. Fortunately the tugs un-
der my orders went to the right place in the event.
On arrival at Ramsgate about 0815 (2nd. June), the troops were dis-
decision had yet been made, I made contact with various officers
embarked, and I went ashore for further orders. Finding that no
who had been working on the beaches on the night of 1st./2nd. June,
and prepared a short appreciation which I was about to telephone to
were not required that Sunday night. This tallied with the informat-
Captain DENNY at Dover, when orders were received thatbeach parties
ion that I had been able to glean, SO I decided not to telephone
to Captain DENNY.
officers named as to events on the nights of 1st./2nd. June.
The following is a summary of the information gleaned from various
(a) Lieut. Commander Miller. D.S.O. R.N.R.
Just to the Westward of a wrecked French destroyer. Left at
Had been working on the beaches about 1 mile East of Dunkirk, about
line about I 1 mile still further to the East 1.0. about 3 miles at
was on mile further to the East of this position and 1st.
1900 Saturday 1st. June. At this time, the 2nd. line of the defence
East of of defence Dunkirk. Troops would not come off from this position
this time.
(b) Lieut. Commander Sherwood, R.N.R.
sniping was going the barges by the wrecked stranded on the beach
In tug on on the Eastern mole, and French destroyer beaches 1 mile to
TANGA. Left at about 0245 (and. June), also at on this the time
the East Eastward of Dunkirk. of TANGA'S motor boat was left
at about 0215.
(c) Commander Le Mesurier, Lieutenants Wilkinson and Lloyd.
OT above. the Eist At 0315 mole, there and were some still further a few up.
Meatenant LLOYD said that there appeared 0230. to be a few people on
the beach up to 1 mile East of Dunkirk at
(d) Lieutenant Walker R.N.V.R.
float This Officer (?). He had been working from barges by the
was in charge of the London Fire two Brigade fire -
wrecked LADY French MASSEY destroyer 1 mile East of Dunkirk and had done good

Details

/6159
3.
work getting a line ashore from the barges to the beach by which
the pulling boats hauled off to the barges, the troops then being
ferried by the fire-float to the waiting ships.
Lieutenant WALKER left at 0535 (2nd. June), the fire-float
being then just aground (low water 0400 approx). He had to leave
about 150 men on the barges, but there were no troops visible on
the beach up to 1 mile East of Dunkirk. At 0545 there were no
troops visible on the mole, and a paddle minesweeper was just
leaving. An anonymous Brigadier who boarded WALKER's craft, said
that at about 0200 there would be 1000 - 1500 British (?) troops
still to come.
At this stage, it was the un hinous opinion of all the officers
named above that small slow notier boats and pulling boats would
be of no further use on the beaches. It night have been worth while
trying to reach the barges 1 mile East of Dunkirk with fast
shallow draught craft at about 2200 (2nd. June).
It is worthy of remark that these wrecked barges made excellent
piers for motor boats to use, pulling boats briding between them
and the beach with a line to haul themselves off. Three barges were
afloat at any state of the tide and two others were aground about
an hour before low water. M.T.B.S could 89 alongside the barges 3
hours either side of H.W. and shallow draught boats for longer.
Beach parties, eventually, were not re uired on the night of
Sunday 2nd. June, and everybody was able to get some much needed
rest and food.
Monday 3rd. June - Tuesday 4th. June.
RAMSGATE, a copy of the orders being attached herewith. I organis-
A further operation for these nights was organised from
ed the following tugs to tow:-
SUN IV - Commander Le MESURIER, Lieut. MARTIN R.N. Lieut.
FLETCHER, R.N.R.
TANGA - Lieut. Commander SHERWOOD, R.N.R.
SUN XV - Two R.N.R. Officers.
RACIA - Lieut. Commander MILLER, D.S.O. R.N.R., Lieut.
WALKER, R.N.V.R.
from the Nouveau reach, and to ferry troops Dad no specific orders, along-
Each tug Avant port and (rom any point down to the ships
WAS to take 4 motor boats in tow, with of the orders East to mole work
which they could transport LOCUST. The tugs that they should wait
outside the entrance understood there were to opportunity offered or
and I instructed to Dunkirk, keeping be a good many) and to be
side or to the the Officers in the tugs clear of ships going in just and
out ready (of to which go alongside I to pick up troops as to
assist as required.
left a little after 1700 trouble, with one 14 motor was aground boats in in all,
two The having convoy failed (one across with engine was uneventful, the encountering save for of a two certain
RAMSGATE). The passage the tows, and dealt mines
in the neighbourhood H. TAYLOR, R.N.R. Torpedo passage Boat and me, went but about to
mount of trouble with of 11. buoy which took were with with by mine-
balfway sweepers. aoross Commodore was picked up by a Motor on
Dunkirk.

Details

1615
5.
exception of the one I towed back (MERMAIDEN).
a) As regards recommendations for officers and ratings who did well
during these operations, the following officers known to me did
well: but I am unable to say whether they did better than many
others who must of necessity renain anceynous, since there was no
time to collect names, I can only say that, frompersonal observat-
ion, the spirit, both of young officers and ratingsm was magnific-
ient. One had only to ask for volunteers for crews to receive more
applications than were necessary.
b) Officers names.
Lieutenant J.V. WILKINSON R.H.
Lieutenant R.E. LLOYD R.N.
Lieut. Commander MILLER D.S.O. R.N.JR.
Lieut. Commander SHERWOOD R.N.R.
Lieutenant WALKER R.N.V.R.
Lieuten nt J.E.L. MARTIN R.N. (late *Pelican*) 152
Lieutenant FLETCHER R.H.R. (late at Invergordon)
a) I Iso respectfully submit for Their Lordships consideration that
letters of appreciation might be written S follows:-
To - The London Fire Brigade
) for the services of their
fire-float LADY MASSEY (?)
The Alexander Tow ge Company
) for the services of their
.I. Alexander Ltd- I Iohns Whart- Wapping E.I. tugs SUN, SUN IV, & SUN XV.
v. Walkins 42 - 112 Feuchwock st London EC3 tug TANGA.
The Watkins Tug & Towage Company) for the services of their
(b) As the tug RACIA of the Watkins Company, the master although of this he
vessel was on the nights of 31st. May and 3rd. June. MILLER D.S.O. 3rd.
regards obviously unwilling to 80 over to Dunkirk, On the
of did June actually be was go under the orders of Lieut. Commander
R.H.R.
(c) the masters and crews of the the other Alexander tugs (especially Tug
the SUN tugs) himself the captain of the tug this tug young
The spirit of was excellent, The owner of SUN IV, and a
Trinity Company House was pilot volunteered his to navis name. do throughout.
Unfortunately I cannot remember
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your obedient servant,
Edward. K. Lehnesmit
Commander R.N.

Details

FRIDAY, 31ST MAY
CHAP. VIII
in the Bray and Malo sectors were being thinned out by movements westward
towards Dunkirk iteslf. This change of plan involved concentrating the special
tows and the minesweepers to which they were to transfer the troops, into the
stretch opposite the beach between Zuydcoote Sanatorium and one mile east
of La Panne¹, and also advancing the commencement of the operation by one
hour².
A risk was involved in this change of plan as the boat tows were not in com-
munication with the Vice-Admiral, and it would therefore be necessary for
minesweepers to see that the escorting M.A./S.B.'s shepherded the tows to the
new positions It had been explained to the Naval officers in each tow that
the minesweepers would be anchored so as to serve as guiding marks³.
" It was always impossible for me to do more than deal with the situation of
the moment", says Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker. "I did not know what ships
were coming or when-except for the pre-arranged plan of the sloops. Nor
was it possible for Dover to give me much information. Ships got back there,
unloaded, and were off again, the stream was constant but irregular and it was
not possible to see any way ahead. My policy was always to keep only sufficient
ships off the beaches and send all the others into Dunkirk, but the situation
changed continually."4
Small craft arrive in hundreds
It was in such circumstances that, at about 1900, Rear-Admiral Wake-
Walker had proceeded to Dunkirk in the Keith to see how the boat situation
was getting on. There he saw for the first time that strange procession of
craft of all kinds the story of which was to become famous-tugs, towing
dinghies, life-boats and all manner of pulling boats5-small motor yachts,
motor launches, drifters, Dutch skoots, Thames barges, fishing boats, pleasure
steamers⁶. This was indeed the first time that the small craft had come over
in hundreds⁷. Since noon Lt. Cdr. C. J. Wynne-Edwards, R.N. (of R.-A.
Dunkirk's staff), embarked in M.T.B.68, had been directing the tows to the
various beaches.
I See Appendix Q.18, observing that D.R. p.20, para. 61 says the beach between Bray
and 1 mile east of La Panne."
2 Appendix Q.19.
3 D.R. p.20, para. 61.
4 M.017978/41, p.17.
5 The following 14 tugs (their tows are shown in brackets) reached Dunkirk that evening:
The Racia (12 life-boats), Sun VIII (12 life-boats), Sun XV (6 life-boats), Vincia (3 life-
boats), Sun IV (9 boats), Tanga (6 boats), Ocean Cock (6 M/B's), Sun VII (seaplane tenders
243, 254, 276, 291 and A.M.C.3), Foremost 87 (two sailing barges), Fairplay I (sailing barge
Barbara Jean), Empire Henchman (sailing barge Aidie), Crested Cock (a lighter), Sun XI (a
lighter), and the Sun XII (sailing barges Tollesbury and Ethel Everard).
In the early hours of 1st June 4 other tugs arrived. The St. Fagan (auxiliary barges
Pudge and Lady Rosebery, and the sailing barge Doris), St. Abbs (auxiliary barge Thyra
and sailing barges H.A.C. and Duchess), Cervia (sailing barge Royalty), and the Persia
(sailing barge Glenway and Lark).
6 M.017978/41, p.19.
7 New arrivals off Dunkirk and the beaches on 31st May included the following The
yachts Amulree, Aronia, Glagla, Caleta, Christobel II and Llanthony, the nine yachts of the
Portsmouth Inner Patrol, viz the Ahola, Ankh, Bounty, Caryandra, Eilla II, Lahloo,
Noneta, Seriola and Thele and from the R.N. Air Station, Ford, the yacht Andora.
The drifters Ben and Lucy (towing 4 boats), Dorienta (towing boats), Monarda, Renas-
cent and the 13 drifters of the Yarmouth Base, viz Alcmaria, Feasible, Genius, Gula,
Jeannie MacIntosh, John and Norah, Lord Barham, Lord Hood, Overfalls, Reed, Rewga,
Swift Wing and Taransay. The drifters Fair Breeze and Ocean Breeze were again over,
the former towing a motor life-boat and 3 life-boats.
The steam hopper barges Foremost 102 (towing the Excellent's 35 ft. fast motor boat and
71

Details

CHAP. IX
THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
Admiral, When Rear-Admiral Dover, all the Wake-Walker ships which left full had about of not been 0930 sunk to make had contact with
many with the signs and collisions. Some were a theme
the evidence of bumps first few hours at rest in harbour the
1800," he wrote, the of harbour their strenuous was times
all had were for many enjoying days."¹ the that many of them and had
Air Patrols
Consequent on the bombing of at the dawn. day before, As the
had asked for fighter aircraft protection appeared on the and
low over the ships. More and often not they were fighters constantly came
dispersed many than scene,
were not taking chances the nearly always opened
them. In order to stop firing Rear-Admiral
Flag-" Cease fire", and blew the syren to draw spite of which,
however, the after machine gun of his own ship the Keith continued to
nothing.² regardless of the cease fire" gong; once firing started they could hear fire
Route X to Dunkirk was patrolled during the early hours of daylight by the
A.A. cruiser Calcutta, which sailed from Margate at 0315 with the corvettes
Mallow and Shearwater and carried out a patrol between W and V buoys. The
Calcutta was recalled to Sheerness at 0938 in readiness to perform the same
service next night, and at 1015 she shot down a Heinkel which had bombed
and damaged the Mosquito by a near miss 15 miles from Dover.
Fighter Command provided 8 patrols during the 1st June of an average
strength of 3 to 4 squadrons. The main periods when no fighter protection
was afforded were approximately 0730-0850, 1020-1120, 1120-1145, 1545-
1615 and 1715-1845. Coastal Command continued to fly patrols of 3 aircraft
over the North Goodwins-Gravelines-Ostend line throughout the day.
Enemy air attacks begin St. Fagan sunk 0355.
Sporadic enemy air attacks began at early light. Ships alongside the mole
reported being attacked at 0415 and 0500. This was before the first main
R.A.F. air patrol appeared on the scene, for the R.A.F. had been asked to pro-
vide maximum protection from 0500 onwards.
Before the first patrol appeared enemy aircraft claimed what was to prove
the first of a long series of victims that day. The tug St. Fagan had towed over
from Dover during the night three Thames barges. At about 0355, in the
Dunkirk Channel, abreast the town the ship was hit by a bomb and practically
disintegrated. Only two officers, including her Captain, Lieut.-Commander
G. H. Warren, M.B.E., R.N., and 6 ratings, were saved out of a total comple-
ment of 25. They were picked up by the tug Tanga which had come over from
Ramsgate with 6 boats in tow and had hung off outside Dunkirk most of
the night waiting for troops to be brought out to her, and was then on her way
home with 160 men on board and a motor-boat in tow.
Almost simultaneously with the withdrawal of our aircraft at 0730 a heavy
dive bombing attack developed by a compact formation of some 30 or 40 Ju. 75s,
causing the loss of the destroyers Keith and Basilisk, the minesweeper Skipjack,
and the tug St. Abbs.
2 I Report, M.017978/41 p.29.
3 M.017978/41, p.23.
R.A.F. narrative.
88

Details

THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK
CHAP. XI
The Admiralty had already continued (2312/2) for the undertaken evacuation that ships would be
night the evacuation 3rd to 4th on June, this and night. they To this the French agreed. complete on the
vided and air protection now urged the French of Admiralty trops pro-
Plan for the night
embarkation, the hours of 2230/3 and with such ships for
For this last and night the maximum it was decided effort to was cut to down be made, by one hour the time
mained available, between to be made by personnel 0230/4. From the as re-
Pier, liftings were to be sent to the entire vessels, destroyers, and East
minesweepers; be ships received, were and it was estimated that length of the pier as paddle
as they could Drifters and fast
thus be provided and for docks 14,000 of men. the inner harbour. small craft were to go would
up to the quays be French ships, for which right
latter pier the remaining would also lift ships (minesweepers the other than paddle, the
beach, the Quai Félix Faure, British Avant Port (West Pier) ; from
numbers could be estimated, were and the to New responsible for evacuation from Malo no
boats. Locust was to remain loads ferried out to her by small
vettes and skoots) outside and troops, receive to number of 5,000. The gunboat cor-
It was intended to employ on the work a force of 9 personnel vessels, 9
destroyers (all that were available), 4 paddle minesweepers, 7 fleet minesweepers,
9 drifters, the Locust, 2 corvettes, 4 French torpedo boats, and a number of
organised motor boats flotillas including lifeboats from Ramsgate and Dover,
together with a large number of French and Belgian fishing vessels. Eleven
small French ships and 3 small tugs left Cherbourg for Dover on the night
2nd-3rd June ; Le Havre was scheduled to send 8 trawlers, 2 minesweepers,
1 tug, and 20 small dinghies ; and Fécamp sent 14 trawlers.
During the afternoon of the 3rd the French authorities transmitted the figure
of French troops still remaining in Dunkirk. This was about 30,000, a pro-
portion of whom belonged to other than combatant units. The total capacity
of the lifting force, if used to the full, was 30,000, but this was about 5,000 more
than the facilities within the port would permit of being embarked in 4 hours,
even if the French troops moved with the greatest rapidity at all points of
embarkation. On previous occasions there had been some instances of difficulty
in persuading French troops to embark otherwise than as complete units.
Vice-Admiral Ramsay consequently impressed on the French liaison officers
the necessity of speed, and he added a number of French officers and ratings
to the augmented pier parties which were despatched to Dunkirk at 2200, in
I The following ships landed troops in England on 4th June (numbers landed in brackets)
British - destroyers Express (611), Malcolm (736), Sabre (592), Shikari (383), Vanquisher
Minesweepers Albury (400), Halcyon (501), Kellett (30), Leda (500), Medway Queen (266),
ferred to trawler off Dunkirk on account of collision damage) Gunboat Locust (196)
(414), Venomous (1200), Whitshed (444); Corvettes Guillemot (460), Kingfisher (200, trans-
Princess Elizabeth (329), Queen of Thanet (150), Speedwell (396) Trawler Saturn (418)
Drifters Forecast (123), "L.H.W.D." (90) Skoots Bornrif (96), Hondsrug (308), Pascholl
(255), Ruja (300) ; Yacht Gulzar (140) ; Personnel vessels Autocarrier (712), Canterbury
Princess (659), Côte d'Argent (1349), King George V (817), Lady of Mann (1244), Newhaven (729),
(1350), Tynwald (3000) ; Tugs Racia (123), Sun XV (37) War Dept. M.Ls.
Maud (1270), Royal Sovereign (took the place of Manxman which refused to sail)
Pigeon (23), Swallow (23) ; Sailing Barge Beatrice Maud (31), Tanga not reach England until 5th
and June) launches (260) ; R.N.L.I. lifeboats Edward Z. Dresden (50), Greater (did London (48) ; Motor boats
Nayland Bonny Heather (210), Diana Mary (28), Elizabeth Green (10), Meuse (50),
Coliath trawlers (355), 3 patrol vessels (836), 13 trawlers and M.F.Vs. (1416), 1104. Belgian Tug
3 M/S (55), Walker II (76). French 5 Torpedo boats 2 S/M chasers (127),
(183), 5 trawlers (554).
114

Details

THE FINAL NIGHT, 3RD-4TH JUNE
CHAP. XII
on motor boats, sailed the Thark with the motor boats,
the 3rd the tugs Sun from IV, Tanga, Ramsgate Sun to XV, Dunkirk. and Racia, Two towing of between them
were on account of water trouble petrol; the Diana Mary was
14 abandoned on the way across: in the while foul propeller and rudder,
mouth, to piled up 28 Dunkirk troops), on some with and submerged engine the barge masonry of the (though Admiral in Dunkirk she Superintendent, eventually harbour and returned Ports- was
abandoned. After waiting off Dunkirk since 2300 on the 3rd, the four tugs
ordered at about 0200 on the 4th to go alongside the (East) Pier and
embark were as many troops as possible, and by the time they were ordered to
out they had collected 203 between them. Of the 14 motor boats which
started clear from Ramsgate with the tugs only 5 or 6 found their way back ; all
the remainder were abandoned for one reason or another.
Embarkations at the West Pier (see Plan 4)
Owing to confusion of nomenclature it is impossible in every case to specify
definitely at which of the west piers or jetties the ships (other than destroyers
and personnel vessels which berthed at the east pier) embarked their troops.
In the western part of the port, reading from west to east, were (1) the West
Pier (termed western jetty in the Sailing Directions), (2) the West Quay or
Guiding Jetty, and (3) the Inner Western Pier (the inner or old western jetty
of the Sailing Directions). Of the other three skoots that came over with the
Lena, the Bornrif stated that she embarked 96 troops at the West Mole"
between 2230 on the 3rd and 0100 on the 4th, and the Hondsrug 308 at the
"West Pier' between 2245 and 0000; while the Pascholl, which had been
commanded by four different captains in 8 days, does not specify from which
part of the port she lifted the 255 troops with which she sailed at 0030. Another
skoot, the Rina, which had spent 24 hours at Dunkirk, sailed about this time
with 300 troops.
The corvette Guillemot, which had come over with the Kingfisher, went to
the Western mole" and secured ahead of the minesweeper Speedwell at 2355,
leaving again at 0154 with French troops embarked to capacity" (460).
This was her first and only trip, her previous service having been as base ship
at Margate. The Speedwell which had berthed nearly an hour earlier than the
Guillemot, took off 396 French troops, and the Halcyon, which had sailed from
Dover in her company, 501.
The minesweeper Kellett grounded forward against the western breakwater
on a falling tide when she attempted to go alongside at 0100. It was an
anxious moment, for almost simultaneously there same a report that 6 enemy
T.B.Ds. were proceeding south-westward from off Ostend ; but the motor
lifeboat Greater London towed the Kellett's stern away from the wall and enabled
her to back away. She embarked a few troops from motor boats and sailed
for Margate at 0220 by orders of Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker, for the West
Pier was occupied and it would be some time before she could be loaded, and
the Rear-Admiral feared that so slow a ship might not be able to reach England
while our fighter patrols were operating. Two of the personnel ships were sent
by Rear-Admiral Wake-Walker to the West Pier instead of to the East Pier,
since the former was continuously crowded with French troops, whereas at
the East Pier there were gaps in the flow of men. One of the two, the Royal
Sovereign, embarked 1,350 men and sailed overladen half an hour after
she should have been clear.
Among the many ships and craft of which few or no details are recorded
117

Details

Details

INDEX
Silver Moon, crosses to France without charts or compass, 53.
Silver Queen, 53, 60n.
Simpson, Ch. Skpr. D. W. L., R.N.R., lost, 34.
Simson, Capt. D. J. R., Capt. D. (19), killed, 9.
Siroco, 39, 43, 62n, 69 (sunk), 85.
Skipjack, 20, 28n, 31, 60, 86, 90 (sunk).
Skipwith, Cdr. L. P., handling of Royal Sovereign, 108.
Skoots: Commissioned, 7; return to Downs in error, 20; reach Dunkirk and beaches, 29;
continuous service, 30.
Skylark, sunk, 72.
Small craft: provision of 5, 15, 17, 21, 32, 51 manning difficulty, 17; sent to Dover,
in error, 21, 22; shortage of, 24-5, 32-3, 61, 76, 80-82, 127 losses of 32, 36; difficulties
due to weather, 36, 48, 69-70; overcrowding, 36; supply increases, 51, 61, 71
ordered to move towards Dunkirk, 86-7; return empty to England, 100.
broached to and stranded, 58, 69-70; cast adrift and lost, 60; all vanished, 86;
Snaefell, 100-1.
S.N.O. Afloat, see Bush, Capt, E. W. and Wake-Walker, Rear-Adm. W. F.
S.N.O. Dunkirk, see Tennant, Capt. W. G.
Solomon, S/Lt. M. B. H., R.N.V.R., 73n.
Spanish refugees, 100-1.
Speedwell, 86, 90, 107n, 109, 114n, 117.
Spurs, 32n, 69 (hunts S/M.), 110 (damaged).
Starlight Rays, 60n, 107n, 108.
Stella Dorado, 34n, 69, 85 (sunk).
Stella Reigel, 85.
Stephenson, Vice-Adm. G. O., 49 (act. Cdre.), 58 (takes charge off La Panne), 66-7, 79,
83; effect of his arrival, 126.
Strathelliot, 72, 101.
Stubbs, Lt., 81.
Submarine Chaser 6, 107n.
Submarines (German): believed minelaying, 38; sighted, 69.
Sunshine, 60n, 75n.
Sun IV, 71n, 104n, 117.
Sun V, 32, 36 (put out of action).
Sun VII, 71n.
Sun VIII, 71n.
Sun X, 107n, 111.
Sun XI, 71n, 107n, 111.
Sun XII, 71n.
Sun XV, 71a, 104, 114n, 117.
Sunny Isle, lost, 110.
Surcouf, 62n.
Sursum Corda, 29n.
Survivors, machine gunned, 44, 90, 92.
Sutton, 28n, 31, 42, 47, 86 (attacked), 101.
Swallow, 69-70, 72n, 114n.
Swift Wing, 7In.
Tanga, 71n, 88, 114n, 117.
Tanks, British worn out, 6.
Taransay, 71n.
Taylor, Rear-Adm. (act. Cdre.), A. H., (Dynamo Maintenance Officer), 21, 97.
Tennant, Capt. W. G., 16, 50 (appointed S.N.O. Dunkirk); 21-22 (assumes duty)
22 (sends dramatic signal) 24, 48 (asks for all ships to be sent to Dunkirk) ; 50 (res-
ponsible England). under R.A. Dover) ; 50n (false report sent in his absence) ; 108 (embarks for
Thark, lost, 117.
Thele, 71n.
Thérèse Compas, 73.
Thérèse Louis, 62n.
Thirlwall, A/Ldg. Sea. R., 93.
Thomas Bartlett, sunk, 34.
Thornton, Lt. Cdr. M., 47n.
Thuringia, sunk, 34, 38.
Thurston, Lt. N., mortally wounded, 86.
Thyra, 71n.
Tibbits, Lieut., 79.
206

Details

rata
MINISTRY OF SHIPPING.
CONFIDENTIAL
MESSAGE.
0748/3rd June
OUT
COSPIDENTIAL
286
To V.A.Dover, 488
& 4 OF THEM STATE 1
DATE 5.6.40
Repeated 0. in C. Nore. 982
Rejoy 0. in O. Portsmouth 245.
P.O. 1/c London.
0
Commodore 1/c Sheerness 618.
SENT
Cortland 567.
616
N.O. 1/c Ramagate.
COME
N.O. 1/c Newhaven
War Office.
P.O.
2/0
(282)
Y.O.
i/c
2/6 By T/2
From Admiralty.
RES
&
IMPORTANT. 1/0 Crimsby.
1/6 Yarmouth.
Reference Admiralty message 2321/1.
instructions regarding disposal of tuge and lighters
should be amended as follows 80 far as craft named
are concernedi-co
(1) Following London tugs which were requisitioned
specially for Operation should be returned to
Gravesend -
GHALLENGE, CONTEST, PERSIA, RACIA, CERVIA, TANGA,
HIBERNIA, CRESTED COOK, OCEAN COCK, WATERCOOK,
GUN, SUN X, SUN XI, SUN XII, BETTY.
They should be utilised as fully as possible for
towage of craft or boats to be returned to the
Thames or elsewhere en route.
off
(11) Under-mentioned tugs which are under orders of
be Date of B, 7. should proceed as follows:-
(a) EMPIRE HENGHMAN to Portsmouth with barges
(84324C) Wt 84295/31 200 Pads 11/39 H,J,R&L,Ld Gp 684
SNOUDON and SALADIN for N.S.O. These barges were
left at Ramsgate by tug TANOA on 29th May.
(b) FOREMOST 87 to Weymouth with any convenient
pair of barges from those mentioned in (v) below.
(c) PAIRPLAY I to Gravesend being used, if sufficiently
seaworthy, for towage as in (1) above.
(d) GONDIA to Fishguard with barges BARK and SHETLAND.
These barges were left at Dover on 20th Bay by
FOREMOST 87.
OD.
(8)
(111) Tugs SUN VII and FOREMOST 22 should return to station
at Southend and Newhaven respectively taking any
convenient tow.
(iv)
If any of the tugs named above are required to
assist in other more urgent towages arrangements
should be made by you direct with D. of S.T.
Crews of EMPIRE HENOHMAN, GONDIA and FOREMOST 87
may be given at your discretion up to 94 hours
standessy before proceeding Westward.
(v)
The barges JAPAN, KENYA, EGYPT, AFRICA, LONDON
and SCOTLAND which arrived Dover from Tilbury
on 2nd June should not repetition not be returned
to Themes but will be allocated, if still seaworthy
to West Coast. FOREMOST 87 should take one pair to
Teymouth. Instructions for disposal of this pair
and of remainder will follow later.
0748/3
For D. of S.T.
V.O.N.S.
N.(2)
Sir J.Foley
A.O.N.S.(H)
S.T.N.4.
D. of (3)
D. of S.T.
A.C.N.S.(T)
C.C.R.T.
S.T.N.6A.
Mr.Justice
0.0.(8)
D. of S.T.
S.T.N.63:
W.P.L.
Mr.D.H.Ndwards
Dps. (4)
Mr.F.V.Cross
Nr.Bellamy
Capt.Fisher
Extra

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

indicates Card for read and visal on newser driving
It.
NELSON (MB)
VINCIA. (Tug)
NEWHAVEN LIFEBOAT.
No 4
WALMER CASTLE
No 101
Hopper barges.
WESSEX (Lighter)
No 102
WEST. COVE
WEST GROVE
ORIENT LINE (M.B)
WOLFE (WD wap)
WOOTTON (J-g-w Fevry)
PERSIA (Tug)
W24 (Hopper Barge)
PIGEON (WD Crap.)
PRIMA (Tug)
X 95
PUDGE
X 134
(Lighters)
x 209
QUEEN'S CHANNEL (Hopper Baye)
QUEENSLAND
YC 63
YC 71
(highten)
RICAS
yc 72
ROBERT CLIFF
ROWAN (Smack)
ST.ABBS
ST. CLEARS
# ST. FAGAN
Dialy 'Lhila (T.M.1899/UND)
ST. OLAF
SAMBRA (M.B)
SAVIOUR
Claim all
SEINE
SHEFFIELD (M.Bmge)
SILICIA (Coaster)
SINGAPORE
SMALL VIKING
SPEEDWELL renamed FRANCOLIN
now JACKDAW.
SPRITE (Harborn Camch)
SULTAN
SUN IV
SUN X
(Tugs)
SUN XI
SWALLOW
S.O. ONE
TANGA (Tug)
TENIAS
THYFORSA
THYRA renamed WRANGLER
TUG XV
37270.
# Smith

Details

PELLAG II
ANTHE MARIA (Fishing boat)
PERSIA (Tug)
PIGEON (WD crap)
PRIMA (Tug)
INTA (Trawler)
PUDGE
67. (Hopper Bmse)
QUEEN'S CHANNEL (Hopper Baye)
HANNA (Eel Boat)
QUEENSLAND
RDAN
RICAS
IGSGATE
ROBERT CLIFF
ROWAN (Smack)
BRASSEY (Resene ing)
ST. ABBS
SHEILA
ST. CLEARS
SOUTHBOROUGH (Hopper Bange)
# ST. FAGAN
VDANIA
ST OLAF
ROC
SAMBRA (M.B)
us
SAVIOUR
UISIANA ? Orusisana
SEINE
SHEFFIELD (m Bange)
ERRANT Marad Errant
SILICIA ( Coastin )
LDEN
SILVER BREEZE Schney Breye
ANNIE IV
# SILVER QUEEN rosemb
BOROUGH (WD craft)
SINGAPORE Card for
ARQUIS (Tug)
SMALL VIKING
ASSEY SHAW Fire Hoat)
SPEEDWELL renamed FRANCOLIN now JACKDA
YSPEA
SPRITE (Hanhour Lannch)
NWOOD
SULTAN
BOAT 42
SUN IV
-
27 27B. B.
SUN X
(Tugs)
:
43 (RAF)
SUN XI
--
101
..
SWALLOW
..
102
--
SO.ONE
- 243
,
- 270
"
TANGA (Tug)
- 275
TENIAS
THYFORSA
NETTE (M.L) Cand fw Nanette II
THYRA Renamed WRAN
ELSON (MB)
TUG XV TUG XVI
WHAVEN LIFEBOAT
37270
4
101
Hopper Banges
VINCIA (Tug)
102
WALMER CASTLE
BREEZE
FERIA offerma
WESSEX (highter)
WEST.COVE
IVIA
WEST GROVE
RIENT LINE (M.B)
WHITE HEATHER (M.B)
WOLFE (WD crap)
WOOTTON ( log W Ferry)
W 24 (Hopper Bange)
over

Details

Hire and
Repairs and
Expenses
Replacements
Total
Vessel
Type
Claimant
Paper No.
£
S
d
£
8
d
£
S
"SKYLARK"
"SOUTHERN QUEEN"
---
The Southern Railway
3 9
"FERRY NYMPH"
Company
AG.3/3531/40.Pt.I
"DIANA" &
"SCORCHER"
Tugs
Clements, Knowling
19 1 9
& Co. Ltd.
"
"
"
3
1
-
"MAY C"
Tug
W.F. Corsan
"
"
"
"CULEX""APAR"
"ABONIA"
}
159 5 6
Tugs
Gaselee & Son Ltd.
"
"
"
"WASP" "KNAT"
& "SAURIA"
"JOHN HAWKINS"
Tug
John Hawkins
"
11
"
23 15 10
Humphery & Grey
12 10 -
(Lighterage) Ltd.
"
"
"
"AUGUSTA" "KATIA"
& "KHURDAH"
Tugs
"
"
"
80 16 2
J.P. Knight Ltd.
"RIO" "LECTRO"
& "DITTO"
"
Union Lighterage
Co. Ltd.
"
If
"
57 10 -
Various Barges
P.L. Authority
"
"
Pt.II
49 15 2
"SKYLARK"
Brighton, Hove &
Worthing Gas Co.
11
11
"
2 3 8
"ARCADIA"
"PERSIA" &
m
Tugs
William Watkins Ltd.
"
"
Pt.I
1626 5 -
"TANGA"
"BEATRICE MAUD"
& "SPURGEON"
3
S.Bs.
J. P. Knight Ltd.
"
If
11
20
-
I
S.T. New Quay,
Sandbanks Yacht
Co.Ltd.
"
"
Pt.II
Poole
1 8 -
"PASS OF BALLATER"
Tanker
Bulk Oil Steamship
Co. Ltd.
"
"
"
3 10 -
Various and Tug
"SECURITY"
J.W.Cook & Co. Ltd.
"
"
Pt. I
65 4 8
H.Trust & Son
"
"
BELGIAN
Trawlers
Pt.II
2 10 -
Various
Tugs
Soton, I.of W. & S.
England Royal Mail
Stm. Pkt. Co. Ltd.,
"
"
11
16 16 -
Various
Gamecock Steam
Towing Co. Ltd.
"
"
"
13 2 5
W.G.James & Sons Ltd.
"
"
"
"ESKBURN"
S.S.
13 3 2
If
"TEANO"
Ellerman's Wilson
"
"
"
Line Ltd.
19 14 9
"
"
11
Southern Railway Co.
Various
94 10 -

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

COPY.
63
THE DUNKIRK EVACUATION.
s.t. "TANGA".
158
May 30th.
At 9-15 p.m. left Tilbury Landing Stage towing 12 ships
lifeboats anchored off Southend 11-0 p.m.
May 31st.
At 1-40 a.m. received orders to get underway at 4-0 a.m.
and tow boats to Ramsgate. Anchored off Ramsgat about 10 a.m.
At 2-0 p.m. four Lewis guns and two gunners came on board, also
Liut. Com. and Lieut. R.N.R. We then took six boats in tow and
proceeded towards Dunkirk.
About 7-30 p.m., when nearing Dunkirk, German 'planes
started bombing and machine-gunning. When the bombs exploded it
seemed to lift us up out of the sea. We arrived off Dunkirk Harbour
about 8-40 p.m. but had to go 6 miles further on tb the beaches.
We sipped our boats and hung off. Our boats had to fill up and
take the troops to the larger vessels.
1st June.
About 3-50 a.m. some of our boats returned to us with about
16° troops. We took them on board, abandoned all but one motor boat
and had to run for it. When abreast of Dunkirk Harbour we fell in
with a small boat with 6 men in it. We stopped and picked the up
and they were the sole survivors of 25 from the H.M. Tug "ST. FAGAN",
which had been bombed with her tow of three Thames barges, two of the
barges were also blown up. A mile further on we picked up Barge
"PUDGE" with four men on board, two badly wounded. So we towed her
back to Ramsgate where we anchored off at 9-0 a.m. Motor boats came
off and landed our troops. At 4-0 p.m. we hove up, towing four boats
and proceeded again to Dunkirk, arrived off about 10-30 p.m., slipped
our boats as before and we paddled about outside.
2nd June.
At 3-30 a.m. we were ordered to clear out and run for it.
Not one of our boats had returned to us. Othe r boats had brought
us about 90 British and 8° French troops to us, so we proceeded back
to Ramsgate, towing one disabled motor boat, arriving back at 8-0 a.m.
3rd June.
At 4-30 p.m. we left Ramsgate once again towing 4 motor boats.
Arrived off unkirk at 11- p.m. Slipped our boats and awaited as before.
4th June.
About 2-° a.m., Tugs "SUN IV,XV", "RACIA" and "TANGA" were
ordered to go alongside Pierhead inside and get as many troops as possible
We all went in, no sooner had we got alongside the ladders when we were
ordered to clear out as fast as possible. We only managed to get
37 French toops, not any of our boats returned to us. We cleased
the Pier head about 2-35 a.m., when a German plane started bombing.
Our Lieut. Com. gave orders to fire our guns. We were firing 5
Lewis and 3 Bren guns. There were about 50 men on our deck aft and
they all say that our Lewis gunner aft with twin Lewis guns brought
the 'plane down. We saw the 'plane crash from our bridge and we were
alll happy about it. About 3 miles from the North Goodwin Lightship
we fell in with a French fishing Lugger with a crew of three on board,
as they did not appear to know where they were ge took them in tow and
anchored them off Ramsgate about 7-30 a.m.
(Signed) H.P. Gouge.
Master of Tug "TANGA".

Details

3.
370
22.
Skipper A. Gardner, R.N.R. - Went in Tug "Tanga" arrived
at the beaches at 2200 on Friday, May 31st. They were
bombed and machine-gunned throughout the night, while
lying off an inprovised jetty. He helped to ferry troops
in a power life boat which "Tanga" had towed. This broke
down and he returned on Saturday in "Leda", leaving the
life boat.
23. Sub Lieut. E.T. Garside, R.N.V.R. - Went to Le Panne in
"Elizabeth Green" and ferried for larger craft. He
sighted "Viewfinder" on the beach. He got back to
Ramsgate on Thursday May 30th, transferred to the R.F.A.
launch "Andora II" and returned to beaches where he ferried
for a bit and then brought back 23 French. Arrived
Ramsgate on Friday. On Monday night he was towed over in
the "Elizabeth Green" by a tug, which he could not after-
wards find and so he brought his load home.
24. Sub Lieut. R. Shrimpton, R.N.V.R.- In an Admiralty, open
36 ft. launch he was towed over by a drifter and pent
Saturday night at the beaches. On a later night he went
into Dunkirk.
25. Sub Lieut. S.C. Allen, R.N.V.R. Went over to Le Panne
in the "Frightened Lady" which was beached after fouling
the screw. He reported to an Admiral with side whiskers
who was escorting Gort. He was told to help some soldiers
getting abandoned pinnaces away. He also assisted to
build a jetty with trailers etc. Left the beaches in the
"Horst".
26. Sub Lieut. A.V. Weaver, R.N.V.R. Went over in "Quijijana"
and brought back a party of 18 troops mostly Coldstream
Guards. He went over again in "Sun X".
27. Sub Lieut. W.G.H. Bonham, R.N. - went over in "BOBELI"
in the first batch and ferried until about midni on
Wednesday night. His boat was broken up by a destroyer
which went full ahead while he was alongside. He went
on ferrying for a bit but had to abandon the "Bobeli" and
returned to Margate in the "Albury". He then went over
in the "Horst" which had to be abandoned owing to engine
trouble and a near miss.
28. Sub Lieut. J.W. Culham, R.N. - in "Smolt" which broke
down on way over and was towed back by "Midas" ?. Went
over in "Glitter II" to the beaches about 6m East of
Dunkirk arrived at 1600 on Wed. 29th. Stayed ferrying
until 0200 on Thursday when she lost her rudder on some
wreckage and was towed back to Dover by a drifter. The
"Black Arrow" was seen aground at Dunkirk.
29. Sub Lieut. R.A.W. Pool, R.N. - Took lighter X.817 to
Dunkirk and then back to Ramsgate. He went over again
on last night to Dunkirk in the M.T.B. "Marlborough".
Mares
30.
Sub Lieut. E.G.B. R.N.V.R. - in "Skylark" but
she sank on the way over. He also saw "Mary Rose" sink
in mid ocean and the "Ellen Mary" run down by a life
boat and abandoned.
31,
Sub Lieut. E.A.E. Cornish, R.N.V.R. - was in the
"Lansdowne" which slipped her tow outside Dunkirk.

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
394
The Formideble
9 12/6/40.
Geft Carm
H.M.S.J "Formidable",
030/48/40.
Comherston
C/o G.P.O.
Noh
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following report of
certain minor duties carried out during the evacuation of the
June 3rd./4th. 1940.
British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk on June 1st./2nd. and
I arrived at Ramsgate about noon on the 1st. June with orders
to organise a convoy of motor and pulling boats, to be towed over
to Dunkirk that night by tugs, the convoy to sail about 1400. Not
all the pulling boats then at Ramsgate were suitable for work on
the beaches, being too large and heavy, nor were all the motor boats
in running order. At about 1530, the tug "SUN" arrived from Tilbury
with some 20 more pulling boats in tow. I took this tug under my
orders, and sailed about 1730 with one motor boat and five of the
most suitable pulling boats in tow.
2.
I took with me Lieutenants JIVI WILKINSON and R.E.J LLOYD (R.N.)
who had had previous experience on the beaches. The Tug "TANGA"
under Lieutenant Commander SHERWOOD, R.N.JRJ sailed about the same
e difficulty in obtaining
393A
CIA was quite evidently
A
IS left behing, The tug
LER, R.N.J sailed earlier
1.
18 boats were swamped -
3 in a hurry to get over to
red at Dunkirk at about
Forwarded in continuation of my 3172/212 of 11.6.40
Naval Officer in Charge.
ge; the tug "TANGA" with her
anchored at a point about
akirk, and sent in the
little further to the East.
CAPTAIN R.N.,.
take off troops from the
nole joined; on the first
to the tug. While these
om an officer ina fast
proceed alongside the mole
r ships and that I would
fore they went in again,
eet them again. I then
about 50 French soldiers,
ii.
en and 4 English naval
then returned to the origin-
monstrance r from the French
about an hour. During
No. 3207/212.
Flag Officer Commanding Dover.
way. The boats returned
$ (having done one or two
ad East by lighter guns. The
from the West by what
nearer G down the mole, At and a
be the mole, and towards
to
appendix 3.
e
Ramsgate.
15.6.40.

Details

CONFIDENTIAL.
394
The Formideble
D 12/6/40.
Graft
H.M.S. "Formidable",
030/48/40.
comherston
C/o GJP.O.)
Noh Dunknik
Sir,
Le mesures
I have the honour to submit the following report of
certain minor duties carried out during the evacuation of the
June 3rd./4th. 1940.
British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk on June 1st./2nd. and
to organise a convoy of motor and pulling boats, to be towed over
I arrived at Ramsgate about noon on the 1st. June with orders
to Dunkirk that night by tugs, the convoy to sail about 1400. Not
all the pulling boats then at Ramsgate were suitable for work on
the beaches, being too large and heavy, nor were all the motor boats
in running order. At about 1530, the tug "SUN" arrived from Tilbury
with some 20 more pulling boats in tow. I took this tug under my
orders, and sailed about 1730 with one motor boat and five of the
most suitable pulling boats in tow.
2.
I took with me Lieutenants J.VI WILKINSON and R.E.J LLOYD (R.N.)
who had had previous experience on the beaches. The Tug "TANGA"
under Lieutenant Commander SHERWOOD, R.N.JRJ sailed about the same
time with two pulling boats. I had had some difficulty in obtaining
another tug, and the master of the tug "RACIA" was quite evidently
most unwilling to sail, and this vessel was left behing. The tug
"SUN IV" under the command of Commander TYLER, R.N. sailed earlier
independently with either one or two boats.
3. On the way to Dunkirk, three of the pulling boats were swamped -
probably through towing too fast, as I was in a hurry to get over to
Dunkirk - and had to be abandoned. I arrived at Dunkirk at about
2330, after an otherwise uneventful passage; the tug "TANGA" with her
boats arrived a little earlier. Both tugs anchored at a point about
} % mile East of the Eastern Mole at Dunkirk, and sent in the
boats; the tug "SUN IV" was, I believe, a little further to the East.
4.
The boats from my tug "SUN" proceeded to take off troops from the
East mole at a point where the beach and mole joined; on the first
trip they brought about 45 British troops to the tug. While these
were being embarked, I received orders from an officer ina fast
motor boat (possibly Commander MAVND) to proceed alongside the mole
and embark troops, so I told my boats, before they went in again,
to carry on taking troops off to the other ships and that I would
return to the position I was then in to meet them again. I then
proceeded alongside the mole and embarked about 50 French soldiers,
subsequently embarking another 28 Frenchmen and 4 English naval
ratings from a broken down motor boat. I then returned to the origin-
al anchorage, and waited for the boats for about an hour. During
this time there was a slight amount of remonstrance from the French
troops on board who were anxious to get away. The boats returned
about 0300 with another 50 British troops (having done one or two
trips in the meantime to other ships.)
5.
During the night Dunkirk was being shelled from the West by what
seemed to be a heavy battery, and from the East by lighter guns. The
lighter shells appeared to be directed at the mole, and towards
0300 the shelling was coming nearer and nearer down the mole, and a
fire was started either on the mole or just to the Westward. At
about 0300 there was an outburst of rifle fire apparently just on
the mole where the boats had been embarking troops, and Lieutenant

Details

2. 419
boats alongside neighbourhood mole on the last trip. One or two shells the burst
WILKINSON informed the me that shells had burst very close to 395
mis-directed. in the of the tugs, but I think these were probably
I had decided and round to leave at 0300 2nd. June in order to be clear of the
time before 0300, I heard a good deal of shouting from the direct-
been shelling the channel from the shore on the day before. A short
channel No.7 W buoy before daylight, since the enemy had
ion of the harbour entrance; the tug TANGA left about 0245 and I
understand from later conversation with other officers that all
ships were ordered to clear off then. I left at about 0315 having
secured the boats, and having then some 175 English and French troops
on board, besides 28 naval officers and ratings and the tug's crew.
The Tug was very full.
(a) The return passage was uneventful; I posted an English soldier
with a Bren gun, as anti-aircraft armament, the tug having no
protection otherwise. One pulling boat was swamped on the return
passage.
(b) I understand that some orders were issued for this operation,
but these did not reach me before sailing. Fortunately the tugs un-
der my orders went to the right place in the event.
On arrival at Ramsgate about 0815 (2nd. June), the troops were dis-
embarked, and I went ashore for further orders. Finding that no
decision had yet been made, I made contact with various officers
who had been working on the beaches on the night of 1st./2nd. June,
and prepared a short appreciation which I was about to telephone to
Captain DENNY at Dover, when orders were received thatbeach parties
were not required that Sunday night. This tallied with the informat-
ion that I had been able to glean, so I decided not to telephone
to Captain DENNY.
The following is a summary of the information gleaned from various
officers named as to events on the nights of 1st./2nd. June.
(a) Lieut. Commander Miller. DSOJ R.N./R.J
Had been working on the beaches about 1 mile East of Dunkirk,
just to the Westward of a wrecked French destroyer. Left at about
1900 on Saturday 1st. June. At this time, the 2nd. line of defence
was about 1 mile further to the East of this position and the 1st.
line of defence 1 mile still further to the East i.e. about 3 miles
East of Dunkirk. Troops would not come off from this position at
this time.
(b) Lieut. Commander Sherwood. R.N.IRJ
In tug TANGA. Left at about 0245 (2nd. June), at this time
sniping was going on on the Eastern mole, and also on the beaches to
the Eastward of the barges by the wrecked French destroyer 1 mile
East of Dunkirk. TANGA's motor boat was left stranded on the beach
at about 0215.
(c) Commander Le Mesurier. Lieutenants Wilkinson and Lloyd.
Proceedings reported above. At 0315 there were still a few
Soldiers at the sea end of the East mole, and some further up.
Lieutenant LLOYD said that there appeared to be a few people on
the beach up to 1 mile East of Dunkirk at 0230.
(a) Lieutenant Walker R.N.V.R.)
This Officer was in charge of the London Fire Brigade fire
float LADY MASSEY (?). He had been working from two barges by the
wrecked Frency destroyer 1 mile East of Dunkirk and had done good

Details

3. 396
the pulling the boats hauled off to the barges, the troops then being
work getting a line ashore from the barges to the beach by which
ferried by fire-float to the waiting ships.
Lieutenant WALKER left at 0335 (2nd. June), the fire-float
being then just aground (low water 0400 approx). He had to leave
about 150 men on the barges, but there were no troops visible on
the beach up to 1 mile East of Dunkirk. At 0345 there were no
troops visible on the mole, and a paddle minesweeper was just
leaving. An anonymous Brigadier who boarded WALKER's craft, said
that at about 0200 there would be 1000 - 1500 British (2) troops
still to come.
At this stage, it was the unamizous opinion of all the officers
named above that small slow motior boats and pulling boats would
be of no further use on the beaches. It might have been worth while
trying to reach the barges 1 mile East of Dunkirk with fast
shallow draught craft at about 2200 (2nd. June).
It is worthy of remark that these wrecked barges made excellent
piers for motor boats to use, pulling boats working between them
and the beach with a line to haul themselves off. Three barges were
afloat at any state of the tide and two others were aground about
an hour before low water. M.T.B.s could go alongside the barges 3
hours either side of H.W.I and shallow draught boats for longer.
Beach parties, eventually, were not required on the night of
Sunday 2nd. June, and everybody was able to get some much needed
rest and food.
Monday 3rd. June Tuesday 4th. June.
A further operation for these nights was organised from
RAMSGATE, a copy of the orders being attached herewith. I organis-
ed the following tugs to tow:-
SUN IV Commander Le MESURIER, Lieut. MARTIN R.N.J Lieut.
FLETCHER, R.N.R.
TANGA Lieut. Commander SHERWOOD, R.N.R.
SUN
XV
Two R.N.R. Officers.
RACIA Lieut. Commander MILLER, D.S.O. R.N.R., Lieut.
WALKER, R.N.V.R.
Each tug was to take 4 motor boats in tow, with orders to work
from the Nouveau Avant Port and from any point of the East mole
which they could reach, and to ferry troops down to the ships along-
side or to the transport LOCUST. The tugs dad no specific orders,
and I instructed the Officers in the tugs that they should wait just
outside the entrance to Dunkirk, keeping clear of ships going in and
out (of which I understood there were to be a good many) and to be
ready to go alongside to pick up troops as opportunity offered or to
assist as required.
The convoy left a little after 1700 with 14 motor boats in all,
two having failed (one with engine trouble, one was aground in
RAMSGATE). The passage across was uneventful, save for a certain
amount of trouble with the tows, and the encountering of two mines
in the neighbourhood of W. buoy which were dealt with by mine-
sweepers. Commodore H.) TAYLOR, RNRI took passage with me, but about
halfway Dunkirk. across was picked up by a Motor Torpedo Boat and went on to

Details

398
5.
exception of the one I towed back (MERMAIDEN).
(a) As regards recommendations for officers and ratings who did well
during these operations, the following officers known to me did
well: but I am unable to say whether they did better than many
others who must of necessity remain anomymous, since there was no
time to collect names. I can only say that, frompersonal observat-
ion, the spirit, both of young officers and ratings was magnific-
ient. One had only to ask for volunteers for crews to receive more
applications than were necessary.
(b) Officers names.
Lieutenant J.V. WILKINSON R.N.J
Lieutenant R.E. LLOYD R.IN.
Lieut. Commander MILLER D.S.O. R.N.R.J
Lieut. Commander SHERWOOD R.N.R.J
Lieutenant WALKER R.N.V.R.:
Lieutenant J.E.L. MARTIN R.N. (late "Pelican")
Lieutenant FLETCHER R.N.R. (late at Invergordon)
(a) I also respectfully submit for Their Lordships consideration that
letters of appreciation might be written as follows:-
To The London Fire Brigade
.) for the services of their
fire-float LADY MASSEY (?)
The Alexander Towage Company
) for the services of their
H.J. Alexander the St John: Wharf- Wapping E.I. tugs SUN, SUN IV, & SUN IV.
The Watkins Tug & Towage Company) for the services of their
Natkurs Ltd 112 Funchusch st- London E.C.S.
tug TANGA.
(b) As regards the tug RACIA of the Watkins Company, the master of this
vessel was obviously unwilling to go over to Dunkirk, although he
did actually go on the nights of 31st. May and 3rd. June. On the 3rd
of June he was under the orders of Lieut. Commander MILLER D.S.JO.
R.N.R.
(c) The spirit of the masters and crews of the other tugs (especially
the SUN tugs) was excellent. The owner of the Alexander Tug
Company was himself the captain of the tug SUN IV, and a young
Trinity House pilot volunteered to navigate this tug throughout.
Unfortunately I cannot remember his name.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your obedient servant,
Managina to inector
Edward. K.
Commander R.N.)