SS Nomadic (1911)

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.

History

The keel of "Nomadic" was laid down in the Harland and Wolff shipyards, 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 three-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, whilst "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 Compagnie Cherbourghoise de Transbordement and then sold again to the Société Cherbourghoise de Remorquage et de Sauvetage in 1934. Then under the name "Ingenieur Minard", she again served as 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 2003.

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 Ireland.

On 26 January 2006, SS "Nomadic" was purchased at auction in Paris by the Department for Social Development, part of the Northern Ireland Office. [ [http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/urcdg-urban_regeneration/nomadic/dsdin_buying_the_nomadic.htm Buying the Nomadic - Urban Regeneration ] ] 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. [ [http://www.amtbarges.com/ Anchor Marine Transportation Ltd, Marine Transport and Towage Worldwide ] ]

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 [ [http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/news_items/hanson_announces_members_of_nomadic_trust.htm Hanson announces members of Nomadic Trust - News ] ] .Now that the vessel is on the United Kingdom's National Register of Historic Vessels [ [http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/news_items/nomadic-trust-says-thanks.htm Nomadic Trust says thanks ] ] , 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. [ [http://www.nomadicpreservationsociety.co.uk/ Nomadic Preservation Society - SS Nomadic ] ]

Location

During the summer months, SS "Nomadic" is moored at Queen's Quay just outside the Odyssey Arena in Belfast. On board is an informative exhibition that will change periodically as well as a few shops.During the winter SS "Nomadic" is closed for restoration work. [ [http://www.nomadicpreservationsociety.co.uk/news.asp?h=1&p=43 Nomadic Preservation Society - SS Nomadic ] ] The ship is presently moored, with the upper decks under covers, in the dock next to the Stena HSS ferry terminal in Belfast.(January 2008)

References

External links

* [http://www.greatoceanliners.net/nomadic&traffic.html] SS Nomadic and her sister ship, SS Traffic
* [http://www.ssnomadic.co.uk/ SS Nomadic Forum, Run by The Nomadic Preservation Society]
* [http://www.nomadicpreservationsociety.co.uk/ Nomadic Preservation Society]
* [http://www.savenomadic.com/ Save the SS Nomadic Appeal]
* [http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/item/4685/ SS Nomadic History]
* [http://www.maritimematters.com/nomadic.html Maritime Matters - Nomadic]
* [http://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/index.cfm/event/newSearch National Register of Historic Vessels]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4651166.stm BBC News - "Titanic link ship set for Belfast"]
* [http://www.amtbarges.com/ Anchor Marine Transportation Limited]
* [http://www.pottsoft.com/home/titanic/memorials.html#Nomadic Pictures of the Nomadic]
* [http://www.dsdni.gov.uk Department for Social Development]
* [http://www.atkielski.com/PhotoGallery/Paris/General/TitanicTenderLarge.html Nomadic in 2000] - photo from 2000 with brief description
* [http://www.atlanticliners.com/nomadic.htm" Nomadic Home" at Atlantic Liners]
* [http://aftitanic.free.fr French Titanic Society] - Association Française du Titanic
* [http://www.nomadic.fr.st] - The French Book by P. Melia & F. Vanhoutte