HMS Caroline, the 100-year-old naval vessel and sole survivor of the First World War Battle of Jutland, docked in Belfast’s Alexandra Dock has been declared a finalist in the National Lottery Awards 2018.

The ship, which opened in 2016, followed by the completion of a visitor and exhibition centre in the restored Pump House and refurbishment of Alexandra Dock earlier this year, was the recipient of the largest ever Northern Ireland Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £11.5m in 2014. It is the only project from Northern Ireland as a finalist in the heritage category of the Awards.

Since the ship opened as a discovery site, Caroline has welcomed intrepid explorers, curious to know what life was like during The Battle of Jutland, the largest sea battle of the 20th century.

Captain John Rees OBE, Chief of Staff of The National Museums of the Royal Navy says he is delighted that the project has been recognised as worthy of the National Lottery Awards finals.

“Over the past six years, contractors, staff, management and officers have worked tirelessly to restore HMS Caroline to its First World War glory, and tell the historic story of the Battle of Jutland. We have always proceeded with this project on the basis that it is a fundamental part of Ireland’s and Northern Ireland’s joint histories. But we also acknowledge it as one of the world’s most significant historic maritime assets.

“We are immeasurably grateful to those who have taken the story of Caroline into their hearts, from the visitors who have been intrigued enough to visit her, to the National Lottery and Heritage Lottery Fund for realising her value and enabling a completely new and fascinating heritage tourism asset for Belfast and the whole of the UK.”

The HMS Caroline experience takes the visitor from an immersive ‘Jutland Experience’ on board, and the sights and sounds of the devastation of battle, to historic spaces such as Captain’s Quarters, Marine’s Mess and the heart of the ship; the Engine Rooms which drove HMS Caroline through the historic war years.

The Pump House is home to an extensive visitor and exhibition centre featuring much of the original Edwardian era machinery and technology, medals and artefacts from those who served on board.

To vote in the National Lottery Awards 2018 visit https://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards, and to vote for HMS Caroline follow this link, call 0844 836 9701 or us the NLAHMSCaroline hashtag on Twitter.

All voting is independently verified by the Electoral Reform Services.

 

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