SS Nomadic, Ship's tender in Belfast, Northern Ireland
SS Nomadic is a ship's tender in Belfast that once served large ocean liners at Cherbourg. Now preserved as a museum vessel, it spans four levels and features separate areas that were once organised by passenger class.
Harland and Wolff built the vessel in 1911 specifically to serve the largest White Star Line ships. After Titanic sank, it continued working for decades, served as a minesweeper in World War I, then returned to passenger service.
The ship was named after nomadic peoples and originally connected smaller French ports with grand ocean liners at Cherbourg. The restored interior with original wood panelling and brass fittings shows the kind of comfort well-off passengers expected before their main Atlantic crossing.
The ship sits in Hamilton Dock at Queens Road, where you can walk aboard and explore the exhibition at your own pace. Outside the main season, opening hours are shorter, so a quick check of current times before visiting helps.
During restoration, workers found personal items hidden in wall cavities for decades, including tools and everyday objects left by the original crew. These finds are now part of the permanent display aboard.
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