HMS Belfast

26/10/2023

On 25 June 1950, Communist North Korean forces invaded independent South Korea, beginning the Korean War and UN-mandated forces were sent to defend South Korea.

From June to October 1950, HMS Belfast was sent to patrol the waters of the Yellow Sea, providing bombardment support for UN troops on land. In all, Belfast put in 404 days of active service during the war, operating close into the enemy-occupied shoreline. Pictured, an American helicopter flies over HMS Belfast in the Yellow Sea, 1951.

© IWM A 31985

23/10/2023

Have you tried out our new family trail on board HMS Belfast? This October half term, pick up a family trail guide and see if you can find all ten of the crafty cat and mouse crew hiding in the ship!

Every day until Friday 22 Dec. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3RRMUGM

20/10/2023

Join us on the 27 October for a We Were There Family Day on board HMS Belfast. Meet IWM’s veterans and eyewitnesses of conflict to gain a unique insight into the impact of war on people’s lives.

You'll hear an array of personal stories, recollections, and powerful memories from those who have experienced conflict first-hand. From Bridge to Bakery, veterans will share their memories of life at sea on board HMS Belfast.

Part of Imperial War Museums remarkable We Were There: Family Day programme. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3Q6ve9j

14/10/2023

Look out shipmates! Some mischievous mice and crafty cats have snuck on board HMS Belfast and are after the sailors’ jobs. This October half-term pick up our brand new free family trail guide and see if you can find all ten of the crafty cat and mouse crew hiding in the ship!

Every day from Sat 21 Oct to Friday 22 Dec. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3RRMUGM

12/10/2023

During HMS Belfast’s first weeks on patrol in October 1939, Lieutenant Alan Seale noticed something suspicious about a ship sailing in the North Atlantic - the name on the stern 'Ancona', had been painted over another name, 'Cap Norte'.

Sailing under the guise of a neutral Swedish vessel, the German merchant ship 'Cap Norte' had attempted to disguise itself whilst carrying cargo back to Germany. The Cap Norte was captured and taken into Kirkwall in Orkney under es**rt by HMS Belfast. Cap Norte was then renamed Empire Trooper, and served Britain as a supply ship throughout the rest of the war.

In this painting, Cap Norte is pictured on the left with HMS Belfast on the right. © IWM Art.IWM ART 16801

30/09/2023

Whilst at sea post from home would often provide the only link between the crew and their friends and family.

Crew members on board the submarine HMS Sibyl can be seen receiving a parcel from the on board postman. HMS Sibyl served one of the Second World War’s longest commissions lasting 20 months.

Explore the ship today and see the mail room where all the letters and packages would have been sorted: https://bit.ly/3cB8Bsp

© IWM A 23124

29/09/2023

Sleeping in close quarters: Throughout most of HMS Belfast’s lifetime the sailors slept in hammocks slung just 52 cm apart, but during the Second World War when the crew size increased, some had to get creative.

Some slept beneath mess tables or shared use of their hammocks, while others such as Radio Operator Arthur Ledbury, found spots on top of lockers after a particularly tiring spell on duty.

Here, members of the Polish Navy can be seen catching some much-needed rest in their hammocks in late 1940. © IWM A 2487

28/09/2023

Tonight HMS Belfast lights up blue for !

If you're walking along the Thames this evening, be sure to look out. During the Second World War, Belfast es**rted merchant convoys in the Atlantic and, more famously, the Arctic.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/48HobuOTon

03/09/2023

On the 3 September 1939 Britain and France declared war on Germany following the German invasion of Poland. The first few months of the Second World War were dubbed the ‘Phoney War’ by a press surprised by the lack of action on land. But there was nothing phoney about the war at sea.

Just hours after hostilities began, a British liner was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat in the Atlantic, and HMS Belfast would face the same threat every time the ship was put to sea.

Plan your visit today to learn more: https://bit.ly/3cB8Bsp

A newspaper seller is pictured carrying a placard announcing that Britain had declared war on Germany. © IWM (HU36171)

28/08/2023

Royal Marines are pictured here removing the tampions from the 14-inch guns abroad HMS Howe, prior to the test shoot.

On board HMS Belfast a white metal badge in the shape of a seahorse could be seen on the 6-inch gun tampions during the ships duties as a flagship. In August 1944 HMS Belfast began a major refit and the tampions were removed.

© IWM A 12329 / © IWM MAR 573

25/08/2023

It’s the last few weeks for your chance to take part in the Lost Laundry Challenge on board HMS Belfast! Pick up a trail guide and explore the ship to see if you and your family can find all 10 lost items.

Runs everyday until 3 September: https://bit.ly/3r9v2f8

15/08/2023

The detonation of the two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki heralded the start of the atomic age. In this new atomic age the Navy were faced with the question- what good were the guns of a warship against an ever-proliferating arsenal of nuclear missiles?

Between 1956 and 1959 HMS Belfast was rebuilt –gaining a fully enclosed bridge and a modern air conditioning system, so that the entire ship could be sealed against atomic, biological or chemical attack. Ships like HMS Belfast would also carry out a “pre-wetting” method which involved the continual washing of the surfaces of the ship as a preventative to atomic, biological or chemical contaminants.

Trials of the "Pre-wetting" system are pictured here on HMS Cumberland.

Learn more about the life of HMS Belfast: https://bit.ly/3cB8Bsp

© IWM A 33008

14/08/2023

On board HMS Belfast you can find the NAAFI canteen. NAAFI stands for the Navy Army and Air Force Institute, which has provided canteen, entertainment and provision services to the armed forces since 1921. The NAAFI staff were the only civilians to serve in ships such as HMS Belfast.

The crew on board HMS Implacable are pictured here lining up at the well-stocked NAAFI canteen, October 1944.

Plan your visit to HMS Belfast today: https://bit.ly/3cB8Bsp

© IWM A 25955

01/08/2023

Join us on the 4 August to learn about the vital role of HMS Belfast during the Korean War and hear first-hand stories from veterans.

Discover the incredible experiences of the ship's crew who faced intense activity, enemy bombardment, and challenging weather conditions during HMS Belfast’s 404 days on patrol.

Part of Imperial War Museums We Were There: Family Day programme, a unique opportunity to meet real-life veterans and gain insight into the impact of war on people's lives.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/3Q6ve9j

29/07/2023

The Korean War saw HMS Belfast spend 404 days on patrol. Belfast was hit once during that time on the 29 July 1952, when a 76mm shell from a battery on the island of Wolsa-ri punched through her side killing Lau Sau, a Hongkonger rating and wounding four others. The damage is pictured here, and the small patched-up section of the hull can still be seen on Belfast ’s side today.

Fancy learning more about HMS Belfast’s vital role in the Korean War? Join us on the 4 August and hear stories from veterans who experienced the war first hand whilst serving on the ship.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/3Q6ve9j

© IWM HU 36642

28/07/2023

Join us on board HMS Belfast on the 31 July to celebrate ‘Black Tot Day’ with two special We Were There Family Day volunteer talks.

It was on this day in 1970 that the tradition of issuing a daily ‘tot’ of rum to sailors of the Royal Navy came to an end. The day was marked by sailors wearing a black armband and holding a ceremonial burial of rum barrels at sea and on land.

Volunteers will be discussing the history of the Rum Ration and Black Tot Day from 11.30 am and 2pm.

Part of Imperial War Museums remarkable We Were There: Family Day programme where you can meet real life veterans and eyewitnesses of conflict to gain a unique insight into the impact of war of people’s lives. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3Q6ve9j

© IWM A 746, © IWM A 1278, © IWM A 4903

26/07/2023

Can you find the hammock of Frankenstein, HMS Belfast’s wartime cat on board the ship?

Ships like HMS Belfast kept cats on board to protect food stores from rats and mice. Frankenstein had his own hammock on the Mess Deck where many of the ship’s ratings ate and slept. Unlike some of the men in wartime, it did not have to take it in turns to use it!

HMS Kelvin’s resident kitten (who was born in a wardrobe of an officer’s cabin) is pictured here looking out at sea in March 1941.

© IWM A 3569

26/07/2023

14/07/2023

On the deck of HMS Belfast you can find the ship's bell, which was presented to the ship by the people of Belfast in 1948. The ship's original (and less valuable) bell was rung every half hour to mark the passing of each watch.

One of the other uses of the bell, and a tradition amongst other ships, was its use as a baptismal font for shipboard christenings. If you look inside the ship's bell today you can see the names of some children christened on the ship inscribed on the inside!

Learn more about the life of HMS Belfast: https://bit.ly/3cB8Bsp

Pictured are several images of HMS Belfast’s bell and an image from the christening of Terence Stafford on HMS Kittiwake in April 1945. © IWM ©IWM A 28267

08/07/2023

The Laundry Room that you can see on HMS Belfast today was only added in the 1950s. Before then the crew would wash their clothing equipped with just a bucket and bar of soap, which the Navy referred to as ‘dhobi-ing’.

The Laundry Room was likely a welcome addition for the almost 800 ratings on board. But with every sailor wearing the same uniform it would have been a challenge to make sure nothing got lost in the laundry!

This summer, pick up a trail guide and explore the ship to see if you and your family can find all 10 lost items for one unlucky sailor! Running every weekend in July and everyday 22 July to 3 September: https://bit.ly/3r9v2f8

Crew on board HMS Vanity. © IWM A 1245

07/07/2023

On Wednesday 5 July , HMS Belfast was lit up in blue to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the NHS in 1948, the first universal health system to be available to all, free at the point of delivery.

© IWM Simon Fernandez

05/07/2023

Today marks 75 years of the NHS, since it was first established on 5 July 1948 as the first universal health system available to all. To mark the occasion, on the evening of 5 July, HMS Belfast along with other local landmarks, buildings and historic monuments will light up blue.

Did you see HMS Belfast illuminated in blue? Please share your pictures via social media with the hashtags and .

29/06/2023

Large ships like HMS Belfast would have had a bakery on board to produce bread and cakes for the crew and other ships nearby. HMS Belfast’s bakery used a vast amount of ingredients and bread was produced daily. An inventory from 1939 listed an incredible 18 tonnes of flour loaded onto the ship. Having regular fresh bread was ‘really something’ according to Electrician Frank Bond.

Walk down the corridors of HMS Belfast today to discover how almost 1000 men were fed every day. Plan your visit: https://bit.ly/3cB8Bsp

The crew on board HMS Tyne are pictured here working in the ship's bakery in October 1942. © IWM A 12461

14/06/2023

Feeling the heat? Did you know that whilst stationed in the Far East, the sailors of HMS Belfast used to cool off in shark infested waters by swimming inside a big net attached to the ship. In this clip the crew can be seen enjoying taking some free time to swim and play water polo.

© MGH 4488

06/06/2023

Those passing HMS Belfast today will notice a special signal flying from the mainmast, in addition to her D-Day flags - "DDay79".

The signal marks 79 years since HMS Belfast fired some of the first shots, bombarding the Normandy coast in support of the landings.

The French national flag represents Normandy and the French Resistance, whilst the flags of the USA, Canada and Great Britain represent those of the Allied forces.

Credit: Stuart Paul

06/06/2023

On this day in 1944, HMS Belfast led the way bombarding two of the five beaches chosen for the D-Day landings. This was Operation Neptune - the naval component of D-Day involving almost 7,000 vessels.

Watch IWM curator John Delaney explore the significance of what the ship and her crew did that day - and hear the voices of the men who were on board and witnessed the events first-hand.

Learn more about the life of HMS Belfast: https://bit.ly/3cB8Bsp

31/05/2023

It's your last chance to take part in our brand new family trail this May half-term!

Up to 950 men would have lived and worked on board HMS Belfast, and with almost 800 ratings all wearing the same uniform, it was a challenge to make sure nothing got lost!

Pick up one of our trail guides and begin exploring the Main Deck to see if you can find all 10 lost laundry items. Runs until 4 June.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/44U1IbS

27/05/2023

Brand-new for May half-term - take part in our family trail, Lost at Sea: Lost Laundry Challenge.

Up to 950 men would have lived and worked on board HMS Belfast, and with almost 800 ratings all wearing the same uniform, it was a challenge to make sure nothing got lost!

Pick up one of our trail guides and begin exploring the Main Deck to see if you can find all 10 lost laundry items. Runs daily from 27 May to 4 June. Find out more: https://bit.ly/44U1IbS

25/05/2023

Did you know that personnel, stores, ammunition and liquids could all be transferred and replenished at sea from ship to ship by the light jackstay method?

Navy Minister J.P.W Mallalieu, is pictured here being transferred by light jackstay from HMS Cleopatra to HMS Kent, 1966.

Plan your visit to HMS Belfast to learn more about life at sea: https://bit.ly/3cB8Bsp

© IWM A 35039

19/05/2023

Join one of our Volunteer guides for a short, 10 minute talk during your visit to HMS Belfast. Our Volunteer guides have picked their favourite parts of the ship, as well as their best-loved stories, to bring its history to life. Topics range from the mining of HMS Belfast in 1939, workings of the Engine Room and the Battle of North Cape.

All Volunteer Insights will be advertised daily onboard the ship; dates and times may vary dependent on Volunteer availability.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/3HGHush

14/05/2023

Did you know that if it was your job to keep the glass ‘stateboards’ up-to-date in the Operations Room, you had to be able to write backwards so that the officers on the other side could read it?

The Operations Room was set up to provide the captain with tactical information. Men at plotting areas would monitor radar, sonar, and intelligence reports to track allied and enemy surface, submarine and air forces before selecting targets to be engaged with the ships armament.

Learn more about the life of HMS Belfast: https://bit.ly/3cB8Bsp

11/05/2023

When the Second World War ended, HMS Belfast took on a new role within the British Pacific Fleet. The ship was refitted for a new theatre of war, undertaking sea trails before setting off for the long journey east to the Pacific.

In this image, ships of the fleet can be seen exercising off of Hong Kong. The photograph includes HMS Birmingham, HMS Warrior, and the destroyers Concord, Comus and Cockade with HMAS Arunta.

Learn more about the life of HMS Belfast: https://bit.ly/3cB8Bsp

© IWM A 33038

10/05/2023

On the 8 May 1945, millions came together to celebrate ‘Victory in Europe’ day. Leaving Britain, just as the Germans surrendered in Europe, Belfast arrived in Western Australia on 15 August. The ship then began its service around the Pacific and Indian Ocean that continued until 1962.

Two British sailors and their girlfriends are pictured here in the Trafalgar Square on VE Day.

© IWM EA 65799

06/05/2023

IWM would like to extend congratulations and best wishes to Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla on the occasion of the Coronation.

Here a young Prince Charles looks through a periscope onboard the submarine HMS Churchill, February 1972.

©IWM A 35382

28/04/2023

Between April and July 1949, HMS Belfast oversaw attempts to free HMS Amethyst from the Yangtze River after the ship had been attacked and disabled by Mao Zedong’s forces.

It was from Belfast’s radio room that coded messages were relayed to and from Amethyst. On 30 July, Belfast received a garbled message from the trapped ship signalling that it was going to make a run for it at 22:00. Much to the relief of the Admiral on board HMS Belfast, by 01:00 Amethyst managed to reach the halfway mark and by dawn she was home and dry.

HMS Amethyst can be seen pictured here sailing from Hong Kong, 1949.

Learn more about the life of HMS Belfast: https://bit.ly/3cB8Bsp

© IWM HU 45388

14/04/2023

On 14 April 1967, a team from the Imperial War Museum visited Portsmouth to look into acquiring one of HMS Gambia’s gun turrets. They were served lunch on board HMS Belfast, which by that time had become a Harbour Accommodation Ship. By the end of lunch, the idea of preserving an entire ship had been born – and HMS Belfast was the perfect candidate.

After a rejected proposal to save Belfast from the scrap yard, the HMS Belfast Trust was formed with Rear Admiral Sir Morgan Morgan-Giles as its chairman. Morgan-Giles, who had been captain of the ship during her last overseas commission successfully lobbied to save the ship for the nation, which opened to the public in October 1971.

Explore HMS Belfast today: https://bit.ly/3cB8Bsp

© IWM MAR 555

08/04/2023

The crest of HMS Belfast is pictured here, depicting a mythical seahorse above three waves in a sea of blue. Such badges were created to add a recognisable feature to identify different vessels.

You can purchase your own HMS Belfast crest badge in our shop: https://bit.ly/3yMvqko

© IWM MAR 445

07/04/2023

HMS Belfast is a ship full of stories and places to explore. Looking for fun things to do this Easter holiday? Listen to Bex Lindsay host of Activity Quest: Days out and crafts for kids, as she explores the ship and some of the family activities on board: https://bit.ly/3MiI3eN

For more information on family activities this Easter holiday click here: https://bit.ly/40OOE5m

06/04/2023

A Barracuda dive bomber is pictured landing on HMS Victorious during Operation Tungsten in 1944. HMS Belfast can be seen on the left-hand side of the image.

From March to early April 1944, HMS Belfast took part in Operation Tungsten - the Allied attempt to sink the German battleship Tirpitz through an aircraft carrier strike. HMS Belfast was among a large fleet of cruisers and destroyers tasked with defending the vital carriers from surface attack.

The raid succeeded in putting Tirpitz out of action for several more months before being sunk by a force of heavy bombers in November 1944.

© IWM A 22644

05/04/2023

HMS Belfast is open every day over the Easter weekend!

Explore this iconic London landmark and discover the ship’s globe-trotting history, from firing some of the opening shots on D-Day, to sailing in freezing conditions of the Arctic Circle and serving in the Korean War.

Families can find their sea legs and take charge of HMS Belfast in an interactive family activity, completing fun tasks around the ship. Drop in 10am to 3pm until 16 April.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3cB8Bsp