Name Sundowner

1.      What is the vessel’s ability to demonstrate history in her physical fabric?

Evidence for designs, functions, techniques, processes, styles, customs and habits or uses and associations in relation to events and people.  How early, intact or rare these features are may impact on significance.

SUNDOWNER was built as a naval pinnace in 1912 by the Admiralty at Sheerness Royal Naval Dockyard. She was converted in 1930 into a private motor yacht. Originally 52ft (15.8m) long, she was extended to 58 ft (17.7m), converted to a ketch rig, and equipped with a centrally placed 60hp Parsons petrol/paraffin 4 stroke engine, giving her a top speed of 8 knots from her single screw. In 1936 the engine was changed for a more powerful (72 horse-power) Gleniffer diesel, giving her an extra 2 knots. A conservation programme begun in Autumn 1986 resulted in the return of SUNDOWNER to her 1930 configuration as a private motor yacht. About 40 per cent of the hull's outer planking, more than 20 oak beams, and three bulkheads were renewed. The keel was strengthened and the transom repaired. Her wheelhouse, blown off during the hurricane of 1987, was completely rebuilt. Her engine was overhauled at H M Dockyard, Rosyth, and was re-installed in 1990.

2.      What are the vessel’s associational links for which there is no physical evidence?

Associations with people or places.  Off-ship research.

SUNDOWNER is significant for having played a role in both World Wars, serving as a Capital Ship’s steam pinnace during World War One, although her exact activities are unknown.  After leaving naval service, she was converted to a private motor yacht under the instructions of new owner, Commander Charles Herbert Lightoller, senior surviving officer of the TITANIC. During Lightoller’s ownership, SUNDOWNER cruised both in home waters and on the continent, including a family voyage to the Baltic, covering 3,000 miles. SUNDOWNER gained international significance during the Second World War: first in 1939 when Lightoller was asked by the Admiralty to conduct a secret survey of the German Coast, using SUNDOWNER to explore the Frisian islands; and then, on 1 June 1940, when SUNDOWNER set out from Ramsgate to assist in the evacuation of Dunkirk bringing a total of 130 persons home. In 1965 a plaque commemorating the event was placed on board SUNDOWNER by the Mayor of Dunkirk. She continued her war service as a coastal patrol vessel and later took part in a newsreel documentary demonstrating the role of her craft in rescue operations.  SUNDOWNER retained her connections with Ramsgate, eventually returning there in 1986, having passed through several owners before being purchased by the East Kent Maritime Trust.   SUNDOWNER later joined the flotilla of surviving 'Little Ships' on their 50th anniversary return to Dunkirk in May 1990, a voyage she repeated in 1995. She has been recorded on the National Register of Historic Vessels since 1996 and is part of the National Historic Fleet.

3.      How does the vessel’s shape or form combine and contribute to her function?

Overall aesthetic impact of the vessel, her lines, material she was built from and her setting.  Does she remain in her working environment?

SUNDOWNER was built as a war-time naval pinnace and was entirely fit for purpose, with the shape and form typical of this craft. However, she was converted in 1930 into a private motor yacht and was used for this purpose between the wars. As a naval pinnace she was designed to be functional rather than aesthetically appealing, but her conversion into a private motor yacht gave her more attractive lines. In the Second World War she also took part in several operations in this configuration. Today SUNDOWNER retains her 1930 layout and is a floating exhibit at Ramsgate Maritime Museum, in the very harbour from where she departed during the Dunkirk Evacuation, which marks one of the most significant episodes in her history.

Source: NHS-UK team, 26 January 2016. 

This statement was developed as part of the Heritage Lottery funded First World War project. http://www.ww1britainssurvivingvessels.org.uk/