Classic boats of all shapes and sizes gather at Thames Revival Festival.

THE classic maritime era was celebrated this weekend at the Thames Revival Festival in St Katharine Docks.

Classic boats like Dunkirk little ships, fishing smacks and steamships gathered near Tower Bridge as part of the Mayor’s Thames Festival.

To celebrate the bygone era and the part played by the Thames, people dressed up in their favourite vintage maritime era clothes and fashion shows and various traditional activities like sculling took place.

Visitors were able to find out about the history of boats such as French fishing yacht Angele Alline which rescued approximately 300 soldiers during the evacuation of Dunkirk.

The oldest ship there The Good Intent was built in 1860 and belongs to Dutchman Hys Olink. He said: “The rally is a great excuse to get all these old boats together. Without them, a part of history would be lost.”

As part of the Mayor’s Festival, performances were held throughout the weekend which culminated in a fireworks display near Blackfriars Bridge on the Thames.