The Dunkirk Little Ship, Warrior
She saved countless British and French soldiers’ lives during the evacuation from the beaches at Dunkirk in 1940. Now it’s our chance to save hers.
The Mv. WARRIOR, is now the last surviving example of the 6 vessels of this class that were commissioned by the Admiralty in 1912. She served as a naval pinnace during WWI, and as a Dunkirk evacuation vessel as part of operation Dynamo during WWII.
Simon Chaplin, and two brothers Clive and Oliver Elsden found the ship rotting away on the banks of the river Saône in St Jean de Losne outside Dijon, and realised that this little ship with such a magnificent history should not be lost forever. Against all odds the trio just managed to beat a demolition team armed with chainsaws who had been asked to break her up within a few weeks! Warrior has now been safely returned to her home of Hayling Island.
With your help, Simon, Clive and Oliver and a small team of shipwrights are determined to totally restore her and have her ready to sail back with the fleet to Dunkirk for the 2030 90th Anniversary. They are delighted to announce that a retired Royal Navy Admiral has already offered to join us on the trip back to Dunkirk.