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HMS Wellington launches fundraiser for essential repairs as she wards off being scrapped

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.

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.

HQS/HMS Wellington (launched Devonport, 1934) is a Grimsby-class sloop, formerly of the Royal Navy. Built at Devonport in 1934, HMS Wellington served in the Pacific mainly on station in New Zealand and China before the Second World War.

During the Second World War, she served as a convoy escort ship in the North Atlantic. She is now moored alongside the Victoria Embankment, at Temple Pier, on the River Thames in London, England. From 1948 to 2023 she was the headquarters ship of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, known as HQS Wellington.

Royal Navy service

Wellington in April 1942.

Built at Devonport in 1934, HMS Wellington served in the Pacific mainly on station in New Zealand and China before the Second World War. As built, Wellington mounted two 4.7-inch guns and one 3-inch gun. Additionally, anti-aircraft guns were fitted for self-defence. Depth charges for use against submarines were carried. Wellington served primarily in the North Atlantic on convoy escort duties. She shared in the destruction of one enemy U-boat and was involved in Operation Cycle, the evacuation of Allied troops from Le Havre. During 1943 she was briefly commanded by Captain John Treasure Jones, at that time a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy Reserve, who would later be the last captain of RMS Queen Mary.

The Grimsby-class anti-submarine sloops of 1933-36, which included HMS Wellington, were the predecessors of the Black Swan class of 1939.

Honourable Company of Master Mariners[edit]

Port quarter view of HQS Wellington

It was always the ambition of the founding members of the company to have a livery hall. Up to the outbreak of war in 1939, various proposals were examined, including the purchase of a sailing ship, Archibald Russell.[citation needed] After the Second World War, it became apparent that the possibility of building a hall in the City of London had been rendered very remote. In 1947, the Grimsby-class sloop Wellington was made available by the Admiralty. The company decided to buy her with money subscribed by the members and convert her to a floating livery hall, an appropriate home for a company of seafarers. She was converted to Headquarters Ship (HQS) Wellington at Chatham Dockyard.

The cost of this conversion was met by an appeal to which Lloyd’s, shipping companies, livery companies and other benefactors contributed. It included the installation of a grand wooden staircase taken from the 1906 Isle of Man ferry SS Viper, which was being broken up at the same time. Wellington arrived at her Victoria Embankment berth in December 1948 to continue service as the floating livery hall of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners.

In 1991, HQS Wellington was dry-docked at Sheerness for three months during which, apart from extensive steelwork repairs and complete external painting, she received a major refurbishment which included the refitting of all toilet facilities, offices and accommodation areas. Wellington was fitted with carpet, and displays were installed of the Company’s marine paintings and artefacts, gold and silver plate, ship models and newly discovered very early 18th-century charts.

Since 2014, Wellington has also served as the London postal address of the Flag Institute.[1][2]

The Wellington Trust[edit]

In 2005, The Wellington Trust was set up as a registered charity under English law.[3] Ownership of the Wellington was then transferred to the Wellington Trust, while remaining the headquarters of the HCMM.[4] On 12 April 2023, due to safety concerns, the Honourable Company left the ship, though they were developing plans for a new floating livery hall.[5][6] After a period of maintenance and compliance work, the Wellington Trust announced the ship is safe for public use and meets all statutory legal requirements and licences to operate. The first phase of the reopening of the ship to the public began on 2 October 2023. Wellington will continue to be a floating classroom and venue for events

HDML – Q1192 – Maroro (3554)

HMNZS Maroro – P3554 Maroro

Gray Harbour Ship Building Co – Aberdeen, Grays Harbour – Washington – (Contract Number D.A.N.O.B.S. 587)

The four built by this Company were shipped to Auckland N.Z. from Vancouver on the Mt Robson Park. They were Q1191, Q1192, Q1193, Q1194. They arrived in Auckland on the 25th August 1843, all these craft were commissioned together on the 28th September 1943

Sixteen H.D.M.L purchased in the United States on lend Lease were commissioned between the 9th March 1943 and 27 March 1944.

They were grouped and operated as the 124th and 125th Flotillas. The 124th based in Auckland and the 125th at Wellington.

From the archive: Image taken at Devonport Naval Base during WW2 shows a group of Harbour Defence Motor Launches (HDML) with HMNZS Philomel she was used as a patrol launch base from late 1942 to 1945.
L-R: Q1184 – HMNZS Paea, Q1194 – HMNZS Ngapona, Q1192 – HMNZS Maroro, Q1193 – HMNZS Tamure, HMNZS Philomel

These 72Ft craft were equipped with Depth Charges and were to maintain Anti-Submarine inside the Mine Fields and Indicator Loops

The 124th Flotilla patrolled the Anti-Submarine fixed defenses in Auckland which were commissioned as EMU and PUNA.

Emu Anti-Submarine Fixed Defence Station was situated on Motutapu Island in the approaches to Auckland and administered by the Commanding Officer H.M.N.Z. S. PHILOMEL.

PUNA Anti-Submarine Fixed Defence Station was situated at Takapuna Head, Auckland and was also administered by the Commanding Officer H.M.N.Z. S. PHILOMEL

124th FLOTILLA AUCKLAND AREA

Because of the late commissioning of the Anti-Submarine Fixed Defenses at Worser Bay, the following H.D.M.L. were sailed to Auckland from Wellington on the 16th May 1943 via Gisborne, arriving in Auckland on the 20th May 1943.

Q1192 Maroro P3554 and Q1193 Tamure P3555 in Gisborne, coming from Wellington and heading to Auckland

Q1183, Q1184, Q1185, Q1186, Q1187 were the Five designated and they joined up with Q1191, Q1192, Q1193, Q1194, thus collectively making up the 124th Flotilla.

By December 1945 all 16 H.D.M.L. were in Auckland paying off and were subsequently laid up at the Greenhithe Trot, until the Lend Lease transactions were settled.

Ten H.D.M.L. retained by the R.N.Z.N. were,

          Q1183, Q1184, Q1188, Q1190, Q1191, Q1192, Q1193, Q1194, Q1348, Q1350

By 1964 H.M.N.Z, S. TAMAKI on Motuihe Island had closed down and relocated to Ft. CAUTLEY, Devonport. This shift made the Three Tamaki Trams surplus to requirements. Two of these S.D.M.L. were selected for fitting out as Fisheries Protection Vessels. They were Q1349, P3565 and Q1192, P3554.

 Q1192, P3554 was commissioned H.M.N.Z.S. MARORO (Flying Fish)

FISHERY PROTECTION DUTIES

          QII83          P3551        H.M.N.Z.S. MAKO

          QII84          P3552        H.M.N.Z.S. PAEA

          QII85          P3567        H.M.N.Z.S. MANGA

QI349         P3565        H.M.N.Z.S. HAKU

QII92          P3554        H.M.N.Z.S. MARORO

Q1191 Kahawai I (P3553) – Q1192 Maroro (P3554) – Q1349 Haku (P3565) – Q1183 Mako (P3551)

Left RNZN 1972. Went to Fiji as Viti 1972. Wrecked near Lautoka 1982

HDML – Q1191 – Kahawai 1 – P3553

The Royal New Zealand Naval vessel KAHAWAI makes her way into Greymouth on the west coast of the South Island of NZ. Built in the USA as a HDML in 1943 and served in the Royal NZ Navy during WW2. She is seen here while on Fisheries Patrol during the late 1960’s.

Gray Harbour Ship Building Co – Aberdeen, Grays Harbour – Washington – (Contract Number D.A.N.O.B.S. 587)

The four built by this Company were shipped to Auckland N.Z. from Vancouver on the Mt Robson Park. They were Q1191, Q1192, Q1193, Q1194. They arrived in Auckland on the 25th August 1843, all these craft were commissioned together on the 28th September 1943

124th FLOTILLA AUCKLAND AREA

Because of the late commissioning of the Anti-Submarine Fixed Defenses at Worser Bay, the following H.D.M.L. were sailed to Auckland from Wellington on the 16th May 1943 via Gisborne, arriving in Auckland on the 20th May 1943.

Q1183, Q1184, Q1185, Q1186, Q1187 were the Five designated and they joined up with Q1191, Q1192, Q1193, Q1194, thus collectively making up the 124th Flotilla.

By December 1945 all 16 H.D.M.L. were in Auckland paying off and were subsequently laid up at the Greenhithe Trot, until the Lend Lease transactions were settled.

Ten H.D.M.L. retained by the R.N.Z.N. were,

          Q1183, Q1184, Q1188, Q1190, Q1191, Q1192, Q1193, Q1194, Q1348, Q1350

These ten  H.D,M.L. were reclassified as S.D.M.L. (Seaward Defense Motor Launch) in the mid 1950’s and were used in various roles.

Q1191        P3553    was laid up in Auckland as a spare launch

Q1191 Kahawai I (P3553) – Q1192 Maroro (P3554) – Q1349 Haku (P3565) – Q1183 Mako (P3551)

In 1966 Q1191, P3553 was refitted and converted into a Fisheries Protection vessel and commissioned as H.M.N.Z.S. KAHAWAI. 

Left RNZN 1976. Said to be ashore at Kopu in 1984 for refitting

A team of New Zealand Army plant operators from 2 Engineer Regiment has carried out geographical surveys and soil and ground bearing testing, to assist the Department of Conservation in the assessment of the Kermadec Island’s airstrip.The Royal New Zealand Navy has recently returned from the islands, supporting Government agencies in resupply, conservation and maintenance tasks to Rangitāhua/ Raoul Island.

HMNZS Canterbury and a Navy Seasprite from No. 6 Squadron Royal New Zealand Air Force undertook Operation Havre, to help promote safety and security in the region, ensuring environmental stewardship for New Zealand.

Plant Troop SGT, SGT Brendon Clarke from 25 ESS, 2 ER, said the operation was a unique opportunity to conduct this type of recon and gain valuable training.

“Being dropped on to an isolated island, working through the mobilisation phase, incorporating ourselves into the Navy and organising ourselves in this environment was really valuable,” said SGT Clarke. The information collected will be used by DOC to assess the future of the historic airstrip.

The tests conducted included gauging the compaction of the soil on the airstrip, testing the density and moisture of the ground and using laser surveying to measure the grades of the airstrip.

LCPL Dylan White said the experience of using these survey methods in the island’s unique environment would help him in future deployments.

“It’s the first time I’ve used these skills to survey an existing airfield. I’ve only ever used the survey methods and equipment for roads so it’s good to use it in this environment. It would be good to use this experience in future deployments or HADR in the Pacific Islands,” says LCPL White.

This was the first opportunity for SPR Te Anini O Rongo Pardoe to go on operation. “I’m learning about all the equipment on this operation. It’s giving me a great insight into my future course and I feel it will help me get ahead,” said SPR Pardoe.

“It’s also my first time on a Navy ship so it’s good mixing with other personnel from other Services, working with civilians, iwi and it’s great to be on a tri-Service operation for my first time away,” he says.

SGT Clarke said it was operations such as this, that set the Army apart.

“The Army gives you the opportunity to go to unique places and gives you rare opportunities, such as this. It’s really a great place to be,” he said.