HMS Caroline

I am delighted that more funding has been secured for HMS Caroline, the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland.

One million pounds has been granted by the Heritage Lottery Memorial Fund.

The grant will enable urgent repair works that will prevent further decay to the ship. The work will include making the ship wind and water-tight; and incorporate the removal of dangerous asbestos while the ship is afloat.

The grant has been awarded to the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN).

The NI Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Investment, Arlene Foster MLA,  said the funding marked the beginning of a two-stage rescue plan:

"The second stage will be driven by a funding application to the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore and preserve HMS Caroline. 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." 

When World War One ended, Caroline became a static training ship based at Alexandra Dock in Belfast.

During World War Two, she was back in action, acting as a key base for operations to protect the North Atlantic convoys from U-boat attacks.

In 1945, she returned to her role as a static drill ship in Belfast until decommissioned in 2011, making HMS Caroline the longest ship in commission in the Royal Navy after HMS Victory.