Brat spat: did SA’s oldest yacht really rescue soldiers from Dunkirk? Despite doubts cast by UK historical association, owner is adamant the vessel he’s restoring is a World War 2 heroine 04 May 2021 - 20:11
A 107-year-old classic yacht said to have rescued soldiers from the beach at Dunkirk has “washed up” in a vineyard overlooking Hout Bay rescued by a SA businessman. She is SA’s oldest known yacht.
But the 11.5m Brat of Dunkirk isn’t out of the firing line just yet. A British historical association has questioned the yacht’s claim to fame, casting doubt over whether she ever sailed to French seaport Dunkirk, where Allied soldiers were rescued from advancing German troops during the early days of World War 2. ..
Hampton fire: Lady Gay owners absolutely devastated to lose historic Dunkirk evacuation ship
The ship was considered one of the family
Dunkirk Little Ship Lady Gay seen during happier times on the ADLS Veterans Cruise, River Thames, in September 2015 (Image: Tom Allett)
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The Lady Gay - a Dunkirk evacuation ship - and its 87-year long history were totally lost after being destroyed in a Hampton fire this week.
Dunkirk Little Ship is lost in boatyard blaze: Historic vessel that took part in WWII evacuation is destroyed after huge inferno ripped through Grade II listed building on island in Thames Little Ship the Lady Gay caught alight as it waited on the slipway on Platt s Eyot island in Hampton on Monday
Two Grade II-listed, timber-framed boathouses built in 1916 were also completely ravaged by the fire
Restorations were just carried out on Lady Gay, with owner dubbing destruction nothing short of tragedy
Platt s Eyot is home to 2 other Little Ships , Mary Irene and Elvin, but both were moved out of reach of flames
Devastating Hampton fire sees historic Dunkirk evacuation boat destroyed
The fire took place in two single-storey industrial units on Platt s Eyot island
The large fire at Hampton Boat Sheds on Monday, May 3 (Image: The Hamptonite)
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A historic Dunkirk evacuation boat has been totally lost after being destroyed by a fire in Hampton, according to the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships.
Classic Boat Magazine
major fire at the old Thornycroft sheds on Platts Eyot, Hampton, on the River Thames.
The Little Ships Mary Irene and Elvin, which were also on site, were moved to safety.
Lady Gay was 34ft Motor Yacht built in 1934 for Lord Alfred Dunhill and cost £1,500 to build, reported the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships.
She was initially requisitioned by the Royal Navy under a net charter party arrangement for £6/month before she was finally acquired by the Navy in 1942 as a Thames and coastal patrol boat. The Royal Navy laid her up in 1944.
A cause of fire has yet to be established by fire fighters on the scene over the Bank Holiday Monday.