TNA MT 40 66

Page 4.
LIST OF SHIPS WHICH TOOK PART IN OPERATION "DYNAMO" - 26TH MAY - 4TH JUNE, 1940.
PART I - BRITISH SHIPS (contimued)
PERSONNEL AND HOSPITAL SHIPS
ARCHANGEL
MANXMAN
AUTOCARRIER
MONA'S QUEEN
BEN-MY-CREE
NEWHAVEN
BIARRITZ
NEPHRITE (Store Ship)
CANTERBURY
NGAROMA
CLAN MACALISTER
NORMANIA
COTE D'ARGENT
} french
PARIS (Hospital)
COTE D'AZUR
PRAGUE
DINARD (Hospital)
PRINCESS MAUD
DORIAN ROSE (Store Ship)
QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL
FENELLA
ROEBUCK
FOAM QUEEN
ROUEN
ISLE OF GUERNSEY (Hospital)
ROYAL DAFFODIL
ISLE OF THANET (Hospital)
ROYAL SOVEREIGN
KILLARNEY
ST. ANDREW (Hospital)
KING GEORGE V
ST. DAVID (Hospital)
LADY OF MAN
ST. HELIER
LEVENWOOD (Store Ship)
ST. JULIAN
LOCH GARRY
ST. SEIRIOL
LORINA
#
SCOTIA
MAID OF ORLEANS
TYNWALD
MALINES
WORTHING (Hospital)
MANXMAID
WHITSTABLE
OTHER BRITISH SHIPS
ADVENTURESS
BONNY BELLE
AGNESS CROSS (Life-boat)
BOURNEMOUTH LIFE-BOAT
ALBATROSS III
B.P. ONE
ALOUETTE
BRITANNIA
ANDORA
BULLFINCH
ANDORA II (R.A.F. Launch)
CABBY
ANNE IV
CANVEY QUEEN
ATHOLA
CAVERSHAM (M.B.)
AURA
CHAMOIS (Lighter)
BAIL
CHERFIELD
BAT (Lighter)
CLAUDE (Water Boat)
BEE (Lighter)
COMMODORE
BELFAST
CONSTANT NYMPH
BLACK ARROW
CORDELIA
BLACK JAVA
CORNELIA
BLACKPOOL
C. 9 (Tugs)
BOBELI (Motor Cruiser)
C. 11
BONNY HEATHER
C.Y. 63
DABB II
DEFENDER
DHOON (Trawler)
Sunk
(Continued)

32
35
THE NORTH LIVERPOOL WALESAND
TELEPHONE 1653 CENTRAL.
TELEGRAMS "ST TUDNO", LIVERPOOL.
STEAMSHIP Co LIMITED
T.S. ST TUDNO.
T.S. SI SEIRIOL.
40, Chapel Street.
M.V. BI SILIO.
T.G. BREW, SECRETARY.
Liverpool,3
TGB/CP.
21st June, 1940.
F.H. Keenlyside Esq.,
Private Secretary,
Ministry of Shipping,
Berkeley Square House,
Berkeley Square,
London. W.I.
Dear Sir,
We acknowledge receipt of your letter of the
19th instant, enclosing a letter from the Minister of
Shipping addressed to Captain R.D. Dobb, late Master of the "St. Seiriol", thanking all concerned on board that vessel for services rendered during the evacuation of
Troops from Dunkirk.
The contents of the letter has given great pleasure to Captain Dobb who thanks you on behalf of his Officers and Crew for the kindly thought which prompted your communication.
As all those concerned in the rescue efforts have left the vessel for health reasons, we are having your letter of thanks framed and will instruct the present Master to have the same exhibited in a prominent position on board the "St. Seiriol".
We sincerely trust that the vessel will return safely to her one time peaceful work as a Pleasure Steamer and your letter will then be a reminder of the wonderful work done at Dunkirk.
Yours faithfully,
The Liverpool & North Wales
Steamship Company Limited.
T.Shiren
Secretary.
apt R.

Tune,
31 B
CONFIDENTIAL.
Operation "DYNAMO" - Work of Personnel Vessels.
PERSONNEL VESSELS.
Twenty-nine personnel vessels were used during operation "Dynamo"; a list is given in the enclosure.
of these, seven were sunk, five so damaged by bombing or gunfire as to render them unfit for further use during the operation, and two were damaged in collision.
Of these ships the following, namely MONA'S QUEEN,
BIARRITZ, CANTERBURY, QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL, MAID OF ORLEANS,
AUTO CARRIER and ARCHANGEL; ST. HELIER and KING GEORGE V, had been engaged prior to Dynamo, in operations at Dunkirk,
Boulogne and Calais, and had completed the following trips:
MONA'S QUEEN 3 QUEEN OF THE CHANNEL 1 ARCHANGEL
1
BIARRITZ
2 MAID OF ORLEANS
3 ST. HELIER
2
CANTERBURY
3 AUTO CARRIER
2 KING GEORGE V.1
2. There was no doubt that the Captains and crews of these ships were feeling the strain when operation Dynamo started. After completing two round trips to Dunkirk harbour in operation Dynamo the Master of the CANTERBURY stated on the
28th that he would not take his ship to sea for a third trip.
The P.S.T.O. went on board and explained the gravity of the situation and ordered him to sail at 2230, but discovered some of the crew had been given leave. The P.S.T.O. therefore put an officer and some seamen and stokers on board to augment and stiffen the crew. The ship sailed at 0930/29, but was bombed and damaged on her return voyage from Dunkirk, and after landing troops did not take any further part in the operation.
3. After completing one round trip the Captain of the
St. SEIRIOL refused to sail, and accordingly one officer, an armed guard and 7 stokers were put on board at 1000 on the 29th.
The Captain was placed under open arrest and the ship sailed at
1100. On her return voyage the ship was bombed and damaged and did not sail again.
4.
The TYNWALD transported 7534 troops in 5 voyages; she should have completed 6 voyages. When due to commence her fourth voyage at 1945/1, she refused to sail and did not sail again until 1945/2.
On a written enquiry from the S.T.O., Folkestone, on the 2nd June, whether or not the ship would sail for Dunkirk if required, the Master, W. Qualbrough, replied by letter as follows:
"Dear Sir,
Your letter received. I had a signal from the master of the MALINES last night to say him and the master of the BEN MY CHREE had considered it apt R.
hopeless to proceed to Dunkirk. Our crews have been continually on their feet all the week and especially the deck officers who have had to be on their feet for 30 long. I myself have had 4. hours rest for th week and am at present physically unfit for another trip like what we have had. If it is absolutely necessary to go I will abide with the masters of the other ships decision.
i
P.S. There is two more of the crew going ashore now g
absolutely nervous wrecks and certified By the naval
ER
doctor.
In/
rized.

-3-
nip.
Name & Address of Owners
Name of Master.
SS MAUD
London Midland & Scottish
Capt. H. Clarke.
IA
Railway,
Capt. W.H. Hughes.
L.M.S. Railway Headquarters,
Watford, Herts.
ST. SEIRIOL
Liverpool & North Wales
Capt. R.D. Dobb
S.S. Co., Ltd.,
40, Chapel Street,
Liverpool, 3.
/PRAGUE
London & North Eastern
Capt. C. Baxter.
Railway Company,
26, Glengall Road,
Woodford Green,
Essex.
KING GEORGE V
David MacBrayne Limited,
Capt. R.E. MacLean.
LOCHGARRY
44, Robertson Street,
Capt. E. MacKinnon.
Glasgow, C.2.
KILLARNEY
Coast Lines Limited,
Capt. R. Hughes.
2, Crescent Road,
Kingston-on-Thames,
Surrey.
ST. HELIER
Great Western Railway Co.,
Capt. R. Pitman c/o Chief Docks Manager,
Cardiff.
ST JULIEN
Great Western Railway Co.,
Capt.L.S.Richard
ST ANDREW
Paddington Station, W..2.
Capt. H.C. Bond
ST DAVID
Capt. C.Joy.
PARIS
Capt. E. Biles
ISLE OF GUERNSEY
Southern Railway Co.,
Capt. F.W. Hodges
DINARD
Waterloo Station,
Capt. P. Lewis
WORTHING
S.E.L.
Capt. C.J. Munton
ISLE OF THANET
>
Capt. A.J. Hammond
60
&
These Masters took over when original Masters were too exhausted to carry on.
x Evacuation of Calais.
+ This vessel was ordered to Dunkerque laden with B.E.F. petrol and did not actually evacuate, troops.
INED
orized.

151
TELEPHONE 1653 CENTRAL.
THE LIVERPOOL WALESAND
TELEGRAMS "ST TUDNO," LIVERPOOL.
NORTH
STEAMSHIP CO LIMITED
II
T.S. SI TUDNO.
40, Chapel Street.
T.S. SI SEIRIOL.
M. V. ST SILIO.
Liverpod.
T.G. BREW, SECRETARY.
TGB/CP.
10th December, 1940.
Your Ref.T.M.6213/40/9.T.A.6.
W. Hynard Esq.,
Director of Sea Transport,
Ministry of Shipping, intelling
Berkeley Square House,
Berkeley Square,
London.W.1.
Dear Sir,
With further reference to your letter of the 7th August last, we enclose cuttings from yesterday's issue of the Liverpool Echo, also today's issue of the Liverpool Daily Post giving a reference to the service rendered by our
"St. Seiriol" at Dunkirk in May last. These may be of interest to Mr. E. Keble Chatterton.
Yours faithfully,
The Liverpool & North Wales
Steamship Company Limited.
Jobher
Secretary.
this time, Captain R. Morris and Captain R.
D. Dobb.
The Royal St. Seiriol?
The exceptional courage and endurance of
St. Seiriol," says Mr. Chatterton, considerably impressed the naval authorities. Such trips also strained and shook her determined crew, so that on arrival at Dover the military doctor decided that all hands were unfit to carry on any longer. They were sent to their homes for rest and another crew took the ship to continue the brave duty that must ever be associated with this pleasure vessel."
TAVO
Later, in June, St. Seiriol was evacuating lement each time. Our ship refugees from Le Havre, again in deadly peril from fierce enemy assaults from the air, and bombed and shelled ahead of i again got back safely.
The part played by St. Seiriol in the most t from a few shell splinters difficult combined naval and military operaamage.
tion ever carried out recalls the epic exploit of the Mersey ferry steamers, Royal Iris and
Royal Daffodil, at Zeebrugge in 1918. When peace comes, perhaps St. Seiriol will achieve icer, Mr Macdonald, had a nar
Royal fame.
and smashed the glass of the standing.
It seemed an unlucky day

Braved
PIC WORK OF
ches
ST. SEIRIOL
Steamer's
SEVEN TRIPS TO
23
cuation
DUNKIRK
Making seven trips to Dunkirk in the d them on to waiting other ships, and then midst of heavy bombing, the North Wales iol herself with about 900
pleasure steamer St. Seiriol (1,586 tons), f the seven voyages.
now on Admiralty service, played a
FICER'S GALLANTRY
brilliant part in the rescue of 335,000
rvived was a miracle in men, in which a thousand ships of all dozen aircraft flew over sizes took part last May.
circled round to make
Only now is it possible to reveal the full
D with their missiles, and story of her gallant work-as told by Mr.
cks with machine-gun
E. Keble Chatterton. the well-known naval n the Crested Eagle, an writer, in The Epic of Dunkirk (Hurst
0, became a furnace after and Blackett, 10s 6d). Merseyside was well
Seiriol got as close as represented among the rescuing craft. The about 5½ hours her crew
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. for pick up survivors.
instance, had eight of their ships engaged.
ficer, Mr J. McNamee, and lost three of them-iKng Orry, Mona's ulean service. Immedi-
Queen, and Fenella. The North Wales
Company's vessels were St. Tudno, St. Silio he was at the beach, and St. Seiriol, but it was the last-named the boats, helping men that won particular notice from the naval id ferrying them to the essel.
authorities.
"On arrival in partially paralysed below
Exhausted Crew
1 that he asked was per-
According to Mr. Chatterton she proved one back and do one more of the most useful vessels engaged, and her two masters during this crew, subject to the immense strain of aerial
Morris and Captain R.
attack, and without rest during her continual journeys to and from the historic beach, were finally in an advanced stage of physical and
MINED CREW
nervous exhaustion. A week before her first nal courage and endurtrip sho had already managed to enter Calais and, defying bombs. had reached the quay and says Mr. Chatterton, got away safely. Then. on May 27 she went impressed the naval over to assist at Dunkirk.
uch trips also strained
At first she was at the jetty, but afterwards etermined crew, so that lay off the beach, where her boats did ver the military doctor invaluable service. She would send three boats hands were unfit to to the beach, bring off an average of about ger. They were sent to forty-seven men in each, though bombs rest and another crew dropped from the planes like rain. and load them on to waiting destroyers or other ships, continue the brave duty and then fill up St. Seiriol herself with about be associated with this
900 men on each of of the seven voyages.
Later on, in June,
How she survived was a miracle in
Iready published, was itself." says Mr. Chatterton. Often a dozen ees from Le Havre, aircraft flew over simultaneously, circled beril from fierce enemy round to make careful direction with their air, and again got back missiles. and raked the decks with machinegun bullets."
When the Crested Eagle, an oil-burning who will sail on this ship, became a furnace after a direct hit. St.
e should be spared to
Seiriol got as close as possible, and for about ce-time duties, will be five and a half hours her crew were toiling wledge of the brilliant to pick up survivors.
in "the most difficult
Her chief officer, Mr. J. McNamee, nd military operation performed herculean service. Immediately as the Admiralty after this he was at the beach, wading in comparable with the from the boats, helping men on to them, and amers' part at Zeeferrying them to the nearest large vessel.
On arrival in port he became partially nd, if Royal Daffodil paralysed below the waist, yet all that he why not Royal St.
asked was permission to go back and do one more trip. She had two masters during this time, Captain R. Morris and Captain R.
D. Dobb.
The Royal St. Seiriol?
The exceptional courage and endurance of
St, Seiriol," says Mr. Chatterton, consider.
ably impressed the naval authorities. Such trips also strained and shook her determined crew, so that on arrival at Dover the military doctor decided that all hands, were unfit to carry on any longer. They were sent to their homes for rest and another crew took the ship to continue the brave duty that must ever be associated with this pleasure vessel."
Later, in June, St. Seiriol was evacuating lement each time. Our refugees from Le Havre, again in deadly peril from fierce enemy assaults from the air, and bombed and shelled ahea again got back safely.
The part played by St. Seiriol in the most t from a few shell spli difficult combined naval and military operaamage.
tion ever carried out" recalls the epic exploit of the Mersey ferry steamers, Royal Iris and
Royal Daffodil, at Zeebrugge in 1918. When peace comes, perhaps St. Seiriol will achieve icer, Mr Macdonald, had
Royal fame.
and smashed the glass o standing.
It seemed an unluc

18
THE NORTH LIVERPOOL WALESAND
TELEPHONE 1653 CENTRAL.
TELEGRAMS "ST TUDNO", LIVERPOOL.
STEAMSHIP Co LIMITED
T.S. ST TUDNO.
T.S. SI SEIRIOL.
40, Chapel Street.
M. V. BI SILIO.
T.G. BREW, SECRETARY.
For
Liverpool,3.
TGB/CP.
8th August, 1940.
Your Ref.T.M.6213/40/S.T.A.6.
The Director of Sea Transport,
Ministry of Shipping,
230
Berkeley Square House,
Berkeley Square,
London. W.1.
Dear Sir,
Evacuation of B.E.F. from Dunkirk.
We acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, and in accordance with your request we enclose copies of the Reports received from the Master and Officers of our "St. Seiriol" (Troop Transport) which took an active part in the evacuation of Troops from Dunkirk. We also enclose copy of our letter to you of the 7th June last.
We would add that copies of these reports were furnished to the Principal Sea Transport Officerat Dover at his request in a letter dated 5th June last.
We shall be pleased to furnish any additional information that may be considered necessary.
Yours faithfully,
The Liverpool & North Wales
Steamship Company Limited.
T.E.Shew
Secretary.
All the Engineers aid excellent work au and we understanu the 4th Engineer (A.M.Rivett) manned a Bren
Gun, by permission of the Chief Engineer, with effect on enemy planes.
The Chief Steward E.u.Onions, 2nd Steward J.F. Brown and
Purser D.D.McMahon we understand aid heroic work in tending to the wounded, there being no Doctor on board.
All the Medical Supplies and other consumable stores of our Catering Department were usea to give Medical Comfort to the rescued.

1977
SHIP
COPY
18a
The Liverpool and North Wales Steamship Company Ltd.
40, Chapel Street,
Liverpool.1940.
7th June, 1940.
The Director of Sea Transport,
Ministry of Shipping,
Berkeley puare House,
Berkeley Suare,
London.W.1.
231
Dear Sir,
H.M.P.S."St.Selriol"
We have now had an opportunity of interviewing the
Master (R.D.Dobb) and various members of the Crew of our steamer "St. Seiriol" on their exploits on the nights of 27th
May and 29th May when the vessel was ordered to proceed to
Dunkirk to assist in the evacuation of the B.E.F. from that
Port and we consider it our duty to the master and Crew to bring to the notice of the competent authority the exceptional courage, endurance and devotion to duty shown by the Master and
Crew on these two occasions.
We would respectfully araw your attention to the coolness and seamanship displayed by the Master on the night of the 20th May, under heavy Gunfire and Bombing by enemy aircraft, when he succeeded in taking his vessel to the Mole and was then ordered by S.T.O. to go to the beaches and try and get troops aboard by use of ships lifeboats, which he aid. He was then ordered to return to the Mole about midnight and embarked nearly
600 Troops.
On the night of 29th may he took his vessel well in shore and put the remaining lifeboat out to go to the beach, and also was successful in picking men from the water who were survivors from other ships which were sunk by enemy action and then brought his ship safely to Port with a complement of B.E.F.men despite intense air bombing.
We have no doubt Lieut McEwen R.N. who was on duty on board "St. Seirioi" on the 29th May will confirm this, and Captain
Dobb wishes to place on record his appreciation of the gailant work and assistance he received from Lieyt McEwen R.N.
No praise is too high for the gallantry of Captain Dobb in the opinion of my Directors.
We would also draw your attention to the good work undertaken and carried through by Chief Officer.McNamee who, in charge of a ship's lifeboat with two other member of the crew, helped a considerable number of B.E.F.men to get off the beaches, and also 2nd Officer B.Jones who under similar conditions was in work. charge of another of the ship's lifeboats and did similar good
All the Engineers aid excellent work at their posts and we understanu the 4th Engineer Rivett) manned a Bren
Gun, by permission of the Chief Engineer, with effect on enemy planes.
The Chief Steward Unions, 2nd Steward J.F.Brown and
Purser D.D.McMahon we understand aid heroic work in tending to the woundea, there being no Doctor on board.
All the Medical Supplies and other consumable stores of our Catering Department were usea to give Medical Comfort to the rescued.

VI
2.
dnesuay 29th May. 9.0 am. Proceeded to Dover for Orders.
235
.0 pm. proceeded to Dunkirk by North Route. When off Ostend we came under gunfire from Shore Batteries, also from the Air all the way to Dunkirk. Our guns were in action all the time. 1
can only describe it as a Cavalcade of planes.
About 6.30 pm. we arrived off Dunkirk Pier to find it damaged and ships sunk on both sides of it. We got orders to embark troops from the Beach, but in the meantime the H.M.S. "Crested
Eagle" was bombed and set on fire.
We lowered the Dinghy 1/c of 2nd Officer with other men, and
1 took charge of our remaining Lifeboat with four Naval Stokers. We proceeded to the rescue of the men from the Burning Ship and brought them aboard.
After we got everybody that it was humanely possible from the burning ship we went to the shore.
On our approach to the Shore we were received with Six
Revolver Shots in quick succession from the direction of Dunkirk.
1 proceeded to where the first batch of the B.E.F. paraded, and indeed
I am proud to say their discipline was wonderful. An Officer waded out to meet the boat and inquired how many men I wanted to go into the boat. I tola him 1 could take about 50 but to let them come
10 at a time, so that we could keep the boat afloat. After the boat was loaded the boys on the beach pushed her into the deep water.
So we continued until I was ordered to come on board. We received order to proceed to Dover to get medical attention for the wounded men on board. in the meantime the Crew were doing everything possible with the Timi ted medical stores at their disposal. On our way back to Dover sometime about 1.0 am Thursday the Vessel came in contact with something which caused her to shake, also about this time we were in the Company of Seaplanes. I presume they were laying mines. About 3.0 am we let go Anchor in the Downs during thick fog.
5.0 am. Weighed Anchor, proceeded to Dover where we arrived about
6.30 am. After reportingwe had wounded on board we were allowed to proceed to the Admiraity Pier where we were met by the Medical Staff.
Sir, + have made this report as brief as 1 could in so far as my memory would carry me back.
Yours obediently.
Joseph McNamee.
Chief Officer. H.M.T. "St. Seiriol"

15
2.
237
had Jumped overboard from the "Crested Eaglen. Others were picked up in the sealler boats.
1 personally walked along the rubber of our vessel hanging on to the Port eights 600 brought men out of the Water.
be had by this time resoued about 100 badly injured and the Chief Stewerd 2nd Steward J.F. Brown and myself rengered what first Alo we could 05 there was no Doctor on BoaΓa.
The rest 01 that night WBS spent in looking after the comforts of the troops on board, giving them Blankets and
Crothing and offering Tea and Refreshments until we reached
Lover on Thursday morning.
Yours faithfully.
D.D. domahon.
Pursor. St. Seiriol"
soi the Water.
injured
Brown and soi
Doctor the Water.
ured the cou,ng