In the press
press related articles on LV72
December 2020; Britain at War Magazine
features an article about LV72 in connection with David Austin
​
original article featured on
​
Effort to salvage D-Day lightship seeks support
​​​
As the Allied invasion force closed on Normandy in June 1944, it was vital every element be in the right place at the right time. Showing the way were small lightships and one of these, LV72 Juno, survives today.
A project to assess the feasibility of salvaging LV72 and managing her restoration suggests she is a strong candidate for preservation, with the current owner agreeing to donate the ship for display should she be restored. The man behind the plan is former Royal Navy engineer, keen sailor and amateur historian David Austin, who has handled several charitable efforts.
The 257-tonne LV72 was launched in 1903 and is listed on the National Historic Ships UK register. As well as being a D-Day survivor, she is of extra significance as the sole remaining lightvessel fitted with oil and electric systems for its light. She was sold by the lighthouse authority Trinity House in 1973 to the Neath-based Steel Supply Company for scrap who instead retained the vessel due to its D-Day connection.
Operation Neptune, the naval element of the landings, relied on the co-ordination of thousands of vessels of various sizes, speeds and purpose from many ports to converge
A rendezvous area off the Isle of Wight -Piccadilly Circus- was established and from there task groups would sail the channels cleared of minefields.
These needed accurate marking, with the entrances to Juno beach being lit by LV72 and another vessel.
Representatives of Trinity House and the current owner joined Mr Austin in surveying the wreck last year. She is aground on the mudflats at Neath but in good condition. Rainwater floods the hull, but there is no obvious damage. Her topside structure and light tower are complete and the Trinity House engineer concluded she could float.​
​
It is estimated it will take five years and £5m to complete the restoration should the relevant expertise and assistance,
​
Mr Austin told Britain at War "The ultimate success of the invasion was a tribute to many acts of bravery of everybody who was there, there were many small parts in the planning and preparation which enabled the success to be realised, LV72 Juno is a survivor of a great day" he added "in view of her rarity, [her] proven history as the light that guided the forces of liberation towards France and her excellent state, i hope sponsors would like to become involved with the recovery of the ship"
Mr Austin is currently speaking to several potential backers and urges interested parties to contact him at daustin158@btinternet.com for more information
​
​
​
​
​
​
please note
the article is not factually correct with regard to LV72's presence off the Normandy coast, as she was not placed on station untill the 18th June, sometime after the initial invasion forced had landed