Purchasing a pleasure boat is often driven by impulse and passion rather than logical reasoning, a sentiment reflected in the traditional feminine attribution to boats. Sir Malcolm Campbell, world land-speed record holder in 1924, was knighted the same year he commissioned the yacht Blue Bird. He later added the world water-speed record to his achievements in 1930. The name Blue Bird, inspired by Maeterlinck's play L'Oiseau Bleu, was used for all his record-breaking cars, boats, and the three successive yachts he owned.

Bluebird of Chelsea (her current name) was Campbell’s second yacht. He sold her after three years due to concerns over her petrol engines, which he deemed hazardous. A gypsy had once warned Campbell that "his death would come from the water." Before World War II, Bluebird had three additional owners and was eventually requisitioned by the Admiralty.

During the Dunkirk evacuation, Bluebird made two unsuccessful attempts to reach the beaches. The first attempt was aborted due to engine trouble, and the second was halted at Sheerness because of an excess of volunteers. On her final successful departure, she was commanded by Lt. Col. Barnard with a crew of naval ratings. With a draft of 4 feet 3 inches, she was unable to operate comfortably close to the beaches and likely ferried troops from the harbour. Although she sustained no major damage, her fuel tanks were accidentally filled with water, and her twin screws became fouled by debris, causing engine failure. It is believed she may have collected discarded army greatcoats, which soldiers had shed to facilitate swimming to rescue vessels. Bluebird was towed back to England by HM Schuit Rika.

From 1942 onwards, Bluebird served with No. 1 Water Transport Company, Royal Army Service Corps (RASC), based in Gourock near Holy Loch. She was employed in transporting troops, food, and equipment among Coastal Artillery sites guarding the River Clyde’s entrance and was used for advanced navigation exercises based at Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. In 1943, she operated with the Orkney and Shetlands section of the RASC, moving personnel and equipment throughout the islands. Toward the end of the war, she was utilized for target towing and radar decoy duties between Weymouth and Gosport, remaining in RASC service.

In 1984, Bluebird attracted a new owner, Martin Summers, an art dealer from Chelsea. Inspired by the yacht’s illustrious history and dormant beauty, Summers, accompanied by his friend Scott Beadle, an art director and experienced mariner, sought to acquire and restore her. They discovered the yacht in poor condition in Grau du Roi, France, and initially doubted the feasibility of restoration. However, after an unfortunate incident involving theft of their possessions, their optimism was renewed by the kindness of the then-owner and the romantic allure of the vessel by night.

A survey confirmed the hull was sound but warned that restoration would be costly and require rare skills. Summers purchased Bluebird and arranged for delivery skipper "Ginge" Sargeant to bring her to England, despite mechanical difficulties and leaks. The yacht required towing across the English Channel after her second engine failed.

At Poole, the restoration was undertaken by H & T Marine (Hiscock and Titterington) and a team of skilled craftsmen. The entire wheelhouse was rebuilt, a new transom constructed, and the large sliding sunroof improved to prevent water ingress. The after-deck was redesigned to create an elegant dining area with a folding table and varnished lockers that doubled as seats. A new clinker-built dinghy of traditional design was added, suspended from derricks at the stern. Structural reinforcements included shoring the hull to preserve its shape, replacing deck planks, doubling ribs, and installing a new teak deck.

Interior design was led by Summers and Gaynor Hill, an interior designer and Scott Beadle’s partner. The master cabin featured ribbon-and-rose cotton chintz for walls and bedding, while the saloon was furnished with cushions covered in Peruvian fabrics from the High Andes. A mahogany-paneled bath with ash inlay was made leak-proof with polyurethane varnish, complemented by brass taps matching bronze portholes and door knobs. The galley combined varnished mahogany cabinets with modern amenities, including a 240-volt domestic cooker, microwave, and freezer.

Scott Beadle managed the machinery overhaul, and Graham Parker handled the electrical systems. The yacht’s two Perkins diesel engines were fully refurbished, and a 10KVA 240-volt generator was installed to power domestic equipment and charge oversized batteries. Modern radio and navigation equipment were integrated into the mahogany-paneled wheelhouse alongside the original brass compass and wooden wheel. All fittings, including handholds, window catches, light fixtures, hatches, and portholes, were period-appropriate and tastefully maintained. Persian rugs covered the floors throughout.

The original construction by Thornycroft took 55 days, while the 1984 restoration required a full year and cost fifty times as much. Bluebird of Chelsea was relaunched on 19 April 1986 and has since rewarded her owner’s dedication. Moored at Cadogan Pier in central London, near Summers’ Chelsea residence, she has provided a unique perspective on the world through extensive cruising. Summers has navigated over 30,000 nautical miles, including voyages through Dutch and French canals, six trips to Paris, Scottish lochs, and the northern coast of France.

Through Bluebird, Summers joined the exclusive Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, an organization open only to owners of authentic Dunkirk vessels. The association is notable for its diverse membership, including fishermen, firemen, shipwrights, and mechanics, united by a shared reverence for their ships and a commitment to preserving their operational legacy. The association emphasizes active use over static museum display, striving to keep these historic vessels alive and functional.

Bluebird of Chelsea is featured individually in a series of stamps titled "Little Ships of Dunkirk," issued by Palau in 2015 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Operation Dynamo.