HMS Whimbrel (U29)

HMS "Whimbrel" is the last surviving Royal Navy warship present at the Japanese Surrender in World War II. She was a sloop of the Black Swan class, laid down on October 31 1941 to the pennant of U29 at the famed yards of Yarrow Shipbuilders, Scotstoun, Glasgow. Launched on August 25 1942 almost nine months after laying down which was about average for this class of vessel. She was commissioned on the January 13 1943 and was to primarily serve in the Atlantic as part of several escort groups.in 1945 she was sent to the pacific for the last few months in war being part of the large exodus of ships there. She was present at the Japanese surrender. In November 1949 she was sold to Egypt and renamed "El Malek Farouq". In 1954 she was renamed "Tariq".

As of 2006 there is a preservation attempt [ [http://www.hmswhimbrel.org/ HMS Whimbrel (1942-49) Battle of the Atlantic Memorial Project ] ] to bring her to Canning Dock Liverpool as a memorial to the brave men who died on the Atlantic Convoys. On March 26 2008 a plaque celebrating the ship was presented to the Mayor of Sefton. John Livingston, president of the Liverpool branch of the Whimbrel Project, said: "She’d be a marvellous addition to our waterfront and a reminder of the sacrifice of our seamen". The Mayor of Sefton, Cllr Richard Hands, said: "HMS Whimbrel forms a unique part of both our social and maritime history and I fully support the campaign to bring her back to Liverpool". [ [http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk:80/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/03/27/hms-whimbrel-honoured-with-special-plaque-100252-20679000/ HMS Whimbrel honoured with special plaque - Liverpool Echo.co.uk ] ]

References

*Colledge

External links

* [http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/watercity/HMSWhimbrel-2003.jpgHMS Whimbrel in Liverpool, 2003]
* [http://www.navynews.co.uk/articles/2005/0503/0005030301.asp navynews article]
* [http://www.hmswhimbrel.org/ Battle of the Atlantic Memorial Project]