During the next ten years the Lightollers cruised along the northern coast of Europe, taking part successfully in many international competitions.

Lightoller, aged 66 and retired, volunteered to take her, along with his eldest son Roger, and Gerald Ashcroft, an 18-year-old Sea Scout.

[1] On arrival at Dunkirk, Lightoller realised that the piers were too high, and so drew alongside the destroyer HMS Worcester and started to take on soldiers.

[2] Sundowner then returned to Ramsgate, avoiding fire from enemy aircraft through evasive manoeuvres on the way, though the greatest danger was being swamped by the wash from fast-moving destroyers.

[1] Charles Lightoller died in 1952, and his wife Sylvia continued to cruise in Sundowner, taking the helm when she led the Armada of Little Ships on the 25th Anniversary return to Dunkirk in 1965.