2025 marks 85 years since Operation Dynamo, when a fleet of ‘little ships’ evacuated over 300,000 Allied soldiers from the beaches of France. The ADLS (Association of Dunkirk Little Ships), founded in 1965, has run an Anniversary Return to Dunkirk every five years. It took place this year for the first time since 2015 and there were several East Coast boats in the 65-strong fleet. ‘Letitia’, who made the crossing in 2000 with East Coast members Mike and Sue Feather was there, with her new owners Don and Linda. The Cornish fishing boat ‘Our Lizzie’ has a remarkable history and tales to tell, including use on a spying mission in 1939 and of course, Operation Dynamo. She was built in 1919, converted into a yacht in the 1930s and fully restored at IBTC Lowestoft a few years ago. ‘Maid Marion’ is another centenarian, also built as a fishing boat in Cornwall, 1925. The Leigh cockler ‘Endeavour’ also joined the fleet, fully restored in 2005 and managed by the Endeavour Trust. Two Thames sailing barges arrived in Ramsgate ready to sail, SB ‘Greta’, the oldest boat in the fleet, built 1892 and SB ‘Pudge’ the second largest boat at 92’. Ipswich-based ‘Glala’ was not ready to make the crossing but her owners arrived in Dunkirk aboard DLS ‘Riis I’.
The Little Ships were accompanied by a Royal Navy escort of seven P2000 from the RN Coastal Forces Squadron, the Ramsgate RNLI lifeboat, four members of the Nelson Owners Club and MVS East Sussex providing vital support to the fleet of historic vessels ranging in size from the 26’ motor-yacht ‘Firefly’, the diminutive 1911 sloop-rigged racing yacht ‘Moonraker’ and Lifeboat no. 8, known as ‘Lady of Mann’, both just 27’, to the steel-hulled ‘Bluebird 1938’, LOD 107’ who arrived in Ramsgate from the Mediterranean having crossed the Bay of Biscay.
‘Cachalot’ makes passage for Ramsgate
Friday 16 May dawned and North Wales OGA member Mark arrived with plenty of time to do a last trip to the shops for fresh provisions. With high water mid-afternoon Steve and Mark planned to leave at 1530, motoring down to Waldringfield to spend the night on a mooring buoy. After a leisurely morning in the river, they set out across the Deben bar at 1245 in light winds and not too much surf. They enjoyed the sail down to the River Orwell, although Troublesome Reach lived up to its name. Spending the night in the shelter of Suffolk Yacht Harbour had the added advantage of fish and chips at The Lightship. ‘Cachalot’ departed Suffolk Yacht Harbour at 0730, Sunday 18 May to take the ebb from the River Orwell out to Medusa. Their passage took them across Black Deep and south to Ramsgate where they arrived at 1800, having motor-sailed all day! On passage they were caught up (and overtaken) by Harvey in DLS ‘Else II’, a 32’ Thornycroft motor cruiser built in 1929. He had left Harwich at 0930 and sent Beverley some great photos of ‘Cachalot’ with the comment, ‘I caught up with a beautiful sailing yacht! See you in Ramsgate.’ By Sunday evening many of the boats based along the River Thames had already arrived or were expected into Ramsgate by Monday afternoon.
Monday morning found Beverley at the station waiting for the train to Ramsgate, arriving 1500 to stay at the Bedford Inn, an excellent small hostelry close to the harbour. There would not be room on ‘Cachalot’ for her once Simon arrived from Dundee on Tuesday afternoon to crew with Steve and Mark. Also arriving on Monday was ’Maid Marion’, a 39’ Cornish lugger celebrating her 100th anniversary this year and in David Hunt’s family since 1965. She reached Ramsgate just as the sea state began to deteriorate after her passage from Harwich, having left Ramsholt on the River Deben on Sunday. There were parades and an air display in Ramsgate to entertain everyone as visitors gathered in the beautiful sunshine to admire the fleet and remember what happened 85 years ago.
Wednesday 21 May: Ramsgate to Dunkirk crossing confirmed
“Good morning everyone and I hope you slept well. Dunkirk Little Ships we are a green for go this morning.” The fleet had been preparing since dawn, waiting for the official ‘go, no go’ order which arrived at 0600. The fleet lists had been circulated and crowds had begun to gather since sunrise along the quays and harbour walls to see off the boats. Steve, Mark and Simon motored out towards the harbour entrance with the rest of the boats from the inner and outer harbours taking up position to form the long flotilla four vessels wide. There were three groups, based on speed capability, with ‘Cachalot’ in the ‘Vanguard’ fleet along with the sailing barges and other smaller vessels who could not be sure of maintaining more than 5 knots. The weather was fine but all the yachts and barges had to motor sail for most of the 40 miles across to Dunkirk. Mid-afternoon the wind picked up allowing ‘Moonraker’ and ‘Cachalot’, at the back of the fleet, to have an excellent sail for the last few miles into the lock. This change in the weather was not as welcome for the smaller motor cruisers, especially those without steadying sails, who were buffeted by the waves as they approached Dunkirk. After a long but exhilarating day everyone tied up in the two locks to finish the voyage through two lifting bridges before mooring up in the Bassin du Commerce.
ADLS fleet stormbound in Dunkirk
There were rumours of a brief weather window on Friday 23 May. 21 boats including ‘Cachalot’, decided to go, planning to depart at 0700. However, by 0800 there were reports of a pretty wild sea and more stormy forecasts beyond the locks and bridges, only two boats departed Dunkirk with the rest returning to their berths. At 1100 the planned reception for ADLS and the Royal Navy took place in the Town Hall, presided over by the Mayor of Dunkirk and attended by Prince Michael of Kent, ADLS Honorary Admiral.
As the wind increased even within the harbour all the flags made a colourful display as visitors came to look at the fleet. The Bassin du Commerce was used for shipbuilding and shipping companies in the 19th century. Now it is the permanent home to three historic heritage vessels: the three masted tall ship ‘La Duchesse Anne’, the lightship ‘Sandettie’ and the tugboat ‘Triomphant’. On Saturday evening there was an Anniversary Supper, a rather splendid occasion allowing plenty of mingling over canapés and champagne before sitting down for a three-course meal.
Sunday, planned to be the fleet’s last day in Dunkirk, was clearly going to be the start of another week of visiting boats and exploring the area since the weather was consistently too stormy for anyone to venture out. On Monday, ‘Challenge’ the steam tug left for Chatham with a small group of other sturdy boats and Simon returned to Scotland. Beverley took the train and a bus home on Wednesday leaving Steve and Mark to plan their passage back with ‘Cachalot’. The main fleet was planning to sail tomorrow but ‘Cachalot’ left early this morning, Friday 30 May, arriving into Ramsgate at 1530. She sailed the whole way in what were sometimes challenging winds and sea state but skipper and crew are both very happy.
Report and photos: Beverley Yates
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