The SS Nomadic has a special place in history as the tender ship of RMS Titanic.
Now the only remaining vessel from the mighty White Star Line, it has been beautifully restored and a visit here is one of the more popular things to do in Belfast.
Walk the decks and brush with 100 years of maritime and social history as you explore this remarkable boat which is part of the Titanic Belfast experience.
Some quick need-to-knows about SS Nomadic in Belfast
Although a visit to the SS Nomadic is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
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1. Location
The SS Nomadic is moored at Hamilton Dock in the Titanic Quarter of Belfast. It’s just a stone’s throw from the Titanic Belfast and the Harland and Wolff cranes – an appropriate resting place for this historic restored tender to RMS Titanic.
2. Admission
Admission to SS Nomadic is included as part of your Titanic Experience Tour. The price for both attractions is (note: prices may change):
- €29.72/£24.98 for adults
- €13.10/£11 for kids
3. Plenty to see and do
With admission covering both the Titanic Experience and SS Nomadic there is plenty to enjoy at this fascinating historic site. Join a guided walking tour or rent multimedia guides to help you get the most from your visit. More on this below.
The history of the SS Nomadic
SS Nomadic was launched in April 1911 as a tender for the White Star Line.
Designed by Thomas Andrews and built by Harland and Wolff, the boat was used to transfer passengers and crew to and from RMS Olympic and RMS Titanic when they were moored offshore in Cherbourg.
Key stats
The Nomadic is 70 meters long and 11 meters wide, featuring four decks plus a hold. Powered by coal boilers and steam engines, she achieved a service speed of 12 knots (14 mph).
It could accommodate up to 1,000 passengers in lounges and open deck areas.
Passengers were segregated by class, with first class at the front and third class in a cramped area at the rear of the lower deck.
SS Nomadic in Cherbourg
Built in Belfast, the Nomadic was delivered to Cherbourg in 1911 to begin service as a tender. On April 10, 1912, it transported 247 passengers to the RMS Titanic at the start of its maiden voyage.
During World War I, the ship was used as a minesweeper in France and ferried troops to and from the harbour in Brest before returning to tendering for the White Star Line.
During World War II, the aging vessel played a role in the evacuation of Cherbourg on June 18, 1940, and subsequently served as an accommodation ship for the Royal Navy in Portsmouth Harbour.
Its retirement
Saved from the breakers yard, the SS Nomadic continued tendering for the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth liners in Cherbourg before being retired in 1968.
It then became a floating restaurant on the River Seine in Paris before facing the threat of being sold for scrap.
Recognizing its unique historic importance, the ship was purchased at auction by the Northern Ireland Government in 2006.
Fully restored by the Nomadic Preservation Society, it is now a popular tourist attraction in Belfast. Visitors can admire the ornate decoration and plasterwork in the first-class lounges as part of their tour.
Things you’ll see and learn about at SS Nomadic
Photos via Shutterstock
There’s plenty to see and do here on the Titanic Experience Tour which makes it a great place to visit when it’s raining.
Below, you’ll find everything from the SS Nomadic interior and the Nomadic Experience to the various exhibitions and more.
1. The Nomadic Experience
Tour the decks and experience the contrast between the comfortable decor enjoyed by first-class passengers and the simpler accommodations of second and third class.
Visit the Captain’s quarters, the cramped crew bunks, and even take a turn at the ship’s wheel. There are plenty of interactive exhibits and engaging stories to listen to.
Meet Pierre, the barman, and discover the Titanic connection. Learn about the different roles the ship played during WWI and WWII, and hear about some of the famous passengers who traveled on the Nomadic.
2. Famous Passengers
Over the decades, the SS Nomadic transported many wealthy passengers, including American socialites and movie stars.
On April 10, 1912, the SS Nomadic transported 274 passengers to the RMS Titanic for its maiden voyage.
These passengers included New York millionaire John Jacob Astor IV, mining tycoon Benjamin Guggenheim, and millionairess Margaret “Molly” Brown, who later helped save other passengers.
Nobel prize winner Marie Curie also traveled on the Nomadic, as did Charlie Chaplin and “Tarzan” actor Johnny Weissmuller.
3. The Restoration
Some 95 years after being launched from Belfast, SS Nomadic returned to the city in 2009 in a dilapidated state.
Its top decks had been removed so it could sail beneath the bridges on the River Seine and most of the valuable features including the brass portholes had been removed and sold.
Hamilton Dock, unused since the 1990s, became the new home as the ship was restored. Harland & Wolff did much of the external restoration.
4. The History
SS Nomadic is the only surviving White Star Line vessel in existence today. Her eventful life began when she was launched in April 1911 as a tender for the RMS Titanic.
The tender was exactly one quarter the size of the Titanic and was very similar in shape and design.
Nomadic was designed for the White Star Line by naval architect Thomas Andrews and built in Belfast by Harland and Wolff.
The tender was then sailed to Cherbourg and used to transfer passengers and crew to and from RMS Olympic and RMS Titanic when they were moored offshore.
Places to visit nearby
One of the beauties of SS Nomadic is that it’s a short spin away from some of the best places to visit in Belfast.
Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from the ship:
- Titanic Belfast (2-minute walk): SS Nomadic is part of the same site as and is included in the Titanic Museum admission
- Harland and Wolff cranes (3-minute walk): Nicknamed Samson and Goliath, the massive cranes are Belfast’s main landmark
- Food in the city (10-minute drive): There are excellent places to eat in Belfast, with everything from brunch and breakfast to vegan food. There’s also plenty of great pubs in Belfast, too
- Divis Mountain (30-minute drive): One of the best hikes in Northern Ireland
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.