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SS Nomadic (1911)
Encyclopedia
SS Nomadic is a steamship of the White Star Line
, launched on 25 April 1911 in Belfast
. She was built as a tender
to the liners RMS Olympic
and RMS Titanic, and is the last remaining vessel built for the White Star Line still afloat.
shipyard
s, Belfast
in 1910 (yard number 422). She was launched on 25 April 1911 and delivered to the White Star Line on the 27 May. The ship was 67 meters (220 ft) long and 11.3 meters (37 ft) wide, with a gross tonnage
of 1,273 tons. She had two triple-bladed screws
, propelling her to a maximum speed of 12 knots.
With her sister ship SS Traffic, Nomadic was used as a tender for Titanic and Olympic at Cherbourg in France
. Nomadic was fitted with a luxurious interior and was hence used for the first and second class passengers, while Traffic served the third class travellers.
During World War I
Nomadic saw service in carrying American
troops at Brest
(France).
In 1927, she was sold to the Compagnie Cherbourgeoise de Transbordement and then sold again to the Société Cherbourgeoise de Remorquage et de Sauvetage in 1934. Then under the name Ingenieur Minard, she again served as a troop ship in World War II
.
After the war she continued tendering Cunard White Star (the two companies merged in 1934) ships until November 1968. She then served RMS Queen Elizabeth
for the last time.
In 1974, Nomadic was bought by a private individual and converted into a restaurant on the Seine
in Paris
, where she remained docked and semi-derelict after the closure of the restaurant, until she was moved to the port of Le Havre
in 2006.
, in collaboration with John White and David Scott Beddard from White Star Memories. White and Beddard formed the SaveNomadic.com Appeal, which later with Philippe Delaunoy became the Nomadic Preservation Society.
On 26 January 2006, SS Nomadic was purchased at auction in Paris by the Department for Social Development
, part of the Northern Ireland Office
. She cost £171,320 (the reserve price being £165,000).
SS Nomadic left Le Havre to return to Belfast on 12 July, and arrived back close to where she was built on 18 July 2006. The vessel was welcomed back by the Social Development Minister David Hanson MP and the Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Belfast, Councillor Ruth Patterson and a number of well wishers. The Nomadic arrived "piggy backed" on a marine transportation barge, which had been contracted from Anchor Marine Transportation Limited.
A study by Belfast City Council has estimated the cost of restoring Nomadic at £7 million. Belfast Harbour Commissioners have agreed to provide a temporary berth for the ship, and a charitable trust to co-ordinate fundraising for the restoration has been set up.
Now that the vessel is on the United Kingdom
's National Historic Fleet, Core Collection
, the project should qualify for a National Lottery
grant application, which should substantially enhance existing funds of £60,000 from a public appeal and £100,000 from Belfast City Council
.
The Nomadic Appeal Public Website has now founded the Nomadic Preservation Society.
At the beginning of February, 2011, it was announced that a £2 million contract had been awarded to the original builders of Nomadic, Harland and Wolff
, in order to restore her hull and reconstruct the vessel's superstructure. A further BBC article also states that there is hope that the vessel will be "totally refurbished in time for the centenary of the Titanic's sinking in 1912". Funding for the project has come from the EU Peace III Programme.
The current work is limited to restoring Nomadic's structural integrity and appearance. A further project of restoring the vessel's interior is to follow this phase.
Several of the Nomadic's original fittings and artefacts, such as her first-class buffet backdrop and wall clock, tables, steering wheel and original No. 2 lifeboat have been recovered and preserved. The lifeboat is the last White Star lifeboat left in existence.
The Nomadic Preservation Society plans to have these items reused on board the ship wherever possible. The No. 2 lifeboat, however, will be displayed in a maritime museum while two replica boats will be built to serve Nomadic.
On November 24, 2011, Nomadic was repainted in her original White Star Livery (on one side), and a great percentage of her new superstructure had been assembled on her. This work included coal shoots, superstructure supports, and the small iron doors through which people would board her. Also currently being manufactured is a functioning funnel.
The Nomadic Preservation Society is looking to replace the Nomadic's engines, which were removed, scrapped and replaced by concrete when she became a floating restaurant. These engines are from the SS Nyanza, a 1907-built cargo ship whose dimensions and power plant are identical to those of Nomadic. However, the Nomadic Charitable Trust must raise £200,000 to buy the power plant, or it will be scrapped as well.
In January 2009, the company Frazer-Nash was appointed to manage the Conservation Management Plan, to decide the level of maintenance required.
In July 2009 auditors expressed concern that the £7m refit of the derelict SS Nomadic may not be completed for the centenary of its launch in Belfast.
In August 2009 Nomadic entered Hamilton Graving Dock for drydocking and complete restoration.
White Star Line
The Oceanic Steam Navigation Company or White Star Line of Boston Packets, more commonly known as the White Star Line, was a prominent British shipping company, today most famous for its ill-fated vessel, the RMS Titanic, and the World War I loss of Titanics sister ship Britannic...
, launched on 25 April 1911 in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. She was built as a tender
Ship's tender
A ship's tender, usually referred to as a tender, is a boat, or a larger ship used to service a ship, generally by transporting people and/or supplies to and from shore or another ship...
to the liners RMS Olympic
RMS Olympic
RMS Olympic was the lead ship of the Olympic-class ocean liners built for the White Star Line, which also included Titanic and Britannic...
and RMS Titanic, and is the last remaining vessel built for the White Star Line still afloat.
History
The keel of Nomadic was laid down in the Harland and WolffHarland and Wolff
Harland and Wolff Heavy Industries is a Northern Irish heavy industrial company, specialising in shipbuilding and offshore construction, located in Belfast, Northern Ireland....
shipyard
Shipyard
Shipyards and dockyards are places which repair and build ships. These can be yachts, military vessels, cruise liners or other cargo or passenger ships. Dockyards are sometimes more associated with maintenance and basing activities than shipyards, which are sometimes associated more with initial...
s, Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
in 1910 (yard number 422). She was launched on 25 April 1911 and delivered to the White Star Line on the 27 May. The ship was 67 meters (220 ft) long and 11.3 meters (37 ft) wide, with a gross tonnage
Tonnage
Tonnage is a measure of the size or cargo carrying capacity of a ship. The term derives from the taxation paid on tuns or casks of wine, and was later used in reference to the weight of a ship's cargo; however, in modern maritime usage, "tonnage" specifically refers to a calculation of the volume...
of 1,273 tons. She had two triple-bladed screws
Propeller
A propeller is a type of fan that transmits power by converting rotational motion into thrust. A pressure difference is produced between the forward and rear surfaces of the airfoil-shaped blade, and a fluid is accelerated behind the blade. Propeller dynamics can be modeled by both Bernoulli's...
, propelling her to a maximum speed of 12 knots.
With her sister ship SS Traffic, Nomadic was used as a tender for Titanic and Olympic at Cherbourg in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Nomadic was fitted with a luxurious interior and was hence used for the first and second class passengers, while Traffic served the third class travellers.
During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
Nomadic saw service in carrying American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
troops at Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
(France).
In 1927, she was sold to the Compagnie Cherbourgeoise de Transbordement and then sold again to the Société Cherbourgeoise de Remorquage et de Sauvetage in 1934. Then under the name Ingenieur Minard, she again served as a troop ship in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
After the war she continued tendering Cunard White Star (the two companies merged in 1934) ships until November 1968. She then served RMS Queen Elizabeth
RMS Queen Elizabeth
RMS Queen Elizabeth was an ocean liner operated by the Cunard Line. Plying with her running mate Queen Mary as a luxury liner between Southampton, UK and New York City, USA via Cherbourg, France, she was also contracted for over twenty years to carry the Royal Mail as the second half of the two...
for the last time.
In 1974, Nomadic was bought by a private individual and converted into a restaurant on the Seine
Seine
The Seine is a -long river and an important commercial waterway within the Paris Basin in the north of France. It rises at Saint-Seine near Dijon in northeastern France in the Langres plateau, flowing through Paris and into the English Channel at Le Havre . It is navigable by ocean-going vessels...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, where she remained docked and semi-derelict after the closure of the restaurant, until she was moved to the port of Le Havre
Le Havre
Le Havre is a city in the Seine-Maritime department of the Haute-Normandie region in France. It is situated in north-western France, on the right bank of the mouth of the river Seine on the English Channel. Le Havre is the most populous commune in the Haute-Normandie region, although the total...
in 2006.
Preservation of Nomadic
A public appeal for donations to return Nomadic to the Harland and Wolff shipyard for restoration was organised by Belfast Industrial Heritage (BIH), a non-profit organisation in Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, in collaboration with John White and David Scott Beddard from White Star Memories. White and Beddard formed the SaveNomadic.com Appeal, which later with Philippe Delaunoy became the Nomadic Preservation Society.
On 26 January 2006, SS Nomadic was purchased at auction in Paris by the Department for Social Development
Department for Social Development
The Department for Social Development is a devolved Northern Ireland government department in the Northern Ireland Executive. The minister with overall responsibility for the department is the Minister for Social Development.-Aim:...
, part of the Northern Ireland Office
Northern Ireland Office
The Northern Ireland Office is a United Kingdom government department responsible for Northern Ireland affairs. The NIO is led by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and is based in Northern Ireland at Stormont House.-Role:...
. She cost £171,320 (the reserve price being £165,000).
SS Nomadic left Le Havre to return to Belfast on 12 July, and arrived back close to where she was built on 18 July 2006. The vessel was welcomed back by the Social Development Minister David Hanson MP and the Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Belfast, Councillor Ruth Patterson and a number of well wishers. The Nomadic arrived "piggy backed" on a marine transportation barge, which had been contracted from Anchor Marine Transportation Limited.
A study by Belfast City Council has estimated the cost of restoring Nomadic at £7 million. Belfast Harbour Commissioners have agreed to provide a temporary berth for the ship, and a charitable trust to co-ordinate fundraising for the restoration has been set up.
Now that the vessel is on the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's National Historic Fleet, Core Collection
National Historic Fleet, Core Collection
The National Historic Fleet, Core Collection is a list of museum ships located in the United Kingdom, under the National Historic Ships register.The vessels on the National Historic Fleet are distinguished by:...
, the project should qualify for a National Lottery
National Lottery (United Kingdom)
The National Lottery is the state-franchised national lottery in the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man.It is operated by Camelot Group, to whom the licence was granted in 1994, 2001 and again in 2007. The lottery is regulated by the National Lottery Commission, and was established by the then...
grant application, which should substantially enhance existing funds of £60,000 from a public appeal and £100,000 from Belfast City Council
Belfast City Council
Belfast City Council is the local authority with responsibility for the city of Belfast, the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. The Council serves an estimated population of , the largest of any district council in Northern Ireland, while also being the fourth smallest by area...
.
The Nomadic Appeal Public Website has now founded the Nomadic Preservation Society.
At the beginning of February, 2011, it was announced that a £2 million contract had been awarded to the original builders of Nomadic, Harland and Wolff
Harland and Wolff
Harland and Wolff Heavy Industries is a Northern Irish heavy industrial company, specialising in shipbuilding and offshore construction, located in Belfast, Northern Ireland....
, in order to restore her hull and reconstruct the vessel's superstructure. A further BBC article also states that there is hope that the vessel will be "totally refurbished in time for the centenary of the Titanic's sinking in 1912". Funding for the project has come from the EU Peace III Programme.
The current work is limited to restoring Nomadic's structural integrity and appearance. A further project of restoring the vessel's interior is to follow this phase.
Several of the Nomadic's original fittings and artefacts, such as her first-class buffet backdrop and wall clock, tables, steering wheel and original No. 2 lifeboat have been recovered and preserved. The lifeboat is the last White Star lifeboat left in existence.
The Nomadic Preservation Society plans to have these items reused on board the ship wherever possible. The No. 2 lifeboat, however, will be displayed in a maritime museum while two replica boats will be built to serve Nomadic.
On November 24, 2011, Nomadic was repainted in her original White Star Livery (on one side), and a great percentage of her new superstructure had been assembled on her. This work included coal shoots, superstructure supports, and the small iron doors through which people would board her. Also currently being manufactured is a functioning funnel.
The Nomadic Preservation Society is looking to replace the Nomadic's engines, which were removed, scrapped and replaced by concrete when she became a floating restaurant. These engines are from the SS Nyanza, a 1907-built cargo ship whose dimensions and power plant are identical to those of Nomadic. However, the Nomadic Charitable Trust must raise £200,000 to buy the power plant, or it will be scrapped as well.
Location
On her return to Belfast, SS Nomadic was moored at Queen's Quay just outside the Odyssey Arena in Belfast and opened with a temporary exhibition. In late 2008 the ship was closed to the public and moved to Barnett's Dock for internal maintenance.In January 2009, the company Frazer-Nash was appointed to manage the Conservation Management Plan, to decide the level of maintenance required.
In July 2009 auditors expressed concern that the £7m refit of the derelict SS Nomadic may not be completed for the centenary of its launch in Belfast.
In August 2009 Nomadic entered Hamilton Graving Dock for drydocking and complete restoration.
Further reading
- Vanhoutte, Fabrice and Melia, Philippe (2004). Le S/S Nomadic: Petit frère du Titanic. Cherbourg: Editions Isoète. ISBN 2-913-920-39-X
- Pritchard, Mervyn (2008). The Belfast Child: S.S. Nomadic, Exploring the World's Last Great Link to R.M.S. Titanic. Belfast: Queen's Island Press. ISBN 0955931401