Skip to content

HMS Belfast

Introduction

HMS Belfast is one of the most iconic warships in the world, having been commissioned into service during World War II. Located on the River Thames, this Royal Navy ship has played a significant role in various naval operations throughout its history.

Key Facts

  • Commissioned: November 21, 1940
  • Displacement: 13,500 tons
  • Length: 560 feet (170 meters)
  • Beam: 75 feet (23 meters)
  • Draft: 22 feet (7 meters)
  • Speed: 20 knots (37 km/h)
  • Armament:
    • 12 x 4.7-inch guns in two twin turrets
    • 16 x 2-pounder guns
    • 3 x Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns
    • 1 x depth charge projector

Historical Context

HMS Belfast was built at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Cheshire, England. It was one of three ships designed to serve as warships, along with HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth. The Belfast was specifically built for amphibious warfare, being equipped with landing craft and a large capacity for troops.

Significant Contributions

  • Participated in the evacuation of Dunkirk during World War II
  • Conducted numerous amphibious landings on European and North African beaches
  • Provided gunfire support to Allied ground forces during the D-Day landings
  • Served as a floating headquarters during Operation Cross-Channel

Notable Attractions

  • The Admiral's Firing Deck: offers stunning views of the Thames River and allows visitors to walk through the ship's deck
  • The Grand Gallery: features a large, curved staircase and offers panoramic views of the river
  • The Engine Room: provides an in-depth look at the ship's machinery and engineering systems

Legacy and Preservation

HMS Belfast was decommissioned in 1998 and is now on display in London. The ship has been preserved by the Royal Navy and is operated by the Royal Naval Museum.

Note: This article is a markdown page, which allows for easy formatting and organization of content. The text is indented to represent headings, and paragraphs are indented further for clarity.

Metadata:

  • Model: llama-3.2-1b-instruct
  • Generation time: 2024-11-02 07:50:37
  • Keywords: HMS Belfast, wiki, history, attractions, facts
  • URL: https://worldbestplaces.com/places/hms_belfast