Alex Walters – 30th June 2024 at 12:06pm
HMS Wellington has been at her current berth on Victoria Embankment since 1948 (Picture: The Wellington Trust)
HMS Wellington, the last surviving Royal Navy vessel from the Battle of the Atlantic – the longest continuous military campaign of the Second World War – requires essential repairs or risks being scrapped.
To avoid the 1,200-ton ship potentially being broken up, the Wellington Trust has launched a fundraising campaign to save the well-known landmark on the River Thames.
HMS Wellington was built in 1934 and served as a convoy escort ship during the Second World War, guarding more than 100 convoys of merchant ships.
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The Wellington Trust says it is “determined that, unlike many other historic vessels and heritage sites, this unique ship will not be permitted to fall into any kind of disrepair”.
It aims to continue the restoration and maintenance to preserve the ship as well as fund its mission to educate and celebrate the history and traditions of the British Merchant Navy.
The Wellington Trust also aims to welcome more people on board to enjoy the legacy and soak up the atmosphere of the past, learning from guides and browsing through its history.
The Wellington Trust said: “All funds raised will both support Wellington’s conservation and preservation and develop a new business plan to make her more accessible to the public as a visitor attraction.”
You can donate by either contributing to the GoFundMe campaign here or by visiting the website by clicking here.
