The 'Little Ships' that played a key role in one of World War II 's most important operations have returned to Ramsgate as part of the 70th anniversary commemorations of the Dunkirk evacuations. They are accompanied by Sheemaun, Rodney Pell's classic Watson motor yacht, now Historic Yachts Flagship.

Around 50 craft which helped to rescue 338,000 British and Allied troops from the beaches around Dunkirk during Operation Dynamo in 1940 gathered at Ramsgate's Royal Harbour Marina

A day of commemorations was held on Wednesday, May 26, as part of Ramsgate's Dynamo Day, which included an inspection of the Little Ships and a blessing by the Secretary General and Senior Chaplain of the Mission to Seafarers, along with a reception hosted by the Mayor of Ramsgate. There was a flypast by a Spitfire and a Swordfish at 2.25pm

The small armada sailed Dunkirk on Thursday, May 27, a journey they only undertake once every five years, accompanied by a Royal Navy frigate, HMS Monmouth, the Ramsgate RNLI lifeboat and 1923 lifeboat, William and Kate Johnston.

Ramsgate's famous Little Ship Sundowner is among those taking part. It has been present on the regular voyages every five years since the 50th anniversary in 1990, having arrived at the harbour in 1987, when she came under the care of the Ramsgate Maritime Museum. Sundowner.

Sundowner was owned by Lieutenant-Commander Lightoller, a Club member, during the war and flew the LSC burgee to Dunkirk. Commander Lightoller, who had been second mate of the 'Titanic' was machine-gunned and bombed by three enemy aircraft and narrowly avoided being hit.  'Sundowner' subsequently took several hundred men off the beach.

Sundowner was built for the Royal Navy in 1912, and will be the oldest vessel taking part in the event this year. The harbour was the marshalling point for the Little Ships during the operation, which started after the Admiralty appealed for owners of small pleasure craft to contact them. 

This led to around 700 - 800 ships being offered for the evacuation, which took place between May 28 and June 4, 1940. Ramsgate was also one of the main reception centres for the returning Allied troops.