THE SECOND LAUNCH OF HMS BELFAST [Main Title]

Film introduced by Rear-Admiral Morgan Morgan-Giles, the Chairman of the HMS Belfast Trust, which combines archive sequences of naval operations during the Second World War and contemporary views of HMS Belfast as it recalls the history of the cruiser, now preserved (its "second launch") in the Pool of London following her last voyage from Portsmouth in 1971.

The film contains a mixture of original and archive footage drawn from the Imperial War Museum, Movietone News and Bundesarchiv. Commencing with the Royal Marines Band beating the retreat ceremony in front of HMS Victory in order to place HMS Belfast in context as an historical ship. Then a long shot of HMS Belfast, the last of the Royal Navy's wartime cruisers, in her mooring in the Reserve Fleet at Fareham Creek as viewed from Portsdown Hill. The story of HMS Belfast's launch in 1938 is recalled using archive footage, including the christening of the ship by Mrs Neville Chamberlain. Rear-Admiral Morgan Morgan-Giles introduces the ship from the Compass Platform, in the first of a series of presentations which provide us with an insight into different areas of the ship itself. The setting up of HMS Belfast Trust (1971) in order to save her for the nation is recalled over film of Belfast's last seagoing voyage. The ship leaves Portsmouth under tow, heading into the Solent; HMS Victory is clearly visible in the background, along with Southsea Castle. Another presentation follows introducing the ship's Engine Rooms. The ship continues her journey and a skeleton Royal Navy crew is shown onboard. The ship's Forward Steering Position and Ship's Wheel are shown and described. Shots of the sun setting on Belfast's voyage, from the Quarterdeck, showing "X" and " Y" 6-inch Gun Turrets, as well as the After Mast and Director Control Tower (DCT). The history of the ship continues, detailing the outbreak of World War II and HMS Belfast's mining and subsequent rebuilding; Morgan-Giles' commentary continues over archive footage, including Winston Churchill onboard a naval vessel and the visit of King George VI to HMS Belfast. Another presentation follows, this time concerning the main 6-inch armament (Mk XXIII). Interior and exterior shots of the turrets including Morgan-Giles operating the breech mechanism. As the ship's journey continues she passes a merchant tanker which serves as a reminder of Belfast's service in the Arctic Convoys during which time she helped to protect vital supply convoys to the Soviet Union (Russia). The ship continues through the Dover Straights, illustrated with a helicopter shot of the ship beginning amidships and moving astern along the starboard side. The engagement with the pocket battleship Scharnhorst is recalled using archive footage of German and British vessels, including the Scharnhorst and Swordfish torpedo bombers. There are also interviews with Royal Navy personnel from the battleship HMS Duke of York and the cruiser HMS Norfolk. Subsequently, the Transmitting Station (TS) is described and displayed. This area contains the Admiralty Fire Control Table (AFCT), a mechanical computer used to calculate the correct range and bearing in order for the guns to hit their target. HMS Belfast's contribution to the Normandy landings on D Day is recalled through archive footage. The conclusion of WWII and HMS Belfast's posting to the Far East follows. The ship's reception for HMS Amethyst following the Yangtze incident precedes the Korean War and the ship being paid off into reserve at Chatham dockyard. The ship's journey has now reached the Thames Estuary and the Medway. The refit of the ship from 1956-1959 is described leading into HMS Belfast's Far East commission (1960-1961) where the Narrator took control as Captain in Singapore until she finally paid off into the reserve for the last time. Scenes of HMS Belfast in dry dock with shots of her keel, rudder and enormous propellers. On the 4th October 1971 HMS Belfast leaves dry dock and embarks on the final stage of her journey to the Pool of London. The ship hoists the White Ensign from her forward mast and with a piper from the Ulster Rifles atop "B" turret continues her voyage past the Royal Naval College at Greenwich and the Cutty Sark. Upon reaching Tower Bridge she is joined by a Swordfish torpedo bomber escort before reaching her final destination opposite the Tower of London. The closing sequence details the ship as a Museum with scenes of Morgan-Giles entertaining visitors onboard and showing exhibitions.

16mm