Dunkirk Little Ships prepare for May celebration
Llanthony, a recently restored 77-foot 1934 Camper & Nicholsons motor yacht, will journey to Dunkirk this May to commemorate the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo following its restoration by Dennett Boatbuilders.
Llanthony (pictured above) is famed for its participation in the historic Dunkirk evacuation during World War II and will join over 75 fellow Dunkirk little ships in Ramsgate this May, for the 85th commemorative return to Dunkirk, escorted by the Royal Navy ‘guard of honour’.
Also commemorating the evacuation is PS Medway Queen (seen below). She was requisitioned for the Royal Navy and converted for minesweeping in 1939. When the Dunkirk evacuation began in May 1940, she was part of the 10th flotilla, based in Dover. The ship and her crew made seven trips in all rescuing thousands of men from the beaches and East Mole of Dunkirk Harbour.
During the operation she mainly worked out of Ramsgate, landing her evacuees in Margate on just one occasion. The ship is currently moored at Gillingham Pier, Medway, where she is undergoing restoration.
The restoration of Llanthony
Llanthony was recently restored by Dennett Boatbuilders, a family-operated firm specialising in the restoration and preservation of historic vessels.
“It is a huge commitment to restore a traditional craft and can often be a daunting experience,” says Stephen Dennett. “We believe firmly that it’s only by keeping old yachts like Llanthony relevant to modern expectations that they can be kept alive. The use of modern materials and technologies bridges the gap between past and present.”
He says Llanthony’s restoration relied greatly on West System epoxy for both structural and visual enhancements. This secured the longevity and structural integrity of the vessel. The process involved the critical step of bonding two layers of marine plywood to the steel subdeck. Next the subdeck was sheathed with West System glass cloth to provide high strength and conformability. Finally, a solid teak deck was epoxy-bonded into position using West System epoxy and a filleting blend, which ensured secure placement.
The wheelhouse and aft roof received identical sheathing treatment. West System adhesives secured the interior joinery, including mortise and tenon joints, ensuring robust bonding. The ceilings were levelled with West System 410 Microlight filler, a compound selected for its suitability in fairing extensive surfaces.
“Michael Dennett, a skilled boatbuilder, has been a highly valued customer to us at Marine & Industrial for over 30 years,” says Ben Catchpole, Marine & Industrial, which supplied the epoxy. “His expertise and dedication to craftsmanship in the boating industry are evident in the high-quality vessels he creates.
Read more about West System epoxy and projects in which it has been used
“We take pride in supporting Michael & Stephen with the products and technical support that helps bring his visions to life. His trust in our products and ongoing partnership have contributed to many successful restorations. We truly appreciate his loyalty and look forward to continuing to serve him with the same level of excellence that he brings to his work.”
Following the Dunkirk commemoration, Llanthony will be attending the St Katharine’s Classic Festival and cruise the South Coast of England.
Meanwhile, the Medway Queen Preservation Society is looking for sponsors to contribute to the cost of moving the ship. In 2015 Medway Queen was towed to Ramsgate to participate in the 75th anniversary commemoration.
