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In 1965, at the instigation of the writer and broadcaster Raymond Baxter, 43 of the Little Ships that
originally were used in the Dunkirk evacuation took part in the first commemorative return to Dunkirk.
Following on from this the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS) was formed in 1967. (For further information on the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, see their website at www.adls.org.uk.) |
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In 1974 Sandy Evans, who wanted to buy a Dunkirk little ship, learnt about Naiad Errant's history
and set out to try and trace her. He spent the next seven years trying to track her down, acquiring
Naiad Errant's bell (see photograph on left), mast, ship's papers and navigation lights along the
way.
Finally a chance meeting in 1981 with the secretary of the ADLS, who had just located Naiad Errant, resulted in Sandy buying her a few days later. |
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Once Naiad Errant was in his possession, Sandy Evans added and upgraded her fittings and equipment.
He then proceeded to enjoy her on the Thames, where she was moored near his home in Maidenhead. The
photograph on the left shows her as Naiad Errant once again, and flying a replacement of the large
Red Ensign that was taken by a soldier after Dunkirk.
Sandy also joined the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships and took Naiad Errant to the various rallies and events organised by the ADLS, including her first commemorative return to Dunkirk in 1985, and the subsequent returns in 1990 and 1995. The photograph below shows Naiad Errant by the mole in Dunkirk harbour during the 1990 return. |
The photograph below was taken at the Thames Traditional Boat Rally in 1988 at Henley-on-Thames.
Raymond Baxter, the Hon. Admiral of the ADLS, leads the sail-past of Little Ships in L'Orage.
Naiad Errant is second in line. Paul Richards in Mehatis is third.
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1990 was the 50th anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation, and to mark this year a book about the Dunkirk
little ships was produced. The book jacket (right) showed Naiad Errant pictured both in 1940 and in 1990. |
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