A fund-raising campaign is underway to save and restore a former UK Royal Navy minesweeper that lies partially submerged in Birkenhead Dock on Merseyside.

HMS Bronington which belonged to the 'Ton' class of minesweepers, where intended to meet the threat of seabed mines laid in shallow coastal waters, rivers, ports and harbours.

According to the National Historic Ships UK, since the voluntary liquidation of the Warship Preservation Trust took place in 2006, the veteran vessel has remained abandoned and neglected. (More ship details, here). 

It was in March that year, when the vessel sank at moorings in Gilbrook Basin, part of the Birkenhead Docks system, and now sits up to the gunwales on the silty bottom, listing to starboard.

Built by Cook, Welton and Gemmel in Beverley, Yorkshire, Bronington was launched in 1953, and spent the first four years as part of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve's Humber Division, based in Hull. During 1976 HMS Bronington was commanded by Prince Charles.

The Ton class ship saw service in Portsmouth, the Firth of Forth, and for NATO role in the Mediterranean.

Last year, supporters formed the HMS Bronington Preservation Trust to explore the possibility of re-floating and restoring the vessel. As this will take a lot of time and money, the Trust has launched a GoFundMe page to raise the initial funds required.

Firstly, a dive survey will assess the state of the hull and whether there is any significant damage which may result in the project having to be abandoned.

The Trust are hoping to raise £20,000 which will cover the costs of the survey, subsequent re-floating and pumping out.

The Trustees are asking for your help with this phase by asking you to donate to the initial costs required to get this project off the ground. Any donation, large or small, will be gratefully received.

If the survey is successful, the Trust will be actively seeking sponsorship and grants to fund the remaining phases of the restoration i.e. removal to a repair facility and full restoration to her former glory.

Should the project be abandoned, all donations will be further donated to Forces charities.