HQS Wellington, just visible under Waterloo Bridge, served in WW2 but has been moored on the River Thames since 1948. She is a floating museum, library and conference centre.
Picture added on 16 October 2008
Comments:
From The Wellington Trust web site: HMS Wellington, a Grimsby Class Sloop of 1256 tons, was built for the Royal Navy at Devonport Dockyard in 1934, one of 13 such warships built for service in the Commonwealth and Dependencies. She patrolled the Pacific region around New Zealand (hence her name) from 1936 until recalled to home waters in 1939. During WWII she spent 6 years on convoy escort duties in the Atlantic, steaming over 240, 000 miles, and was one of the smallest escort vessels. She rescued over 450 Merchant Navy seamen, evacuated troops at Dunkirk, participated in the North African landings and shared the credit for sinking a U Boat. In 1946 she was laid up with other surplus warships at Pembroke Dock. In 1947 HMS Wellington was purchased by the Honourable Company of Master Mariners to serve as their Livery Hall and Headquarters. Her engine and boiler rooms were transformed into a unique Court Room for meetings, conferences, dining and receptions. Office space for the management of the company, its charitable trusts and its library were included along with public spaces to display an impressive collection of marine paintings, ship models, silver and other artefacts of maritime significance. As the last remaining pre-WW2 sloop she is historically important; but it is the use to which she is put and the treasures she holds that makes HQS 'Wellington' very special. In 2005 the ownership of the vessel transferred to the Wellington Trust.
HMS Wellington, a Grimsby Class Sloop of 1256 tons, was built for the Royal Navy at Devonport Dockyard in 1934, one of 13 such warships built for service in the Commonwealth and Dependencies. She patrolled the Pacific region around New Zealand (hence her name) from 1936 until recalled to home waters in 1939.
During WWII she spent 6 years on convoy escort duties in the Atlantic, steaming over 240, 000 miles, and was one of the smallest escort vessels. She rescued over 450 Merchant Navy seamen, evacuated troops at Dunkirk, participated in the North African landings and shared the credit for sinking a U Boat. In 1946 she was laid up with other surplus warships at Pembroke Dock.
In 1947 HMS Wellington was purchased by the Honourable Company of Master Mariners to serve as their Livery Hall and Headquarters. Her engine and boiler rooms were transformed into a unique Court Room for meetings, conferences, dining and receptions. Office space for the management of the company, its charitable trusts and its library were included along with public spaces to display an impressive collection of marine paintings, ship models, silver and other artefacts of maritime significance.
As the last remaining pre-WW2 sloop she is historically important; but it is the use to which she is put and the treasures she holds that makes HQS 'Wellington' very special. In 2005 the ownership of the vessel transferred to the Wellington Trust.
Added by Peter.Langsdale on 17 October 2008.