Inside Britain's Last Surviving WW2 Cruiser | HMS Belfast

'Inside Britain's Last Surviving WW2 Cruiser | HMS Belfast'
Listen to James' Warfare podcast here: play.acast.com/s/the-world-wars
It's a 12,000 tonne light cruiser moored on the River Thames in the middle of London. It's the last surviving vessel of its kind from the Second World War. It was involved in the sinking of the Scharnhorst, played a critical role on D-Day and later the Korean War. This is the HMS Belfast.
In this video James Rogers, a war historian, dives into the story of one of the world’s best known warships. The ship's service in the Royal Navy extended from the beginning of the Second World War to the height of the Cold War, during which its capabilities were tested and developed.
We’re going to find out what made HMS Belfast one of the most impressive cruisers of the 20th century, and why so many people still feel a connection to this vessel today.
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[@ExUSSailor]

The fact that the UK didn't save HMS Warspite still astounds me. If ever there was a ship that deserved to be preserved as a museum, it was Warspite. It amazes me that a nation that constantly touts it's centuries long naval tradition, would simply scrap a warship that served, with distinction, through two wars. I mean, here in the States, we've got museum ships that never even saw combat.

[@ginoc44]

Agree completely. It is absolutely tragic that the entire capital ship might of the Royal Navy is now represented by a light cruiser. I realize Britain was broke at the end of WWII, but not retaining a single battleship as a museum is almost beyond belief.

[@nemosis9449]

My dad served on HMS Warspite from 41-43 and remembered her with great fondness but by the end of the war she was completely worn out exhausted and battle scared from many engagements in her life and chose the only way out but to throw her self upon the rocks of hard Cornish granite.

[@andrewzheng4038]

@@nemosis9449 tbh maybe there’s preservation issues that prevent it, but it’d have been pretty cool to see her condition stabilized but otherwise presented in all her properly knackered and battered glory

[@thehotsixer1]

There is no England anymore; and let me add, the presenter needs to take better care of his physical appearance, diet and exercise are the answer.

[@Tony.795]

The USS Enterprise was scrapped as well.

[@alexandresanturian1513]

Greetings from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil! I have visited HMS Belfast during my stay in London in August 2018 and did some pictures and videos for myself, as well as an excellent visit to Imperial War Museum which I enjoyed a lot. I am studying Royal Navy's history since the 70's (I'm 65) and like to research RN's operations in WWI and WWII. Great video and good History lesson, thank you for sharing. All the best!

[@nickjoy8868]

My maternal grandfather served on and tragically died on HMS Edinburgh, Belfast's sister ship. It is a legacy of the superb seamanship of the crew and the almost unbelievable strength of the design that kept Belfast afloat after hitting the mine. Similarly Edinburgh was hit by 2 torpedoes almost cutting her in half, yet she limped on, faced down 3 German destroyers sinking the Hermann Schoemann and forcing the others to flee. It is a tragedy that HMS Warspite was not similarly saved for the nation- but if only one cruiser or battleship could be saved from WW2- then I am delighted it is Belfast, a ship of great historical significance. Thankyou for this video, I found it very moving.

[@dovetonsturdee7033]

Personally, I would have preferred HMS Sheffield, with her 12 WW2 Battle Honours, but Belfast is certainly an acceptable second best. I agree entirely about The Old Lady.

[@TringmotionCoUk]

Criminal that HMS Warspite was scrapped

[@bobbybates2614]

Sorry for your loss

[@sureshot8399]

HMS Belfast is not the only cruiser in commission in the Second World War to survive - HMS Caroline was only decommissioned in 2011 after nearly 100 years. Although not a combat-fit vessel in the Second World war due to her obsolescence, she is still afloat and a museum ship in, ironically, Belfast.

[@ThePepsiCola]

My Granddad served on the H.M.S Belfast. Doesn’t like to talk about his history but after seeing this I’m proud to be part of the many families that served along side my Grandad

[@TeachinTV]

During a Christmastime visit to London in 1990, I went aboard HMS Belfast on a tour. Wow! What a ship! It was beautifully preserved, spotless and appeared as if she'd been commissioned the week before. The displays were thoughtfully placed and well-constructed, including mannequins wearing authentic uniforms. How I wish my American brothers took such great care of it's maritime history as our British cousins. I bought the book about the ship in the gift shop and leaf through it occasionally. Priceless addition to my militaria collection.

[@allaboutboats]

What about the over 100 Historic Naval Ships Association Fleet member ships located in the USA? Do they not count as "taking great care of our maritime history". As a crewmember and restoration volunteer on one of these historic ships, I take great offense at your implication that we don't take care of our maritime heritage. Perhaps you should come visit the USS Midway museum or the Battleship Missouri, or the Battleship Texas, or the Battleship Alabama, North Carolina, Massachusetts, CV Lexington, CV Independence or any of the others before you go making such a irresponsible statement!

[@TeachinTV]

@@allaboutboats I have been aboard several of the ships you mentioned, including USS Constitution and Intrepid.

[@colinhowarth]

My Father always said he was the Armourer in charge of the fitting of the guns on HMS Belfast. He joined the Royal Marines in 1937 and spent 2 years on the Russian Convoys. He always loved that ship.

[@Gary.Morton.]

I'm a ex fisherman 22 yrs I have been 2 times on his Belfast. My uncle sailed on HMS Hood before her lose. I'm also a amateur navy historian from a young age. This is the most interesting video of HMS Belfast I have seen so fare.

[@rikspector]

Belfast represents a different time and technologically, but is still a marvel of engineering. Cheers, Rik Spector

[@krismangila1594]

There's a story about HMS Belfast and Winston Churchill: Winston wanted to see the landings aboard Belfast, but his admirals disagreed. That matter was settled when the King said that if Mr. Churchill was to see the invasion from HMS Belfast, he has the right to watch it as well, since he was the Commander-in-Chief of the UK's military forces. Needless to say, Winston dropped that idea.

[@achitophel5852]

No, Winston actually wanted to go ashore - never a man to do things by half! Alanbrooke had a word with George VI.

[@TheByard]

I had the great pleasure of having dinner on my birthday aboard HMS Belfast. I was then a member of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships being the owner of Lazy Days, the association held their Fitting Out Supper, and I invited members of my family along. They turned up with a birthday cake, which we shared with other diners of course. I can't remember the year, but it was in April and the London Marathon was the next day and I had a hangover. My elder stepbrother served his National Service fighting in Korea as part of REME. Thankfully he came home. Thank you for posting and stirring great memories.

[@charlesmoore766]

Very impressive, as is Cutty Sark, Victory, Warrior, Great Britain. Well done UK.

[@taraconnor8006]

Happened to visit during a rainy day and ended up getting a private tour around by one of the lovely volunteers. One of the best tours ever on an amazing ship!

[@bencollyer2296]

Really cool And absolute respect to everyone who served in them times

[@jaywalker3087]

My old boss had his hearing seriously damaged on D-Day. He was on an MTB ,under the guns of Belfast when she fired the first salvos. In about 1995 I took my young son to visit her. On the front deck I stood him on the wires of the railings and he had his arms out , just like in the film Titanic. Below on the dockside were about three coach loads of Japanese tourists, taking hundreds of pictures of him . A very memorable day on a wonderful ship. ✨️

[@barryhill1044]

My partner’s dad was a torpedo officer on that ship. She’s so proud of him…

[@mothmagic1]

and rightly so. My Dad was at Salerno in Italy and I'm proud of his service too. I guess it's part of what inspired me to join the army.

[@BrownFoxWarrior]

An amazing ship with an amazing history. It's a shame that more historical relics like this aren't preserved, though the insane cost of doing so is understandable.

[@ryanhobbs3362]

That ship is well worth a visit for anyone traveling to London. Well done.

[@kaceynewhameastlondonnewha3954]

My grandad was a main turret gunner on the hms Belfast his name was Alexander Thomson when he passed the hms Belfast association came to his funeral with a big 6 foot round poppy reef and a smaller poppy reef for each of his three sons and daughter they have my full support forever and ever 🫡🇬🇧🙏🏻

[@SNP-1999]

To think that my father actually saw HMS Belfast in action when he landed in Normandy on D-Day, the 6th June 1944.

[@markhancock7527]

Great video being a Londoner I've been on the Belfast a few times so glad the captain saved her for the nation when you think the uk built the most battleships ever & we never kept one for the nation that was a crying shame.

[@DanaTheInsane]

Agreed, considering in the US we have four Iowa class preserved. Its incredible you didn't get to keep one.

[@nated4488]

She is still a beautiful awesome ship. I didn't get the chance to go aboard her but I was there in the 80s and seen her from the outside. She still looks like she could go into combat. God bless England and her great people.

[@cliffbennett4521]

I served in the Royal Navy from 1965 to 1975 and during that time one of my drafts was to HMS Belfast was only on it for a matter of months and was flown out to thr Gulf to join a mine sweeper HMS Yarton, happy days.

[@WojciechWachniewski-st1zm]

Thanks for guiding me through the biggest memorial ship od Europe. We have a treasure of our own at Gdynia - the World's oldest existing destroyer, the British-built 'Bottlewhisky' BŁYSKAWICA. All the best to 'Belfast, Belfast!', Her guests and Her people, both women and men. ♍👍🇵🇱 All the best to the UK, and to the RN. Ladies & Gentlemen - the King!🇬🇧

[@daveangelew]

Had the pleasure of visiting in February it was well worth it, chatting to a former crewman was a particular highlight.

[@simonrichards6739]

Love it, when I was a kid we’d visit family in London (we’re from Manchester), whenever dad asked “where do you want to go today”? I’d always reply “HMS Belfast”, he’d look at me and smile “again”?, he brought me up on WW2.

[@DIVeltro]

You know, I see how much care has been taken in keeping up this ship. It greatly saddens me to see how much neglect happens to museum ships when they could be so much more....

[@timothywalker4563]

That was a good rundown of the service history of HMS Belfast, it’s nice to know it escaped the breakers 😊

[@gary6300]

Hi buddy, what a fantastic story of HMS Belfast. I need to pay a visit to the ship. Thank you very much for sharing, mate. Cheers Gary from the Midlands.

[@onawhim9079]

Great video, still like to call ships 'she' though, feels wrong to hear 'it' especially when referencing this grand old lady.

[@exiletsj2570]

Ships are gender neutral now, my friend.

[@residentelect]

@@exiletsj2570 Does that mean all the new Dreadnought Class subs will have "They/Them" pronouns..?

[@samholdsworth420]

I call ships a bundle of sticks or twigs bound together as fuel that are burdensome to carry.

[@kariannecrysler640]

I get it. She looks after you if you look after her.

[@Russia-bullies]

As humans are objects,a she is an it.

[@Tangeriine]

Nice mate, been onboard years ago , great ship and nice bit of history ...well presented.

[@alexkuznetsov4334]

When I worked around that area, I used to see this ship all of the time some years ago. Amaizing ship and amazing history!

[@joshburshaw3386]

I live in Hamilton Ontario Canada, and we have the HMCS Haida, which was in the hunt for the Bismark during the war

[@user-ti1hn3hp2o]

I really enjoyed this. Loved the bit at the end with the christenings. Am an ex merchant seaman, so love this stuff

[@simonhjc]

Brilliant. Thank you👍

[@remaguire]

I've always been very, very impressed at how well the UK takes care of its museum ships. Never been on Belfast, but when in Portsmouth, I went on board Victory and Warrior. Beyond impressive. They looked like they could have entered service right then and there! Also can't recommend highly enough the Naval Museum in Greenwich. Spectacular.

[@deanfawcett2085]

Yep American ships all look a bit rusty (tho I went onto Intrepid and it looked well kept).

[@mjney]

GB2RN she hosts a permanent radio station, she is also available for youth groups to spend overnight on board! This is a wonderful way to spend some time and the youngsters love it.

[@badboytwig]

Great insight in to HMS Belfast- Love it :) I visited once as a nipper-I'm 44 now so need to go back as an adult and soak it in :)

[@SeanNeale]

I’m not usually super interested in naval history but your enthusiasm and passion is contagious. Some great bits of information throughout, I never really thought about the sleeping arrangements and it all sounds a bit mad haha

[@HistoryHit]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@eileenhartley9945]

My dad served on HMS Belfast, we went on her in the early 80's with him, then again with my family in 2017

[@Glee73]

visited her twice. great experience both times. once as a 12 yr old, and the next as an adult.

[@Euragone68]

And as a 'WOWS' player .. Belfast was one of the 1st Premium Ships I purchased!.. Great Video and Thanks...History that Needs Remembering!

[@grahamstrouse1165]

Hail fellow History Guy fan!

[@michaelbedinger4121]

Interesting video, thank you.

[@pacwest1000]

Great video, just subscribed.

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

I always wondered how comfortable hammocks were. They look really comfortable. I can imagine the swaying with the ship would rock you to sleep.

[@rd28gu2]

I went on this when I was a boy with my pops in London Loved it , I’ll never forgot how big a torpedo is !

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

Great vid! Thanks for sharing, appreciate it a lot! Greets from the Netherlands 🌷, T.

[@HistoryHit]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@salkola1967sk]

Amazing 👏

[@jackkreighbaum783]

I would have liked to see more of the engineering spaces; i.e. engine and boiler areas.

[@terrybarton8388]

Yeh me too! I wonder if the engines/ boilers could ever be restarted and the ship actually move under its own power? Wouldn’t that be great!

[@rathwJr]

You guys should do the HMCS Sackville one of the last surviving Flower-class corvette. or HMCS Haida The only surviving Tribal-class destroyer out of 27 vessels constructed for the RCN, the Royal Navy, and the Royal Australian Navy between 1937 and 1945, Haida sank more enemy surface tonnage than any other Canadian warship and as such is commonly referred to as the "Fightingest Ship in the Royal Canadian Navy". In 2018, Haida was designated the ceremonial flagship of the RCN. Haida is in Hamilton ON Canada and the Sackville is in Halifax NS Canada.

[@residentelect]

I was in New York back in January and went for a morning on USS Intrepid. My God, what a lady she is! Due to the time of year there was very few people on board, so it was the perfect time explore her, but also quite eerie at times when you're below deck on your own.

[@dovetonsturdee7033]

I don't suppose you would consider sending Sackville to Liverpool as part of the Western Approaches Museum? No? I thought you might say that!

[@darkraven8103]

Sackville is not one of the last, she IS the last flower class.

[@rathwJr]

i dyslectic that what i meant to say thanks raven

[@rathwJr]

she cant hop the pond any more she staying in Canada.

[@montyzumazoom1337]

Been to HMS Belfast several times. The most interesting time when I went up on a coach trip to it with a load of Korean War veterans (friend of the family who was in the KVA organised it). Very interesting to be alongside those who served on her.

[@ivanlussich8146]

There is an enormous battleship gun at the entrance of the Imperial War Museum in London, and a 1000k shell adjoining it. I think it belonged to the HMS Ramillies. The IWM is worth visiting. Greetings from Uruguay

[@madzen112]

Remember passing this on a London Thames river tour and just thinking it was a massive ship. Then I found out it was a light cruiser....!

[@samlawson303]

been there as a kid been there as an adult the feeling never changes a truly remarkable experience

[@KlausKokholmPetersen]

Well worth visiting for anyone interested in WWII.

[@grahamstrouse1165]

Belfast is a gorgeous ship.

[@kariannecrysler640]

Very neat using the bell at christening 😊

[@timwilson4445]

Yes Jim bang on !!!

[@johnno7052]

Captain had big balls trying to engage the Sharnhorst.6" v 11" guns would have been interesting if Belfast came within range.

[@SnakeyUk08]

Can be played in world of warships the sharnhorst nearly always wins ,so yeah that captain had balls of steel

[@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935]

Of course it was in range, the ships were firing at each other at night and people were getting killed. The other cruisers all fell back with serious damage. The Scharnhorst had no working radar left when it sailed onto the battleship D.O.Y.

[@desthomas8970]

I have visited this ship and found this video very enjoyable. The pink bicycle did look a little out of place though :)

[@coolhand1964]

What a shame HMS Vanguard was not preserved like Belfast. It was the last of the great English Battleships completed in 1945, only to be scrapped after never firing a shot in anger in 1960. Sold for only £560,000 to the wreckers. It's value as the last British Battleship ever built would be priceless today.

[@andrewcheckley4513]

The tradition of using the bell as the font is a longstanding one and is for any ship not just HMS Belfast. I had the privilege of conducting a baptism for a couple of children whose parents were in the sea cadets. We used the bell from HMS Danae. The hardest thing was finding a way to support the bell when it was inverted.

[@alanstebbings2886]

Was amazing to watch my 6'4" dad automatically ducking as he walked around it He'd served on other ships in WW2 alongside Befast We had severe doubts about one of the guides My mother,being the wind up merchant she could be, said to him "we've seen where they hung the hammocks but couldn't see any hammock ladders" He replied with all seriousness "I suppose they've been stowed away somewhere"

[@kenloveday4384]

I was aboard her in 1974, we had to take a after taxi onto her. Was a beautiful ship then. I would love to see her again. I was visiting from the USS Newport News CA148 while we were in Portsmouth. We had 8 inch semi fixed ammo.

[@grahamstrouse1165]

Newport News’ sister Salem is (I think) the only big gun heavy cruiser that’s been preserved as a museum ship.

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

Having the center guns set further back just messes with my OCD lol.

[@ruscador1]

it's a beautiful ship keep it preserved

[@charliewindwood4431]

My father worked on her during her renovation. What a ship and peace of history.

[@iwavns]

I visited HMS Belfast 9 years ago when I was studying in London!

[@MrBook123456]

good video

[@philliphampton5183]

It blows my mind still that the UK barely saved any famous warships throughout history. Just surprising given their pride and amazing naval history.

[@Lillemala]

As a British man it makes me sad how they haven’t done a good job at preserving old ships

[@grahamstrouse1165]

Britain was absolutely broke when WWII ended. The Empire was crumbling & there was a desperate need for structural steel. I wish they could’ve at least saved Warspite but I also recognize that the circumstances were dire.

[@richardthomas6890]

If only HMS Vanguard had, had an MP fighting her corner and for her survival as a Museum Ship Had many visits to Belfast thankyou for the historical tour 👍🏻

[@callumgreenall1032]

Amazing so glad they saved it and displayed it for all! At the same time tho war is such a waste of resource!!!

[@sandyjack1901]

My Father was an Ordinance Artificer on HMS Belfast during the Scharnhorst action and D-Day

[@MrPants1970]

Brilliant video, would have loved to have seen the engine room.

[@McNab1986]

That's awesome, thankfully one of her own Captains saved her so we get the privilege to see in person a piece of living history

[@gazzaboy84]

My great grandfather served on the Belfast as well as the Sheffield.

[@carlgrey3171]

The Belfast was my Grandads last ship he served on, he was a main gunner.

[@glengauldie7741]

I thought the bit about the silver bell was pretty cool. Though to begin with I did wonder where the bell rope and metal ringer thing was.

[@terrybarton8388]

It looks in such great condition (superficially at least.) Theoretically could it’s engines ever be restarted and the ship actually put to see?

[@bond207]

In 1986 i was there.We was outside HMS Belfast .for 5 days we was connected to the ship..so for os too come to land..we will go on the deck of the ship..The ship i was with ..was Norruna from faroe island ..

[@andrewcollier3495]

My grandfather was a Chief Petty Officer on Belfast. I still have all his Navy Records and Medals. 🇬🇧👍

[@John2E0GTU]

Try the D Day Story in Southsea. Amazing!

[@StephenGlencross-pb9uy]

One of my uncles was on this ship during second w w it did really well through the war and they had to tie ropes round the sailers so they could break ice off the decks and it's guns it was also called Churchill's ship .

[@fionad9913]

Were any scenes from the Crown filmed on the Belfast? The interior looks familiar, similar to the ship that Philip went on his tour to Australia in.

[@philiproyffe8022]

My uncle was a royal marine on the Belfast during the war ❤

[@shanesimpson3455]

14:17 That's Belfast's Secondary armament the 4 inch shell handling room.

[@davidCooper-wn3yv]

We used hms belfast for our r&r in belfast horbour in the 60s while on tour of duty

[@franciscojose6496]

Let's go embark in the best channel pure information

[@toyman9642]

I toured the Belfast when I was in London. Amazing ship.

[@pitsnipe5559]

Great video, a bit disappointing that we didn’t get to visit the boiler room.

[@christophercook723]

The House of Lords is not far away snd plenty of old boiler fremales there. Soon it will be the House of Old Ladies and a retired Cricketer.

[@bikechainmic]

She isnt a light cruiser, shes an improved Town class by design, but post rebuild was deemed the equal of any Heavy cruiser.

[@o80y1]

Imagine getting baptised on there, must’ve been quite the story to tell lol

[@vikingjohn9813]

Iv never been aboard HMS Belfast but its on the to do list

[@MyBlueZed]

13:00 Not a secret at all; all naval ships’ bells can be used for christening with the babies’ names recorded. 🙂 We serve in a ship; not on a ship. 🤨 Thanks for posting! ❤️🇦🇺🛳

[@jimboase5005]

Yes, I agree with you. We live 'in' a ship; not 'on' a ship

[@johnkern1878]

The last little tidbid about christening the children of past shipmates was the best

[@lindarobinson195]

Thank you for the tour. I spent one day on the ship back in the early80s learned much on your tour. Were was the ships steering wheel I could not find it on the bridge yours truly Evans w Robinson

[@raydowsett9770]

Ship steered from "Lower Steering Position", several decks down below upper deck, probably below water line. Served on similar ship........Colony Class Cruiser "CEYLON", so imagine "BELFAST" similar.

[@johns.matty.632]

Outstanding to see it soo well preserved and used to teach and remember it’s service and those who served on her.

[@maureenburgess113]

I been on that my cousin died on it he was only 19 god bless her x

[@kingcuz.]

9:18 - whats the song used here? I recognise it but cant put my finger on it.

[@ThePalaeontologist]

Regardless of the counterarguments and excuses/cope etc, I still find it so sad that HMS _Warspite_ or HMS _Vanguard_ at least, were not saved. Britain built over 60 Dreadnoughts (first gen, second gen, Super dreadnoughts, advanced Super Dreadnoughts/aka modern battleships and the very late stage ones like HMS _Vanguard_ the very last British battleship) Over 60, from 1906 onward. And how many remain? None. It was the worst decision ever to scrap her. The closest thing you will get to them now, is IJN _Mikasa_ which is a pre-Dreadnought the British built for the Japanese Empire in the late Victorian era of the 1890's. It's been concreted into a Japanese harbour wall for many decades as a museum ship (and suffering for that, as well, due to concrete absorbing water thus rusting the ship below where it is concreted, faster) The fact of the matter is, that Britain has no dreadnoughts of any shape or size left. I don't care about the financial arguments, they are totally bogus. Britain was in huge wartime debt yes, though saving _one_ Battleship for some posterity, should have been allowed for and wasn't totally beyond Britain at that time (so they could start the NHS aka socialised healthcare, but they couldn't save _one_ ship? ONE) I think people are under some serious delusions and illusions about what Britain could do in the 1940's and 1950's. The Empire was over. Yes, everyone knows that it was falling apart and in freefall. Yes, the British people were still on ration books until 1953 (little known fact) Yes, the UK economy was in a sorry state (thanks a lot, Germany, way to ruin everything) And yes, there were other things - like the new nuclear weapons Britain wanted during the Cold War - and the V bomber force etc. But still. ONE battleship as a preserved monument wouldn't be too costly. It is silliness to imply it was. Britain was still a large economy and recovering as fast as it could post-WWII in spite of heinously greedy and meanspirited interest rates on the debt that the US government put on Britain's war debts. For a close ally to do that is one thing, for them to greedily pursue that at our expense as we tried to get back on our feet after a devastating global conflict, is another. While Americans enjoyed the 1950's as 'boom years', the British were in deep austerity suffering. The simple truth is that while the British were struggling to redefine their outlook as the Empire withered on the vine, it was still pretty disgraceful how the USA leeched off the UK during this time. We could have recovered faster if billions of pounds (that the USA didn't actually 'need') were flowing to the USA. For comparison, the French Republic had scrapped the USA's war debts to France, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Just think about that. France had practically bankrupted itself (or more accurately, the Absolute Monarchy that was the French Royalty, had bankrupted France, without the people having a real say) And yet still, out of a gesture of good will, they built the Statue of Liberty (ironic, considering the despotic regime it came from) and later they handwaved the massive debts the USA had to a large extent by the time still not paid off (the French Republic, replacing the French Royalists) It isn't the fault of all the USA for what the US government was doing (not what I'm saying) but it was pretty disgusting practice to bleed Britain dry post-war. It suited the United States and the United Nations to keep Britain on the backfoot, and various dodgy dealings were going on at Britain's expense, including in the aviation industry. Britain ruled the world in terms of jet aviation in the 1940's, 1950's and 1960's. But by the 1970's, they'd lost their predominance in tech. A brief comeback with the Harrier was fine and all but it was the last solely British produced fighter aircraft for the RAF. In reality, the golden age of British jet aviation had ended in the late 1960's, after about 20 years of ruling the world as world-leader on jet aviation. Military observers came from all over the world to British aviation demos and air-shows. There was a time when it seemed Britain could corner the market on aviation. But the USA wouldn't allow it. One way or another, the UK was swindled and strong-armed out of being the leading aviation power and as for British shipbuilding, that just collapsed. There was a time when half the world's merchant vessels bore British Merchant Navy ensigns. But then it came to pass, as another unjust humiliation, that the Germans, Swedish, Japanese, Americans, Chinese, South Koreans and others, overtook Britain in civilian, merchant and commercial shipbuilding. The Royal Navy was still 3rd largest in the world in 1960, behind the Soviet Navy (2nd) and the US Navy (1st) But by the 1970's, they'd begun to scrap so many ships (see 1975 SDR) that they went into decline rapidly, losing hundreds of thousands of tonnes of vessels over the fleet. In 1960 we had 7 operational carriers. By the 1980's we had 3. Britain was in a post-industrial decline that seemed to get worse and worse while carrion vultures squaked. HMS _Warspite_ therefore, being so difficult to repair and turn into a museum ship, in a time when there wasn't even a common practice of saving old ships, never stood much of a chance. But in hindsight, we can easily see it was the most battle-honoured British warship there had ever been. She was our 'USS Iowa'. Our Pride of the Royal Navy after the loss of HMS _Hood_ at any rate (and the greatest tragedy of all, is not having HMS _Hood_ around today)

[@captainhindsight8779]

I wonder if they’ll save King Charles’ old ship which is currently listing heavily in an old dock, now that he is king it would make sense.

[@patagualianmostly7437]

Ah yes....I once saw that ship....a minsweeper (?) alongside in Salford/Manchester..... I forget the name though.... Anyone....?

[@jamesedwards2483]

Would Like To See You Visit HMS Caroline, The Only Surviving Royal Navy Ship To Have Fought In The Battle Of Jutland During World War I!!