Readers will probably take particular pleasure from the fact that two of the ships used in this daunting task were not originally warships at all but humble ferryboats. There was no time to build special boats so a naval officer was sent around the ports to find something approximately suitable. They were not ideal, for their steaming qualities were poor, and their decks were too low. However they had a small draught, would probably ride over mines and they could stand bumps as ferryboats learn to do.
Keyes states: ‘Daffodil arrived three minutes after Vindictive, closely followed by Iris II. As already stated, Daffodil’s primary duty was to rush Vindictive bodily on to the Mole, to enable her to be secured after which Daffodil was to come alongside and land her parties over that ship. In the end her men had to disembark from her bows on to Vindictive as it was found essential to continue to push Vindictive on to the Mole throughout the action. This duty was magnificently carried out by her commanding officer, Lieutenant Harold Campbell.
‘The landing from Iris II was even more trying. The second alongside made her bump heavily and rendered the use of the scaling ladders very difficult, many having broken up. In the end, so impossible was it to get the Mole anchors to hold, that the cable was slipped and Iris II went alongside Vindictive to enable D Company and her Royal Marines to land across her, but only a few men had got to the Vindictive when the withdrawal signal was sounded.’
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From J. Gillison: after the raid
You might be interested to know that I as a boy of 15 witnessed the return to Liverpool of the two Liverpool ferries Iris and Daffodil after the Raid. I was at that time a trainee on board the training ship Indefatigable, which was moored in the Mersey off New Ferry Pier and the news of the arrival of these vessels was passed round the ship and we all lined the upper deck to await their passage through the harbour. They passed quite close to our ship and we could see distinctly the jagged holes through the funnels and upperworks of the ferries. There was a continuous blare of sirens from the ships and tugs in the port and we boys cheered loudly as the ferries passed by us. We also visited the ships later as they lay alongside. It was an unforgettable day for me and, as I was expecting to go to sea myself soon afterwards, it was my first glimpse of what war at sea might mean to someone in active participation.
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Extract from ‘The Shields Gazette’, 30th April 1918: sent by L. M. Gilroy
HAND-TO-HAND FIGHT
LOCAL MAN’S STORY OF ZEEBRUGGE RAID
Bernard Devlin, formerly a barman in Wallsend, of 5 Grey Street, Wallsend, Thomas Ball, of 48 Laburnum Avenue, Wallsend, both ABs as well as Private Frank Henderson, Royal Marines, whose mother, a widow resides at 45 Laburnum Avenue, Wallsend, took part in the raid on Zeebrugge. Devlin and Ball have reached home on leave, but Henderson is missing, and his brother has since received intimation that he had been killed. He was serving on the Iris, was 19 years of age, and before the war he was an apprentice with Messrs Walkers, Wallsend and with a shipping firm in Newcastle.
Ball has a souvenir of the raid, a piece of shrapnel which passed through his body belt and glanced along his body.
Devlin, who served on the Daffodil, was one of the demolition party and in speaking of the raid, he said the men could scarcely be held back while Vindictive and Daffodil were being made fast. He added that, in selecting the men from all who volunteered, preference was given to those who liked tennis and sport. The part to which he was attached crept towards the shore to silence the guns, and one of the men dashed up the steps to the lighthouse and smashed the lantern with a bomb. Three destroyers which were lying alongside the Mole were deluged with bombs and then boarded. There was some desperate hand-to-hand fighting, in which the British seamen were always on top. He saw a German jump overboard rather than fight! It was a hot time and feet and fists were freely used. When the submarine blew up, the men went wild with delight and fought harder than ever. On receiving the signal from the Vindictive, the survivors returned, and the vessels cast off amid a rain of shell fire. Devlin later became distinguished in another way. The Daffodil, he states, caught fire and he volunteered to go below and hand up the ammunition to be thrown overboard. Ultimately, the ship was taken in tow by a destroyer.
Devlin speaks in the highest praise of all the officers and men, and referring to Lieutenant Campbell of the Daffodil, he speaks of him as a man with six hearts. After the fight, Lieutenant Campbell, with blood streaming from him, smoked a cigarette and sang ‘The End of a Perfect Day’.
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From M. Anson:
My grandfather, Captain Sir Harold Campbell RN, took part in the Zeebrugge attack. As a lieutenant he was in command of T.S.S. Daffodil. After the action, in which he was awarded the DSO, he was presented with a beautifully made 4 foot long model of the ship by Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Co. Ltd. We inherited this model when he died four years ago and it now stands in a part of our house which has become known as the ‘Daffodil Room’.
Some years ago I visited the Museum at Zeebrugge and found that his photograph hangs there alongside some wreckage from the Daffodil herself which must have been blown off during the action.
Lieutenant Harold Campbell was specially promoted and awarded the DSO for handling his ship magnificently under extremely heavy and unceasing fire; but for his skill and devotion the storming parties from Vindictive could neither have landed, nor having been landed, recovered. During the greater part of the time he was suffering from a wound in the eye.
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From H. A. Davies: quite wrong about the medical staff, who worked like Trojans, but interesting in showing how rumours arise
Before the raid on Zeebrugge several of my chums were transferred to Dover in order to disembark the casualties from the Iris and Daffodil on the return to England.
In April 1919 a hospital ship was at the Liverpool landing stage and one of my friends who had volunteered to stay in the Army for another two years sought me out and asked me to take him on one of the ferry boats – the Daffodil as it happened. He showed me how he and the others had carried the men off the boat.
It was grim and dreadful, as I take it that no medical staff went over the Channel so the wounded did not have any treatment until they came back to this country.
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From G. Warrington: Aboard the ‘Iris’ and personal account
I was Petty-Officer i/c of the Forward Mole Flammenwerfer party, to land in support of the Landing Party on HMS Iris II.
Iris crept out from under the German guns with, to quote the first message ‘Number One’ got away, ‘For God’s sake send some doctors, I have a shipload of dead and dying.’
Personal account
Two attempts were made to carry out the operation against Zeebrugge in early April 1918. The first was called off, just before the final ‘run in’ – a change of wind would have rendered the important smoke screen useless. The second – also abandoned a few days later – the sea was rough for the mosquito craft (who were to lay the smoke screen).
It was a beautiful morning on 22nd April, when Iris laid alongside the old battleship, Dominion, to pick up the landing party. We decided to leave the ship’s cat, and dog on board Dominion! – no need for them to be involved. Shortly before we pushed off, the cat and dog returned to Iris, and were received with a terrific cheer. The betting was 10–1 against the return of the landing party, therefore the return of the ship’s pets was the greatest morale booster.
Sometime in the morning, No 1, Lieutenant Henderson, said to me, ‘PO get your men together and cover the top deck with sand.’ I asked him why, and he gave me a look of pity, and said, ‘Lad – it is to soak up the blood.’ (I was 19 years old, a Cheshire farmer’s son.) Thick as the sand was, it was only partially successful. There were eighty-odd dead, and two hundred and sixty wounded.
There were 60 craft in that odd flotilla. An aircraft flew over – thankfully it was one of ours.
Late in the afternoon, when I went on the top deck I found everyone looking to westward, and saying nothing. Tapping Sergeant Marines (Stripey) on the shoulder, asked him what it was all about. I got the same look from him I had had from Lieutenant Henderson. They were watching for sunset. We all wondered if we’d see it rise in the morning. Nothing further until we lay off the Blankenberge Buoy, where the squadron split up. During the afternoon we had been joined by two columns of destroyers, the port column, led by Vice-Admiral Sir Roger Keyes (GOC) and the starboard by Rear-Admiral Cecil Dampier, in the light cruiser Attentive. (It may have been Commander Boyle, I’m not sure.)
The starboard column, accompanied by all the necessary craft, plus two blockships, Sirius and Brilliant, left for Ostend operation. The port column left for Zeebrugge; the bulk of the destroyers were to form a protecting screen to the north, in case of enemy surprise in that quarter. The flagship, Warwick (Vice-Admiral on board) plus destroyers, Phoebe, and North Star, were to patrol inside the harbour, to protect landing party ships, from intervention from enemy destroyers tied up therein. It was 11.30 p.m. We were due alongside the Mole at midnight.
We were on our own now. Vindictive, leading, looked like a great beetle with fourteen legs on one side (the landing brows).
We in Iris were followed by Daffodil and then the three blockships, Thetis, Intrepid, and Iphigenia.
Somewhere, a gun barked and a star shell burst high in the sky – this was it. 11.40 p.m. Another star shell, and then we could see the smoke screen. I don’t know how long it was, but it was perfect Then the searchlights, trying to penetrate, a few at first, eventually twenty-three. The enemy realized it was not local, and the answer was behind the smoke screen. Shortly all his guns were firing – it was just plain hell. I was very frightened. An old marine shouted to me, ‘Keep yer bloody yed down lad, or one of these b – shells will whip it off. I’ll tell thee summat else – this is four landing parties for me, – the others were in the Dardanelles – they were bad enough, but this is it.’
I check my gun to see if the cylinders are spinning all right. Another voice breaks out, ‘If any of you young bastards have prayers – now’s your chance – we’re right on top of the b – s.’ Everything was a joke to this man – he had survived half a dozen naval actions. This time his luck ran out, a machine gun bullet between the eyes. He fell on the deck, it did not take the smile off his face – not even eternity will do that.
That night we received a signal from the Admiral – ‘St George for England’, to which the Vindictive Captain, Carpenter replied, ‘May we give the dragon’s tail a damned good twist.’ We’ll be alongside in three minutes – three hours, or days, time means nothing under these conditions. Gunfire of all sorts is now terrific. How we made it I do not know. There was a great cheer from a thousand men: ‘The Mole’ – then a silence, except for gunfire, each man weighing up his chances. A six gun battery, on top of us. A salvo of 5.9 hit Vindictive, smashing her bridge and upper works. The flashes seemed in the wrong place – the Germans had shifted their guns from the Mole to the pier. This was frightening, as Vindictive had practised how fast she could go and stop, right on the guns. Therefore she had to go past and pull up where the plan said she should have been. The salvo that hit Vindictive had immunised three howitzers and their giant Flammenwerfer effort was hopeless. Of the fourteen landing-brows, only two were serviceable. Captain Henry Halahan, (leading the seamen) was killed, along with Colonel Elliot (commanding Marines), also badly wounding Commander Patrick Edwards. I should mention the Padre of Marines. I only met him once and don’t remember his name. He was a very great man, and the men worshipped him.
Leaving Vindictive, being pushed against the Mole by Daffodil, whose job it was to hold her there the whole time, Iris brushed along the wall some 200 yards near No 2 shed, which was her resting place. There was an almighty bang – everything stopped – even the German guns. I think everybody had forgotten it was necessary to isolate the Mole from the mainland, to prevent the enemy from reinforcing their troops already there. To this end, a ‘C class’ submarine (Lieutenant Sandford) had to ram his sub under the wooden pier at the shore end, and blow her up. She had been specially prepared with explosive charges, to go off a few minutes after Sandford and his skeleton crew had been evacuated from her, by his brother Commander Sandford.
As we in Iris passed along the Mole, we heard Vindictive’s landing party sorting themselves out – so some had got ashore. Clearing the wall by machine gun fire, we ran alongside. The starboard anchor was dropped, we went astern on it, to bring us close in. There was an 8 knot current running along the wall, and the great hook fixed to the derrick was not strong enough to hold Iris in position. By now, the enemy was sweeping the wall with heavy machine gun fire. The effort was hopeless. In an effort to improve the position, Lieutenant-Commander Bradford slowly climbed up the derrick, to see if anything could be done from the wall itself. He hadn’t a hope in hell’s chance – machine gun fire was so intense but he kept on climbing – he was killed as he stepped on the wall. His second in command also tried, but suffered the same fate. We were getting casualties from stray ricocheting bullets. It was decided to abandon that position and retreat to Vindictive and land over her deck.
I was amazed at the resistance put up by men on Vindictive – its light armament was also lost. One Lewis gun was firing – although its operator was wounded.
We were getting in position to run along Vindictive – someone shouted, ‘Go like hell – the wind has changed – blowing the smoke off shore.’ We remained until the official retreat was sounded – from Daffodil’s syren. Twenty minutes were allowed for those ashore to return. Then we backed off, and headed for home. The order came, ‘All seamen and marines below.’ Being neither, the three of us stayed wondering what it was all about. In a moment, Iris was raked with machine-gun fire, so we quickly got below.
A star-shell burst overhead, and caused almost panic conditions. ‘Steady the blues, stand by to abandon ship if necessary.’ Leaving my two men, I made way to some stacked timber, and divested myself of cutlass, revolver, and gas mask, and gave my life-belt a look over. I stayed there, and that is why I am here today. We came under fire from the Goeben battery, on the left of the canal. Fourteen times the 5.9s struck Iris, and somebody threw in two 11 inch for good measure. One 11 inch went through the funnel, before bursting on the bridge, killing and wounding all hands, including Captain, and Major of Marines.
The other 11 inch burst on the main deck, about 10 yards away, killing about 100 men. I had to remain under this pile of dead and wounded. I don’t remember how long. When I came to, I moved to the wood stack again to join the others.
I knew my two men were dead – someone struck a match, and a voice barked, ‘Put that bloody light out, we are sitting ducks. Speed has dropped to six knots. There will be no lights for an hour.’ It was a long hour. Why the enemy never found us, you probably know, so I won’t comment.
Eventually a light sprang up, someone had a torch and we surveyed the shambles. Coming from a farm, and I had done first aid at medical school, before leaving University, I could in a small way help. We had only one doctor. I helped one man who had a 6 inch nail embedded in his back, where it came from God knows. I went on the top deck in the half-light, and found ourselves looking in to the muzzles of a pair of 15 inch guns. Thank God, it was HMS Erebus. We had made contact again. They sent us help for our wounded and I thankfully ceased my administrations.
Later, I met the coxwain who yelled at me, ‘Where in hell have you been, boy – report to No 1 on the Bridge.’ Shaking hands, Mr Henderson said ‘I’m glad to see you boy, I thought you had bought it.’ He asked about the men, and I said, ‘Not so bad, considering.’
Four destroyers arrived on the scene, and escorted us to Dover Harbour. It was a misty morning, but the White Cliffs of Dover were the most wonderful sight to us all.
Arrived at Dover about 2 p.m. to be given a big ‘Chuck up’ by all the boats in the harbour. It was a memorable experience, in which I was proud to participate.
G. Warrington,
Petty Officer on Iris
Lieutenant Oscar Henderson was awarded the DSO and the Croix de Guerre. When a shell carried away the port side of the bridge of his ship and caused a serious fire amongst the ammunition and bombs, he led a volunteer fire party with a hose on to the upper deck to quench the fire. He took over the command of the ship after Commander Gibbs had been killed.
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From P. Watson: HMS Daffodil
My stepfather, Captain H. V. Rogers RNR, took part in the Zeebrugge Raid as navigator of HMS Daffodil. He got the DSC for this and also some nasty leg wounds which made it embarrassing for him to wear shorts later on when we were all in Burma. I would take issue with him about this, God bless him, and point out that these were honourable scars of war and that I was proud of them if he wasn’t and he used to reply that he felt a bloody fool with hairless knees. There was also a pension of 16/- (yes Shillings) a week which was a source of wry amusement to him until the depression when he wrote to the Admiralty renouncing it since he was lucky enough to be bounding forward satisfactorily in his career and did not need it. He got a charming letter back – their Lordships seemed stunned, after all it can’t be a thing that often happens – offering to start paying it again if ever in future years he felt inclined to change his mind. Had he lived on till these inflationary days he might well have been tempted, but alas he died in 1956 aged 68.
I inherited the engraved sword presented to him by his home town, Wrexham, North Wales and the gold cigarette case, also engraved, from the city of Liverpool, and Daffodil’s log book. I have also a photograph of his reception by the Lord Mayor and his lady (much more frightening than the Germans, he said) and, I think, a snap of Daffodil.
Acting Lieutenant Harold Rogers was the navigating officer on Daffodil. His citation for the DSC read: ‘Throughout the operations was of the greatest assistance, performing any duty required of him with promptness and fearlessness in an exposed position, and at times under very heavy fire. When his commanding officer was temporarily incapacitated by wounds he took command of the ship and did everything possible to ensure the safety of the ship and crew.’
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Extracts from log of HMS Daffodil – Preparing for Action
SIGNAL LOG of HIS MAJESTY’S SHIP DAFFODIL IV
Sunday 7th April
4.30: from Vindictive to Daffodil
Have you a box of rockets and some sticks for me? Reply: we have 90 rocket sticks but can trace no rockets.
5.43: from Vindictive to Daffodil
Look out for the police trap.
6.00: from Daffodil to Iris
My cable has parted but slip has jambed in hawse pipe. I propose to go by that. Give us more cable. Please veer more cable. Reply: Veering. Please let me know when you have veered to the limit.
6.5: from Iris to Daffodil
You have full length of wire now.
Tuesday 9th April
8.0 from Daffodil to Iris
Request carpenter rating may be sent as soon as possible.
10.15: from Iris to Daffodil
If you want a carpenter you must apply for one from Hindustan, our carpenter is employed.
10.35: from Iris to Daffodil
I have sent a message in Picket boat asking for a carpenter to be sent to you.
12.0: from Daffodil to C.O. Daffodil and Hindustan
Can we be allowed to carry another 12 tons of coal in after end of boiler room when bunkers are full? Approved.
12.5: from SO: General
Weather forecast from London. Wind N.W. to N.E. 3 to 5. Some rain and mist.
A buoy showing a red light will be placed at the N.E. end of Gap.
1.40: from Daffodil to Hindustan
Request a boat may be sent for two carpenters.
3.10: from SO: General
Time table for operation memo 001–1 of sixteenth April was issued by an oversight. It will not come into force till specially ordered by V.A.
5.15: from SO: General
Latest weather report on Belgium coast. Wind N.E. by E. 4. Visibility half a mile.
5.35: from Iris to Daffodil
After dark tonight I propose to burn lights in compass, engine room telegraphs, shaded stern navigation lights, and to try my shaded flashing lamp. Will you please report to me if any of these show up too much outside the ship? Reply: I will do the same.
6.30: from SO: General
The buoy in position B is showing a white occulating light.
9.5: from SO: General by lamp
How are my lights. Does this shaded lamp appear satisfactory? Reply: Yes. I can see a green light and bright white light at masthead. Reply: Can you see anything of our wheel house light and light in compass? Reply: No. Can you see ours? Reply: I can see your stern light reflecting on the water and a great deal of light coming from Wheelhouse.
9.30: from Vindictive to Daffodil by lamp
Do you require any pistols, cutlasses, or Winchester rifles? If so how many? I will send them over by boat. Reply: We have three defective pistols and want three more rifles besides, also we have no ammunition for same.
12.0: from SO: General by lamp
Raise steam for 12 knots at 4 hours notice by 0900 tomorrow acknowledge.
12.30: from SO: General by lamp
Latest weather report from Belgium coast. Wind N.E. visibility one mile.
Thursday 11th April
Place: Swin, Sheerness
11.27: from SO: General
Gunfleet reports some very heavy gunfire to the eastward.
12.45: from SO: General
Operation ordered will take place Codeword No ——.
14.25: from Hindustan to Daffodil
You are to follow Iris out who will slip at 2.45.
14.45: from Daffodil to Hindustan
Au Revoir. Many thanks for all you have done for us.
15.00: from Hindustan: General
Captain, Officers and Ship’s Company wish every success to Expedition and take off their hats to you.
18.38: from Vindictive to Daffodil by flag
Stop.
18.30: from Vindictive: General by semaphore
General Recall. Should the necessity arrive for withdrawing the force before the appointed time. Recall signals consisting of a succession of flashes from Vindictive together with the flashing of Vindictive’s searchlight up the Mole from the vertical.
Friday 12th April
Place: at Sea
9.5: from Thetis to Daffodil
Are you going on or shall I pass you? Reply: Please pass me. I can do no more.
9.40: from Vindictive to Daffodil
Daffodil close.
10.00: from Vindictive to Daffodil
Brilliant and Sirius went through the gate and could not find their way out again.
10.10: from Daffodil to Vindictive
I regret that my steaming is most unsatisfactory. I have had great trouble in keeping 80 lbs of steam.
11.57 from V.A. Warwick to Daffodil
I am sorry for the postponement but it would have been folly to attempt to attack with an offshore wind. Is your ship all right? Reply: Submitted. Structure is quite all right, steaming capabilities very bad.
Wednesday 17th April
Place: Swin
12.00: from SO: General
Any ship having bags marked G. W. Greening E.R.A., J. Radford Stoker, F. Shard Stoker, W. Edwards Ldg Seaman, W. Potter L.S., W. Snow AB communicate with Hindustan.
12.05: from SO: General
Field Service letters and cards are to be sent to Hindustan censored and unsealed by a Commissioned Officer. No message is to be sent. No address is to be given. Packets and bags are to be clearly named oft contents. Other letters are to be censored and sealed down and forwarded to Hindustan in packets signed by a Commissioned Officer. Letters are to be onboard Hindustan by 1100 BST Daily.
6.20: from SO: General
In case of German naval offensive ships must be prepared to slip at short notice and withdraw to Mouse L.V. If attacked at long range Vindictive and Thetis class making smoke screens steam on one engine for slow speed at 1 hour’s notice and on other engine at 4 hours’ notice. Dominion and Hindustan at 1 and 2 hours’ notice. Officers and men may be used as requisite to make up guns crews in emergency. Acknowledge. Reply: your 1745 received.
Saturday 20th April
Place: Swin
9.40: from SO: General
Captains of blockships and ferry-ships are to repair onboard Vindictive at 2 p.m. Dominion’s steamboat will collect Captains of Thetis, Iphigenia and Captain Halahan. Hindustan’s picket boat will collect the remainder. All Captains are to bring their charts.
10.45: from CO Intrepid to COs Thetis and Daffodil
Rayne wants us to lunch with him onboard Dominion today. He will send a boat for me about 11.30. He will put us onboard Vindictive after.
12.30: from SO: General
Following received from Dominion: We are holding a Boxing contest at 15.30 and would be pleased to see any officers or crew who care to come.
19.15: from Daffodil to Vindictive 1st Lieut. Lt Hewitt RNAS
Can you please tell me any information regarding Hammock belonging to R. G. Goodwin AM2. It was left by mistake when Goodwin joined Daffodil.
Monday 22nd April
Place: Swin and at sea
7.15: from C in C: General
British light forces operating in the Heligoland Bight Saturday April 20th obtained touch with enemy light forces who retired behind minefields. A few shots were exchanged at extreme range. One enemy destroyer was observed to be hit. All our ships returned. We have no casualties.
8.15: from SO: General
No orders yet. Preparations are to be made for getting up and serving out ammunition with minimum delay. Iris and Daffodil to bank fires at 45 minutes notice. If Nascent is signalled raise steam at once.
9.05: from SO: General by Semaphore
Weather Report Belgian Coast N.E. 11. Visibility very good.
1015: from Hindustan to Iris and Daffodil
No orders yet but as time for preparations is short Notice Steam at 20 minutes’ Notice.
10.45: from SO: General by flags
NASCENT.
10.53: Anchor away
11.12: Secured
11.20: from SO: General by Semaphore
Ships are warned that Chloro Sulphuric gas is dangerous. Smoke apparatus is to be carefully handled. Lt Cohen was gassed this forenoon.
11.35: from Iris to Daffodil by Semaphore
Be ready to leave at 1200.
11.35: from SO: General by Semaphore
Time ball will be dropped again at 11.15.
11.43: Hindustan left
11.50: Secured Vindictive
12.8: Left
12.15: from SO: General by flags
Good luck. God Speed.
12.20: from Intrepid to Daffodil by Semaphore
Better luck this time. Reply: Same to you and hope to see you first thing St George’s Day. Reply: I’ve got a few for tomorrow night.
12.45: from SO: General
V.A. Dover reports weather likely to be temporary. Prepare to return if Code Word is made.
15.30: from Iris to Daffodil by Semaphore
What speed do you calculate from Mouse Light Vessel to here. Reply: About 10′4 Knots without tide. Reply: Some speed.
15.32: from Daffodil to Iris by Semaphore
Subt Have trouble with feed pump am waiting report whether serious or not.
15.40: from Iris to Daffodil by Semaphore
Is your Feed-Pump all right? Reply: Yes.
16.05: Securely in tow of Iris
16.05: from Vindictive: General by flags
Proceed.
16.10: from Vindictive to Iris and Daffodil by Semaphore
I am going 7 knots.
16.12: from Vindictive to Iris and Daffodil by Semaphore
I am going 9 knots.
16.19: from Vindictive: General by flags
Speed 10 knots.
Action Stations
7th May 1918
Place: Portsmouth
10 a.m. open to visitors till 7 p.m.
5.40: from C in C to Iris
Two steel chests from Iris have been brought to C in C’s office by an official from N.S.O.’s Department. They are said to contain Confidential Books. A report is to be forwarded as to whence they were received and if information is available as to what they contain and disposal of the keys.
5.50: from Iris to C in C
Submit re your 1722 of today. I do not definitely know what the steel chests contain other than orders of operation. Keys of both chests cannot be traced and no doubt were lost in action. Most of confidential books were burnt prior to reaching Zeebrugge.