Text by MOOK Scenic Spots / Mofei Photos by MOOK Scenic Spots / Mofei
On the River Thames, you can always spot a warship bristling with weaponry docked there. Paired with London’s urban landscape and skyline, it creates an oddly jarring yet visually striking beauty.
HMS Belfast, now part of the Imperial War Museum. (Photo by MOOK Scenic Spots / Mofei)
HMS Belfast is a light cruiser that originally served in the Royal Navy. It is an Edinburgh-class light cruiser that saw active duty during World War II.
Boarding the warship allows you to overlook the deck and the banks of the Thames from the bridge. (Photo by MOOK Scenic Spots / Mofei)
HMS Belfast is currently moored on the River Thames at Pool of London near Tower Bridge, at Symon’s Wharf, where it is open to the public as a museum under the administration of the Imperial War Museum.
Viewing the warship and the London skyline across the river. (Photo by MOOK Scenic Spots / Mofei)
HMS Belfast was built in 1936, launched in 1938, and has a displacement of 13,175 tons. The ship is equipped with two triple-mounted main gun turrets at both the bow and stern, along with 12 secondary 152mm caliber guns, making it the largest light cruiser constructed by the Royal Navy at the time.
From the warship, you can see Tower Bridge, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch it opening. (Photo by MOOK Scenic Spots / Mofei)
During World War II, the warship achieved remarkable success, sinking German battlecruisers and participating in Operations Tungsten, Husky, and Zipper. It also took part in the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support for United Nations forces.
View of HMS Belfast and the Thames River scenery from Tower Bridge. (Photo by MOOK Scenic Spots / Mofei)
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