Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DUN SAILING
Widow will give away WW2 boat to see it saved
A BOAT used at Dunkirk is being given away for free by a widow whose husband died before he could complete its restoration.
The Silver Star II is thought to have been in the flotilla of leisure craft which helped in the evacuation of Allied troops from France in 1940.
It was bought by Frank Bayes about 15 years ago. He spent years trying to restore it, but died, aged 72, on November 5 before the boat was finished.
Widow Jeanette, 80, said:
“For someone to take it and enjoy it like
Frank did and make it seaworthy would be the best gift anyone could give me. I can’t bear the thought of it being chopped up.”
Frank became too ill to work on his boat three years ago and it has been sitting untouched in a compound at Brixham Harbour in Devon.
Jeanette has been told the vessel must be gone by the end of January as the compound is being redeveloped. Jeanette said: “I want someone to take it for free. They can have everything my husband had in the shed to finish what he started. I want someone to take on the project.”
Frank had paid to keep the 40ft, wooden, clinker-built boat in the compound until the end of this year.
If a new owner is not found, Jeanette may have to pay £3,000 for its removal and it could be ripped apart.
Jeanette, of Paignton, Devon, said: “I just want someone to enjoy it the way my husband did. That would be the best gift to remind me of my husband.” Assistant harbour master Steve Poulton is helping her find a new owner. He said: “We’re trying to resolve the issue in a way that doesn’t cause her any more stress.”
Anyone interested, should contact Brixham Harbour on 01803 853321.