The Leven Cruising Club has been left with no option but to break up the historic little ship Skylark IV, which helped to rescue more than 600 British soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk during Operation Dynamo.
The Leven Cruising Club has been left with no option but to break up the historic little ship Skylark IV, which helped to rescue more than 600 British soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk during Operation Dynamo.
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We have tried desperately to rescue her but despite messages of support from hundreds of people, including government ministers, we have failed to secure funding to save the boat. The Transport Museum said she wasn't "Scottish enough", although the boat spent the majority of its time in Scotland.
She lies semi-submerged on the River Leven, where for nearly 30 years she ferried tourists up Loch Lomond. After a veteran recognised her as his saviour from all those years before, the Dunkirk Veterans held an annual remembrance service aboard her.
We now have to face the fact the boat will need to be broken up before she starts to separate and damage other boats. If we can save anything, perhaps the propeller, we will donate it to the relevant museum – perhaps the Scottish Maritime Museum.
The ship, which played a huge part in saving the lives of many, has been neglected by the descendents of those who were saved and by the country they fought for.
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Dunkirk saviour to be dismantled
The Leven Cruising Club has been left with no option but to break up the historic little ship Skylark IV, which helped to rescue more than 600 British soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk during Operation Dynamo.
We have tried desperately to rescue her but despite messages of support from hundreds of people, including government ministers, we have failed to secure funding to save the boat. The Transport Museum said she wasn't "Scottish enough", although the boat spent the majority of its time in Scotland.
She lies semi-submerged on the River Leven, where for nearly 30 years she ferried tourists up Loch Lomond. After a veteran recognised her as his saviour from all those years before, the Dunkirk Veterans held an annual remembrance service aboard her.
We now have to face the fact the boat will need to be broken up before she starts to separate and damage other boats. If we can save anything, perhaps the propeller, we will donate it to the relevant museum – perhaps the Scottish Maritime Museum.
The ship, which played a huge part in saving the lives of many, has been neglected by the descendents of those who were saved and by the country they fought for.
Dougie McCann,
Vice Commodore, Leven Cruising Club,
69 Davies Drive,
Alexandria.
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Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.
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