mogsey5

The photos were taken by our friend Mark Sandford, who lives in Ramsgate, on 21/08/2021 when we were leaving Ramsgate to sail home to Lowestoft via Shotley Marina in Felixstowe. He was up on the harbour wall by the Marina entrance. Medway Queen was on the slipway for maintenance and repainted.

I know exactly what you mean I've travelled them a few times with Tony the boats owner who lives near Diss

Yes, built in 1934 by Thornycroft she's moored in Somerleyton marina on the broads

We are looking for information about Lewis K Clayton when he owned my friends motor yacht 'Estrellita', Lewis had her berthed in Poole during the war and she was sailed from Poole to Dover in 1941 to take part in Operation Dynamo to rescue troops from the beaches of Dunkirk, we are trying to find out if it was Lewis who actually captained her on that trip? When Estrellita returned to Poole the Royal Navy Commandeered her and Paid Lewis £12.10 for the duration of the war, they painted her grey and installed an AA gun on her bow, she was used as a harbour patrol boat in Poole for the duration of WW2. My friend Tony Billson found her close to sinking in Ramsgate harbour some 6 years ago so bought her as a project and put her on a low loader to a boatyard on the broads near Oulton where he spent 5 years lovingly restoring her to her former glory. His brother in law Michael (Jack) Hawkins (BEM) works as a volunteer onboard HMS Warrior in Portsmouth and did a lot of research on her history, and what a history she has, she is now registered as a National Historic Ship at Fleet level along with HMS Victory, The Mary Rose, HMS Warrior etc. plus is on the Little ships club list in London. The three of us are taking her out to sea on May 18th and sailing to Plymouth calling in many ports on the south cost in the process we will be raising money for SSAFA and Norwich University Hospitals Buxton Children's Ward. We have a just giving page called Estrallita1934 set up ready for when we sail. If anyone can help us with our research of Lewis K Clayton it would be most appreciated. Tonys five year restoration from start to finish can be seen on Facebook page 'Rakes Retreat now Estrallita a Dunkirk Little Ship' he's done a fantastic job.

Hi I'm Tom an Ex Royal Navy stoker and crew member of Lewis K Claytons old 1934 Motor Yacht Estrellita along with two other ex Navy shipmates Tony Billson (owner) and Michael (jack) Hawkins (BEM). We are trying to trace if it was Lewis K Clayton who sailed Estrellita from Poole to Dover to take part in operation Dynamo and the rescue of troops from Dunkirk in 1941? I know there are people on here who are very knowledgable about the Claytons history and was wondering if anyone had any information they could provide us with. Lewis had served in the Army during the first world war and was wounded, he was promoted to Captain and was Living in Poole in 1941 where Estrellita was moored and later living in Oxford where he died in the 60's