Association of Dunkirk Little Ships

Commander J. Glendinning RNR, in his report dated 5th June 1940 to the Naval Officer in charge, Ramsgate, told tersely how he took command of the tug Java on 28th May at 1430 and proceeded to Dunkirk with four drifters and five motor launches including the Nayland. They arrived off Bray Dunes on 29th May at 0100 and he anchored in three fathoms of water sending the motor launches to the beach in search of troops which "seemed to be hiding in the sands". All the vessels under his command proceeded to transfer soldiers from the beaches to the bigger ships offshore. At 1000 he ordered the motor launches to transfer their troops to HMS Calcutta. By 1900 there were no more large ships and the small boats returned directly to Ramsgate with their loads. They arrived there at 0930 on 30th May and Commander Glendinning reports that all their men were in good heart "despite having had no meal from the afternoon of 28th until 1100 on 30th May."

Records show that the Nayland disembarked 28 troops at Ramsgate at dawn on 2nd June and more at 0740 and 1120, so she must have been ferrying these from off-lying ships to Ramsgate harbour. The following morning, she disembarked a further 55 troops directly from Dunkirk at Ramsgate and her total score for the duration of Operation Dynamo was 83. The Nayland was originally built by Perkins in Whitstable as a pilot boat

In July 1940 the Nayland was transferred to auxiliary patrol duties at Ramsgate; later she became a despatch boat at Sheerness and she continued to serve the Navy until 17th July 1945.

After the war, her name was changed to Peggotty and in 1977 she was bought by Isabel Robinson, for ?3,000 owing to her sad condition. Previous to this Peggoty had been raised three times from the mud at Richmond-upon-Thames where she had sunk, full of rain water, whilst she served as a floating home for a group of hippies. In 1987 Peggoty was purchased by her present owners, Joe and Penny Eves. The ship was in poor condition and since then has been completely re-built by her owners with an iroko hull, new transom and teak decks. She has been re-engined with a Ford Diesel and is now fully functional. Peggotty is used for cruising by her owners and family and is currently moored at Swan Island Harbour, Twickenham.

Source: 1 & 2

Updated: 01/12/99