HQS Wellington renamed back to His Majesty’s Ship
HQS Wellington, the large white ship moored on the Thames in central London, is 90 years old this year, and the King has given permission to rename it back to its original name – HMS Wellington.
HMS Wellington, moored at Temple Stairs, Victoria Embankment, has been a part of London’s river scene since she was towed there in December 1948 after her career as a Royal Navy warship during World War II
For most of her time in London, the ship has been the floating Livery Hall for the Honourable Company of Master Mariners known as HQS Wellington, and on occasions, open to the public.
Last year, the Livery Company moved out, pending repairs to the ship, and as she is no longer a Headquarters Ship, the Trust that owns it petitioned The King to restore its original name of HMS Wellington.
“The man from Buckingham Palace, he say yes!”
Wellington Trust Chairman Professor Dominic Tweddle commented on His Majesty’s approval: “This change of name in her 90th anniversary year is a true testament to her heritage as the sole surviving dedicated Battle of the Atlantic warship in Europe. There is no better day for HMS WELLINGTON (1934) to adopt her new name, on the 85th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Atlantic.”
The ship’s owners, the Wellington Trust, are now fundraising to cover the cost of long-term maintenance repairs.
The details of the fundraiser campaign are here.
Will it come back after restoration and when the super sewer is finished. It was a great landmark, particularly when painted as a dazzle ship.
You’re thinking of HMS President – a different ship from HMS Wellington.
I’m sorry, but I can’t see in the article why the needed the King’s permission to change the name of the ship?
You can’t call a ship His Majesty’s Ship without His Majesty’s permission.
When I visited during Open House I was surprised to see two livery companies were using the boat as their HQ. As well as Mariners there was also the Scriveners.