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NOMADIC
In 2001 the Ulster Titanic Society, (now the Belfast Titanic Society) became aware of the plight of the SS Nomadic rotting away in Paris. Ulster Titanic Society members wrote numerous letters to Government and other bodies appraising them of the plight of the last floating link with Titanic.
Our own Magazine, CQD started a campaign in issue 17 entitled "Let's Save The Nomadic" with a printed petition supporting the French Titanic Society in their efforts to save the stricken ship. Sam Brannigan gave our members a talk on the subject at our meeting on the 11th of September 2001 and it appeared in our magazine CQD issue No 18. Ulster Titanic Society member Patricia Curtis from New York also visited Nomadic where she compiled a report and pictures for the same CQD issue. In 2002 we were contacted directly by the French Titanic Society and a campaign to save Nomadic was launched. Over the ensuing years other interested bodies and societies came onboard to build on the sterling work of the Ulster Titanic Society in making the world aware of the SS Nomadic. The Belfast Titanic Society is justifiably proud of its efforts in having the SS Nomadic returned to Belfast and now leaves the way clear for other agencies and societies to begin her restoration. Preparing Nomadic for her departure from France
Nomadic's arrival in Belfast and members of the Belfast Titanic Society were the first to board her.
Some photos of the Nomadic as she looks today during the restoration. Back side of panelling for Nomadic
The tradesman who made this wooden panel had written, "422 Lower deck" on its back. NB! 422 is the Harland and Wolff ship number for Nomadic These rivets are from the same batch as those used on Titanic
The Interior
The Interior for First Class.
You can just imagine those famous people who came through this door on the 10th April 1912.
In Titanic's trail, a tall ship en route to Belfast following Titanic's route back to Belfast. The Isle of Man is in the background. The photograph is taken from the Ards Peninsula. Good News
Work has started on Nomadic, for more info Click here Finally, the Nomadic Trust has been established and will begin the task of securing funding to restore the ship. The names have been published and appear below. We were very concerned at the lack of action, so our Trust Member Bryan Patterson, on our behalf, wrote to the Minister and had a meeting with his department and finally something has started happening. HANSON ANNOUNCES MEMBERS OF NOMADIC TRUST The members of the proposed charitable trust, tasked to oversee the restoration and fundraising for the SS Nomadic, have been announced. Minister for Social Development David Hanson MP said: "My Department, Belfast City Council, Belfast Harbour Commissioners and Belfast Industrial Heritage Society have all proposed representatives to form the trust. "We have also received support from the business community, with the Institute of Directors nominating Mr Denis Rooney and Mr Ian Savage. I am particularly pleased to announce that Mr Rooney has agreed to chair the Trust. "The return of the Nomadic to Belfast has been greeted by high levels of goodwill and interest, both locally and internationally. The Trust now has important fundraising work to do in order to restore Nomadic back to her former glory and so she can take her place as a unique example of Northern Ireland's maritime heritage. "I wish the Trust well with its task and would ask for widespread support to ensure the success of this important project." The cost of purchasing and returning Nomadic to Belfast was £582,000, with a further £107,000 spent on carrying out essential restorative maintenance work. Mr Hanson said: "Government has spent this money in response to widespread support to save the Nomadic. It is now up to the Trust and those who have campaigned to save Nomadic, to secure the funding for her restoration and maintenance." NOTES TO EDITORS: 1. The Department for Social Development (DSD) nominees are: Mr Denis Rooney to chair the Trust and Mr Ian Savage, as a member proposed by the Institute of Directors; Councillor Sean Neeson MLA, the Northern Ireland representative on the UK National Maritime Heritage Committee; ACC Duncan McCausland, PSNI; Roy Snowden, World Ships Society; Jackie Johnston, DSD. 2. Belfast City Council nominees: Councillor Nelson McCausland MLA, chair of the Development Committee, and Councillor Paul Maskey, Deputy Chair of the Development Committee. 3. Belfast Harbour Commissioners nominee: Trevor Anderson, commercial director. 4. Belfast Industrial Heritage Company nominees: Mrs Kathleen Neill and Mr John Moore. 5. Belfast Titanic Society nominee: Mr Bryan Patterson. 6. These are not public appointments being made by DSD. 7. The cost of purchasing Nomadic and associated costs was £263,000. The transportation, associated costs and mooring Nomadic in Belfast was £319,000. Essential restorative maintenance repairs and associated costs was £107,000.
SS NOMADIC HAS RETURNED TO HER BIRTHPLACE, BELFAST The SS Nomadic official reception has been postponed until 18th July at 5:30 pm. This is due to the sad news of the sudden death of one of workers who was helping to prepare Nomadic for her reception in Belfast. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
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