| Built: |
1936-1938 |
| Designed
by: |
Harland
and Wolff Shipyard |
| Cost: |
£2,141,514 |
| Maximum
Length: |
613.5
feet / 187 meters |
| Type: |
Museum |
| Type: |
Ship |
| Location: |
Southwark |
The
British have a long and proud naval history, and part
of that history is on display in the heart of London.
The HMS Belfast is moored in the Thames River amid
some of the most popular tourist attractions in the
nation. The Belfast was intended to be a different
kind of cruiser - a "Southampton" class ship with
16 six-inch guns, instead of the 12 it ended up with.
Design problems forced the Royal Navy to scale back
on its plans for the ship and make it an "Edinburgh"
class vessel. As the Second World War approached,
the Belfast's role in protecting Britain became more
important. That was illustrated in 1939 when the ship
ran into a mine, suffering severe damage. The ship
was out of commission for three years for repairs.
But this was fortunate, because at the same time it
was upgraded into one of the most fearsome ships in
the fleet. Its capabilities were put to use as a flagship
in the Arctic. After the war ended, the Belfast next
saw action in the Korean War where it spent many long
months on patrol before returning home.
-
The Belfast is an Edinburgh class ship.
-
The
ship has 12 six-inch guns, 12 two-inch anti-aircraft
guns, and eight four-inch guns.
-
December, 1936 - Construction begins.
-
March, 1938 - The HMS Belfast is launched.
-
August,
1939 - The ship is commissioned.
-
November,
1939 - The ship is damaged by a mine.
-
November, 1942 - The ship re-enters service.
-
1965
- The ship is decommissioned
-
1971
- The ship becomes a museum
|
|
|
