A sad day for the Kellington. HMS Kellington, until recently a fully commissioned minesweeper before it became the headquarters of the Stockton Sea Cadets, seems to have given up the ghost. These pictures were taken at midday on 7 April 2009 when the ship was seen to be listing heavily to starboard. We understand it will be removed from the Tees in the next three or four weeks although we don’t know what the final plans are for the vessel. 
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A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
The Kellington was my first ship and the first commission saw us on Cyprus patrol from March to August 1956. The last time that I saw her was about 10 years ago in Stockton on my way to Scotland. It is very sad to hear about her fate, any more news or photographs would be much appreciated.
Last time I passed this minesweeper they had started to dismantle it and the top structure (sorry not a ship person so dont know the name, is it the super-structure?) I dont know, anyway they have started to dismantle this vessel and will soon be gone. Last time I saw it just the hull was there and thats it.
Been away from town 20+ years and sometimes I yearn to come back home. This picture makes me hope people aren’t trying to drag my good old Stockton down. I live where I live but I always tell people I’m proud to be from Stockton. So sad for the young cadets.
On December 31st 1999 I started out on a fundraising drive from Lands End to John O’Groats and back again to raise funds for the Kellington. I have photos of me setting out for Lands End on 30th December with the Kellington and cadets in the background, then another photo handing over a cheque to the cadets onboard the Kellington, if anyone is interested I could email them a copy. It is so sad to see such a wonderful old girl being reduced to scrap. Good luck to the cadets for the future.
EMERGENCY action is being taken to keep this 55-year-old sea cadet vessel afloat on the River Tees in Stockton, following a vandal attack last weekend. Moored by the riverside near Stockton town centre, the TS Kellington has not been used for some time and was due to be dismantled later this year. However, the attack has allowed tens of thousands of gallons of water to enter its hull and the vessel is currently listing heavily. Today, representatives of the Environment Agency, Stockton Borough Council, British Waterways and dismantlers Able UK met with advisers for the vessel’s owners, Stockton Sea Cadet Unit, to resolve the situation. Although surveys have shown that the vessel does not contain any significant quantities of contaminants, the Environment Agency has placed a boom around it as a precaution against any traces that remain.
In the meantime, arrangements are under way for Able UK to begin dismantling of the Kellington as early as next week.
SBC have granted the application to allow contractors “to demolish and reduce the hulk of ex-HMS Kellington and remove component materials to suitable disposal site”. A sad end to a once-fine vessel.