(Commonwealth_ HMS Wellington, a historic World War II UK warship and the last surviving vessel from the “Battle of the Atlantic,” has been granted a crucial reprieve from an uncertain future. The Wellington Trust has secured a £225,000 ($279,000) grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), allowing the organization to proceed with a revitalization project and implement a new business model aimed at preserving the ship for future generations.
Built in 1934 and docked on the Thames since 1948, HMS Wellington was on the verge of scrapping last year. However, King Charles III approved restoring the HMS title in September as part of an effort to raise awareness and support for the historic ship. During World War II, Wellington played a vital role as an escort vessel, rescuing victims from torpedoed ships. One notable rescue occurred in October 1940 when she saved 33 passengers and 136 crew members from the Royal Mail Liner Highland Patriot, which had been sunk about 500 miles west of Bishop Rock. She also participated in the historic evacuation from Dunkirk.
The Wellington Trust Board officially announced on January 20 that the NLHF grant represents half of the funding required to save the ship, currently moored at Temple Stairs, Victoria Embankment, London. The National Lottery Heritage Fund, established in 1994, distributes funds raised by lottery players to support projects across the UK that connect people and communities to their heritage. Since its inception, the organization has awarded £9.2 billion ($11.4 billion) to more than 52,000 projects nationwide.
“The award of this grant enables us to continue implementing the HMS Wellington revitalization 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,” said Dominic Tweddle, Wellington Trust Chairman.
Since April 2023, the Wellington Trust has been actively working on revitalization efforts and refining its business model to ensure long-term sustainability. As part of its plans for 2024, the Trust aims to open the ship to the public, allowing more visitors to explore its remarkable history. In addition to public access, the Trust has also introduced a new business initiative as of October 1, offering the ship as a venue for hire, a workspace, and a film location.
HMS Wellington is a 1,200-ton vessel and the last remaining of 13 Grimsby-class sloops built between the World Wars for the Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and Royal Indian Navy. These sloops were primarily used for escort and anti-submarine duties. Wellington gained fame for her significant contributions to the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest battle of World War II, during which she conducted 103 convoy escorts, safeguarding critical maritime supply lines and merchant navy vessels. In the process, she played a key role in saving more than 400 lives.
After her decommissioning in 1947, HMS Wellington found a permanent berth on the Thames, where she has served as a floating venue for naval heritage and educational initiatives. With the recent grant and ongoing fundraising efforts, the Wellington Trust remains committed to preserving this extraordinary vessel as an enduring symbol of wartime resilience and maritime history. By securing financial sustainability and increasing public engagement, the Trust aims to ensure that HMS Wellington remains an accessible and educational landmark for generations to come.
