HMS Arethusa Reliefs - Swansea Maritime Quarter - Wales. Great Britain.
N 51° 36.863 W 003° 56.623
30U E 434658 N 5718572
HMS Arethusa Reliefs - Dedicated to the 156 men aboard the ship HMS Arethusa who lost their lives in 1942, relieving the siege of Malta. The Frigate HMS Arethusa was paid for and adopted by the people of Swansea. South Wales.
Waymark Code: WMJ3K8
Location: South Wales, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 09/17/2013
Views: 2
This memorial relief sculpted in limestone, located on each side of an arch at Arethusa Quay, in the Maritime Quarter Swansea.
Nine ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Arethusa , after the Greek mythological nymph Arethusa.
The Warship HMS Arethusa was paid for by public subscription in 1941 by the people of Swansea.
"The ship's badge of H.M.S. Arethusa mounted on a black wooden shield "Presented by The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to SWANSEA to commemorate the adoption of H.M.S. Arethusa during Warship Week Nov.22nd 1941." The presentation was in recognition of the money raised by the town as their contribution to the government instigated ship-building programme during WWII. In return, Swansea presented a plaque to their adopted ship at a ceremony in the Brangwyn Hall in Oct. 1942, "The citizens of this ancient town having successfully completed the raising of the sum £1,250,000 during Warship Week Nov.15th - 22nd 1941." Text source: (
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The Corporation of Swansea by Resolution in Council presented this commemoration tablet to the ship of their adoption H.M.S. Arethusa." Even today the link between ship and city has not been forgotten, Arethusa Quay, part of the Maritime Quarter housing development was opened by Rear Admiral Snow in Aug.1984.
"In November 1942 HMS Arethusa left Alexandria to form a part of the escort for a convoy to Malta. On the 18th, 450 miles from port, she was torpedoed by low flying enemy aircraft, the explosion and resulting fire took the lives of 156 men from the ship's complement of approximately 500. Arethusa was the only casualty of "Operation Stoneage" and the arrival of the 4 merchant ships of convoy MW-13 effectively marked the end of the siege of Malta." Text Source: (
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