Friday, 9 September 2011

HMS Bronnington (M1115), Birkenhead

Ojay/Leaf/Xan/Ex0/Tweek/Kromax...


HMS Bronington (M1115) is one of the last conventionally built minesweeping vessels to be ordered by the Royal Navy.

Constructed by Cook Welton & Gemmel at Hull and Beverley she is one of the Coniston class of minesweepers which were constructed between 1951 and 1959.

She was named H.M.S. Humber and was stationed with the 10th M.S.S. R.N.R. In 1958 she was commissioned as Bronington and sent to the 100th M.S.S.

In 1965 she was converted into a minehunter at Rosyth and stationed with the 1st M.C.M.S. In 1974 she was refitted at Gibraltar and then returned to Rosyth to rejoin the 1st M.C.M.S.

HRH The Prince of Wales was in command for most of 1976.

Between 1980 and 1984 she was serving with the 2nd M.C.M.S and with STANAVFORCHAN.

All were constructed with timber hulls and alloy upperparts, and were powered by 2 Mirrles Blackstone diesels of 2500 hp driving two shafts and giving 15 knots at maximum speed.

Weapons fit varied but was normally 1 x 40mm Bofors and 2 x 20mm Oerlikon’s. Minehunters normally carried just 1 x 40mm Bofors.

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 in 1976.

For some time, the ship was berthed in the historic Manchester Ship Canal at Trafford Park, Manchester.

In 2002, she became part of the collection of the Warship Preservation Trust and moored at Birkenhead, Merseyside, England.

Since the closure of the Warship Preservation Trust, she remains in storage, now berthed at Wallasey dock awaiting her fate.

I find it annoying that there is no place for these ships anymore, and that ultimately they end up being scrapped :(

I'm just glad I bothered to make the effort to see her before she's just a memory to many her served her


On your Minesweepers





I just couldn't resist climbing up the mast :p


Bridge


Operations Room


Wireless Telegraphy Office


Commanding Officers Cabin - HRH The Prince Of Wales (1976)



Galley



Petty Officers Mess


Workshop


Royal Shitter


Memorabilia


Gyro Room


Main Engine Room


We just had to to this.. 6 of us somewhere on here




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