Northern Ireland tourism minister Arlene Foster says
the ship has huge potential as a visitor experience
A project to transform the last
surviving WW1 warship into a floating museum in Belfast has been boosted by a
£845,600 grant.
The Heritage Lottery Fund has confirmed its initial support for the
transformation of HMS Caroline.
The money will enable the National Museum of the Royal Navy to draw up more
detailed plans to bid for a full grant of £12.2m.
The project aims to preserve the ship and more than 450 objects.
Visitors will be able to learn about the history of the ship, her 300-strong
crew and key milestones of her service, the links to Belfast and the city's
industrial heritage.
Facts about HMS Caroline
Constructed in 1914 and served as a ship during World War I.
Last remaining warship of Royal Navy's Grand Fleet that fought at the Battle
of Jutland.
A light cruiser, she weighs 3,750 tons and is 446ft long.
It is one of only 200 vessels in the National Historic Fleet.
The head of Heritage Lottery Fund in Northern Ireland,
Paul Mullan, said the announcement was "fantastic news for HMS Caroline and for
Northern Ireland".
"These exciting proposals to preserve and transform this hugely important
heritage asset into a world-class heritage experience will undoubtedly add to,
and complement the current offering at the Titanic Quarter," he added.
Battle of Jutland
"It will also provide a tremendous boost for the local economy with the
opportunity to secure more than £12m in lottery funding, which would be HLF's
largest single award in Northern Ireland.
"With development funding and our initial support in place the project can
progress to the next stage of the funding process.
"The hard work will now begin to develop more detailed proposals which will
bring the project to life and set out how it will deliver real benefits for
local people, the economy and the heritage."
HMS
Caroline is the last remaining warship of the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet which
fought at the Battle of Jutland in 1916.
A light cruiser, weighing 3,750 tons and 446ft long, it holds the record for
the fastest build time of any major warship. Constructed in 1914, it is one of
only 200 vessels in the National Historic Fleet.
The ship will be berthed at the Alexandra Dock in Belfast and will be
conserved alongside the listed Pump House, to serve as a visitor centre and
gateway to the ship.
Exhibition space within the 120-year-old Pump House will be used to link the
heritage of HMS Caroline with the Pump House and other surrounding maritime
assets such as Thompson Dock.
A series of workshops, events and activities, both on the ship and through a
dedicated outreach programme, will help to involve communities with the project.
HMS Caroline was constructed in 1914 and served
during World War I (Photo credit: National Museum of the Royal Navy)
The HLF said partnerships with colleges would also be explored to secure
additional learning opportunities for students of history, construction,
engineering and tourism.
Northern Ireland tourism minister Arlene Foster said the announcement of
support by the HLF brought plans to have HMS Caroline "restored and preserved
for future generations one step closer".
"Over the last year, there has been a significant effort, from myself and
others, to find a solution to keeping HMS Caroline here," she said.
"We have developed a strong partnership with the National Museum of the Royal
Navy. This partnership will continue as we restore the ship.
'Immensely important'
"HMS Caroline has become part of the city's rich maritime heritage.
"Its restoration in the Alexander Dock will complement and enhance our
tourism offer 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."
Captain John Rees, National Museum of the Royal Navy chief of staff and
senior responsible owner of the HMS Caroline restoration programme, said he was
relieved that work could now begin on the project.
"We are very grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the certainty they
have given to the future of this immensely important vessel," he added.
"HMS Caroline is quite simply one of the most significant historic fighting
ships in the world, second only to HMS Victory, and to restore the ship and open
it to the public as a shared space, museum and cultural hub in Belfast means the
city will benefit hugely from its presence."