Today, Wednesday 21 May, the 1934 Dunkirk Little Ship Llanthony is part of a flotilla of more than 75 Little Ships on their way from Ramsgate to Dunkirk to mark the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo.  The 85th anniversary fleet departed Ramsgate early in the morning on 21st May and is expected to arrive in Dunkirk around 4pm local time. 

HRH Prince Michaael of Kent. Image: National Historic Ships UK

Yesterday, there was another very special celebration for Llanthony as she was presented with a broad pennant to fly at the mast and engraved brass plaque as one of National Historic Ships UK’s (NHS-UK) Flagships of the Year for 2025.  In attendance at the ceremony was HRH Prince Michael of Kent, and the pennant and plaque were presented to Llanthony’s owner Ross Ahlgren by Admiral Sir George Zambellas, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports; and NHS-UK Council of Experts member and Royal Museums Greenwich Curator of the Ship Model and Small Boats Collection, Simon Stephens.  The flag was raised by Stephen Dennett from the family-owned Dennetts Boatyard, which completed an award-winning restoration of the vessel last year.

One of four very different historic vessels awarded Flagship of the Year status by NHS-UK, Llanthony was built by yacht designers Camper & Nicholson in 1934 and once owned by Lord Astor.  She saved 280 lives at Dunkirk, and her 20 year old commander was awarded the Navy’s Distinguished Service Cross.  An award-winning restoration was completed last year by Dennetts Boatyard, Chertsey.

Among the commemorative fleet of Dunkirk Little Ships marking the Return to Dunkirk at Ramsgate were a significant number of vessels listed on the National Register of Historic Vessels, managed by NHS-UK. These included four previous Flagships – steam tug Challenge (2024), 1931 motor yacht Breda (1921), 1924 paddle steamer Medway Queen (2020) and 1927 fishing vessel Caronia (2017).

NHS-UK’s annual Flagship Awards have been running since 2009.  The Awards provide an opportunity to demonstrate and celebrate the value of historic vessels to the wider public. 

The four 2025 Flagships are:

  • Barnabas – 1881 Cornish fishing vessel, now teaching the unique skills of sailing and preserving traditional boats to the local community
  • Sir Walter Scott – Victorian passenger steamship celebrating 125 years of steaming on Loch Katrine in the Scottish Highlands
  • Llanthony – 1930s Gentleman’s Motor Yacht which saved 280 lives at Dunkirk and recently completed an award-winning restoration
  • Dane – 1947 Narrowboat which carried cargo in the Potteries and is now a vital part of the educational offering at the Middleport Pottery heritage site

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