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>>Second World War Thames river craft arrive back after helping the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from the beaches at Dunkirk ‘little ship’ NCJ - Topix sets sail once again

>>Fleury II, the Dunkirk Little Ship, which has been restored at Cockwells Boatyard Andrew Wright

CORNISH boatyard has given a new lease of life to one of A Cornish boatyard has restored one of the Dunkirk little A the Dunkirk Little Ships that played its part in the rescue of more ships back to its former glory, reports Philip Bowern than 336,000 troops, trapped on the beaches of France in 1940. Allied war effort – would have been skylight have been repaired and the Mylor-based Cockwells Modern & captured or killed by the advancing windlass has been overhauled, Classic Boatbuilding has a reputa- Army. whilst the interior has been painted tion for creating award-winning cus- Combining the artisan traditions to lighten the space and the exterior tom builds, from luxury superyacht of the shipwright with modern tech- has been stripped and re-varnished. tenders to classic motor launches. nology, Cockwells’ craftsmen and Restoration Project Manager, But its craftsmen and women have technicians have now restored Holly Latham said: “Another reward- shown they can also turn their hand Fleury II to her former glory. ing part of this project has been the to the challenge that restoration of Shipwright Mark Curnow new owner’s eagerness to respect the an historic vessel presents. explained how a combination of old history of this vessel whilst making Fleury II is a Dunkirk Little Ship craft skills and modern materials sure that she can be fully enjoyed with a glassed deck that was leaking and techniques made restoration a during the next chapter of her life. and a rotting deck beneath. It was possibility. “Originally, solid strips of “The traditional feel of the boat delivered to Cockwells’ Mylor Creek thicker wood would have been used has been enhanced with modern Boatyard in autumn 2018 for much in the deck’s construction and engines and electrical systems, a needed structural repairs. steamed in,” he said. “Today, we can new galley and period light fittings Built in Christchurch, Dorset in laminate thinner strips, in situ, to powered by low energy LED. These 1936, the motor yacht was designed repair hard-to-reach areas. We have practical changes have been intro- by Eric French of Poole. She was also maintained the aesthetics of the duced sensitively and are hidden, named by her original owners, the deck but have gained durability by where possible, so as to complement Fleurets. using marine ply and a layer of fibre- Fleury II’s heritage and ensure her The Little Ships of Dunkirk sailed glass/epoxy where, traditionally, survival for decades to come.” from in to Northern wooden boards covered with paint- Founder and managing director France between 26 May and 4 June ed canvas would have been used. Dave Cockwell added: “At Cockwells 1940 as part of Operation Dynamo. “One of the highlights of Fleury II Modern & Classic Boatbuilding we These ships helped to rescue the is that her original keel is intact and take great pride in delivering the British, French, and other Allied sol- her backbone can be seen in its orig- highest levels of craftsmanship, diers who were trapped on Dunkirk’s inal state. This is a tribute to the fine whether we are designing an exqui- beaches during the Second World craftsmen who built her, who we are site tender for a superyacht or restor- War. Without the use of civilian ves- proud to follow today.” ing a classic yacht with copper nails sels like Fleury II and hundreds of The deck fittings, stanchions and and oak ribs. When renovating a others, there was a grave danger one of the aft-cabin sides have also much-loved craft, we stop at nothing many of the troops – vital to the been replaced; the wheelhouse and in our quest for perfection.”