Welcome to
The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships
The object of the Association is to keep alive and preserve for posterity the memory and identity of those ‘Little Ships’ that went to the aid of the British Expeditionary Force in 1940 and took part in Operations Dynamo, Cycle and Aerial and to preserve the “Spirit of Dunkirk” by forming a registered Association of their present day owners and of those closely associated. Vessels from all three Operations are included within the ADLS and are collectively known as 'Dunkirk Little Ships'.
HRH PRINCE MICHAEL OF KENT GCVO
Honorary Admiral
The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships
The Spirit of Dunkirk
Operation Dynamo May - June 1940
The Dunkirk evacuation, code-named Operation Dynamo, also known as the Miracle of Dunkirk, was the evacuation of Allied soldiers during World War II from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk, in the north of France, between 26 May and 4 June 1940. The object of the Association is to keep alive and preserve for posterity the memory and identity of those ‘Little Ships’ that went to the aid of the British Expeditionary Force in 1940 and took part in Operations Dynamo, Cycle and Aerial and to preserve the “Spirit of Dunkirk” by forming a registered Association of their present day owners and of those closely associated.
Operation Dynamo
"The Admiralty have made an Order requesting all owners of self-propelled pleasure craft between 30' and 100' in length to send all particulars to the Admiralty within 14 days from today if they have not already been offered or requisitioned"
BBC announcement on the 14th May 1940.
What is Operation Dynamo and the events surrounding the biggest evacuation in military history.
The
Little Ships
BBC announcement on the 14th May 1940.
What is Operation Dynamo and the events surrounding the biggest evacuation in military history.
A collection of approximately 850 private boats and 20 warships participated in Operation Dynamo, not all were documented or known. More than 200 ships were lost at Dunkirk.
The term Little Ship applies to all craft that were originally privately owned and includes commercial vessels such as barges, British, French, Belgian and Dutch fishing vessels and pleasure steamers. The Association does include some ex-Service vessels, which are now privately owned, and ex-Lifeboats.
Events
The Association meets several times a year on 'official business', at any of the public events we warmly encourage the support from the public. Please see below for 2026's schedule.
AGM
Private event for members only, details will be sent out in due course
6th March 2026
Fitting Out Supper
Private event for members only, Details will be sent out in due course
21st March 2026
86th Commemorative Cruise
Ramsgate Royal Harbour
Details will be sent out in due course
21st to 25th May 2026
Laying Up Supper
Private event for members only, Details will be sent out in due course
TBC 2026
CONTACT US
The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships is a private members organisation who collectively aim to commemorate the events surrounding Operations Dynamo, Cycle & Aerial in May/June 1940.
We are a not for profit association and are not a Charity or a Trust. Although many of the individual ships may be part of trusts, they are not run or organised by the ADLS, whilst we encourage all members, private, trust and charitable alike we do not raise or ask for funds.
Thank you for your continued interest and support.
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