{"id":49347,"date":"2025-05-24T02:17:33","date_gmt":"2025-05-24T06:17:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/dunkirk-little-ships-abandon-return-due-to-weather\/24\/05\/2025\/"},"modified":"2025-05-24T02:17:33","modified_gmt":"2025-05-24T06:17:33","slug":"dunkirk-little-ships-abandon-return-due-to-weather","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/dunkirk-little-ships-abandon-return-due-to-weather\/24\/05\/2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Dunkirk little ships abandon return due to weather"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Crews on board the little ships that travelled to Dunkirk this week have had to abandon their ceremonial return to the UK due to weather conditions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Nearly 70 boats &#8211; all original civilian ships that helped with the miraculous World War Two <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cy0j8zx787yo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:evacuation of about 330,000 troops;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">evacuation of about 330,000 troops<\/a> &#8211; sailed back to northern France for the 85th anniversary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">But two ships from Essex will remain moored at Dunkirk for longer than expected<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;We just couldn&#8217;t take that risk,&#8221; said Cameron McGregor, secretary of the Leigh-on-Sea Endeavour Trust.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;It would have been extremely wet and extremely uncomfortable for everyone.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Cameron McGregor said crews would go back to collect the boats as soon as it was safe to do so [John Fairhall\/BBC]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The ships last made the crossing for the 75th anniversary of Operation Dynamo in 2015, and they all <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cvgvvr94q41o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:gathered again in Ramsgate, Kent;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">gathered again in Ramsgate, Kent<\/a>, on Monday, before setting sail on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Crews and volunteers have been attending ceremonies and events in Dunkirk.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Endeavour was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cy0j8zx787yo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:one of six cockle boats;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">one of six cockle boats<\/a> from Leigh-on-Sea that helped taxi soldiers from the beach to larger ships &#8211; together credited with saving about 180 troops.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Mr McGregor &#8211; who was one of nine volunteers returning on Endeavour &#8211; said half of his team had already taken the ferry home, and the rest would depart on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;We heard reports of a navy boat being spun around by a wave, so we decided to moor up,&#8221; said the 64-year-old.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;It&#8217;s frustrating but these things happen. People get wound up but it&#8217;s just what travelling on the sea is like, you can&#8217;t predict anything.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">They hope to bring Endeavour home as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Dozens of little ships gathered in Ramsgate Harbour in the sunshine. They are moored side by side, mostly painted white. The quay-side Victorian buildings are in the background, beside the still water.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/lX7QihUASDOizn2Juw51nw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/2935dd4623516b3876626d46e0834f26\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>The little ships first gathered at Ramsgate, Kent, to mark the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo [Stuart Maisner\/BBC]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Pudge is a wooden Thames sailing barge that helped save an estimated 160 troops at Dunkirk. It is now run as a charter boat in Maldon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Gerald Moore, who travelled on Pudge to Dunkirk, said: &#8220;Several of them turned round and came into the port as the waves were two metres high and running in the wrong direction.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;We are almost certainly staying until Monday, but it&#8217;s going to be a day-by-day check of the weather.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Mr Moore said the trip was by no means a wasted journey: &#8220;The whole thing has been absolutely amazing and the town of Dunkirk has done us proud.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;It&#8217;s been a thrilling experience.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Seven men stand on the deck of Pudge. The various ropes, chains and the mast can be seen. They are wearing a mixture of darkly-coloured fleeces, jackets and polo shirts.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/zkUVZgUdfQil2d9e8hPGKA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/35f2e08231c431c52e8993e69539f910\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Gerald Moore, pictured top left, was one of 16 people who sailed from Hythe Quay in Maldon to Dunkirk [John Fairhall\/BBC]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Follow Essex news on <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sounds\/curation\/p0cjdqpb?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:BBC Sounds;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>BBC Sounds<\/em><\/a><em>, <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BBCEssex\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Facebook;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>Facebook<\/em><\/a><em>, <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bbcessex\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Instagram;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>Instagram<\/em><\/a><em> and <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BBCessex\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:X;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>X<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">More on this story<\/h2>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Related internet links<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script 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