H.M.S Kellington – The Kellington came upstream before the Barrage was built but after the bridge was opened. So close was the clearance, that even at low tide and despite removing parts of her superstructure, scratch marks were left under the bridge. Photographs courtesy of Tommy Dickinson. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
The HMS Kellington is getting dimantled soon because the poor thing is listing.
So sad to see on the news tonight about the vandelism on the weekend and that it is being dismantaled this week due to this. I stayed on board in the early 90s whilst a sea cadet, it was my 1st experience of being away from home and as I was trying to get my cooks badge I have fond memories of making breakfast onboard. Its such a shame.
It”s very sad to read about Kellington in these terms. I served on HMS Kellington whilst with the RNR at Shoreham; in fact I was on her for her very last trip from Shoreham before she was returned to the RN. This was a trip to the channel isles in the company of HMS Alfriston and we had to endure gale force 8 to 10 in the channel and I remember how impressive that ship was faced with such high seas. On returning to Shoreham she flew a paying off pennant..a very sad day for us as she was such a great ton class.
On the Kellington, She is still afloat. Planning consent has been applied for and approved for the scrapping of the Kellington to take place at the Tees Barrage. We disagree that she should be scrapped and have approached the council representatives in order to save her. We do have a new plan which is now going to the final stages as the last plan was halted due to the fact apparently now if we lift the Kellington out of the water we are not allowed to replace her. This came as we were going to a meeting so had to change our plans fast. This we have done, and now with the hope of another council from another area close by we are in a stronger position than before. We are offering to remove and restore the ship with NO cost to the Council at all or the Stockton Sea Cadets. In all the time this debate has been going on no one has officially stated yet who is going to pay for it. The MOD who certain people hoped would have informed us by letter that they cannot do so as this would be a mis-use of public funding. The Stockton sea cadets cannot, so this only leaves the Council or Able UK who apparently are for some strange reason doing the scrapping for free. With talks this week and last we may now be able to not only save the Kellington but also place it in a new historical adventure which is in progress, We have a plan for her future which means the ship will be at sea once again, but with the involvement of a further council and group we also will have a safe and permanent berth. We will stay fighting for the survival of this ship until it is finally scrapped or saved. Our membership is growing by the day with people who are not wanting to see her been scrapped. Our web site will be updated in the next few days with all the next moves. Thank you for reading
Alan I wish you luck. Apparently she”s not as bad as some make out.(I wondered about “the rusting hulk” the hull is made of wood is it not) Your campaign seems to be gaining momentum. I also made a visit to your website, a very impressive and professional approach. Count me in.
The ship is watertight as far as our society is concerned and can be repaired, we hope to see it back at sea. Look up Hemlington Nautical History society
She has not been sunk yet, there is still hope. Been working on it with friends for over a year.
I understand the the Kellington is to be scrapped, indeed it probably has already as the article appeared in the paper in Jan 08. The must be a way of saving her. Who owns her? Is she watertight? Has she gone beyond repair? I would like to buy her and restore her to a seagoing state if this is possible.
Sad to see the ship has fallen into a state of disrepair. What is happening with this now? Would be a shame to lose her particularly as i served on her between 1986 – 1988 including Med and baltic trips, fond memories.
I”ve just passed the Kellington and was really disappointed to see what a state of neglect she is in. What a wonderful resource this was to the Sea Cadets – what went wrong? (Great site by the way, keep up the good work!)