SS King George V and Operation Dynamo

Discussion in '1940' started by Drew5233, Mar 2, 2011.

  1. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

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    Built: 1926 by Wm Denny & Bros, Dumbarton, for Turbine Steamers Ltd; bought by David MacBrayne Ltd, 1935.

    Gross tonnage: 815.

    Length: 260 ft 6 in.

    Width: 32 ft 1 in.

    Machinery: Single-reduction Parsons turbines.

    Speed: 20 knots.

    1939 route: Summer excursions Oban to Staffa and Iona.

    From Ships that saved an Army:

    The first passenger vessel to be built with high-pressure turbine machinery, King George V actually carried the monach in whose honour she was named for the opening of King George V Dock on theClyde in 1931. In this period the steamer was used mainly on a summer run from Princess Pier to Loch Fyne until sold in 1935 to David MacBrayne Ltd and based at Oban for the next four simmers, sailing to Staffa and Iona. While most excursion services ceased immediately war started, King George V continued to Oban until 14th September 1939 and then requistioned as a transport and based at Southampton, sailing to the French ports. Although a good deal smaller than many of the cross-Channel ferries used in similiar role, King George V was extremely valuable, being capable of not far short of 20 knots and able to take over 1,000 troops.

    From spring 1940, King George V took part in evacuations from Rotterdam, where she narrowly escaped serious bomb damage, Ostend, Boulogne and Calais, before becoming one of the earliest visitors to Dunkirk. King George V mad six crossings to and from the harbour, loading around 7,00 men each time and landing a total of 4,300 men in Dover. Both King George V's skipper, Captain R. McLean and Chief Engineer W McGregor were awarded the DSO and the bosun, D. McKinnon received the DSM. She went back to the Clyde to perform tender duties and in 1941 carried Winston Churchill to the battleship Prince of Wales prior to a visit to the USA to meet President Roosevelt. She was overhauled by Dennys and resumed MacBrayne cruises on the Clyde in 1946, going back to Oban in 1947 and continuing there each summer until withdrawn after the 1974 season. Quickly sold, the steamer languished in dry dock at Cardiff until conversion work began in 1981 for use as a pub and restuarant on the Thames. Alas, it was not to be and, after a serious fire whilst fitting out, the gutted wreck was broken up in 1984.
    King George V

    29th May arrived Margate at 1820 hrs and landed 853 troops

    31st May arrived Margate at 0915 hrs and landed 500 troops

    1st June arrived Margate at 1740 hrs and landed 700 troops

    3rd June arrived Margate at 0400 hrs and landed 1,400 troops

    4th June arrived Margate at 1132 hrs and landed 750 troops
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

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