No, I didn't spell the title wrong... I'm thinking about ships, not body parts.
In 1936, the Admiralty decided to order two enlarged and improved versions of the large light cruisers of the 'Southampton' class. These were Belfast and Edinburgh.
Like one of my ships, HMS Bulwark, HMS Belfast was built at the Harland and Wolff Shipyard in Belfast. She was launched on St. Patrick's Day, 17 March 1938.
Commissioned to the Royal Navy in August 1939, Belfast joined the 18th Cruiser Squadron and saw active service throughout the Second World War.
There are plenty of documents available detailing HMS Belfast's exploits and I don't intend going into them here. For me, one of the things that sets the Belfast aside from other British warships is the simple fact that she was the last Royal Navy ship to fire a broadside, hence ending a time-honoured naval tradition.
HMS Belfast
In 1963 HMS Belfast was decommissioned and mothballed. Thankfully instead of being sent to the knackers yard, like so many other brave ships, Belfast became a museum and is secured on the Thames close to Tower Bridge in London. Well worth a visit if you happen to be in the capital.
Note from the scaffolding and the gantries, repair and renovation continues to keep HMS Belfast looking her best for the visiting public.
(click the image for a larger view)
