MVS LEADS DUNKIRK LITTLE SHIPS ACROSS SHIPPING LANES
In early June East Sussex 1, the MVS’s Eastbourne-based national training vessel, led the return of the Dunkirk Little Ships to British shores. This was the last stage of a two-week deployment in support of the 85th anniversary commemoration of Operation Dynamo, the 1940 evacuation that saved more than 338,000 Allied troops from the beaches of Dunkirk during World War II.
On 23rd May nearly 70 Little Ships sailed from Ramsgate to Dunkirk to honour this remarkable chapter in history. Accompanying them across the busy English Channel were seven Royal Navy patrol vessels providing safe escort, alongside support craft including the Ramsgate RNLI lifeboat, a flotilla from the Nelson Owners Association, and East Sussex 1 which brought up the rear to support any boats struggling to keep up. Once in Dunkirk the MVS crew participated in events commemorating the sacrifice of so many soldiers and civilians 85 years ago and the role played by the Little Ships.
East Sussex 1’s skipper David Hughes said at the time: “We are honoured to be here, particularly as our Royal Patron, Prince Michael of Kent, is also Honorary Admiral of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS). We are pleased that His Royal Highness has been able to meet the MVS crew following a ceremony at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery and memorial. He showed great interest in the MVS’s role in this significant event.”
The original plan was for the fleet to return on Bank Holiday Monday 26th May but poor weather and rough seas delayed the homeward voyage to the following Saturday. This meant the Royal Navy patrol vessels that had led and escorted the small craft from Ramsgate were unavailable. So East Sussex 1 led a convoy of some 35 Little Ships across the busy shipping lanes. Hughes later explained that meant monitoring the big merchant ships using the lanes and instructing the three-quarters-of-a-mile-long convoy following East Sussex 1 to slow down or alter course to avoid collision as necessary. He added: “Leading the convoy was a great privilege and an opportunity to demonstrate the MVS’s ability to undertake responsible tasks at sea.”
As the MVS vessel left the the convoy just off Ramsgate the ADLS Commodore Kevin Finn expressed his “heartfelt thanks” to the MVS for undertaking this key role in the safe completion of the commemoration.
Cover photo: Looking astern from East Sussex 1 at the Little Ships Credit C Bowdery.
Photo: East Sussex 1 Crew: L. to R. Steve Lashley, Allan Eastham, Henry O’Grady, Eddie Oades, Robin Russell, David Hughes and Colin Bowdery. Credit S Lashley.
