HMS Caroline

Whilst Sue and I were on our most recent cruise, we stopped in Belfast and our ship – MV Azura – was moored not far from where HMS Caroline is currently docked.

Although we did not have time to visit this important ship, I was able to take quite a few photographs.

HMS Caroline seen from the starboard side

HMS Caroline seen from forward on the port side

HMS Caroline seen from astern

HMS Caroline's replica 6-inch guns, which are mounted towards her stern

HMS Caroline's forecastle area

HMS Caroline's replica 4-inch guns

HMS Caroline's Bridge and Spotting Top

HMS Caroline's replica 4-inch forecastle guns

HMS Caroline was a C-class Light Cruiser. She was built by Cammell Laird in Birkenhead, and was laid down on 28th January 1914, launched on 29th September 1914, and completed in and commissioned on 4th December of that year.

Her characteristics were as follows:

• Displacement: 4,733 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 420 ft (446 ft overall)
• Beam: 41.5 ft
• Draught: 16 ft
• Propulsion: 8 boilers, 4 x Parsons independent reduction steam turbines producing 40,000 shp and driving 4 propellers
• Speed: 28.5 knots
• Complement: 325
• Armament (as built): 2 × 6-inch/45 Mk XII BL guns (2 × 1); 8 × 4-inch/45 Mk V QF guns (8 x 1) ; 1 x 13-pdr QF gun (1 x 1); 4 × 21-inch torpedo tubes (2 x 2)
• Armament (by 1918): 4 × 6-inch/45 Mk XII BL guns (4 × 1); 2 x 3-inch/20 cwt Mk I anti-aircraft guns (2 x 1); 8 × 21-inch torpedo tubes (4 x 2)
• Armour: Belt: 3 to 1 inches; Decks: 1 inch; Conning Tower: 6 inches

In 1916 HMS Caroline was part of 4th Light Cruiser Squadron and took part in the battle of Jutland. In 1917 HMS Caroline was fitted with a forecastle runway for launching an aircraft, but this was removed in late 1918. She was paid off in February 1922, and became the Training Ship for the Ulster Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve two years later. Except for the period between 1939 and 1945 when she acted as the administrative centre for the escort ship stationed in Londonderry, she remained in that role until 2008. In 2011 she was decommissioned and handed over for preservation as part of the National Historic Fleet.