A day at sea capturing the Dunkirk Little Ships

About this event

Join us on the English Channel photographing upwards of 60 original Dunkirk little ships as they head out to sea on their return to Dunkirk for the 85th anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation of the allied troops.

We are pleased to bring you this very unique opportunity to photography some of the preserved ‘little ships’ while at sea in the English Channel. Join us for a days photography chasing and capturing these wonderful vessels as they recreate the Ramsgate departures of 85 years ago. We will be with the ships as they make their way past us, we will be up to around 2 miles out to sea, subject to weather.

The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships has organised Commemorative Returns to Dunkirk since 1965, and this year more than 60 Little Ships plan to cross the Channel to Dunkirk from Ramsgate. The flotilla are expected to take Royal Navy ratings and be accompanied by Royal Navy vessels, the Belgian and French will also have military vessels in attendance. The Dunkirk Little ships are planned to sail on the 21st of May from the inner marina, Ramsgate where there will also be events before the Little Ships sail for Dunkirk. It is hoped that the return in 2025 will attract the same interest and support both in the UK and with our allies in France and Belgium.

Ian Gilbert, the Hon. Vice Admiral ADLS said ‘In 2015 I had the honour of leading 50 Dunkirk Little Ships on the 75th Commemorative Return to Dunkirk. Due to Covid there was no Return in 2020 so the planned return in 2025 has special significance because, regrettably, for the first time there will be no Dunkirk Veterans joining. On the last return the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships were asked if it would continue to take the fleet over to Dunkirk once the last of the Veterans had ‘crossed the bar’. The answer today is the same as was given in 2015 – emphatically ‘yes’. The Little Ships are now the sole tangible link to that seminal event in 1940 and as long as one Little Ship remains seaworthy, the commemoration will continue.' 

Between 26th May and 4th June 1940 about 850 private boats sailed from Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour to Dunkirk in Northern France, helping to rescue more than 336,000 British, French, and Allied troops who were trapped on the beaches during the Second World War.

The year before, in 1939, the Royal Temple Yacht Club had been requisitioned, along with other buildings in Ramsgate, by the Royal Navy as the shore-based H.M.S Fervent. When the preparations began for the retreat, the naval personnel swelled to 650, under the command of Captain W.R. Phillimore. He was tasked with making all provision for the assembling and maintenance of all the small naval and civilian vessels, which soon descended on the harbour. The vast majority of these vessels were to become the famous Little Ships.

Please understand that like all water based events we are totally weather dependent and because of this we may be required to postpone our departure by as much as 24hours. It is advised to be prepared to for all eventualities. However we very much hope the event will run on the day as planned.

Our departure location will be Ramsgate Harbour, with final location confirmed in your joining details that will be sent a few days before the event, timings to be confirmed based on tide times.

Event requirements

Equipment

• Spare batteries
• Camera
• Lense cloths
• Lenses
• Camera protection - rain covers etc

Other things you should bring

• Snacks
• Bottled water

Knowledge

• All levels welcome

Fitness

• Medium

Other essentials

• Sturdy outdoor shoes
• Warm clothing
• Wet weather gear