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09/05/2013
WWI Ship Granted Lottery Funding
The HMS Caroline is to be turned into a "floating museum", following a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £12.2m.
The last surviving ship of the WWI Battle of Jutland in 1916 has been docked at Belfast's shipyards for about 90 years.
HMS Caroline had fallen into disrepair in recent years, but this latest funding boost will aim to transform it into a new visitor experience in time for the Battle's centenary.
The proposals have been awarded a first-round pass, which is an endorsement of the outline project and an agreement that the finished project would justify the funding.
Development funding of £845,600 was also awarded to enable the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) to draw up more detailed plans in order to secure the full HLF grant of £12.2m.
Enterprise and Tourism Minister Arlene Foster welcomed the announcement.
"Today’s announcement of support by the Heritage Lottery Fund is great news and brings plans to have HMS Caroline restored and preserved for future generations one step closer," she said.
"Over the last year, there has been a significant effort, from myself and others to find a solution to keeping HMS Caroline here. I, along with Nigel Dodds MP and former Northern Ireland Minister of State Hugo Swire, met with Andrew Robathan, Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans to press the case for keeping HMS Caroline in Belfast.
"In October 2012, I was able to confirm that we had secured just over £1million from the National Heritage Memorial Fund for immediate repairs to prevent any further deterioration."
The Minister continued: "We have developed a strong partnership with the National Museum of the Royal Navy. This partnership will continue as we restore the ship.
"HMS Caroline has become part of the city’s rich maritime heritage. Its restoration in the Alexander Dock will complement and enhance our tourism offering in the city and protect a heritage asset of local and national importance. Our ultimate aim is to transform the ship into a world-class floating museum in time for the Battle of Jutland centenary in 2016, as I believe HMS Caroline has huge potential as a visitor experience."
(IT/CD)
The last surviving ship of the WWI Battle of Jutland in 1916 has been docked at Belfast's shipyards for about 90 years.
HMS Caroline had fallen into disrepair in recent years, but this latest funding boost will aim to transform it into a new visitor experience in time for the Battle's centenary.
The proposals have been awarded a first-round pass, which is an endorsement of the outline project and an agreement that the finished project would justify the funding.
Development funding of £845,600 was also awarded to enable the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) to draw up more detailed plans in order to secure the full HLF grant of £12.2m.
Enterprise and Tourism Minister Arlene Foster welcomed the announcement.
"Today’s announcement of support by the Heritage Lottery Fund is great news and brings plans to have HMS Caroline restored and preserved for future generations one step closer," she said.
"Over the last year, there has been a significant effort, from myself and others to find a solution to keeping HMS Caroline here. I, along with Nigel Dodds MP and former Northern Ireland Minister of State Hugo Swire, met with Andrew Robathan, Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans to press the case for keeping HMS Caroline in Belfast.
"In October 2012, I was able to confirm that we had secured just over £1million from the National Heritage Memorial Fund for immediate repairs to prevent any further deterioration."
The Minister continued: "We have developed a strong partnership with the National Museum of the Royal Navy. This partnership will continue as we restore the ship.
"HMS Caroline has become part of the city’s rich maritime heritage. Its restoration in the Alexander Dock will complement and enhance our tourism offering in the city and protect a heritage asset of local and national importance. Our ultimate aim is to transform the ship into a world-class floating museum in time for the Battle of Jutland centenary in 2016, as I believe HMS Caroline has huge potential as a visitor experience."
(IT/CD)
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16 August 2011
Action Stations Call Over HMS Caroline
An historic naval vessel that got a second life after combat duties as a base to train hundreds of part-time sailors is under threat. Alliance Councillor Seán Neeson has called for action to be taken ensure that HMS Caroline remains in Belfast. The ship has been lying idle since 2009, when the Royal Navy decided it would decommission it.
Action Stations Call Over HMS Caroline
An historic naval vessel that got a second life after combat duties as a base to train hundreds of part-time sailors is under threat. Alliance Councillor Seán Neeson has called for action to be taken ensure that HMS Caroline remains in Belfast. The ship has been lying idle since 2009, when the Royal Navy decided it would decommission it.
02 December 2009
Naval Reserve Leaves HMS Caroline
Just days after it was revealed that the only military hospital in Northern Ireland is to close and be replaced by a civilian contractor, the Royal Navy has said it wants the training vessel HMS Caroline to stay in Belfast once she is decommissioned.
Naval Reserve Leaves HMS Caroline
Just days after it was revealed that the only military hospital in Northern Ireland is to close and be replaced by a civilian contractor, the Royal Navy has said it wants the training vessel HMS Caroline to stay in Belfast once she is decommissioned.
30 March 2022
HMS Caroline To Remain In Belfast Until At Least 2038
The long-term future of the HMS Caroline visitor attraction has been secured in Belfast, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has announced, following an agreement with key partners the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The historic attraction will no remain in Belfast until at least 2038.
HMS Caroline To Remain In Belfast Until At Least 2038
The long-term future of the HMS Caroline visitor attraction has been secured in Belfast, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has announced, following an agreement with key partners the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The historic attraction will no remain in Belfast until at least 2038.
08 June 2012
HMS Caroline To Leave Belfast
A historic ship that has been berthed in Belfast for 90 years is to be moved to Portsmouth. The National Museum of the Royal Navy has said it is "sad for Belfast" but came about due to "little action" when they tried to find ways to keep the ship here.
HMS Caroline To Leave Belfast
A historic ship that has been berthed in Belfast for 90 years is to be moved to Portsmouth. The National Museum of the Royal Navy has said it is "sad for Belfast" but came about due to "little action" when they tried to find ways to keep the ship here.
25 July 2012
MP Calls On Government To Keep WWI Ship In Belfast
A Belfast MP is fighting for government support to save HMS Caroline. The historic ship, currently moored at Alexandra Dock in the Titanic Quarter, is the last surviving vessel used in the Battle of Jutland. Now Nigel Dodds, MP for North Belfast, has said the ship could "significantly enhance" the tourism package in Northern Ireland.
MP Calls On Government To Keep WWI Ship In Belfast
A Belfast MP is fighting for government support to save HMS Caroline. The historic ship, currently moored at Alexandra Dock in the Titanic Quarter, is the last surviving vessel used in the Battle of Jutland. Now Nigel Dodds, MP for North Belfast, has said the ship could "significantly enhance" the tourism package in Northern Ireland.
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