Dunkirk Little Ship finds a permanent home
One of only two remaining ‘Dunkirk little ships’ from the World War II operation is to have a permanent home at the heart of a new immersive heritage experience in Dumbarton
The proposed £3m Spirit of Skylark Centre will be a permanent base for Skylark IX, which is listed on the National Historic Ships Register and believed to be one of only two ‘Dunkirk little ships' from the World War II Operation Dynamo surviving in Scotland. Skylark IX became part of history in May 1940 when she served during Operation Dynamo, the ten-day mission to save 338,000 Allied soldiers from Dunkirk. Afterwards, she continued her wartime service as a barrage balloon vessel in Poole harbour.
The ship was rescued and is currently being restored by a specialist boatbuilding team working with people recovering from drug addiction and social isolation, thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The new Spirit of Skylark Centre will reflect Dumbarton's wider maritime, industrial and social history, also on show at the neighbouring Scottish Maritime Museum.