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HMS “Caroline” (pennant number unknown) was a “C” class cruiser built by Cammell Laird SJ3387 : Cammell Laird's shipyards in Birkenhead and commissioned in 1914. The vessel was in active service until 1922 when moved to the reserve fleet. In 1924 she was transferred to Belfast for use by the local Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) – a role which end in 2011 when the RNR moved its base to Thiepval (army) Barracks, Lisburn. The ship (currently at the Alexandra Dock in the Titanic Quarter) is famous for its role in the Battle of Jutland (1916) Link and, to a much lesser degree, as headquarters for WWII naval operations from Belfast harbour.
The vessel is to be restored with assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The following is a quotation from the official press release dated 15 October 2014 “The Heritage Lottery Fund has confirmed the award of £11.5million to the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) to conserve, interpret and display HMS Caroline, the lone survivor of the 1916 Battle of Jutland.
The grant means plans to transform the historic ship, whose home has been Belfast Harbour for 90 years, into a world class heritage visitor attraction in time for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland on 31st May 2016 can now go ahead.
Visitors will experience the many different lives of the ship. Starting as a “Greyhound of the Seas”, HMS Caroline’s job was rapid intelligence gathering and reporting back to command. After she arrived in Belfast in 1924 the ship began a new life as a drill ship for the Royal Naval Reserve and then served as a command centre during the Second World War. All these aspects will be uncovered and interpreted. Highlights of the ship’s visits will be the bridge with its original compasses and telegraphs, the engine rooms with four Parson’s turbines still in position and many other aspects of the ship’s living quarters which have remained unchanged in 100 years.”
Description amended 30 January 2016: The following is a quotation from the national Museums of the Royal Navy website Link “Much of HMS Caroline is undergoing extensive restoration to her 1916 appearance at the Battle of Jutland. From June 2016, visitors will discover a range of historic spaces including the Captain’s Cabin, Royal Marines Mess, and Seamen’s Wash as well as the very important engine room, sick-bay and galley kitchen. Visitors will explore the importance of the Battle of Jutland and discover what life at sea was like for over three hundred crew who served on board Caroline during 1916.”
The photographs submitted by me appear as a matter of record only. I have no connection with the restoration and am unable to answer any questions about the project or vessel.
Further reading at Wikipedia Link and the National Museum (Royal Navy) Link.

Created: Sat, 31 Jan 2015, Updated: Sat, 30 Jan 2016