Dunkirk little ships abandon return due to weather

The little ships made the slow crossing from Ramsgate to Dunkirk on Wednesday

Crews on board the little ships that travelled to Dunkirk this week have had to abandon their ceremonial return to the UK due to weather conditions.

Nearly 70 boats - all original civilian ships that helped with the miraculous World War Two evacuation of about 330,000 troops - sailed back to northern France for the 85th anniversary.

But two ships from Essex will remain moored at Dunkirk for longer than expected

"We just couldn't take that risk," said Cameron McGregor, secretary of the Leigh-on-Sea Endeavour Trust.

"It would have been extremely wet and extremely uncomfortable for everyone."

Cameron McGregor said crews would go back to collect the boats as soon as it was safe to do so

The ships last made the crossing for the 75th anniversary of Operation Dynamo in 2015, and they all gathered again in Ramsgate, Kent, on Monday, before setting sail on Wednesday.

Crews and volunteers have been attending ceremonies and events in Dunkirk.

Endeavour was one of six cockle boats from Leigh-on-Sea that helped taxi soldiers from the beach to larger ships - together credited with saving about 180 troops.

Mr McGregor - who was one of nine volunteers returning on Endeavour - said half of his team had already taken the ferry home, and the rest would depart on Sunday.

"We heard reports of a navy boat being spun around by a wave, so we decided to moor up," said the 64-year-old.

"It's frustrating but these things happen. People get wound up but it's just what travelling on the sea is like, you can't predict anything."

They hope to bring Endeavour home as soon as possible.

The little ships first gathered at Ramsgate, Kent, to mark the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo

Pudge is a wooden Thames sailing barge that helped save an estimated 160 troops at Dunkirk. It is now run as a charter boat in Maldon.

Gerald Moore, who travelled on Pudge to Dunkirk, said: "Several of them turned round and came into the port as the waves were two metres high and running in the wrong direction.

"We are almost certainly staying until Monday, but it's going to be a day-by-day check of the weather."

Mr Moore said the trip was by no means a wasted journey: "The whole thing has been absolutely amazing and the town of Dunkirk has done us proud.

"It's been a thrilling experience."

Gerald Moore, pictured top left, was one of 16 people who sailed from Hythe Quay in Maldon to Dunkirk