FROM seeing action in one of the bloodiest battles of World War II to being used as a floating luxury clubhouse in Liverpool’s docklands, the Landfall has had a long and eventful history.

Now the historic Merseyside naval vessel is in danger of being lost after she started sinking in the Birkenhead dock which has been her home for more than a decade.

The Landfall is the last surviving tank landing craft to take part in the D-Day landings, and was rumoured at one stage to be on the point of being acquired by Steven Spielberg for use in his World War II blockbuster, Saving Private Ryan.

The vessel’s future has been uncertain ever since her former owner, the Warship Preservation Trust, went into liquidation in 2006.

She is now largely submerged in the Birkenhead dock which has been her home for more than a decade.

After being taken out of military service, the D-Day Mark III Tank Landing Craft LCT 7074 was converted and used as a floating club and restaurant based at Liverpool’s Canning Dock in the 1960s and 1970s.

Former joint owner, George “Jud” Evans, said: “It’s the only part of our maritime history that links us to the D-Day landings. Most cities would prize something like that, and put her on display as a tourist attraction.

“Instead, it’s been laid up in a Birkenhead dock for many years and has now sunk, which is outrageous.”

Mr Evans, 75, has written a book and has a website on the history of the vessel. He is now hoping a “Save the Landfall” campaign can be started to raise money for her restoration and berthing in the Albert Dock system as a major tourist attraction.

He said the Landfall was the last truly British built and crewed vessel of her type to land troops on the shores of France.