Association of Dunkirk Little Ships

Located at Borstal just up river from Rochester Bridge, 14 miles from the mouth of the River Medway, Beacon Boatyard is a traditional boat builder which specialises in the restoration of wooden and steel classic vessels, from large classic motor and sailing boats to small clinker built dinghies.

All restorations and repairs are carried out sympathetically by using a mix of traditional and modern, materials and methods, which are decided upon to suit the type of boat being restored, bringing the boat back to life, but also keeping the integrity of the vessel.

Beverley and Steve report on the history and renovations to Dunkirk Little Ship 'Cachalot'

A long established family company operating passenger boats on the Thames in London. Colliers Launches have amongst other boats, the DLS Princess Freda available for private hire.

John Richards has spent many years producing a comprehensively researched account of the Little Ship Naiad Errant's four-day involvement in Operation Dynamo. Available to down load at no charge from this website. A must for any serious scholar of Operation Dynamo.

Glala is a 78 foot motor yacht built during the First World War. She has had an eventful history that includes service with the Royal Navy and the National Fire Service in the 1940s. She is being restored.
She is a Designated Vessel on the National Register of Historic Vessels and she wears the flag of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships.

The IBTC has recently been restructured to incorporate Newson's Yard and the MTB 102 Trust.
Boatbuilders in Wood, Steel & Fibreglass.
Restorations, mast making, surveys and engine installations.
IBTC carries out all types of hull repairs specializing in double diagonal, carvel and clinker planking, from keel up repairs, frames and floors and decks.
New timber decks laid, along with traditional caulking of hull and decks using Oakum and pitched seams where tradition would have used them, cotton and Red/white lead and putty when appropriate.
Modern methods of caulking seams also used where customers require, Arbokol and Sikaflex to name just two.
Vintage and Classic Boat Restorations, repairs or total rebuilds there is no job to large or to small. All work can be tailored to suite owners requirements and budget.
Highly experienced staff take great care to ensure you will come back and in some cases we will come to you if the job requires it.
All work is carried out to a professional standard that meets all relevant current regulations in order to get your vessel - large or small - back in the water in the shortest possible time. With our Marine Engineer and qualified Electrician on site we have no time wasted waiting for outside agents to attend.

The story and images of Margo II

Military Genealogy is the a site where you can find military records of over 2 million British Armed Forces personnel exclusively cross matched with over 4000 Regiments, Bases and Ships of the British Armed Forces going back to before 1630, making genealogy tasks much easier and more complete.

Follow Simon Richardson's restoration work on the Motor Yacht Glala.
Although Glala will not be joining us for the 2010 Return to Dunkirk Simon assures us she will be there in 2015 to celibrate her 100th birthday!

The Royal Navy Heritage section

Follow the restoration of Willdora on the SUNDERLAND MARITIME HERITAGE website.

The Dunkirk Little Ships Restoration Trust was formed to acquire Dunkirk Little Ships in danger of destruction and remove them to a place of safety and to encourage the boatbuilding and conservation skills necessary to restore the Little Ships to a high standard with a view to ensuring their continued useful life.

Massey Shaw was built by J Samuel Whites of Cowes, Isle of Wight in 1935. She was built to a design of the London County Council, who wished her to be able to go under all the bridges of the Thames and her tributaries at any state of the tide.
The Massey Shaw's finest hour came in May 1940 when she answered a call from the Home Office asking her to take part in Operation Dynamo. The Massey Shaw made three trips to the beaches with her volunteer crew of Firemen, rescuing some 500 troops from the beaches and bringing back a further 110 to Ramsgate. In addition on her return to London the Massey Shaw rescued thirty French merchant seamen after their vessel, the "Emil de Champ", had hit a mine.
On her return to her home port, the Massey Shaw was heavily involved in fire fighting operations during the Blitz. Her fire pumps provided vast amounts of water to quell the large number of fires in the Docks and surrounding areas.

Follow how Tim Golding's work on the restoration of Dorian is progressing.