Elsa II was built by Thornycroft in 1929. The vessel was once owned by Fred Bourne, a former Thornycroft apprentice, and his wife Sheila, who served as secretary of The Thames Vintage Boat Club. Elsa II is among the many vessels with a well-documented presence at Dunkirk, although detailed records of her specific achievements have not survived. Notably, she possesses one of the oldest brass commemorative plaques awarded to Little Ships, predating the establishment of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (A.D.L.S.).

Elsa II participated in the 1975 and 1980 returns to Dunkirk. During the 1975 visit, the owner John Bailey and his wife invited the Mayor of Dunkirk aboard for tea. The Mayor arrived with his entire entourage, only to find that Elsa II measured just 32 feet in length, with limited cabin space for all aboard.

From 1967 to 1988, Elsa II was owned by a syndicate of friends who maintained the vessel without professional assistance, relying on their own skills and efforts. This approach is common among owners of Dunkirk Little Ships, as maintenance and overhauls of classic wooden boats can be prohibitively expensive. Elsa II has survived remarkably well and remains largely unchanged since her construction.

The vessel has encountered moments of peril, including an incident when she became stranded on a sandbank eight miles off the Dutch coast. Despite expectations that she would break up under the pounding waves, Elsa II was eventually lifted clear and floated to safety.

Over a three-year period, Elsa II assisted in conducting sea trials of new life-saving radio beacons in the English Channel for Kelvin Hughes and International Marine Radio. During this time, her original 'Handy Billy' petrol engines were converted to run on paraffin. However, as paraffin became scarce at marine filling stations, the owners resorted to transporting 5-gallon drums of fuel across cobbled streets in Holland to the harbour where she was moored.

Under Fred Bourne’s ownership in Weybridge, Elsa II was well cared for, kept at the bottom of his garden. Bourne was a yacht chandler, which contributed to the vessel’s upkeep.

In 2013, Chris Brightman and Shelley Price purchased Elsa II from Dennett's Boatyard. At the time of purchase, the vessel was reduced to bare timbers with no floors, requiring a complete restoration. Fortunately, the purchase included two unused Yanmar engines approximately 25 years old. The restoration was undertaken by Michael and Steve Dennett, who faced significant challenges, including delays caused by the severe winter floods of 2014. Despite these setbacks, the restoration was completed in time for Elsa II’s return to Dunkirk in 2015, an event she had not attended since 1980.

Elsa II’s appearance at Dunkirk in 2015 was widely praised, showcasing the skill and workmanship of Dennett’s Boatyard and the dedication of her owners. Since then, she has become a regular participant in Dunkirk events and is currently based on the River Thames at Chertsey.