Belfast welcomes home the SS Nomadic - 17 July 2006

The SS Nomadic is moored again on the River Lagan – back to the place where she was built alongside the Titanic.

There to meet her was Social Development Minister David Hanson MP whose Department bought the vessel at an auction in Paris last January.  The Minister joined other well-wishers gathered at the Odyssey Arena to greet the historic ship when she arrived on a barge after her voyage from Le Havre in France.

He said: “Although a relatively small vessel – just over 1200 tonnes – the Nomadic is important in the industrial history of Belfast and of Harland and Wolff shipbuilders. She was launched on 25 April 1911 and ferried passengers to the White Star liners Titanic and Olympic. She is the last remaining vessel built by the White Star Line that is still with us.

“Today is an important date in Northern Ireland’s proud maritime heritage. There is world-wide interest in the ill-fated Titanic and now is the time for Belfast to capitalise on this.

“This is a happy day for us all, and particularly all those who have worked to save and restore SS Nomadic. The Belfast Industrial Heritage Society has sustained their campaign for many years and now they now have an opportunity to live what has been a dream until today.”

Also there to welcome the SS Nomadic was the Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ruth Patterson. She said: “Belfast City Council, amongst others, has supported the campaign for the return of the Nomadic and has pledged funds towards the restoration of the vessel.

“Belfast is continually enhancing its reputation for attracting tourists and developers alike.  With the ongoing investment in the Titanic Quarter, we have the opportunity to regenerate our industrial core with a style and panache which belies the image that many people overseas have of this city.

“The challenge of creating a vision for a ‘Titanic-themed’ tourist attraction in 2012 should be a key motivator for us all.  Much work is already underway however, the restoration of the Nomadic would add a further dimension to the appeal of the Titanic Quarter.  This attraction must not only capture the imagination of people in Northern Ireland but across the world, to ensure that Belfast’s growing reputation as a major city for tourism continues to flourish.”

The Nomadic will remain at the Odyssey for 48 hours to allow people to see this important part of their industrial and maritime heritage. She will then be moved to a dry dock for a month to allow a full inspection, prior to registration on the UK National Ships Historic Register. She will then move to a permanent berth which Belfast Harbour Commissioners are providing.

The Minister pointed out that bringing the Nomadic home was only a first step in a challenging process. He said: “The eventual aim is to restore the Nomadic to her former glory and to achieve this I have set up a charitable trust. This will be in place from September and will have the twin aims of co-ordinating the fundraising aspects and overseeing the restoration project.

“We should not underestimate what needs to be done. The fundraising aspects will be difficult and making an application for National Lottery Funding will not be easy due to other competing requests. The Trust will be actively looking for sponsors who are willing to support this worthwhile project.

“Many famous ships were built in Belfast. Many of them were much larger than the Nomadic but most of them have gone. It has the potential to bring the living history of this period back to Belfast in a tangible way which will be of world-wide interest. It will be an attraction to tourists and help us in the regeneration of Belfast.”