Sundowner (yacht)

Moored in the picturesque Ramsgate Harbour, the Sundowner is no ordinary yacht. This vessel is a floating testament to a bygone era, rich with history and maritime legacy. Originally constructed in 1912 by the British Admiralty at the Sheerness Dockyard, the Sundowner was later acquired in 1929 by Charles Lightoller, the second officer of the RMS Titanic and the highest-ranking survivor of the infamous disaster. Today, the Sundowner is preserved as a museum ship at the Ramsgate Maritime Museum, offering visitors a unique glimpse into its storied past.

Construction and Early Years

The Sundowner began its life as a 52-foot yacht, though it was later extended to 58 feet. The vessel was initially equipped with a 60-horsepower Parsons gasoline engine, enabling it to reach speeds of up to 8 knots (15 km/h). Charles Lightoller and his wife Sylvia, who hailed from Australia, named the yacht Sundowner, an Australian term for a transient worker or traveler. Fitted with two masts and rigged as a ketch, the yacht was designed for both leisure and competitive sailing. Over the next decade, the Sundowner sailed along the northern coast of Europe, participating in numerous international competitions and earning a reputation for its performance and elegance.

Wartime Heroics at Dunkirk

The Sundowner's most dramatic chapter unfolded during World War II. On May 31, 1940, as the British Expeditionary Force found itself trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk, the Admiralty requisitioned the Sundowner for the evacuation effort. Despite being 66 years old and retired, Charles Lightoller volunteered to pilot the yacht, accompanied by his eldest son Roger and an 18-year-old Sea Scout named Gerald Ashcroft. On June 1, the Sundowner set sail across the English Channel, part of a flotilla of small vessels tasked with rescuing stranded soldiers.

Upon reaching Dunkirk, the Sundowner moored alongside the destroyer HMS Worcester, taking on board 130 soldiers—65 crammed into the cabin and another 55 on the deck. The yacht then navigated its way back to Ramsgate, skillfully avoiding enemy aircraft and artillery fire. This daring rescue mission not only saved lives but also cemented the Sundowner's place in history as one of the heroic Little Ships of Dunkirk.

Post-War Adventures and Preservation

After the war, the Sundowner continued to serve in various capacities. It was used as a coastal patrol vessel on the River Blackwater in Essex and later joined the 647th Transport Company of the Royal Army Service Corps on the River Clyde. In 1945, the yacht was decommissioned and returned to Charles Lightoller, who restored it to its pre-war condition. Following Lightoller's death in 1952, his wife Sylvia continued to sail the Sundowner, even leading the Armada of Little Ships during the 25th anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation in 1965.

The Sundowner changed hands several times over the ensuing decades, eventually falling into disrepair. However, in 1988, the East Kent Maritime Trust purchased the yacht and brought it back to Ramsgate for much-needed restoration. By 1990, the Sundowner was once again seaworthy, participating in the 50th anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation. In 2000, the yacht joined the flotilla for the 60th anniversary, and in 2012, it took part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant, celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's 60 years on the throne.

Visiting the Sundowner Today

Today, the Sundowner is a cherished exhibit at the Ramsgate Maritime Museum, where it stands as a symbol of bravery, resilience, and maritime heritage. Visitors can explore the yacht's meticulously restored interior, gaining insight into its construction, history, and the pivotal role it played during the Dunkirk evacuation. The museum provides detailed information about the yacht's design, its various engines, and the modifications it underwent over the years.

Stepping aboard the Sundowner, one can almost hear the echoes of the past—the urgent commands of Charles Lightoller, the anxious murmurs of soldiers awaiting rescue, and the hum of the yacht's engine as it powered through the treacherous waters of the English Channel. The Sundowner is more than just a vessel; it is a living museum, a tangible connection to a momentous event in history, and a tribute to the indomitable spirit of those who sailed her.

Whether you are a history enthusiast, a maritime aficionado, or simply a curious traveler, a visit to the Sundowner offers a profound and enriching experience. As you walk the decks and peer into the cabins, you are transported back to a time of courage and sacrifice, gaining a deeper appreciation for the men and women who shaped our world. The Sundowner's legacy is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit and the timeless allure of the sea.