A Dunkirk Little Ship Project
More than a restoration project; we are in a race against time to save a unique piece of maritime history
First launched in 1933 bearing the name Rosa Woodd and Phyllis Lunn before being renamed Dowager in 1973, she is a little ship whose crew saved 143 lives during her incredible career as an RNLI lifeboat. Yet it was her three hellish journeys to rescue stranded British troops from the deathtrap beaches of Dunkirk that made her a legend.
In December 2023, Dowager was found for sale after being abandoned in a boat yard. Her decks and wheel house had badly rotted from exposure to the elements, and her hull had flooded from countless rain showers. This website serves as a record of the efforts to save, restore, and return her to sailing the sea once again.
Operation Dynamo
Find out about the greatest rescue mission in history, when 400,000 British and allied soldiers were cut off from home and surrounded by the Nazis in May of 1940.
The Little Ship
Ridiculously unsuited for the task of rescuing British troops stranded under heavy enemy fire from the beaches of Dunkirk, Dowager sailed from the shores of England to bring as many home as possible. Learn about her known history here.
The Restoration
Piece by piece, Dowager is being brought back to life. Click below to explore this unique journey and gain insight into our efforts to save this historically important vessel.
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