First World War-era ship HMS Caroline is to fully reopen to the public next month, from 1st April 2023.
Berthed in Belfast for almost 100 years and restored in 2016, it is the last surviving ship from the Battle of Jutland 1916.
The warship was closed in March 2020 during the pandemic lockdown, and was set to reopen in the Summer of 2022 but pushed back the date to next month.
Onboard, a refurbished exhibition will tell the story of HMS Caroline’s service. Included is a cinematic experience recreating the Battle of Jutland and a ‘Virtual Access Suite’, giving visitors the experience of cracking codes, sending signals, firing torpedoes and steering the ship.
The quarters of the captain, officers and crew have also been restored, as has the museum’s Mess Deck Café.
HMS Caroline is moored in Belfast’s Alexandra Dock beside the Science Park in Titanic Quarter and is also part of the Maritime Mile, which stretches from Corporation Street to Donegall Quay and on to HMS Caroline. The ship is currently offering weekend openings throughout March.
HMS Caroline was fully restored and opened to the public on May 31 2016, has received £14,240,000 support from National Heritage Lottery Fund and £4,518.000 from Tourism NI.
