Trafalgar 220: What Has HMS Belfast Got to Do With Trafalgar Day?

It's a big year for Trafalgar Day - 2025 marks 220 years since this epic moment in naval history. You’re probably wondering: what does HMS Belfast have to do with Trafalgar Day? The straight answer is, there is no direct connection between her and HMS Victory, which despite being a museum ship (which is what they have in common) in Lord Nelson’s memory and being permanently dry docked, is still in commission with the Royal Navy for over 200 years.

21st October 1805

The Royal Navy, commanded by Vice Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson aboard his flagship, HMS Victory, literally broke the mighty line made up of the combined fleet of the French and Spanish navies.

This was the Royal Navy’s greatest achievement in history, but sadly as King George III claimed, we had lost more than we had gained; although a great victory had been won, the story includes the tragic loss of Lord Nelson, after being shot by a French sniper.

21st October is a special occasion for the Royal Navy because that day, in their book, is Trafalgar Day! 🇬🇧⚓️

Fast Forward to 1963

After HMS Belfast was decommissioned in 1963, her last captain, Rear-Admiral Sir Morgan Giles campaigned furiously for her to be preserved as a museum ship after all the battle honours she had earned; the Russian Arctic convoys, the Battle of North Cape, the Normandy Landings and the Korean War after the government had refused.

Whilst awaiting her fate, Belfast was anchored in Fareham Creek (just off of Portsmouth Harbour) as an accommodation ship for sailors and sea cadets. After watching some archive footage of HMS Belfast being towed to her new home on the Thames in the Pool of London, presented by Sir Morgan Giles, there’s some shots of Nelson’s bust carving on the Trafalgar memorial on Portsdown Hill, down the road from Fort Nelson in Fareham, watching her set sail to her new home after his spirit and HMS Victory watched over her as guardian angels, protecting her from being scrapped.

A snippet in this short film from Imperial War Museum's film collection shows Nelson watching Belfast being towed to London: THE SECOND LAUNCH OF HMS BELFAST (TV VERSION) [Main Title] | Imperial War Museums (iwm.org.uk)

My Fantasy of HMSB Awaiting Her Fate:

Portsmouth Harbour - 1971


Belfast (waking up from eternal rest): How long have I been here? What year is it?

Victory: 1971, my dear cruiser...

Belfast (screaming): NO, PLEASE! I DON'T WANNA BE SCRAPPED!

Victory: Now, Miss Belle, calm yourself! Come sit with Granny Victory, I bring some good news!

Belfast: (shaking): My Lady... is this a dream?

Victory: I've been watching over you Belfast... your fate is my pleasure to inform you...

Belfast (panicked): Where's my commander?

Victory: The admiralty has chosen you...

Belfast: (squirms)

Victory: To be just like me...

Belfast: ...huh?

Victory: You're going to be a museum ship, silly! 

21st October 1971

HMS Belfast opens to the public as a museum ship in celebration of Trafalgar Day 1971! Veterans and their families were in attendance, including her last captain, Sir Morgan Giles. It wasn’t until 1978 she became a branch of Imperial War Museum after being previously owned by HMS Belfast Trust set up by Sir Morgan Giles.

Even though Belfast is decommissioned, she has special permission from the admiralty to fly the White Ensign, as well as phonetic International Maritime Signal Code flags. One of my mess mates (a fellow volunteer who took these pictures and very kindly let me use them for this post) was aboard just as they were hoisting the colours in preparation for Trafalgar Day, but particularly over the weekend, HMS Belfast Association hosted their annual Trafalgar Night dinner.

The flags read the famous line Nelson delivered to the British fleet: ‘England Expects That Every Man Will Do His Duty’ - the colours aren’t quite how we know them today as they were different back during the Napoleonic Wars.

SPLICE THE MAINBRACE! 🥃🥂🇬🇧⚓️

Do you celebrate Trafalgar Day? Feel free to share your traditions with me and let’s raise a glass to Nelson’s victory together! 🥂

Archive Footage from IWM: 

HMS Belfast Opening Ceremony

HMS Belfast Newsreel:



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