White Heather was designed by W.G. McBride and constructed in 1920 by McGruer & Co. Ltd. at their yard in Clynder, Scotland. Initially, the vessel served primarily as a pleasure craft, cruising the Scottish Western Isles during the summer months. During this period, White Heather was presented as a 21st birthday gift to Anna Johnson, daughter of a Scottish shipping company owner. The vessel also functioned as a tender to the family’s racing yacht, with a crew of three full-time hands towing the yacht from regatta to regatta.

In early 1940, White Heather was listed as suitable for war duties. With the outbreak of hostilities and the planning of the British Expeditionary Force evacuation under ‘Operation Dynamo,’ White Heather joined hundreds of small craft assisting in the evacuation from the beaches of Dunkirk. Her primary role was to ferry soldiers from the beaches to larger warships and steamers. During this operation, White Heather experienced a mechanical failure and was temporarily abandoned but was subsequently repaired and made operational again by the soldiers, allowing her to return home.

Shortly thereafter, White Heather participated in the evacuation of the 51st Highland Division and other regiments from St Valery sur Somme, following intense combat. This operation, known as ‘Operation Aerial,’ took place from 15 to 25 June 1940.

Upon returning to Dover, White Heather was formally requisitioned by the Royal Navy and renamed HMS Manatee. She served throughout the war, undertaking various duties including covert patrolling and communication tasks. In 1946, the vessel was released back to private ownership and was soon sold and renamed Riis 1. The addition of “1” to the vessel’s name is unusual, as typically a numeral “2” follows if a second vessel bears the same name. It is understood that “Riis” means “journey” in a Scandinavian language, and the “1” signified the first journey or maiden voyage for the new owner, who aspired to travel extensively aboard the vessel.

Riis 1 changed ownership several times until 1960, when she was discovered in Conyer Creek by Dr. J. W. E. Fellows, who undertook her restoration and maintenance until his death in 1999. The current owners, Alan and Ann Jackson, continue to care for Riis 1 in her home port of West Mersea, Essex.

Riis 1 remains an active member of The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships. Under the stewardship of Alan and Ann Jackson, she has cruised extensively throughout the English Channel, including the Channel Islands, and harbours in France, Belgium, Holland, and the Baltic Sea, visiting parts of Denmark and Sweden.

Riis 1 celebrated her 100th anniversary on 1 and 2 August 2020 at West Mersea Yacht Club in Essex. By invitation of the Commodore and Flag Officers of the club, other Dunkirk Little Ships joined in the centenary celebrations.