Smoke-stained White Ensign from the Dover Patrol Motor Launch 397, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Vessel 1918

A smoke-stained White Ensign from the Dover Patrol Motor Launch 397, a Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve vessel 1918 The frayed ensign of ML397 is mounted in a teak frame which is elaborately carved with the names of the crew who took part in the raids, with seven names appearing twice. Initially two audacious raids were planned in April 1918 by Vice-Admiral Sir Roger Keyes, targeting the Belgian ports at Zeebrugge and Ostend. German submarines, torpedo boats and ships were based at the inland docks in Bruges and were using the shipping canals to access the English Channel. The plan was to scuttle blockships at Zeebrugge and Ostend to prevent German vessels being able to enter or leave the canals. Two submarines packed with explosives were to blow a hole in the viaduct at Zeebrugge that connected the mile-and-a-half-long mole to the shore, and marines were to climb onto the breakwater to silence the German guns. Around 160 ships and boats with volunteer crews set out on the raids in the early hours of St George’s Day, 1918. Motor Launch 397 was among the Motor Launch vessels built at the Elco shipyard in Bayonne, New Jersey. Their role was to lay smoke screens, guide the blockships and rescue crews from the scuttled vessels. Lieutenant John Gordon RNVR was Captain of ML397, second in command was Sub-Lieutenant William Scott, completed by a crew of seven volunteers. Her destination was Zeebrugge. She went ahead of the main force to help lay a smoke screen in heavily mined waters and intense enemy fire. Her White Ensign is likely discoloured from the smoke she laid on that day to enable the ships and submarines to reach their targets. Vice-admiral Sir Roger Keyes later wrote: “Without the services of these little vessels for this duty … an attack of this nature could hardly have been considered.” With monitors and aircraft targeting the coast with shells to create a diversion, the main force arrived, with HMS Vindictive heading to the mole. A change in wind direction cleared the smoke and the ship came under sustained, accurate fire, but nevertheless marines managed to clamber onto the mole, suffering heavy losses. A submarine was able to ram herself into the viaduct and blow a hole in it. Three blockships were scuttled, though not necessarily in exactly the right locations. The crews were rescued and the raiding party returned across the Channel. The raid boosted national morale by confirming the ascendency of the senior service and the genius of Britain’s military commanders. The honours awarded proved to the nation the heroism of the volunteers; books were written and films were made. British losses are estimated at one destroyer and two motor launches with approximately 170 men killed, 400 wounded and 75 missing, whom were believed to have been killed. There were eight VCs awarded, with many others receiving honours and promotions. The military value of the raid was not as important as the propaganda value; the Germans had cleared the canal within a few weeks, restoring their channel access. The simultaneous raid on Ostend did not go to plan. For various reasons the blockships were scuttled away from the harbour’s mouth and there were many casualties and fatalities. Because of the failure, the Admiralty decided to launch a second raid on Ostend and again ML397 was called into action, with the same two officers in command and four of her original crew. On May 9th/10th she set off to Ostend to help lay a smoke screen in mined waters close to the enemy’s strengthened defences – her White Ensign sullied even further from the smoke.While the success of the raid was negligible, it was another fine propaganda coup for the British. Three VCs were awarded and members of the ML397 crew were recognised for their actions during both raids. Lieutenant John Gordon RNVR was mentioned in despatches for displaying courage and coolness under fire; carrying out his duty with great steadiness and materially contributing to the success of the operations. Sub- Lieutenant William Scott RNVR was also mentioned in despatches; he ‘showed great coolness and steadiness under fire in Motor Launch 397, and rendered most valuable assistance to his commanding officer throughout the operations’. He was also promoted to Lieutenant.