Last Surviving Ship Of “Battle of the Atlantic” Gets £225,000 Grant To Secure Its Future

HMS Wellington, the last surviving dedicated Battle of the Atlantic convoy escort ship in the UK, has been awarded a £225,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The ship is moored at Temple Stairs on Victoria Embankment, London, and is of great historical importance. Built in 1934, HMS Wellington played a key role during the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest battle of World War II.

The ship was part of a joint effort by the Royal and Merchant Navies to protect vital supply lines and ensure the delivery of goods and people to Britain during the war.

The preservation of the ship is essential as it was at serious risk of being lost. The Wellington Trust, which has managed the ship since it was moved to Temple Stairs in 1948, began working on a revitalisation project in April 2023.

The project will ensure that the ship’s condition is maintained, and the grant from the Heritage Fund will help to make it a reality.

This year, the Trust plans to open the ship to the public, allowing visitors to learn about its unique history. HMS Wellington has been home to mascots, like a monkey and a cat, and is known for rescuing hundreds of lives during the Battle of the Atlantic.

It saved the crew and passengers of the Royal Mail Liner Highland Patriot, which was torpedoed in October 1940. The ship rescued victims from torpedoed vessels, including Indian mariners.

The Trust also plans to expand its community engagement efforts and will continue its successful partnerships with local community groups like Blind Veterans UK.

It also aims to extend its outreach to national and international communities, including those in Wales, Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand, and the South Pacific, all of which are linked to HMS Wellington’s history.

Another focus of the project is business development.

Since October 1, 2023, the Trust has been offering the ship as a venue for hire, a workspace, and a film location. This business model has already attracted interest from documentary producers and event organisers, including the Fighting with Pride Memorial Fund.

Revenue from these activities will help support the Trust’s charitable plans and ensure the conservation and preservation of the ship.

HMS Wellington requires constant care and specialised experts to manage its condition. The grant will help ensure that the ship is properly maintained for future generations.

The ship has often been the first experience of being on a ship for many children, and the grant will help continue the Trust’s popular education program.

Dominic Tweddle, Chairman of the Wellington Trust, stated “We are so pleased to receive this grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It means a great deal to us. The award of this grant enables us to continue implementing the HMS WELLINGTON Revitalisation Project.

Expanding access to wider communities and developing a broad range of activities onboard will ultimately lead to the Trust becoming financially self-sustaining, so we can conserve this important vessel for all to enjoy. And learn from” he added.

HMS Wellington is the last of the 13 Grimsby-class sloops built between the wars for the Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and Royal Indian Navy.

During WWII, it carried out 103 convoy escorts, protected vital supply lines, and saved more than 400 lives. The ship was decommissioned in 1947 but has remained an important piece of maritime history.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund, established in 1994, has awarded £9.2 billion to more than 52,000 projects since its inauguration.

Reference: thewellingtontrust

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