HMS Belfast

Post here about the Imperial War Museum and its exhibits
timlewin
Posts: 916
Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2018 12:18 pm

HMS Belfast

Unread post by timlewin »

this new thread should cover the entire IWM but I want to focus on HMSB as she is closest to our collective hearts.
The virus is fading, life will return to the way it was before. The ship has been closed since March 23rd. now is the time to plan her re-opening.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/hmsb80/intro/
this is the web link from the IWM web site.
I have been talking with some of the Museum people about how we can enhance visibility, improve visitor numbers, raise funding to carry out a mass of essential maintenance.
I would like to throw this question, or these questions, out to our forum members and visitors, what would you like to see done to bring our ship back into action?
Remember a ship like HMSB need around £1,000,000 a year in operational and maintenance costs, every museum, every public attraction is going to need money to make up for these months of closure, lets throw this open to ideas on how to put our ship at the top of the list for a spectacular relaunch, and a flood of visitors for the future.
Tim

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49PLv03Af9U
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
Pelican
Posts: 9730
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:10 pm

Re: HMS Belfast

Unread post by Pelican »

Belfast back with a bang as WW2 legend emerges from pandemic

You can now book your place to join HMS Belfast – as Britain’s last ‘big gun’ warship reawakens from enforced ‘slumber’ on the Thames.
The wartime/post-war cruiser – veteran of the Arctic Convoys, Normandy landings, Pacific and Korean conflicts – has not welcomed a single visitor since the first lockdown in March last year.

She’s earmarked to open her gangway on the south bank of the Thames near Tower Bridge on July 8 – 16 months since the last tourists came aboard.

Rather than simply ‘mothball’ the ship until the pandemic passed, custodians from the Imperial War Museum, who look after her on behalf of the nation, have used the hiatus to ‘refit’ both the ship and the riverside facilities.

Beyond the conservation of repainting and smartening up the hull, repairing the deck and maintaining the 4in guns after 83 years’ exposure to the elements, the Belfast team have revamped 2 Deck with particular emphasis on the Korean War.

Although Belfast is famous for her role off the North Cape – sinking Hitler’s ‘lucky’ battle-cruiser Scharnhorst – supporting the D-Day landings and enduring escorting convoys to Murmansk, it’s her post-war role off the Korean peninsula in focus through the work of her sick bay.

Surgeon Lieutenant Robert Anthony Rowan and his team saved many lives off Korea, though sadly not Lau Sau, a Leading Steward from Hong Kong and the only member of Belfast’s crew ever to be killed onboard - fatally wounded by a North Korean shell.

Continues with several photos via clicking the + at:
https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... lfast-back
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
User avatar
Pelican
Posts: 9730
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:10 pm

Re: HMS Belfast

Unread post by Pelican »

Belfast is back – veteran cruiser reopens to public after major revamp
See - https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... fast-opens - Scroll thru the photos at +

Royal Navy
Cruiser HMS Belfast reopens to visitors tomorrow for the first time in 16 months.
The team from the Imperial War Museum have used lockdown to bring forward a ten-year revamp for the warship on the Thames.
They've begun with the principal viewing area on 2 Deck, filling it with new displays, sound effects, touch screens, films and accounts of life aboard - and making use of a vivid account of a doctor to bring the ship's role in Korea to life.
Photos at: https://www.facebook.com/royalnavy/phot ... 317578205/
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
User avatar
Pelican
Posts: 9730
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:10 pm

Re: HMS Belfast

Unread post by Pelican »

H.M.S. BELFAST

Today 1 March is the 70th anniversary of the disappearance (probable drowning) of two of Belfast’s marines on a raid. Ron Knight a veteran of the Korean War and the Malayan Emergency remembers:

"Something happened on the raid. It’s not known to this day what happened, because they were not heard of again, but they are mentioned in a memorial in the chapel aboard H.M.S. Belfast.”

The flags and pennants flying today on the main mast simply state:
Korea70 – port mid
J James - Starboard mid
T Hamill – Starboard outer

[From Tim.]
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
User avatar
Pelican
Posts: 9730
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:10 pm

Re: HMS Belfast

Unread post by Pelican »

H.M.S. BELFAST FACEBOOK GROUP - https://www.facebook.com/hmsbelfast/

Check out photos, videos and posts, e.g. - https://www.facebook.com/hmsbelfast/vid ... 8064223322
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
timlewin
Posts: 916
Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2018 12:18 pm

Re: HMS Belfast

Unread post by timlewin »

Dawn on 23rd March 2022.png
two years ago on this day the first lock down was initiated and the ship closed to visitors, and on that afternoon the corwsnest camera was implemented!
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
Pelican
Posts: 9730
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:10 pm

Re: HMS Belfast

Unread post by Pelican »

HMS Belfast


In May 1961, the Operations Room in the heart of HMS Belfast was playing a major part in Operation Pony Express. This was an exercise carried out to rehearse large-scale amphibious landings involving 60 warships, 20,000 naval personnel and 6,000 British, US and Australian troops off North Borneo in the South China Sea.

This photo shows RFA Tidereach refuelling three ships simultaneously, the frigate HMS Yarmouth (left), the New Zealand cruiser Royalitst (right) and, in rear, HMS Belfast.

You can experience the sights and sounds of this real-life naval operation in the nerve centre of HMS Belfast. Use our interactive plotting tables to make decisions about the ship's movements to see if you can help recover a downed plane from the sea off the coast of North Borneo.

© IWM A 34437
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
User avatar
Pelican
Posts: 9730
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:10 pm

Re: HMS Belfast

Unread post by Pelican »

BERTHED ALONGSIDE HMSB


The visit of the Swedish tanker 'Fure Vinga' to the Pool of London for the IMO conference gave the unusual sight of a large cargo ship in the Pool but it was extra special when the bridge lifted at 2200 for Thames Sailing Barge 'Gladys'! Her navigation lights can just be seen under the bridge.

Also:
Omani Navy sail training ship Shabab Oman II heading up the Thames this morning.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
User avatar
Pelican
Posts: 9730
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:10 pm

Re: HMS Belfast

Unread post by Pelican »

Announcement of new IWM Director-General

Dear All,

We have known for a while that Di Lees will step down next March, today we have been told who will replace her as Director General of the IWM. (including HMS Belfast) Here is the announcement.

We wish the new D-G success, what changes she will bring we will no doubt find out in due course!

Tim


Dear Tim

As you are aware, following 14 years of leadership, Dame Diane Lees will be stepping down as Director-General of Imperial War Museums in 2023. To coincide with this morning’s press announcement, I am delighted to share with you all that Caro Howell MBE has been appointed as the new Director-General of IWM and will begin this role on 1 May 2023.

Caro is currently the Director of the Foundling Museum and has over 20 years’ experience in museum leadership roles. She has widespread expertise in gallery education, audience development and delivering major capital projects. During her time at the Foundling Museum, Caro has grown the organisation, establishing it as one of the UK’s leading independent museums and building on its mission to transform the wellbeing and life chances of young people through the power of the arts.

Caro co-chairs the Women Leaders in Museums Network and is an advisor to several museums and arts organisations. Earlier this year, Caro was awarded an MBE for services to museums.

The recruitment of Imperial War Museums’ new Director-General was guided by IWM’s Board of Trustees, with the formal appointment made by the Prime Minister, The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP. The interview panel consisted of Trustees and external representatives from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and the museums and heritage sector.

Diane Lees will remain in post until 31 March 2023 and at this point, I will be taking on the role of interim Director-General until Caro starts in her role on 1 May 2023.

Yours sincerely
Jon Card
Deputy Director-General

IWM
Lambeth Road
London SE1 6HZ
iwm.org.uk


IWM is the world’s leading authority on conflict and its impact on people’s lives from 1914 through the present day and beyond. Learn more about how you can support IWM here - https://www.iwm.org.uk/about
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
User avatar
Pelican
Posts: 9730
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:10 pm

Re: HMS Belfast

Unread post by Pelican »

HMS Belfast and the Arctic Convoys

See the contents of this link:
https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/hms-belf ... MAIL_ID%5D
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
Post Reply Previous topicNext topic

Return to “The Imperial War Museum - HMS Belfast: RAF Duxford”