HMS Belfast is the Imperial War Museum's ship, originally a Royal Navy light cruiser, now permanently moored on the River Thames and open for viewing by the public since 1971.
Construction of the Belfast began in December 1936 and she was launched on 17th March 1938. During WWII the ship saw much active service, including the Arctic convoys to the Soviet Union and the Battle of North Cape, and the D-Day Normandy Landings of Operation Overlord. She saw further combat action in during the Korean War of the early 1950s. The Belfast was eventually retired from service in 1963. Today she is the last remaining vessel of her type.