Cresta, a 30ft wooden boat built in 1936 and believed to have been part of the Dunkirk evacuation, was torched shortly at its moorings in Arundel.

Toby Harvey, of Tower Road, Worthing, bought Cresta about a year ago, and was in the process of lovingly restoring her.

War boat

He said: "She has been to war and back, only to be destroyed by vandals.

"She was 100 per cent original, made from mahogany.

"Everything was intact, even the wooden drawers still slid open. Now look at her."

Submerged

Cresta is now submerged in the River Arun, only visible when the tide drops.

She was one of three boats attacked on Christmas morning.

Mr Harvey said he had travelled to Arundel on Boxing Day morning with his son-in-law, ready to work on Cresta.

"I couldn't understand where she was. At first I thought I must have drunk too much on Christmas Day."

Labour of love

He spoke to the Solent Coastguard, who explained that two vessels were at the harbour.

When he got there, he realised that Cresta was not one of them, so brought another boat back up river to his Arundel moorings.

"By the time I got back, the tide had dropped, and I could see her sticking out of the top of the water, in that state.

I can't explain how that felt.

"I have spent a lot of money, and a lot of time — all my spare time for the last year – to do it right.

"This was not a boat I was going to buy and sell, like I usually do.

"This was a boat for my family to have a bit of fun with, an alternative little hideaway for us.

"It was my project, and one that I expected to keep me happy for many years to come."

Police appeal

Littlehampton police confirmed that CCTV footage was being studied, along with forensic clues left on one of the boats cut adrift.

Sgt Peter Allan said: "Arson is an extremely serious offence, and one that is very dangerous.

"It is with much regret that in this case, the fire was started in a boat that has such a long and distinguished history, and was a labour of love."

Anyone with any information should call PC Bernie Lawrie on 0845 60 70 999.

If you can offer Mr Harvey somewhere to work on Cresta, please call Amanda Barrell on 01903 714135, and we will pass on your details.


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