A HISTORIC ‘gentleman’s yacht’ which was commandeered from Poole Harbour to support the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940 will return to Dorset this summer.
Last year, three Royal Navy veterans planned to sail Estrallita from the Norfolk Broads to Poole to mark the anniversary of VE Day and Operation Dynamo – the evacuation of Allied troops from Dunkirk during the Second World War.
However, following the pandemic, the vessel could not return to Poole – its original home.
One year later and Estrallita’s owner Tony Bilson, Michael “Jack” Hawkins BEM, and Tom Morrison have pulled their plans back to the surface to raise funds for SSAFA, an armed forces charity.
Estrallita was commandeered and sailed on May 28, 1940, from Poole Harbour and then requisitioned on June 1, 1940, taking part first in Operation Dynamo before being further manned by a Royal Navy crew and used as a harbour patrol vessel in Poole until the war ended.
Crew member Tom said: “As Royal Navy veterans, we all understand the significance of the brave men who manned Estrallita and her role during that time. This is why we’re going to take her along the coast and back to commemorate the brave men of Poole that undertook the epic voyage from there to Dover and on to Dunkirk in 1940.
“What makes this just as fitting is that we can commemorate the actions of all services, but particularly the Royal Navy, in the 40th anniversary year of the Falklands conflict raising money for SSAFA in the process.
“We know that times are a bit tough for people at the moment, but anything you can spare will go a long way to helping SSAFA support our forces and their families.
“It’s also a way to remember the sacrifices made in the Falklands, and Estrallita’s role in the miracle of Dunkirk in 1940 because she really is the little ship that keeps on giving.”
The vessel was recently added to the National Historic Ships Register at fleet level.
Beginning the voyage on May 18, Estrallita is scheduled to arrive in Lymington on Wednesday June 1, before arriving in Poole on Saturday 4.
Visit justgiving/Estrallita for more information.
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