HMS Belfast

[Foxbat]

It’s a famous name in the Royal Navy and still exists as s museum ship. Now, it will be rejoining the fleet in active service as an advanced anti-submarine Type 26 Frigate some time in the next few years.

There’s a family connection for me with my uncle serving on Belfast in WW2 and taking part in the Battle Of North Cape. The light cruiser single-handedly pursued the German ship when the cruisers Norfolk and Sheffield fell back with engine problems. Belfast helped to sink the Scharnhorst by firing starshells, illuminating Scharnhorst and allowing the arriving battleship Duke Of York to fire salvo after salvo at the enemy ship. Belfast then joined in the attack along with the other arriving cruisers (Jamaica, Norfolk and Sheffield) and finally sent Scharnhorst to the bottom with the help of British destroyers sticking 19 torpedoes into the German ship’s hull.

Belfast also helped bombard the Normandy defences on D Day so it’s good to see such an significant name being given to one of our most modern ships.

Exclusive first peek at new frigate HMS Belfast

Images show sections of the future HMS Belfast, third of eight Type 26 Frigates, being constructed at the BAE Systems shipyard in Govan, Glasgow.

ukdefencejournal.org.uk

 

[Danny McG]

My father in law from my first marriage spent some time as a Royal Marine on HMS Belfast - he used to waffle on incessantly about it, like Uncle Albert and "during the war" in Only Fools and Horses.

 

[CupofJoe]

The existing HMS Belfast will renamed HMS Belfast 1938 before the new Frigate is commissioned.

HMS Belfast | Royal Navy

HMS Belfast is a Type 26 Frigate. She is due to enter service in the mid-2020s. Find out more about her history and role here.

www.royalnavy.mod.uk