HMS Belfast Light Cruiser

HMS Belfast Light Cruiser

The HMS Belfast is a light cruiser of the Edinburgh-class in the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. It served during World War II and is now permanently moored on the River Thames near Tower Bridge in London as a museum ship, operated by the Imperial War Museum. It is the second warship to be preserved in the UK in the name of the nation and is the only surviving warship of its class that saw active service during the Second World War.

HMS Belfast was laid down in 1936, launched in 1938, and has a displacement of 13,175 tons. It features two triple main gun turrets at the bow and stern, equipped with twelve 6-inch caliber main guns, making it the largest light cruiser built by the Royal Navy. The ship achieved remarkable success during World War II, participating in battles including the sinking of the German battlecruiser Scharnhorst, as well as Operations Tungsten, Source, and Zipper. In the final stages of the European war, it was unexpectedly spotted by a German Type XXI submarine in the North Sea, but fortunately, the submarine’s captain chose not to attack due to the approaching end of the war. The ship also took part in the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support for UN forces onshore. HMS Belfast was decommissioned in 1963.

As part of naval history, HMS Belfast has been open to the public since the commemoration of the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1971, attracting numerous visitors. Today, visitors in London can explore its nine decks, including the boiler room and engine room, and even operate anti-aircraft guns to experience the realities of wartime.

HMS Belfast

Must-visit reason: The world's most powerful light cruiser

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Britain[Britain]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Greater London [Greater London]

City where the attraction is located: London [London]