the wellington trust and hms wellington
HMS WELLINGTON, built in 1934, is a Grimsby Class Sloop.
Following four years patrolling the Southwest Pacific out of Auckland, New Zealand, she became a Battle of the Atlantic convoy escort ship in the Second World War, escorting more than 100 convoys of merchant shipping to and from our shores.
After many years of distinguished service, she is now a highly visible and much-loved central London landmark, moored on the banks of the River Thames between the Cities of London and Westminster.
She is the only surviving dedicated Battle of the Atlantic warship in Europe and is of local, national and international historical significance.
The Wellington Trust was incorporated in 2005 as a company limited by guarantee. It is a registered charity no 1109066, whose Charitable Objects are the restoration, maintenance and preservation for the public benefit of the sloop HMS WELLINGTON as part of the nation’s maritime heritage, and the education of the public in the history and traditions of the British Merchant and Royal Navies.
The vision of the Wellington Trust is for HMS WELLINGTON to be known to the public as a living testament to the courage and sacrifice of those who took part in the Battle of the Atlantic.
To help achieve this, the Wellington Trust continually raises funds through grants and donations to preserve and maintain HMS WELLINGTON for the future and to raise the public awareness of the importance of the British Merchant Navy and seaborne trade to our island nation and its protection.
In addition to preservation and maintenance projects, the Trust has established an education programme.
Initially based on Westminster City schools but over the years has expanded to take in inner and outer London schools, with a focus on children living in disadvantaged areas. The Learning Programme for Primary and Secondary is now well established. This has expanded into a Sixth Form programme, using the ship as a classroom for aspects of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).