The Thames Traditional Boat Rally was also an opportunity for some of the members of the Dunkirk Veterans Association
(DVA) to look over the little ships. These ex-servicemen were all rescued from the beaches during the Dunkirk
evacuation in 1940. The photograph below shows Naiad Errant taking part in a sailpast with two Veterans
manning the Vickers machine-gun on the foredeck. This (de-commissioned!) machine-gun is the same type as was mounted
on Naiad Errant's foredeck during her war work as a patrol vessel after Dunkirk.
The Admiral's Cruise in May 2003 was to Chatham Historic Dockyards on the River Medway, where the
photograph on the right was taken.
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Over the Winter of 2004/2005 Naiad Errant was prepared for the Little Ships' May 2005 return to Dunkirk. This
special event happens every five years, and takes a lot of preparation and planning. The voyage to Dunkirk was
accomplished in three stages - Staines to Rochester, Rochester to Ramsgate and then Ramsgate to Dunkirk in the company
of the other Dunkirk Little Ships. The return trip was also taken in three stages. Paul Richards skippered her on this
long trip, ably assisted by John and Rosemary Richards as crew.
As always the Little Ships were given a fantastic welcome by the town of Dunkirk, and an equally enthusiastic welcome
when they came back to Ramsgate.
Above: Halfway across the English Channel on the way to Dunkirk, May 2005
Below: Crowds in Ramsgate Harbour greeting the Dunkirk Little Ships, May 2005
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