A historic minesweeper previously belonging to the Royal Navy has sunk whereas moored at Vittoria Dock in Birkenhead, England the place it has been laid up for years.

The Bronington, one of many final vessels within the Royal Navy’s Ton-class, was found to have sank someday between Thursday and Friday. 

A witness instructed gCaptain on Friday that he final noticed the vessel afloat Tuesday, however by Friday the ship had partially sank subsequent to the dock in an upright place and was beginning to roll onto its aspect.

The HMS Bronington was launched for the Royal Navy by Cook, Welton, and Gemmel shipbuilders in Yorkshire, England in 1953 and remained in lively service till 1988. In 1989 the vessel was bought by the Bronington Trust, a charity devoted to her preservation and show to the general public. The minesweeper was delivered to Salford Quays and later opened to the general public in 1992, however possession finally transferred to Mersey Docks and Harbour Company and the ship has been been laid up at Vittoria Docks since 2011. 

Interestingly, HMS Bronington was additionally the primary and solely ship commanded by Prince Charles, who served within the Royal Navy for over 5 years and spent almost a yr answerable for the minesweeper in 1976. 

Between 1953 and 1960, about 119 of the wooden-hulled Ton class minesweepers have been delivered to the Royal Navy and later utilized by different navies. You can view the complete historical past of the Bronington at HMSBronington.org. 

More images of the Bronington may be discovered on Phil Owen’s website.