Charles’ historic ship to be raised from the depths
A HISTORIC warship once commanded by King Charles which spent years partially sunk is set to be restored to its former glory.
Volunteers fighting to save HMS Bronington want the restoration project to begin in the year of King Charles’ coronation, 70 years after its launch in 1953 – Queen Elizabeth II’S coronation.
The HMS Bronington Preservation Trust intends to make the former Royal Navy Mine Hunter fully seaworthy again and make the vessel a museum ship open to the public.
King Charles has written to the charity in support of the project.
He said: “It is truly humbling to learn of the efforts in which you are going to in order to recover this historical naval vessel.”
Charles commanded the vessel between February 9 and December 15, 1976.
Decommissioned 10 years later, it sank in its moorings at a dockland in Birkenhead, Merseyside, in 2016.
The project will cost millions of pounds, most of which will come from Heritage Lottery Fund and other charitable sources.
Volunteers have raised more than £12,000 so far and are calling for more donations. Trustee Mike Mcbride said: “Support from the public has already been great and interest is huge. Someone gave £1,000 to the appeal. We don’t know who but it shows people care.”
Mike, 69, was a weapon engineering officer with the Royal Navy for more than 20 years, and served on HMS Bronington’s sister ship HMS Iveston when both were in operation.
HMS Bronington, which has a mahogany hull, served as part of the 101st Minesweeping Squadron and played a significant role in the Cold War.
Grandfather-of-three Mike said: “It would be fitting to start the restoration in the year of the King’s coronation, because she was launched in the year of Queen Elizabeth II’S coronation.
“Our charity intends to make the vessel a museum ship open to the public, and available as an educational resource. “We also have the opportunity to share traditional skills during the restoration period.”
A dive survey conducted on the exposed hull last year concluded that salvage was feasible.
The ship’s final home port was Portsmouth until it was decommissioned. Mr Mcbride, who has lived in Portsmouth since 1976, wants the museum ship to be based in the port city.
“There is a great deal of interest in the local area.
“A number of prominent companies locally are assisting the charity with support and material. Penny Mordaunt, our local MP, has also expressed her support. She said the ship is an important part of our naval history.
“The public support been humbling. We continue to ask for donations and hopefully, when we achieve our target, we can start this project as soon as possible in the year of the coronation.”