HMS Bronington was a Ton-class minesweeper of the Royal Navy, launched on 19 March 1953. This mahogany-hulled minesweeper was one of the last of the "wooden walls" (wooden-hulled naval vessels).
Originally commissioned as HMS Humber on 4 June 1954, the vessel was renamed Bronington in 1959.The vessel was converted into a minehunter at Rosyth Dockyard between 1963 and 1965, and was commissioned to, initially the 5th Minesweeper Squadron, and the 1st Mine Countermeasures Squadron on 5 January 1967.
After being decommissioned from service, the ship was purchased in January 1989 by the Bronington Trust, a registered charity whose patron, Charles, Prince of Wales, commanded this vessel between 9 February and 15 December 1976.
For some time, the ship was berthed in the Manchester Ship Canal at Trafford Park, Greater Manchester, England. On 11 July 2002, she became part of the collection of the Warship Preservation Trust and was moored at Birkenhead, Merseyside. After the closure of the Warship Preservation Trust, she remained in storage, formerly alongside the Rothesay-class frigate HMS Plymouth, at Vittoria Dock, Birkenhead, and latterly in the West Float of Birkenhead Docks.
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Originally commissioned as HMS Humber on 4 June 1954, the vessel was renamed Bronington in 1959.The vessel was converted into a minehunter at Rosyth Dockyard between 1963 and 1965, and was commissioned to, initially the 5th Minesweeper Squadron, and the 1st Mine Countermeasures Squadron on 5 January 1967.
After being decommissioned from service, the ship was purchased in January 1989 by the Bronington Trust, a registered charity whose patron, Charles, Prince of Wales, commanded this vessel between 9 February and 15 December 1976.
For some time, the ship was berthed in the Manchester Ship Canal at Trafford Park, Greater Manchester, England. On 11 July 2002, she became part of the collection of the Warship Preservation Trust and was moored at Birkenhead, Merseyside. After the closure of the Warship Preservation Trust, she remained in storage, formerly alongside the Rothesay-class frigate HMS Plymouth, at Vittoria Dock, Birkenhead, and latterly in the West Float of Birkenhead Docks.
- 1953
Built in Beverley, Yorkshire by Cook, Welton and Gemmell as a minesweeper and launched by Mrs W G John, the wife of the Director of Naval Constructors - 1954
Completed, renamed HMS HUMBER and joined the 101st Minesweeping Squadron in the RNVR Humber Division During this period she won the Thornycroft Trophy for minesweeping excellence against competition from both regular and reserve units - 1958
Reverted to her original name, HMS BRONINGTON, rejoined the Fleet and served in various Minesweeping Squadrons - 1963
Conversion to a minehunter which included the fitting of an enclosed bridge, a tripod mast and the latest sonar - 1965
Re-commissioned as part of the 5th Minesweeping Squadron based at HMS VERNON, Portsmouth - 1965-1973
Duties around the coast of Britain, north-west Europe and Scandinavia - 1974
Major refit in Gibraltar - 1976
Returned to the Forth for further service in home waters in the 1st Mine Counter Measures Squadron Commanded by HRH The Prince of Wales and visited, during a visit to the Pool of London, by HM The Queen, HM The Queen Mother and HRH Pr - 1980s
Deployed to the Mediterranean as part of the 2nd Mine Counter Measures Squadron - 1983
Deployed to the NATO Standing Naval Force Channel and later employed as a Fishery Protection Vessel - 1988
Paid off in Portsmouth after more than 30 years service - 1989
Purchased by the Bronington Trust, a charity dedicated to her preservation and display to the public, and removed to Manchester - 1992
Opened to the public at Salford Quays - 2002
Became part of the Warship Preservation Trust collection and moved to Vittoria Dock, Birkenhead - 2006
The Trust closed and she became the property of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board (Company) and laid up, but deteriorated rapidly - 2019
Still rotting in Vittoria Dock.
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