During the recent Press reports of the Dunkirk 70th. anniversary, good coverage was given to the fifty Little Ships that made the passage from Ramsgate this year.
Bearing in mind the age of some of our Museum exhibits, it is remarkable that so many of those small boats have not only survived, but are sufficiently seaworthy to make the voyage, albeit that many will not undertake a sea passage in over Force four winds/sea state.
Of the 178 small craft recorded in the published “bible” of the original event, some date back to 1895 (the sailing barges) although most were built in the 1920s or 30s. The list does not include the larger merchant ships (in the 60’s, I served as 2/O in m/v “Royal Daffodil”, a Cross Channel day trip vessel of 2000 tons that had brought back over 9,500 men) and the total number of vessels is estimated at 700.
My own interest is the great privilege I had in 1975 when I commanded a lifeboat as safety escort for the event, together with the RAF launch “Spitfire”. We represented the 19 RNLI lifeboats that were involved in 1940. (interestingly, only 23 Little Ships made it in 1975), and as a safety vessel, had to tow Raymond Baxter’s “L’Orage” into Calais after heavy seas caused engine failure.
It was one of the most moving weekends of my RNLI service, and on the Sunday morning the fleet left Dunkirk Harbour, steaming off the beaches in a circle, as the Battle of Britain flight of Lancaster, Spitfire & a Hurricane made a low pass & dropped a wreath. The most amazing sight was of some of the Veterans on the beach actually wading, fully clothed, out into the water Thirty-five years on, none are now young enough to do this.
Our homeward passage was made with a load of passengers as the weather had deteriorated and Owners had to be back for work, leaving their boats in Dunkirk.
Mike Pennell, Galleries
