HMS Belfast: Conserving our naval heritage

One of our standout projects during 2020 was the protection of the iconic HMS Belfast – a historic warship moored on the River Thames.

Since 1971, HMS Belfast has been a floating museum owned and operated by the Imperial War Museum. Cathodic Protection Co. Ltd (CPCL) was selected to provide specialist equipment to prevent the legendary ship from corrosion for the next 25 years.

Read on to discover the legacy of HMS Belfast, as well as how CPCL completed this prestigious project.

A mighty battleship

Built in 1936, HMS Belfast was launched on St Patrick’s Day in 1938 by Anne Chamberlain, wife of the then Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. Designed for the protection of trade and offensive action, disaster struck after just two months at sea – when the ship struck a magnetic mine whilst patrolling the northern waters.

Upon rejoining the home fleet in 1942, HMS Belfast remained the largest and most powerful cruiser in the Royal Navy, and was equipped with the most advanced radar systems. The warship went on to see action in the Arctic, reportedly fired one of the first shots during the D-Day landings, and played an active role in the Korean War.

Retired from service in 1963, it is the last remaining vessel of its type.

Safeguarding the vessel for the future

This project utilised custom impressed current anodes, and our proven TRUst transformer rectifiers with remote control and monitoring capability. The system will automatically adjust to protect the hull of the ship, as the salinity of the Thames changes with the tide.

The remote control and monitoring system ensures that the effectiveness of the system is always visible. CPCL are exceptionally proud of the work that has been done to preserve HMS Belfast, and the lasting impact of the cathodic protection solutions.

For more information on our projects or to make an enquiry, get in touch with the CPCL team on +44 (0)1476 590666.