One of the last examples of a Royal Navy 'Sloop' HMS President was built between 1917 and 1918 at the end of the First World War. The ship was built to perform convoy escort duties and is coloured in the Victorian Navy design. The vessel had a long and interesting history in the Royal Navy before being decommissioned to become a pleasure boat. The ship is now permanently moored in a prize location opposite St. Paul's Cathedral and close to Southwark's attractions. The ship is open to the public for frequent events.