Heritage · May–June 1940

OPERATION DYNAMO

The Spirit of 1940. Inspiring the Innovators of Tomorrow.

In May and June 1940, an extraordinary flotilla of naval vessels, lifeboats and civilian craft helped rescue more than 338,000 Allied servicemen from Dunkirk.

Operation Dynamo demonstrated what could be achieved through courage, resourcefulness, maritime expertise and collective determination.

At the Maritime Futures Hub, we believe those same qualities can inspire the next generation.

Authentic archive photograph of the Little Ships being sourced — it will appear once its collection, attribution and permission are confirmed.

Historical record

The Little Ships. An Extraordinary Legacy.

Alongside the Royal Navy, hundreds of smaller vessels crossed the Channel — fishing boats, pleasure craft, barges and RNLI lifeboats, many crewed by civilian sailors. In the shallow waters off the Dunkirk beaches, they ferried troops out to larger ships waiting offshore.

Their contribution has become one of the most enduring stories of British maritime history: ordinary people and ordinary boats, answering an extraordinary call.

The connection

RNLB Charles Cooper Henderson (ON 761)

Built in 1933 by Groves & Guttridge in Cowes.
Stationed at Dungeness.
Participated in Operation Dynamo.
Subsequently completed a distinguished RNLI service career.
Now the subject of a separate heritage and preservation initiative.

Details of her individual role at Dunkirk are still being researched against RNLI and archive records before further information is published.

Explore the Charles Cooper Henderson Story →

Historical and present-day photographs of the lifeboat will be added once permissions are confirmed.

A project in development — planned for July 2027

A New Challenge for a New Generation

What happens when we challenge a new generation to demonstrate the ingenuity, determination and teamwork of the Little Ships?

The Dynamo Challenge is a proposed new community engineering and adventure event for Lymington, planned for July 2027.

Teams will be encouraged to imagine, design, build and compete using creative land-and-water machines.

Competition One

The Dynamo Relay

Many machines. One team.

A multi-stage team competition involving different vehicles and machines for different sections of the course.

The proposed route begins in Lymington's historic town centre, descends towards Town Quay, continues through a water-based section and returns towards the Salt Baths.

Each stage will test different skills, from design and engineering to teamwork, navigation and physical determination.

Competition Two

The Amphibious Challenge

One machine. Two environments.

Teams will attempt to engineer a single machine capable of travelling on land and water.

We encourage imaginative approaches to propulsion, buoyancy, materials, energy efficiency and mechanical design.

Both competitions remain subject to route feasibility, safety planning and relevant permissions. No rules, entry dates or sponsorships have been set.

More Than a Race

The Dynamo Challenge is intended to become a practical educational programme, not simply a one-day event. Our aspiration is to engage:

Schools and colleges
Cadet organisations
Maritime and engineering businesses
Makers, designers and craftspeople
Families, friends and community groups

BoatbuildingBuoyancyPropulsionMechanical engineeringRenewable energyMaterialsTeamworkProblem-solving

The Maritime Futures Hub aims to support the development of ideas, prototypes and practical skills through its community spaces and programmes.

We want young people to discover what they are capable of by creating something they never imagined they could build.

Built by the Community. Powered by Imagination.

In the inaugural year, teams will be encouraged to form independently. Schools, companies, clubs, families and groups of friends could all take part.

We hope to involve local boatbuilders, engineers, marine businesses and craftspeople as mentors, supporters and suppliers of materials — with creativity, accessibility, collaboration and enjoyment at the heart of it all.

No businesses or organisations have yet formally committed to the event.

See all Projects & Initiatives →

A New Tradition for Lymington

Our ambition is to establish the Dynamo Challenge as an annual highlight of Lymington's summer calendar.

Over time, it could develop into a recognised celebration of maritime engineering, creative problem-solving and community collaboration, attracting participants and spectators from across the Solent and beyond.

The ultimate measure of success will not simply be the number of entrants or spectators, but the confidence, friendships, practical skills and opportunities created along the way.

In 1940, extraordinary things were achieved when people worked together with whatever resources they had.

In 2027, we want to inspire a new generation to discover what they can achieve.

Help Us Bring the Dynamo Challenge to Life

We are developing plans for July 2027 and would welcome conversations with prospective participants, educators, engineers, maritime businesses, sponsors and community partners.

Registration is not yet open — these links start an email conversation with the team.

Our Heritage. Our Community. Our Future.