Petition and fundraising campaigns launched to save HMS President

Staff WriterHeritage vessels, Navy, News

A PETITION and fundraising campaign have been launched to try and save HMS President – one of three surviving Royal Navy ships from WWI.

The ship, which was moored on the Victoria Embankment for over 90 years until she had to move earlier this year, is currently in Chatham Docks facing an uncertain future after the trust that looks after her said she could be condemned “to the scrapyard” after a bid for heritage lottery funding was unsuccessful.

Campaigners are calling on the government to intervene to save the ship, which would be 100 years old in 2018, and are also trying to raise funds online.

The petition, calling for help from new Chancellor of the Exchequer and former Defence Secretary Philip Hammond currently has over 2,700 signatures. If it reaches 10,000 signatures, the government is obliged to provide a response.

Click here to see the petition to save HMS President

A JustGiving page has also been set up where people can donate money towards the HMS President Preservation Trust.

See photos of HMS President at Chatham

onthethames_save_hms_president_01
HMS President was originally commissioned as HMS Saxifrage.

onthethames_save_hms_president_06
The Trust that maintains the ship says she could be scrapped before reaching her centenary in 2018.

onthethames_save_hms_president_04
For many, the ship will hold many memories as a popular events venue on the Thames.

onthethames_save_hms_president_03
An internal shot from HMS President, currently moored at Chatham Docks.

onthethames_save_hms_president_05
10,000 signatures are required on the campaign petition before the government is obliged to respond.