HQS Wellington: A Surviving World War Two Ship In London

When on the hunt for London’s historical treasures you need to look, not just on the streets, but on the water too.

Floating astride the Victoria Embankment, by Temple Station, is a slice of history missed by many everyday: HQS Wellington. 

HQS (Headquarters Ship) Wellington has been moored here since 1948 after serving as a convoy ship during World War Two.

War Duties

She was launched in 1934, in Devonport as ‘HMS Wellington’. A Grimsby class sloop, she had a crew of 107 and even once had a cat and monkey aboard (who apparently hated each other). 

Before the war HMS Wellington served predominantly in the Pacific, patrolling British protectorates. However, at the outbreak of war in 1939, she was recalled and fitted with anti-aircraft guns for self-defence and an anti-submarine projector, known as a ‘hedgehog’.

She mostly served in the North Atlantic on convoy escort duties. On three occasions she was instrumental in saving the lives of sailors aboard merchant ships, torpedoed by German U-Boats.

HMS Wellington was also involved in the evacuation from Dunkirk, evacuating the 51st highlanders from St Valery. In the end, unfortunately, fog intervened and the 51st Highlanders had to surrender, becoming prisoners of war. 

Throughout the war she steamed nearly a quarter of a million miles and escorted 103 convoys, crucial in helping to keep Britain fuelled and fighting.  

On my visit I was told a heartwarming story about Chief Petty Officer Griff Williams who served onboard HMS Wellington during World War Two.

He visited the ship a few years ago and apparently explained how he used to stash his tobacco behind one of lights above his hammock.  He located the exact spot, reached up, and to his surprise he found his tobacoo stash, still there decades later!

A Busy Retirement

After the war, in 1948, HMS Wellington was purchased by the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, one of the City of London livery companies, to use as their livery hall. 

She was berthed on the Victoria Embankment, making her London’s only floating livery hall. Wellington is also the only warship of her kind still surviving today.

Many of the fittings onboard today were installed after the war to make her more suitable for functions and events.

This amazing Titantic-esque staircase for example was acquired from a cruise ship. 

Since 2005 the ship has also been home to the Wellington Trust, whose aim is to preserve and maintain the ship. They also educate about the ship and welcome many school groups on board every year.

Visiting The Ship

It is well worth a visit, if you are after a slightly more off the beaten track experience. There are plenty of artefacts on board and they have regular rotating exhibitions.

They have artefacts from SS Ohio: an oil tanker that played a key role in getting supplies to Malta in the war. The mission was known as Operation Pedestal.

SS Ohio suffered four days of attacks, by bombs and torpedoes. It was set on fire, nearly sunk, twice abandoned by the crew and re-boarded and was eventually towed into Malta for its fuel, crucial in helping Malta from surrendering.

It is also worth visiting for the unique and amazing views from the deck along the river.

The ship is open on Sundays and Mondays 11am-5pm for visitors. It also usually opens for Open House Festival in September.

Find out more about visiting here.

Thank you for reading! More of London’s amazing living history below…