See inside the newly restored Dunkirk little ship which has been transformed into coffee shop at Hartlepool marina
Visitors can once again step aboard a boat that rescued hundreds of Allied troops from the beaches of Dunkirk in the Second World War after being restored in Hartlepool.
Motor Vessel Coronia was in a state of near total disrepair when she was bought by Graham Beesley and his partner Pauline Field and brought to Hartlepool Marina to be restored in 2017.
Almost three years later, she has been transformed and turned into a living museum.
And after being closed for several months to visitors because of the coronavirus lockdown, people can once again enjoy a snack in its new coffee shop and learn more about its incredible history.
Renamed Watchful as she was called during the war, the boat has been completely refitted including with a new funnel, generator, wheelhouse, new windows and been repainted.
In June, she went into dry dock at Teesside to have her hull repaired and painted before sailing back to her usual berth on Navigation Point.
Graham said: “We have just opened the coffee shop this week to try and get a few people to come on board.
"The outside is completely finished and inside there is just a little bit of fitting out to do.”
The Coronia was built by Fellows and Co in 1935 and worked as a pleasure vessel off Yarmouth.
When war broke out she was requisitioned by the Admiralty, named HMS Tender Watchful and delivered supplies to larger ships in the fleet.
In May 1940, she answered the country’s call to help rescue stranded troops at Dunkirk picking up many from the beach to bigger ships offshore.
She went on to make three further crossings of the Channel and brought back 900 soldiers.
Pauline Field, who has overseen the fundraising side of her restoration, said: “Without this little boat there would have been no victory.
"About 800 ships went to Dunkirk and 500 returned home. There’s now only 58 left so it's important that we keep her.”
Most of the restoration work has been done free by volunteers and thanks to donation.
Pauline praised the people of the town, marina staff and residents for their support.
Coronia is open to visitors every day except Monday from 10am-5pm.