HMS WELLINGTON began her successful career in the 1930s. Laid down in September 1933 at Devonport Dockyard, launched in May 1934, she entered service in January 1935. Her purpose was as an Imperial Patrol Sloop destined for the New Zealand Station. She was a Grimsby Class Sloop and displaced 990 tons with a cruising speed of 10 knots and a maximum speed of 16 knots.
