Association of Dunkirk Little Ships

The Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology on behalf of the Southampton Heritage Federation is delighted to announce the Southampton Maritime Festival, taking place on Sunday 5th and Monday 6th May 2013 at the Ocean Cruise Terminal, Southampton to celebrate the arrival of the Steam Tug “Challenge” following her major restoration, partly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The lead organisation will be the Dunkirk Little Ships Restoration trust.

2013 will see the Little Ships return to Ipswich for their Annual Commemorative Cruise. A service will be held dockside at Ipswich Haven Marina on Sunday 26th May commencing at 1100. All are welcome.

The Annual Veterans Cruise will take place on the River Thames from Thames Motor Yacht Club (TMYC), Hampton Court to Weybridge Mariners Club, Shepperton Lock Island.
Over 80 Veterans including some of the few surviving Veterans of Operation Dynamo, Chelsea Pensioners, Normandy Veterans and some of the original Commandos will join Association of Dunkirk Little Ships Honorary Admiral, Prince Michael of Kent for his special day out on the River Thames.

The 2012 Commemorative Cruise will be held in London, in West India Dock to coincide with the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. The Pageant to be held at high water on the afternoon of Sunday 3 June 2012 and the event will see up to a thousand boats muster on the River Thames in preparation for Her Majesty The Queen to lead the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. The Pageant celebrates Her Majesty's sixty years of service by magnificently bringing the Thames to life.
Little Ships will assemble in Barnes reach prior to the event.

In excess of 15 Little Ships are expected to take part in the Annual Veterans Cruise on the River Thames between Kingston on Thames and Weybridge. Up to 90 Veterans including some of the last survivors from the Dunkirk evacuations, Chelsea Pensioners and their partners/carers will join the Little Ships for this unique event. Little Ships with the Veterans aboard will leave Thames Motor Yacht Club opposite Molesey Lock near Hampton Court around 1000.

The annual Commemorative Cruise will see many of the Little Ships of the ADLS fleet return to the hospitality of Ramsgate Royal Harbour. It is anticipated that Little Ships will arrive independently on Thursday 26 through Saturday 28th. A quay side service will be held on Sunday 29th at 1100 at the Sailor's Chapel adjacent to the Royal Harbour. All are welcome. Weather permitting the Little Ships will form up outside the Harbour, after the Service of Remembrance, for a wreath laying ceremony. On Sunday evening, members and guests will attend an evening dinner at the Pegwell Bay Hotel.