Saturday, September 07, 2024

London Trip 12 - HMS Belfast

After thoroughly enjoying our time at Churchill's War Room, we started walking towards another Imperial War Museum - HMS Belfast.

There Mr. B and I met up with Lagniappe's Keeper and toured the ship.

HMS Belfast is a Town-class light cruiser, that fought in World War 2 and the Korean War.

We boarded and passed by the ship's bell:

HMS Belfast's main firepower comes from twelve six-inch guns arrayed in four triple turrets with a range of 14 miles.

It's rather cramped inside those turrets.

 

The six-inch guns have an interesting ammunition hoisting mechanism below decks in the Shell Rooms that got ammunition to the guns quickly:

HMS Belfast fired over 4,000 shells in support of the D-Day invasion on Gold Beach and as the troops pushed inland.

 The ship also mounts 12 4-inch guns, 40 mm antiaircraft guns and pom-pom guns as well as torpedoes.

There's everything on board a crew might need at sea.

From a heavily-stocked machine shop:

Galleys for food preparation and a bakery:


 


Damage Control Lockers

 


Sick Bay:


 

and more.  The engine room is rather impressive to visit and the ship is a fitting monument to the fighting British sailors of World War 2.

Moored alongside Belfast was a visitor to the United Kingdom, the Indian frigate INS Tabar, a Talwar-class frigate. 


 Built in Russia, she's now shown her mettle.



Yes those are two drone kill patches on the missile launcher, and a ship kill patch below the RBU-8000 rocket launcher.  INS Tabar shot down two Iranian-made Houthi-piloted Shahed drones. 

Jai Hind.

Inspired by the presence of the INS Tabar, the three of us headed off to have Indian food for dinner. 


It was quite delightful and flavorful.

We then walked across Tower Bridge and went on our way.

 

It had been a very interesting and informative day with many sights seen and over 22,000 steps taken.

3 comments:

Old NFO said...

Y'all were BUSY! And yes, lots of walking, climbing ladders, etc. on a ship.

Matthew W said...

AWESOME !!!!!!!!!

Aaron said...

Old NFO: Yep, all the steps got in on that one.

Matthew W: Thanks, it was a great time.