The vessel Letitia sustained rudder damage while operating close inshore at Dunkirk. Subsequently, she was towed by the drifter Ben and Lucy. At the same time, the Renown experienced engine failure and was secured to Letitia's tow line. Approximately thirty minutes later, the Renown struck a mine, resulting in a shower of splintered wood falling onto Letitia's deck.

The Renown was lost with all hands, including skipper Noakes; his crew members Frank and Leslie Osborne and Harry Noakes, all cousins; and Harold Porter, a naval rating from Birmingham. A.J. Dench, skipper of the Letitia, recalled: "In the pitch dark we could see nothing and could do nothing—except pull in the tow rope, which was just as we had passed it to Renown three quarters of an hour before." Today, Leigh-on-Sea in Essex commemorates these men with a dedicated memorial.

The vessels Resolute and Letitia successfully returned to Ramsgate, as did the Defender. Upon arrival, naval authorities informed them that only ships capable of speeds of 10 knots or more were now required, prompting their return to Leigh-on-Sea.

Eric, a crew member, recalled a lighter moment during this period: "We went to Naval Headquarters to collect our pay—I think mine was just under £4 and the deckhands' just over £3 each. While waiting for the train at Southend Central, Harold King, the deckhand on Reliance, suggested a game of cards. Ten minutes later, upon arrival at Leigh-on-Sea, he had one shilling left. As Eric put it with his characteristic humour: '...easy come, easy go, they say!'"

Letitia retired from full-time fishing in 1990. She has since been repaired and restored with a sailing rig for cruising and occasional fishing.

Poetic Tribute

Poet Bob Rawlings commemorated the expedition and the tragic loss of the Renown by mine in the following poem:

• Letitia LO 220 at Dunkirk.
• The Letitia was put out to sea / From the little old fishing town of Leigh / On an errand of mercy, she didn’t shirk / To the hell loosed beaches of Dunkirk
• To a place they’d never been before, / The fishermen left their homely shore / Five boats did sail with them that day / On the fateful remembered end of May
• When the shores of Dunkirk were in sight / The ferries came bombing with all their spite / Into the harbour they found their way / To save our Army for a better day
• Man upon man they saved that night / From the jaws of death and sorrowful plight / With shells and bombs almighty near / They stayed at work without a fear
• With rescue finished, back home did go / The boat Renown they took in tow / Their course was on a Nor-West Line / When Renown was struck down by a mine
• To Ramsgate they did wend their way / In the early morning of Saturday / Into that harbour it was thought / Was best to make their sad report
• Back home at Leigh they safely reach / To their loved ones waiting on the beach / Maybe again they’ll sail their way / But for a cruise I hope to say

BACK TO LITTLE SHIPS LETITIA: Project The Association of Dunkirk Little