HQS Wellington – A Grimsby Class Sloop

HQS Wellington

HMS Wellington was built in 1934 and before 1939, served mainly in the Pacific on station in New Zealand and China. She is the last surviving member of the Grimsby Class sloops. Thirteen ships of the class were built in the 1930s to serve primarily as convoy escorts, four of which were lost through enemy action during the Second World War.

During the Second World War, Wellington was fitted with two 4.7 inch and one three inch gun. With additional anti-aircraft guns and depth charges for self defence against submarines. The 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 Dynamo, the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk.

A fuller account of Wellington’s war service has been written by GJ Williams in his book HMS Wellington, one ship’s war.

After the War, His Majesty’s Ship Wellington was converted to Head Quarters Ship Wellington at the Chatham dockyards. She arrived at her Victoria Embankment berth in December 1948 to continue service as the floating livery hall of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners.