After extensive repairs and the construction of a highly advanced mooring system the HMS Caroline, the historic significant naval vessel, re-opens to the public in Belfast next month.
The historic HMS Caroline first opened last year as a state of the art visitor centre after a €19 million refit. The opening coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland, one of the largest ever naval battles. The Caroline was one of only a few remaining survivors still floating when the battle had ended.
Over winter the ship underwent extensive repairs to the hull and a permanent advanced mooring system has been constructed. The complex mooring system is a highly innovative engineering project that makes the ship safe for visitors and protects the ship from lateral movements as it floats on the rising and falling tides.
Battle of Jutland
The 31st of May 1916 saw the British Royal Navy’s Fleet clash with the Imperial German Navy’s High Seas Fleet in possibly the greatest ever naval battle. Some 250 ships met in the North Sea off the coast of Denmark’s Jutland peninsula and engaged in a grueling 36-hour sea battle. The death toll was enormous with British losses amounting to 6,784 men and 14 ships, and the Germans losing 3,058 men and 11 ships. The losses included more than 350 Irishmen serving in the Royal Navy.
Both sides suffered tremendously and an obvious victor was unclear but Britain has suffered more losses and Germany claimed the victory. After the battle, however, it was the British Fleet that grew stronger and continued to rule the seas. The Germans did not dare to challenge the British Grand Fleet again and instead they turned their efforts and resources to submarine warfare.
HMS Caroline was one of the few ships still afloat after the battle. She went on to be used in the Second World War as the Royal Navy’s headquarters in Belfast. After the war she served as a floating training establishment by the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve until 2009. She was finally decommissioned in 2011.
With help from Heritage Lottery Fund and Stormont’s Department of Trade and Investment (DETI), the HMS Caroline has been restored to her former glory. The attraction brings her history to life with state of the art special effects and hands-on interactive exhibits. Visitors can see what life was like onboard the ship and can visit the Captain’s Cabin, Royal Marine Mess, engine room, sick bay and galley kitchen and find out all about the importance of the Battle of Jutland.
The HMS Caroline will re-open to the public on July 1st at Alexandra Dock, Belfast beside the historic Titanic Dock and Pump House.
