At 19.00 hours on 20 Sep, 1939, HMS Kittiwake (L 30) (Cdr E.R. Conder, RN) was damaged by a mine laid on 10 September by U-26 near Shambles Light vessel. 5 ratings were lost. The commander was blown off the bridge and later rescued by a trawler. 39 crewmen were taken off by HMS Harrier (J 71), which towed the vessel to Dover. On 7 October, she was towed by the British steam tugs Gondia and Simla to Sheerness where the ship was under repair until 18 Jan, 1941.