SS Nomadic to return to Belfast Harbour

Social Development Minister, David Hanson, today announced that the SS Nomadic is to return to Belfast on July 17 2006.

The Nomadic, which was built in the city in 1911, is one of the last remaining vessels in the White Star line.

The luxury ferry was built by Harland and Wolff, and was originally used to ferry passengers to the Titanic and it sister ship, the Olympic.

Announcing the ship's return to its birthplace, the Minister said: "Department for Social Development (DSD), Belfast Harbour Commissioners and Anchor Marine have finalised the arrangements for the return of the SS Nomadic to Belfast. The barge carrying Nomadic will berth alongside the Odyssey on July 17 and will remain there for 48 hours to allow the public to see the vessel from the shore. Nomadic will then move to the Harland & Wolff dry dock for a month before reaching her berth which Belfast Harbour Commissioners are providing.

Mr Hanson added: "The homecoming of the Nomadic marks a key milestone in the efforts of all those who have worked to save and restore her. During her month at Harland and Wolff, Nomadic will be assessed to prepare her for the National Historic Ships Register. DSD will also complete the arrangements for the charitable trust to be in place from September with the remit of coordinating fundraising to pay for Nomadic's restoration and to oversee the restoration."

Mr Hanson continued that July 17 will be an important date for logging in the record of Northern Ireland's proud maritime heritage and added that there is worldwide interest in the Titanic and its links with Belfast.

The Minister concluded by saying that the Nomadic has the potential to bring the living history of this period back to Belfast in a tangible way which will help to attract tourists and regenerate the City.

SS Nomadic was purchased at an auction in Paris in January by the Department of Social Development, for a sum of 250,001 euros.

A Charitable Trust has been set up to co-ordinate fundraising and oversee the restoration of the Nomadic to its former glory, an amount which has been rumoured to amount to the region of £7 million.

Belfast City Council has already contributed £100,000 to go towards the restoration of the vessel.

When the Nomadic is fully restored, it is set to become the centrepiece of the new Titanic Tourist Attraction, based in the heartland of Belfast's Titanic Quarter.

(EF/SP)