HMS Belfast (35)
British Light cruiser
Photo courtesy of Paul Johnson Collection
| Name | HMS Belfast (35) | ||
| Type: | Light cruiser (Belfast) | ||
| Tonnage | 11,500 tons | ||
| Completed | 1939 - Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast | ||
| Owner | The Admiralty | ||
| Homeport | |||
| Date of attack | 21 Nov 1939 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Damaged by U-21 (Fritz Frauenheim) | ||
| Position | 56° 06'N, 2° 55'W - Grid AN 0537 | ||
| Complement | ? men (1 dead and ? survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | Firth of Forth (21 Nov) - Firth of Forth | ||
| Cargo | |||
| History | Completed in August 1939. Post-war: Decommissioned in February 1963. This cruiser is on display at London on the Thames river, a must see if one is in the area. | ||
| Notes on event | At 10.58 hours on 21 Nov 1939, HMS Belfast (35) (Capt G.A. Scott, DSC, RN) struck a magnetic mine laid on 4 November by U-21 near May Island, Firth of Forth. The cruiser was on gunnery exercises together with HMS Southampton (83) (Capt F.W.H. Jeans, CVO, RN) and HMS Afridi (F 07) (Capt G.H. Creswell, DSC, RN). The explosion broke the back of the ship, caused extensive damage and injured 21 crew members, one of them dying of wounds on 30 November. She was taken in tow to Rosyth for temporary repairs by HMS Krooman and the British steam tug Brahman, later assisted by the British steam tugs Bulger, Grangeburn and Oxcar and escorted by HMS Vivien (L 33) (LtCdr W.D.G. Weir, RN). On 3 July 1940, HMS Belfast arrived at Plymouth and was rebuilt at Devonport Dockyard until December 1942. | ||
| More info | |||
| On board | We have details of 4 people who were on board. | ||
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