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02/12/2009
Naval Reserve Leaves HMS Caroline
Just days after it was revealed that the only military hospital in Northern Ireland is to close and be replaced by a civilian contractor, the Royal Navy has said it wants the training vessel HMS Caroline to stay in Belfast once she is decommissioned.
It transpires that the 95-year-old warship is likely to remain 'in commission' until at least 2011 even though the Royal Naval Reserve Unit that has called her home since the 1920s has now moved to Thiepval in Lisburn.
However, following a ceremony on the ship, 'decommissioning' the Royal Naval Reserve Unit HMS Caroline - it immediately reformed as HMS Hibernia for its move to the shore in Co Antrim.
Rear Admiral Martin Alabaster, plus the Royal Marines Band Scotland and a guard of honour formed by some of the 400 unit members saw the Caroline pass into naval history this week, but it seems the light cruiser HMS Caroline, that fought in the Battle of Jutland, will stay in commission until the Royal Navy is satisfied her future has been secured.
The news that the Royal Navy's preference would be to leave her in Belfast is good news for thousands of former and serving part-time sailors.
They too hope that the naval ship will become part of a maritime heritage trail - and stay berthed as it is at the moment beside the RMS Titanic dry dock where the vast, but doomed passenger liner was built almost 100 years ago.
However, there was sadness as the reservists of the Royal Naval Reserve Unit HMS Caroline left the ship's decks for the final time before they disappeared as a unit and reformed as HMS Hibernia as part of their move to Thiepval.
See: Belfast Military Wards To Close
(BMcC/KMcA)
It transpires that the 95-year-old warship is likely to remain 'in commission' until at least 2011 even though the Royal Naval Reserve Unit that has called her home since the 1920s has now moved to Thiepval in Lisburn.
However, following a ceremony on the ship, 'decommissioning' the Royal Naval Reserve Unit HMS Caroline - it immediately reformed as HMS Hibernia for its move to the shore in Co Antrim.
Rear Admiral Martin Alabaster, plus the Royal Marines Band Scotland and a guard of honour formed by some of the 400 unit members saw the Caroline pass into naval history this week, but it seems the light cruiser HMS Caroline, that fought in the Battle of Jutland, will stay in commission until the Royal Navy is satisfied her future has been secured.
The news that the Royal Navy's preference would be to leave her in Belfast is good news for thousands of former and serving part-time sailors.
They too hope that the naval ship will become part of a maritime heritage trail - and stay berthed as it is at the moment beside the RMS Titanic dry dock where the vast, but doomed passenger liner was built almost 100 years ago.
However, there was sadness as the reservists of the Royal Naval Reserve Unit HMS Caroline left the ship's decks for the final time before they disappeared as a unit and reformed as HMS Hibernia as part of their move to Thiepval.
See: Belfast Military Wards To Close
(BMcC/KMcA)
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16 August 2011
Action Stations Call Over HMS Caroline
An historic naval vessel that got a second life after combat duties as a base to train hundreds of part-time sailors is under threat. Alliance Councillor Seán Neeson has called for action to be taken ensure that HMS Caroline remains in Belfast. The ship has been lying idle since 2009, when the Royal Navy decided it would decommission it.
Action Stations Call Over HMS Caroline
An historic naval vessel that got a second life after combat duties as a base to train hundreds of part-time sailors is under threat. Alliance Councillor Seán Neeson has called for action to be taken ensure that HMS Caroline remains in Belfast. The ship has been lying idle since 2009, when the Royal Navy decided it would decommission it.
09 May 2013
WWI Ship Granted Lottery Funding
The HMS Caroline is to be turned into a "floating museum", following a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £12.2m. The last surviving ship of the WWI Battle of Jutland in 1916 has been docked at Belfast's shipyards for about 90 years.
WWI Ship Granted Lottery Funding
The HMS Caroline is to be turned into a "floating museum", following a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £12.2m. The last surviving ship of the WWI Battle of Jutland in 1916 has been docked at Belfast's shipyards for about 90 years.
01 August 2012
HMS Caroline Deadline Sails Past But Politicians Fight On
Northern Ireland's tourism minister has said her department is working on a way to keep HMS Caroline in Belfast. Arlene Foster said her department was working with the Museum of the Royal Navy to "develop a solution" to a funding deadlock that means the WWI warship could be taken out of Belfast.
HMS Caroline Deadline Sails Past But Politicians Fight On
Northern Ireland's tourism minister has said her department is working on a way to keep HMS Caroline in Belfast. Arlene Foster said her department was working with the Museum of the Royal Navy to "develop a solution" to a funding deadlock that means the WWI warship could be taken out of Belfast.
03 June 2010
Navy Agrees City Affiliation Ceremony
The Royal Navy will make quite a splash in Belfast this weekend as Type 23 frigate, HMS Monmouth, (pictured here) sails into the city for a special three-day visit designed to be at the heart of Belfast's Maritime Festival.
Navy Agrees City Affiliation Ceremony
The Royal Navy will make quite a splash in Belfast this weekend as Type 23 frigate, HMS Monmouth, (pictured here) sails into the city for a special three-day visit designed to be at the heart of Belfast's Maritime Festival.
30 March 2022
HMS Caroline To Remain In Belfast Until At Least 2038
The long-term future of the HMS Caroline visitor attraction has been secured in Belfast, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has announced, following an agreement with key partners the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The historic attraction will no remain in Belfast until at least 2038.
HMS Caroline To Remain In Belfast Until At Least 2038
The long-term future of the HMS Caroline visitor attraction has been secured in Belfast, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has announced, following an agreement with key partners the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The historic attraction will no remain in Belfast until at least 2038.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
