Skylark IX
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Many of the Dunkirk ships have moved far from the scene of their wartime exploits, but none farther north than Skylark IX, who began life in 1928 at Bolson's yard, in Poole, Dorset.
Her precise part in 'Operation Dynamo' was unrecorded until, one day in 1987, Charles Fairman, touring in Scotland saw a notice advertising cruises on Loch Lomond in a boat called Skylark IX. He became interested and recognised her as the ship he commanded in Poole when he was a Petty Officer, RNVR, in 1941. He had first seen her the previous year, first at Dunkirk and later in Ramsgate harbour, whilst ferrying a yacht round to Felixstowe, Suffolk.
At Poole, Skylark IX served as a shallow water minesweeper and was engaged in placing anti-invasion obstacles around the harbour. At one time she erected decoys on Brownsea Island, consisting of wooden sheds filled with coal and sprayed with oil. They were set alight when German bombers flew over, looking for the Admiralty Armaments depot at Holton Heath.
After the war, Skylark IX gradually worked her way north, via Morecambe and Burntisland to Loch Lomond, where Sweeneys Cruises operate her now. She has been modernised and made a more comfortable little ship to cruise in, with an enclosed foredeck and covered rear saloon.
John Sweeney gives Skylark IX's services free, to Dunkirk Veterans once a year, for their reunion on Loch Lomond. Veterans remember those who did not return from Dunkirk with Skylark IX and her fellow rescuers in 'Operation Dynamo' during those nine fateful days of 1940.
Source: 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 19 & 20
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Comments
Skylark IX
Unfortunately, when Skylark IX was replaced a a cruise ship with Sweeney's Cruises it was sold privately. It was left on the River Leven, and only days after the annual Dunkirk Veterans Parade and Service of Remembrance in May 2010, it was found to have sunk. It now sits derelict in the River Leven with only the cabin above the waterline. It has been inspected by divers, but the owner does not have the money to pay for the boats raising and would pass on ownership if anyone could rescue it. I am in the final stages of planning this years Dunkirk Veterans Parade, and I know that the remaining four Dunkirk Veterans who attend this Parade will be very sad to hear of Skylark IX's demise. Despite contacting West Dunbartonshire Council and others, there are still no plans to raise and save it.
Ian Middleton
Lt Colonel
Army Cadet Force
depcommandant@aol.com
Skylark IX
June 2011
Regret nothing new to report. The Vale of Leven Remembrance Day Committee are still looking for a solution and I will keep everybody up to date with any developements.
Ian Middleton
Lt Colonel
Army Cadet Force
Skylark IX
Regret that the boat now looks as if it is beyond salvaging. A sad end to a proud vessel and the job that it did at Dunkirk.
RIP Skylark IX.
Lt Col Ian Middleton
Army Cadet Force