War Memorial #1989 ~ HMS Belfast Virtual Cache

The coordinates for this Virtual Cache take you to the Queen’s Walk where you should be able to see, moored alongside on the Thames, the HMS Belfast. The Belfast was launched in 1938 and saw active service in the Second World War (1939–1945) and the Korean War (1950-1953). The ship’s final years were spent performing peace-keeping duties until it was retired from service in 1963.

Like most old warships, the Belfast was destined to be scrapped. However, it was saved from the scrapyard by the Imperial War Museum, and in October 1971 it took up its current moorings in a specially dredged berth in the Pool of London and was opened to the public as a museum ship.

There are lots of things to see on the ship, including a a chapel where there is a brass plaque, namely a Roll of Honour (Plaque image source: Mark Littler WM Reference 53110) in memory of 4 men who died on the ship, one in the Second World War and three in the Korean War. For more information on the ship, see the archived HMS Belfast Traditional Geocache GC4ZAJ2.

You do not have to go on board to undertake this Virtual Cache, but if you wish to step into a bit of naval history you can find opening times and prices on line. All you have to do to claim the cache is:

1. Include a photograph in your found log, which proves that you were opposite the HMS Belfast, for example a photo of yourself with your GPS (it is not necessary to show your face) or a sign showing your caching name.

2. Send us, via the Message Centre, the three word name embossed on the lamp post near the published coordinates.

Logs without a photo and the correct answer emailed will be deleted.

Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025

This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.