In 1939, the vessel Grey Mist was owned by Lady Maud Burton and Ronald Rothbury Burton. She was requisitioned in November 1939 for wartime service. On 21 May 1940, Grey Mist was deployed to Boulogne to serve as a wireless radio link for the British forces defending the town. By 22 May, she reported that German tanks were less than two miles away and subsequently departed for Dover carrying troops. Boulogne ultimately fell on 25 May 1940.

On the evening of 25 May, a force comprising seven trawlers, three yachts—including Grey Mist, Conidaw, and Chico—and two drifters sailed for Calais Roads in preparation to evacuate troops upon receiving orders. Five of the trawlers towed motor boats. Commander W.V.H. Harris, RN, Commander of MS Dover, was in command aboard Grey Mist. The destroyers H.M.S. Windsor and H.M.S. Verity departed Dover at 2300 hours to provide cover for the withdrawal.

Upon arrival off Calais, two motor boats were ordered into Calais harbour. Around 0300 hours on 26 May, a signal was received instructing that Calais was to be held at all costs. It was further ordered that this message be delivered by hand to the Brigadier commanding the forces on shore. The yacht Conidaw was dispatched to deliver the signal. Following this, all ships were ordered to return to the Downs.

The current owner, Mr. Holt Hickman of Fort Worth, Texas, purchased the vessel when she was located in South Africa, where she was named Dorita. After sailing her to the United States, he restored her original name, Grey Mist. The vessel is presently anchored at the port of Galveston, Texas, where renovations are nearing completion.