H.M.S. Belfast
35
1943
(Neptun 1142)
- Class: Edinburgh - 2 cruisers of 1936
- Displacement: 10,565 tons
- Dimensions: 579 (pp) 613.5 (oa) x 64.75 x 18 ft
- Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, SHP 80,000 = 32 knots
- Armor: Main belt 4.5in, deck 2in, turrets 1in-2in, DCT 4in
- Armament: 12-6in (4x3), 12-4in AA (6x2), 16-2pdr (2x8) AA guns; 6-21in TT (2x3); 2 aircraft
- Complement: 781
- Builder: Harland & Wolff (Belfast)
- Laid Down: 10 Dec 1936
- Launched: 17 Mar 1938
- Completed: 3 Aug 1939
- Fate: Hulked as museum ship in Thames (1971)
- Service: 18th CS, Home Fleet Sep-Oct 1939. 2nd CS, Home Fleet, Nov 1939-Jul 1940. Damaged by mines 21 Nov 1939. Repairing and rebuilding at Rosyth and Devonport, Dec 1939-Oct 1942. 1st CS, Home Fleet, Nov-Dec 1942. 10th CS, Home Fleet, Jan 1943-Nov 1944. Particpated in the destruction of German battlecruiser Scharnhorst 26 Dec 1943. Major refit and rebuilding Aug 1944-May 1945. 10th CS, Home Fleet, Jun 1945. 4th CS, British Pacific Fleet Jul-Aug 1945. 2nd CS, British Pacific Fleet, Sep 1945-Mar 1946.
Became part of the United Nations naval forces with the outbreak of the Korean War, serving from Jun to Aug 1950 and again from Jan 1951 to Sep 1952. On 29 Jul 1952 she was hit by a 75mm coastal battery, the only damage she suffered during her Korean service.
Given a major modernisation refit in 1955-59. Served until paid off in Dec 1963. Served as an accomodation ship at Portsmouth until slated for disposal in May 1971.
Preserved as monument in Thames, London, opening on Trafalgar Day, 21 Oct 1971.
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