I was delighted to be invited back onto HMS Belfast this week, along with the babes and my 10-year-old nephew, for the launch of the Gun Turret Experience – a new permanent exhibit on the ship.
Once aboard, our group was led into the Gun Turret overlooking the ship’s Quarterdeck and transported back in time to 1943 during HMS Belfast’s fight against the German battle cruiser Scharnhorst.
We listened to a sailor describing the action and, in the most dramatic moment, saw the central gun raise for firing and felt the ground shaking as the ‘boom’ of the gun left us in a cloud of smoke.
The effects are pretty realistic and Jed was in my arms, gripping my shoulders tightly as the gun went off. Ezra later told me that it was a little frightening, but that he wasn’t scared (he’s a big boy)!
The Gun Turret Experience is an exciting addition to HMS Belfast, that also offers nine decks of living history to explore.
It’s a great day out on the River Thames for families and the kids were happy little sailors roaming up and down the ship.
Read more about our first trip to HMS Belfast.
**Win Tickets**
The good folks at HMS Belfast have offered us 1 Family Ticket for a Babes about Town reader to visit the ship at any time of their choosing. Simply email us at editor@babesabouttown.com with the subject heading ‘HMS Belfast Competition’, your full name and the answer to this question:
What is the name of the new exhibit on HMS Belfast?
a) the Gun Powder plot
b) the Gun Turret experience
c) the Smoking Gun
Competition closes on Sun Aug 7, 12pm GMT. Winner will be picked at random and notified via email.
Take a whistle-stop tour: HMS Belfast on YouTube!
