HMS Caroline

Today, Alexandra Dock is occupied by HMS Caroline, built in Birkenhead in 1914. She was the lead ship of a class of six light cruisers and is believed to be the only survivor of the infamous Battle of Jutland in 1916. She came to Belfast in 1924 to serve as the headquarters of what is now the Royal Navy Reserve, and was converted at Harland and Wolff for this purpose. Still retaining many of her original features, she is now on the National Historic Ships Register. At approximately half the length of Titanic, HMS Caroline gives a clear illustration of why a new dock was needed for the Olympic-class liners.