HMS BELFAST |
A retired WW2 Battle Cruiser, now a floating museum
Photo © DanieVDM (CC)
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Basic Facts |
Displacement 11,533 tons
Length 613 feet (187m)
Beam 69 feet (21m)
Launched 1938
Speed 32 knots (59km/h)
Crew 750 - 850
Armament 32 Guns
Visitor Information |
SE1 2JH
The
ship is open to visitors daily, 10am to 6pm (5pm November to February).
Entry costs £10.30 for adults, £7.20 concessions, children under 16
FREE.
Scrapbook |
HMS Belfast
is a battle cruiser that, after years of service in war and
achievements in strategic victories, was given to the nation’s public
as a great statement of Britain’s naval history. Launched in 1938 and
commissioned by the Royal Navy the following year, the HMS Belfast
served throughout the Second World War and continued in battle fleets
until 1965.
HMS Belfast is the Royal Navy's heaviest ever cruiser
Photo © jimbowen0306 (CC)
At
the very start of the Second World War, HMS Belfast and her crew proved
their worth by intercepting the German liner ‘Cap Norte’. It was trying
to return to Germany disguised as a neutral vessel when it was boarded
and conquered by the crew of HMS Belfast. It was the largest enemy
liner to be intercepted to date at that time, and the crew received
‘prize money’ for their achievement! The HMS Belfast went on to do many
great things, in fact – by the end of World War Two HMS Belfast was
known as the most powerful cruiser in the Navy. She served in the
arctic in 1943, and played an important part in bringing down the
German enemy ship ‘Scharnhorst’ in the freezing waters. She was also
one of the first ships to open fire on the Germans in Normandy on
D-day, June 6, 1944.
She served in World War II and is now berthed on the River Thames near Tower Bridge as a museum ship
Photo © DanieVDM (CC)
Did You Know?
HMS Belfast
was launched on St Patrick's Day in 1938 in Belfast by Anne
Chamberlain, the wife of the then Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain.
One of the compliment of 6-inch anti-aircraft guns
Photo © jimbowen0306 (CC)
Did You Know?
During the last few days of WW2, HMS Belfast
was spotted in the North Sea by a German submarine. She would have made
an easy target, but thankfully the German commander decided not to
fire, as the war was almost over.
The Captains Bridge, where engine and steering commands were passed to the helmsman, 6 decks below!
Photo © DanieVDM (CC)
After
the Second World War, HMS Belfast served in the Far East and in the
Korean War before her final commission, and a well earned rest after
having sailed nearly half a million miles in her lifetime. It was then
an old commander of hers, Rear Admiral Sir Morgan Morgan-Giles, who
saved her from the scrap yard and presented her as a public attraction.
Now there are exhibitions, activities and fantastic tours that bring
the HMS Belfast back to life, in honour of all she and so many other
battleships have done for their country.
The Engine Room, taking 30 crew members to operate
Photo © DanieVDM (CC)
The crew quarters, where the crew slept, ate and stored their belongings
Photo © DanieVDM (CC)
The Ships Bell
Photo © DanieVDM (CC)
HMS Belfast in action during WW2
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