When a landlubber buys a Dunkirk Little Ship - First Inspection

First launched in 1933 bearing the name Rosa Woodd and Phyllis Lunn before being renamed Dowager in 1973, she is a little ship whose crew saved 143 lives during her career as an RNLI lifeboat. Yet it was her three hellish journeys to rescue stranded British troops from the deathtrap beaches of Dunkirk that made her a legend.
In December 2023, Dowager was found for sale after being abandoned in a boat yard. Her decks and wheel house had badly rotted from exposure to the elements, and her hull had flooded from countless rain showers. This channel exists as a record of the efforts to save, restore, and return her to sailing the sea once again.

[@cousinjack2841]

There are few things that give me more pleasure than seeing old boats being saved and restored, especially one as important as this. Having owned a few, much smaller, old wooden boats, I have an idea of what you are in for. You are a very brave man, but your quest is an honourable one. Good luck mate, I shall be following with interest and applauding enthusiastically from the sidelines.

[@gaylespencer6188]

I've been following Leo's restoration of a 1910 wooden boat. It's given me a lesson - stay away from old wooden boats.

[@tonyt6592]

Ive been watching Ship Happens and love watching historic boat restorations, look forward to watching the transformation of this old beauty too

[@alansmith4440]

I am looking forward to the restoration. It has a lot of history and has saved so many lives as a lifeboat.

[@ianforrest6728]

I'm looking forward to the restoration of this vessel which saved so many lives

[@humptydumpty9177]

This is a project that's worth a lot of effort, good luck, I'll watch with interest!

[@mgmgeorge3]

This seems like an amazing restoration! I can't wait to see more!

[@ianfirth-clark5975]

Best of luck and what an awesome vessel that would be fantastic to see her through to restoration.

[@scopex2749]

I just got outbid on one of the little ships 20 years ago! I was outbid by £100! She wasnt in as bad condition as this one. Sadly forgot the name but still have photos of her - a 'Gentleman's Launch' GOOD LUCK - SHE WILL LOOK SUPERB!

[@richardgiles2484]

Now, this is a challenge and good luck mate 👍

[@garylovattlovatt193]

Absolutely amazing 😊😊

[@williamclayton1485]

Saw her for sale and had a huge urge to start an incredible adventure. Will be following with great interest. Live in the north of France so could help with organising your return to Dunkerque. 👍 Beer will be fine.

[@dunkirkdowager]

Dunkerque looks like a long way away right now! If you're ever back in old blighty, feel free to pop round. I've got extra paint brushes 😁

[@hansrutten3310]

FANTASTIC project!!! From day 1 I am following many vlogs about restoration of wooden ships. Till now my most favourite are "Sailing Yaba" and "Sampson Boat Co" which I follow for years already and since last year I follow one restoration of a steel ship "Sailing Flying Coney". I CANNOT wait to follow this new channel! I wish you all success of the world!😍

[@garyphillips7993]

You’d probably enjoy Ship Happens - another WW2 wooden boat restoration.

[@PublicMixHardworking1]

Good work ❤❤❤❤

[@max-vj4yw]

It's called Callico. That is one massive undertaking and definitely not for the faint hearted, you'll need a lot of expertise to get that vessel anywhere near serviceable again. The Callico is also layed between the 2 thin layers of mahogany planking on the hull. It's basically a water proof layer. Try and find the plaque if you can that will be it's signature. Bear in mind that these are very difficult to handle when you do get it back to the water, They're very cumbersome and there's a long delay before they respond to the helm and rudder with the props in tunnels. They're a very different Beast! Best of luck with her, if you do get it finished you'll be well rewarded and admired wherever you go! Btw, loosen the 2 bungs, I think they're below the engines, accessable from below the hull, stow them safely and let her dry.

[@user-sc8dh4vn4v]

I was trying to remember that

[@ross.venner]

I think you mean kapok.

[@max-vj4yw]

@@ross.venner hi Ross, No, kapok was used in the very early buoyancy aids prior to cork. What I was referring to was the skin covering the hull, mostly between planks. It may indeed be kapok on the fendering on the early Watson's etc. from memory they definitely did use it in the bouyancy boxes that were laid internally to keep them afloat if the hull was compromised!

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

I think it is more likely Cascover, it was used with a glue and was very strong.

[@max-vj4yw]

Hi! It's not cascover in this case, that came into being round the late 50's normally applied on the outside of hulls. This is, I'm quite sure Calico, it was layed on these with white lead to form a waterproof barrier and being flexible enough to move with the Honduras Mahogany they used to plank the hulls of the Barnett's and Watson classes in the event of collisions. Honduras was very forgiving. ​@@AndyUK-Corrival

[@djmidg]

All power to your elbow. This is a worthy and commendable challenge. Have subscribed and will keep watching with interest 👍👍👍👍

[@daviddonoghue5438]

Good luck wonderful looking.boat

[@PublicMixHardworking1]

Have a great day ❤❤❤❤

[@ianperry9914]

good luck , the old girl deserves a lot of tlc .and more .

[@alexbrauninger3687]

I remember this boat from when it resided on the River Medway for many years. Was always kept in pristine condition back in those times. Sadly appears to have received maintenance for some time. Good luck with the project

[@bartjohnson8139]

What a wonderful old boat! Lucky you! to be the one to love her so much that fate has chosen you to be the one to rescue her! As I’m sure you know, it’s the fresh water, rain etc that’s the enemy of wood. Salt water, not so much. In the meantime, until you can get the deck and cabin watertight, tarps tarps tarps! Check out Ship Happens, Jemma and Simon are slowly bringing back their sadly abused and neglected WW II little ship. They’ll have lots of tips for the newbie wooden boat owner/lover/frustrated/hater/liker/lover again. You’ll get discouraged sometimes, just keep your repair targets small. One step at a time. First step is tarps.

[@dunkirkdowager]

Tarp is on and I've just started getting to grips with the internal planking 👍

[@markwhalebone751]

Good luck on your endeavour, a worthy project.

[@gjmdzcastricum]

Calico (/ˈkælɪkoʊ/; in British usage since 1505) is a heavy plain-woven textile made from unbleached, and often not fully processed, cotton. It may also contain unseparated husk parts.

[@keimo2007]

Perfect YT project, I subbed!

[@dunkirkdowager]

Welcome to the crew! 🛥️⚓

[@billathighwoods4289]

Expensive, but consider injecting spray foam into drilled cavities in the hull. Cover the hull with a 6mm boat mat - then HardWire US product and 6mm hybrid fibreglass roving with with GP resin and final tooling gelcoat. This is a worthwhile patreon solution for a historic project.

[@awlback1]

good luck, mate i see i have a years' worth of vids too watch i will be every time you post.

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Interesting project

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Get the rain water out ASAP and get her covered. She is worth saving for sure, I’ve see far worse but you will need some perseverance. Good luck. Where is the boat roughly? Andy UK

[@dunkirkdowager]

The boat is currently laid up in north suffolk

[@01ripkirby]

I follow Leo's build although it is more of a complete rebuild rather than a resto. A closer comparison might be the series Ship Happens where a couple are restoring an old naval wooden vessel and this would be agreat indication of the work ahead although the boat is smaller

[@SamDeeksRelovedGuitars]

What I was thinking. The task is immense... their boat Sarinda (?) is quite a bit larger but it's a rebuild from inside out and outside in.

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

The Cork not only added a bit of boyancy but acted as a energy absorbing bumper for when the boat ran alonside a vessel .. ...for cork to rot its got to be repeatedly waterlogged for years. .. This WE was the 200aniversary of the RNLI foundation . On BBC Radio 4 they covered it and the role of your boat in the Dunkirk evacuation. Contact saving Sarinda.. their boats an ex Motor Patrol Boat... They will help spread the word ..hell they may even visit you.. 👍🏼😎🧙‍♂️🇬🇧

[@dunkirkdowager]

Good point about the cork. I'm up to my neck with the keel but the cork fender will be the next big job. That unlocks the entire hull

[@keith800]

A challenge for you but with determination you will have something to be proud of , one step at a time and soon see the fruits of your labour , others have restored far worse Dunkirk vessels.

[@burlatsdemontaigne6147]

Calico!

[@stevestruthers6180]

Looks like you have a Herculean taxk ahead of you in cleaning up and restoring the ship.

[@brian.7966]

I am sure she was moored at Allington Lock for quite a while, I can remember when she was in pristine condition, good luck if you have a good hull it is retrievable. but its going to take a lot of £££££ and patience.

[@grahamlane1313]

I bet if you just sand the top rail you may find the wood is in better shape than you think

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

I think the cork was simply a soft buffer not for buoyancy.

[@dunkirkdowager]

Considering all the buoyancy tanks I've found in the hull, I think you're right!

[@wademacdougall1600]

Take this out to sea and give it a Viking 🔥

[@benters3509]

It would be very interesting to follow. But if you are going to make a success of this channel you are going to have to sort your camera technique out. You are zoomed in too close to the subject, so probably have the wrong lens on the camera (or the wrong camera) and don't keep waving the camera around all over the place. It works for your eyes and brain, but just makes us feel sick and giddy. Also some stabilization on the camera would be nice. Good Luck.

[@jamesallen712]

Interesting journey you are on. Wonder where you found her.

[@dunkirkdowager]

Found her by pure luck in a small boat yard where she'd sadly been abandoned. Amazing really considering everything she's been through to end up there

[@BreezyRider66]

The canvassy stuff could be cascover sheathing...

[@andrewrolfe4334]

How much were you paid to take possession of that thing?

[@dunkirkdowager]

My wife asked me the same question. I've been sleeping on the sofa ever since, so that should tell you the answer 😅

[@ElectroRiderSN]

Minus £25,000!

[@dunkirkdowager]

​@@ElectroRiderSNsteady on now. I'm optimistic, not insane. Yet.

[@richardnone5644]

this is a never ending money pit

[@gulfstream-tvstudios9546]

what a nightmare 🎉... but worth to take care of her ...

[@rjkism]

personally i think its beyond your means to restore it but good luck id be keeping the bilge wet to stop the frames warping, as rusted keel is the least of your problems

[@paulb8186]

Hope you've got a money tree because you're going to need it😂🤣

[@dunkirkdowager]

My money tree keeps dying on me 😅

[@djmidg]

Just a suggestion: unless you are aiming for 100% authenticity of traditional building methods and materials, you can save time and money with modern alternatives. 👌 (e.g. the fender repairs could alternatively use rubber, etc) You are probably bonkers enough 😉 to be this boat's only chance of survival, so any compomise between originality vs. longevity is surely acceptable? N.B. Albeit with no compromise in safety 👍👍

[@dunkirkdowager]

I've already found some builders foam shoved in various places around the buoyancy belt 😬 I'd love to replace with cork but I'm not too precious over the exact material as long as it's safe

[@mitchellbennis9236]

I wish you luck and hope you have a couple of mates to help you out and a nice amount of pounds in the bank, cheers.

[@dunkirkdowager]

A man can dream 😅

[@690Lighthouse]

callico?

[@RebuildingScotland]

The material is calico, like canvas, but not.

[@EnglishLawyer]

This is a story about an ideological young man who has absolutely no idea what he has bought and what he is talking about. Unfortunately the vessel in question which has great history is completely rotten and not worth the money repairing and putting back into service. The cost to repair etc will be hundreds of thousands of pounds. Old worn out engines requiring experts to repair them, rotten hull and super structure etc.... just a pipe dream. Don't waste your time son, just move on and sell it to another sucker.

[@jeangenie68]

Well if you wanted something to do with all your money and the rest of your life... you've found it.

[@simon-oy6um]

Walk away and keep walking 😒 ,from a boatbuilder 🤢

[@oldschool1993]

Why can't people grasp the simple fact that a camera strapped to your head does not work like your eyes. It has no peripheral vision and automatic balancing. If you are going to make videos, you need to take the time to setup the camera to focus on the things you want to show.

[@johnsavage1109]

Don't like your chances, but good luck and I wish you all the best.

[@nihilmiror6312]

What’s happened to people’s sense of history in Britain? Tragic it was left to rot…you are doing something wonderful and worthwhile to restore her back to working condition. Hope I live long enough to see the end result. Worth trying to raise some money via crowd funding or starting a Restore an historic boat NFP. Best wishes. 👍🛟🫡🙏🇦🇺🦘