View source for SS Nomadic (1911)

{{Short description|Former tender}}
{{other ships|SS Nomadic}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image   = IMO 5516111 SS Nomadic, 1911 20180914 113426 (46770595105).jpg
| Ship caption = SS ''Nomadic'' converted into a [[museum ship]] in Belfast, 2018
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header         = 
| Ship country        = France
| Ship flag           = {{shipboxflag|France|naval}}
| Ship name           = {{unbulleted indent list
  | ''Nomadic'' (1911–1934)
  | ''Ingenieur Minard'' (1934–1974)
  }}
| Ship owner          = {{unbulleted indent list
  | [[File:House flag of White Star Line.svg|25px]] [[White Star Line]] (1911–1927)
  | Société Cherbourgeoise Transbordement (1927–1934)
  | Société Cherbourgeoise de Remorquage et de Sauvetage (1934–1968)
  }}
| Ship operator       = {{unbulleted indent list
  | White Star Line (1911–1934)
  | Société Cherbourgeoise de Remorquage et de Sauvetage (1934–1968)
  }}
| Ship route          = 
| Ship ordered        = 
| Ship builder        = [[Harland and Wolff]], [[Belfast]]
| Ship yard number    = 422
| Ship way number     = 
| Ship laid down      = 22 December 1910
| Ship launched       = 25 April 1911
| Ship maiden voyage  = 31 May 1911
| Ship completed      = 27 May 1911
| Ship christened     = 
| Ship acquired       = 27 May 1911
| Ship in service     = 1911–1968
| Ship out of service = 4 November 1968 <ref name="ref">{{cite web |last1=Historic Ships |first1=National |title=SS Nomadic |url=https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/2053/ss-nomadic |website=National Historic Ships |access-date=April 7, 2025}}</ref>
| Ship registry       = [[Cherbourg-Octeville|Cherbourg]], France
| Ship fate           = Sold to UK
| Ship notes          = 
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header         = title
| Ship country        = United Kingdom
| Ship flag           = {{shipboxflag|UK|civil}}
| Ship name           = ''Nomadic'' (1974–present)
| Ship owner          = 
| Ship operator       = Titanic Belfast Ltd
| Ship acquired       = 2006
| Ship in service     = 
| Ship out of service = 
| Ship registry       = [[Cherbourg-Octeville|Cherbourg]], France
| Ship identification = {{IMO Number|5161110}}
| Ship fate           = 
| Ship status         = [[Museum ship]], [[Belfast]], County Antrim, Northern Ireland
| Ship notes          = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header       = 
| Header caption    = 
| Ship class        = 
| Ship tonnage      = {{GRT|1273}}
| Ship displacement = 
| Ship length       = {{convert|220|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam         = {{convert|37|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship height       = 
| Ship draught      = {{convert|8|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship draft        = 
| Ship depth        = 
| Ship decks        = 5
| Ship power        = 2 single-ended [[Scotch marine boiler]]s
| Ship propulsion   = 2 [[compound steam engine|double-expansion engines]] powering 2 triple-bladed propellers
| Ship speed        = {{convert|12|kn}}
| Ship capacity     = 1,000 passengers
| Ship crew         = 14
| Ship notes        = 
}}
|}

'''SS ''Nomadic''''' is a former [[ship's tender|tender]] of the [[White Star Line]], [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 25 April 1911 at [[Belfast]], that is now on display in Belfast's [[Titanic Quarter]]. She was built to transfer passengers and mail to and from the [[ocean liner]]s {{RMS|Olympic}} and {{RMS|Titanic}}. She is the only surviving vessel designed by [[Thomas Andrews]], who also helped design those two ocean liners, and the last White Star Line vessel in existence today.

==Background==
''Nomadic'' was one of two vessels commissioned by the White Star Line in 1910 to tender for their new ocean liners {{RMS|Olympic}} and {{RMS|Titanic}}, which were too large to dock in [[Cherbourg Harbour]]. She and her running mate {{SS|Traffic|1911|6}} ferried passengers, their baggage, mail and ship's supplies to and from large ocean liners moored offshore.{{sfnp|Delaunoy|2019|page= }}

The keel of ''Nomadic'' was laid down in the [[Harland and Wolff]] shipyards, [[Belfast]] in 1910 (yard number 422).<ref name="nomadicbelfast.com" >{{cite web |url=http://www.nomadicbelfast.com/timeline.aspx |title=SS Nomadic Timeline |website=NomadicBelfast.com |access-date=8 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721192340/http://www.nomadicbelfast.com/timeline.aspx |archive-date=21 July 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> She was built on slipway No. 1 alongside RMS ''Olympic'' and RMS ''Titanic'',<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.hlf.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/ss-nomadic-restored-major-maritime-tourism-attraction |title=SS Nomadic restored as a major maritime tourism attraction |publisher=[[Heritage Lottery Fund]] |date=31 May 2013 |access-date=8 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721192225/https://www.hlf.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/ss-nomadic-restored-major-maritime-tourism-attraction |archive-date=21 July 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> which were constructed on slipways 2 and 3, of the [[Arrol Gantry]], respectively. She was launched on 25 April 1911 and delivered to the White Star Line on 27 May, following sea trials.{{sfnp|Delaunoy|2019|page= }}<ref name="nomadicbelfast.com"/>

==Construction==
[[File:Nomadic on slipway.jpg|thumb|left|''Nomadic'' under construction at Harland and Wolff, April 1911]]
The ship is {{convert|220|ft|m}} long overall and {{convert|37|ft|m}} wide, with a [[Gross register tonnage|gross registered tonnage]] of 1,273&nbsp;tons.{{sfnp|Delaunoy|2019|page=  }}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-22718608 |title=The many lives of the SS Nomadic |first=Nalina |last=Eggert |date=31 May 2013 |work=[[BBC News Online]] |access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref> Propulsion was provided by two single-ended coal-fired boilers and two [[compound steam engine]]s, each driving two triple-bladed [[propeller]]s of {{convert|7|ft|m}} in diameter, which gave a service speed of {{convert|12|kn|mi/h km/h}}.{{sfnp|Delaunoy|2019|page= }}

''Nomadic'' is of steel construction, with steel frames, beams, bulkheads and riveted hull plating. She had four working decks with various hold spaces beneath. She could carry up to 1,000 passengers when fully loaded.{{sfnp|Delaunoy|2019|page= }}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nomadicbelfast.com/15-things-you-didnt-know-about-ss-nomadic |title=15 Things You Didn't Know About SS Nomadic! |date=26 January 2016 |website=NomadicBelfast.com |access-date=8 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023104718/https://www.nomadicbelfast.com/15-things-you-didnt-know-about-ss-nomadic |archive-date=23 October 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Passenger accommodation consisted of lower- and upper-deck passenger lounges and open deck areas on the bridge and flying bridge decks. The vessel was divided into first- and second-class passenger areas, with first-class passengers enjoying the fore areas of the ship. A small area in the aft end of the lower deck was assigned for overspill of third-class passengers from SS ''Traffic''.{{sfnp|Delaunoy|2019|page=  }}

Internally, ''Nomadic'' was fitted out to a similar standard as the liners ''Olympic'' and ''Titanic'', which she was built to serve. As such, she had more luxuries than most tenders of her day, with cushioned benches, tables, porcelain water fountains, sex-specific bathrooms and a buffet bar. She contained ornate decorative joinery and plasterwork, particularly in the first-class lounges of the ship.{{sfnp|Delaunoy|2019|page=  }}

''Nomadic'' was built in the United Kingdom, but as she was operated in French coastal waters by a French crew, she had a number of peculiarities, such as imperial and metric [[Draft (hull)|draught marks]] on opposing sides of the hull.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

==Service history==
[[File:Nomadic.jpg|thumb|left|The ''Nomadic'' photographed in the port of [[Cherbourg-Octeville|Cherbourg]] in 1911.|alt=]]
''Nomadic'' arrived in Cherbourg on 3 June 1911 to begin her tendering duties for the White Star Line.{{sfnp|Delaunoy|2019|page=  }} On 10 April 1912 she transported 274 passengers to RMS ''Titanic'' for the [[Sinking of the Titanic|liner's ill-fated maiden voyage]], including New York millionaire [[John Jacob Astor IV]] with his new wife [[Madeleine Astor|Madeleine]], [[Sir Cosmo Duff-Gordon, 5th Baronet|Sir Cosmo Duff Gordon]] and his wife, [[couturière]], [[Lucy, Lady Duff-Gordon]], American journalist and [[United States Army]] officer [[Archibald Butt]], [[Denver]] millionairess [[Margaret Brown]], and mining tycoon [[Benjamin Guggenheim]].{{sfnp|Delaunoy|2019|page=  }}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nomadicbelfast.com/famous-passengers |title=Famous Passengers |website=NomadicBelfast.com |access-date=8 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124221242/http://www.nomadicbelfast.com/famous-passengers |archive-date=24 January 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

During [[World War I]] and until 1919, ''Nomadic'' was requisitioned by the French government, and she saw service as an auxiliary [[minesweeper]], also ferrying American troops to and from the harbour in [[Brest, France|Brest]] (France).{{sfnp|Delaunoy|2019|page=  }} After the war, she returned to her tendering duties,<ref name="nomadicbelfast.com"/> but in 1927 she was sold and continued to tender under the ownership of the Compagnie Cherbourgeoise de Transbordement.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

[[File:Boarding-Nomadic-Cherbourg.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Passengers boarding ''Nomadic'' (left background) in Cherbourg]]
[[File:Le-Queen-Mary-et-Nomadic.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''Ingenieur Minard'' serving ''Queen Mary'']]
[[File:Le-Queen-Elizabeth-et-Nomadic.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''Ingenieur Minard'' serving ''Queen Elizabeth'']]
Following the 1934 merger of White Star and [[Cunard Line]] and the opening of the enlarged port at Cherbourg which allowed liners to dock rather than anchor in the harbour, ''Nomadic'' was no longer needed and ceased her tendering duties. She was sold to the Société Cherbourgeoise de Sauvetage et de Remorquage (SCSR or Cherbourg Tow & Rescue Society) and renamed ''Ingenieur Minard''.{{sfnp|Delaunoy|2019|page=  }}<ref name="nomadicbelfast.com"/>

During [[World War II]], ''Ingenieur Minard'' again saw service; on 18 June 1940 she took part in the evacuation of Cherbourg.{{sfnp|Delaunoy|2019|page=  }} She was subsequently requisitioned by the Royal Navy and based in Portsmouth harbour, where she operated as an accommodation ship.{{sfnp|Delaunoy|2019|page=  }}

During the war, Cherbourg port was heavily damaged, so large ocean liners could no longer dock there. ''Ingenieur Minard'' was saved from the shipbreakers and again returned to tendering duties for the SCSR from Cherbourg. She served the ocean liners of the day, such as [[RMS Queen Mary|''Queen Mary'']] and [[RMS Queen Elizabeth|''Queen Elizabeth'']]. She finally retired from these duties on 4 November 1968.{{sfnp|Delaunoy|2019|page=  }}

''Ingenieur Minard'' was originally laid up in Cherbourg, but was moved to Le Havre on 26 April 1969. She lay idle for five years until bought by a private individual, Yvon Vincent, saving her from scrapping again. Her name was changed back to ''Nomadic'' and she was extensively converted into a floating restaurant and function vessel, and in October 1974 was relocated to the [[Seine]] in Paris.{{sfnp|Delaunoy|2019|page=  }} A depiction of ''Nomadic'' was briefly seen alongside the ''Titanic'' in Cherbourg in [[James Cameron]]'s 1997 film ''[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]''. By 1999, the business was in financial difficulties and ''Nomadic'' was seized by the Paris harbour authorities in 2002. The authorities removed some of ''Nomadic's'' superstructure to tow her below the Seine's bridges.  On 1 April 2002 she was towed out of Paris to Le Havre.{{sfnp|Delaunoy|2019|page=  }}<ref name="nomadicbelfast.com"/>

Following Vincent's death in March 2005, the authorities sought to dispose of the vessel and attempted to find a buyer for ''Nomadic'', if no buyer was found, she risked being sold for scrap value. On learning of her fate, heritage and maritime enthusiasts (including the French Titanic Society, Belfast Industrial Heritage, Belfast Titanic Society and the Save Nomadic appeal) began campaigns to raise funds to buy the vessel. These campaigns were well supported by the public, particularly in Northern Ireland, but were unable to raise sufficient funds to meet ''Nomadic's'' reserve price.

{{stack|[[File:SSNomadic2000.jpg|260x260px|thumb|''Nomadic'' as she appeared in 2000, docked on the [[Seine]] in Paris.|alt=]]}}
The campaigns, however, gained political and governmental support, and on 26 January 2006, the Northern Ireland government [[Department for Social Development (Northern Ireland)|Department for Social Development]] bought the vessel at auction<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/urcdg-urban_regeneration/nomadic/dsdin_bidding_for_the_nomadic.htm |first=Jenny |last=McGuigan |title=Bidding for the Nomadic |publisher=[[Department for Social Development (Northern Ireland)|Department for Social Development]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422161917/http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/urcdg-urban_regeneration/nomadic/dsdin_bidding_for_the_nomadic.htm |archive-date=22 April 2012}}</ref> for [[Euro|€]]250,001 (the reserve price being €250,000).

SS ''Nomadic'' left Le Havre to return to Belfast on 12 July 2006, and arrived close to where she was built, on 18 July 2006. The vessel was welcomed back by the Department for 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. ''Nomadic'' arrived "piggy backed" on a marine transportation barge,<ref>{{cite tweet |number=1152546602910961664 |user=NomadicCollect1 |title=SS Nomadic being loaded on a barge before her return to Belfast Pictures Philippe Delaunoy<!-- full text of tweet that Twitter returned to the bot (excluding links) added by TweetCiteBot. This may be better truncated or may need expanding (TW limits responses to 140 characters) or case changes. --> |date=20 July 2019}}</ref> which had been contracted by the department.

==Nomadic Charitable Trust==
[[File:SS Nomadic (192757014).jpg|thumb|''Nomadic'' arriving in Belfast, 18 July 2006]]
The Northern Ireland Department for Social Development set up a voluntary charitable trust, the Nomadic Charitable Trust<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/urcdg-urban_regeneration/nomadic/nomadic-charitable-trust.htm |title=Nomadic Charitable Trust |publisher=[[Department for Social Development (Northern Ireland)|Department for Social Development]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422161918/http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/urcdg-urban_regeneration/nomadic/nomadic-charitable-trust.htm |archive-date=22 April 2012}}</ref> (NCT) in December 2006, to take ownership of the vessel and oversee her conservation and restoration. The NCT's stated aim is; "To restore the SS ''Nomadic'' and to make her accessible to the public, to ensure she can play a key role in the ongoing celebration of ''Titanic,'' ensure a lasting legacy to celebrate our maritime and industrial heritage and as a catalyst for tourism, social and economic development".

The NCT transferred ownership of ''Nomadic'' to the Titanic Foundation in April 2015. The ship is now run by Titanic Belfast Nomadic Limited and incorporated into the [[Titanic Belfast]] visitor attraction.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishnews.com/business/2017/04/26/news/record-numbers-for-ss-nomadic---106-years-after-launch-1008587/ |title=Record numbers for SS Nomadic – 106 years after launch |newspaper=[[The Irish News]] |date=26 April 2017 |access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref>

==Nomadic Preservation Society==
The Nomadic Preservation Society (NPS) was also founded in 2006.<ref name=NPS-Mission>{{cite web |url=http://www.nomadicpreservationsociety.co.uk/mission.asp |title=Mission Statement |publisher=Nomadic Preservation Society |access-date=15 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729192207/http://www.nomadicpreservationsociety.co.uk/mission.asp |archive-date=29 July 2012}}</ref> In 2006 the NPS had found and made aware to the NCT of the 1907-built cargo ship on [[Lake Victoria ferries|Lake Victoria]] in East Africa, {{SS|Nyanza|1907|6}}, that has boilers and [[triple-expansion engines]] of a similar size to those originally installed in SS ''Nomadic''.<ref name=NPS-Nyanza >{{cite web |url=http://www.nomadicpreservationsociety.co.uk/news.asp?p=62 |title=7 September 2008 |publisher=Nomadic Preservation Society |access-date=15 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505055241/http://www.nomadicpreservationsociety.co.uk/news.asp?p=62 |archive-date=5 May 2013}}</ref> ''Nyanza''{{'}}s owner intended to convert her to diesel power and scrap her steam engines and boilers, so NPS suggested that NCT buy them to install in ''Nomadic''.<ref name=NPS-Nyanza />  ''Nomadic''{{'}}s original boilers and engines were scrapped in 1974 when she was converted to a floating restaurant. In 2008 the NPS alleged that ''Nyanza''{{'}}s owner had heard nothing from the NCT for 18 months and that ''Nyanza''{{'}}s engines and boilers were in danger of being removed and scrapped.<ref name=NPS-Nyanza/> NPS launched an independent fundraising appeal to rescue the engines and boilers but this fell short of its goal.<ref name=NPS-Nyanza/> After the transfer of ''Nomadic''{{'}}s ownership the NPS went dormant in 2016 and in January 2021 decided to disband.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/ccni_ar_attachments/0000100754_20190831_TAR.pdf |title=Nomadic Preservation Society Trustee Report |website=Charity Accounts and Reports |publisher=The Charity Commission of Northern Ireland |access-date=30 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131030753/https://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/ccni_ar_attachments/0000100754_20190831_TAR.pdf |archive-date=31 January 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Restoration and conservation==
[[File:Nomadic Restoration Nov2011.jpg|thumb|''Nomadic'' during her restoration (November 2011).]]
[[File:SS Nomadic March 2012.jpg|upright|thumb|''Nomadic'' in March 2012, in [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]] painted in full White Star colours, after the first phase of restoration.]]

On appointment, the NCS began essential maintenance works, fund raising and preparation for the planned restoration.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

A study by [[Belfast City Council]] estimated the cost of restoring ''Nomadic'' at £7&nbsp;million. The NCS has subsequently secured funding in excess of £6.5&nbsp;million; major benefactors include the UK [[National Lottery Heritage Fund|Heritage Lottery Fund]], EU Peace III fund, [[Tourism Northern Ireland|Northern Ireland Tourist Board]], Belfast City Council and Ulster Garden Villages.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

In August 2008, ''Nomadic'' was considered by [[National Historic Ships]] and was entered into the [[National Register of Historic Vessels]] as part of the [[National Historic Fleet]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nomadicbelfast.com/news/item/15/nomadic-registered-on-historic-ships-core-collection |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905152152/http://www.nomadicbelfast.com/news/item/15/nomadic-registered-on-historic-ships-core-collection |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 September 2012 |title=Nomadic Registered on Historic Ships' Core Collection |website=NomadicBelfast.com |date=19 August 2008}}</ref> This recognises ''Nomadic''{{'}}s historic significance as the register includes a list of vessels, including ''[[Cutty Sark]]'', ''[[Mary Rose]]'' and the Royal Yacht ''[[HMY Britannia|Britannia]]''.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

In August 2009 ''Nomadic'' was moved to Hamilton Graving Dock,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nomadicbelfast.com/news/item/75/nomadic-moves-into-hamilton-dock |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630045040/http://www.nomadicbelfast.com/news/item/75/nomadic-moves-into-hamilton-dock |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 June 2012 |title=Nomadic Moves into Hamilton Dock |publisher=NomadicBelfast.com |date=3 August 2009}}</ref> on Queen's Road, Belfast. This [[dry dock]], itself a piece of maritime heritage, was partly refurbished in a joint partnership between the Belfast Harbour Commission and Titanic Quarter Ltd. The dock is believed to be where ''Nomadic'' was originally fitted out and has now been leased as a permanent location for ''Nomadic''.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

By late 2009 the NCS had sufficient funding to begin major conservation and restoration works. In February 2010, major works commenced with external blasting and priming of the steel hull, preventing further deterioration of the steelwork.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

In February 2011, Harland and Wolff were appointed by the NCS to undertake steelwork restoration and repair, rekindling a 100-year link with the ship's original builders. The value of the contract was £2&nbsp;million and included re-creation of the missing bridge and flying bridge decks, hull repairs and painting of the vessel in her original White Star Line livery. These works were completed in February 2012.{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}} The ship is still not fully restored, most notably the forward mast and subsequent rigging is still missing, although it is to be installed at a later date.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

The final phase of restoration works includes conservation and restoration of the luxurious interior, featuring plaster panelling and ornate joinery. Original SS ''Nomadic'' timber panelling was purchased from a French museum by the Nomadic Preservation Society, using funds raised during the Save Nomadic appeal. The panelling has since been loaned to the NCS for sympathetic restoration and reinstatement back on board the vessel. This phase of works also includes restoration works to the historic Hamilton Graving Dock and pumphouse, converting the dock area and ship into a tourist attraction.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

==Lifeboats==
As far as is known, the remaining lifeboat from ''Nomadic'' is one of the last two White Star Line lifeboats still intact in the world,{{sfnp|Delaunoy|2019|page=  }}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nomadicpreservationsociety.co.uk/nomadic-s-surviving-lifeboat.html |title=Nomadic's Surviving Lifeboat |access-date=7 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204083142/http://www.nomadicpreservationsociety.co.uk/nomadic-s-surviving-lifeboat.html |archive-date=4 February 2015}}</ref> the other being Lifeboat 6 from {{RMS|Oceanic|1899|6}}.<ref name="ShetlandRestore">{{Cite news |url=https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2016/04/22/oceanic-lifeboat-restoration-almost-complete/ |title=Oceanic lifeboat restoration almost complete |first=Chris |last=Cope |date=22 April 2016 |website=[[Shetland News]] |language=en-GB |access-date=15 July 2019}}</ref>
''Nomadic'' originally had two {{convert|20|ft|adj=on}} lifeboats, believed to have the capacity for about 28 people each when fully loaded, to serve up to 1,200 passengers and crew in an emergency.  They were later supplemented by life-rafts. <!----[check needed. Lifeboats enough for 56 people. 1200 passengers and crew could not be served by 2 lifeboats...]- There is no evidence to suggest the ship had more than two lifeboats.  The article does not suggest that they would serve a full passenger complement successfully.  Typically around the time, this ship was built the lifeboats were expected to be able to serve first-class passengers.  The hoi polloi had to fend for themselves. ---->

''Nomadic's'' lifeboats were removed around October 1974 after Vincent moved the ship to Paris. They lay onto the quayside opposite ''Nomadic'' for 13 years, being vandalised and having pieces stolen.<ref name="nomadicpreservationsociety.co.uk">[http://www.nomadicpreservationsociety.co.uk/images/General/Lifeboat-Conservation-Proposal.pdf Lifeboat Conservation Proposal]{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In 1987, Jean-Charles Arnault made a deal with Vincent to lend him the two lifeboats for ''Le Musée Maritime Chantereyne'' at Cherbourg. The lifeboats were left outdoors and, over time, the weight of the boats resulted in their shape collapsing, the wood itself rotting. Eventually, the museum deemed Lifeboat 1 damaged beyond rescue and in the late 1990s, they destroyed it by burning.{{sfnp|Delaunoy|2019|page=  }}

Then, historian Philippe Delaunoy rediscovered the remaining lifeboat. In 2007 it was purchased from the museum.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nomadicbelfast.com/the-last-white-star-lifeboat |title=The Last White Star Lifeboat |website=NomadicBelfast.com |date=8 April 2016 |access-date=6 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124221705/https://www.nomadicbelfast.com/the-last-white-star-lifeboat |archive-date=24 January 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> To transport the lifeboat back to Belfast by lorry a special cradle was built to support the boat, and it was taken to Petticrew Marine. Over the next five years the boat hung from a cradle there and slowly returned to its original shape. At the same time funds were being raised to restore the boat, and a grant was awarded from the [[Heritage Lottery Fund]].

With it back in its correct shape, work started on restoration, replacing missing timbers and re-fabricating missing parts. One of the stipulations from the Heritage Lottery Fund was the use of original materials. A new keel had to be made and put into place for the clinker-wood construction to connect with. When this was complete, work progressed restoring the hull, replacing missing or damaged wood with original materials. The lifeboat nameplate had been stolen, so this was reconstructed by a benefactor using archive photographs.

With the lifeboat nearing completion there was some dispute as to how it would be put on public display. Originally the [[Ulster Folk and Transport Museum]] had agreed to take it as an exhibit, but they withdrew as there was not space for it. Attempts were made to return the lifeboat to ''Nomadic'', to be displayed alongside her in a weatherproof box, but this was unsuccessful.

By 2014, ''Nomadic'' had been structurally restored with the original paint colours. The lifeboat was displayed on the [[RMS Queen Mary|''Queen Mary'']], in [[Long Beach, California]] near the entrance to the engine room. White Star Memories had loaned it to them, and she arrived in June 2017. In 2022, the boat was transported back to Belfast for further care.

From 8-15 September 2023, the lifeboat was briefly displayed alongside ''Nomadic'' by Maritime Belfast during the Maritime Festival.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=David |title=Belfast Maritime Festival brings free music and more to city |url=https://www.irishnews.com/arts/music/2023/09/08/news/belfast_maritime_festival-3596067/ |work=[[The Irish News]] |date=8 September 2023}}</ref>

Since its rediscovery in 2007, ''Nomadic''{{'}}s Lifeboat 2 was thought to be the last remaining White Star Line lifeboat still intact until 2016 when Lifeboat 6 from the {{RMS|Oceanic|1899|6}} was rediscovered and restored.<ref name="ShetlandRestore" />

==See also==
*{{SS|Pontic}}, another White Star Line tender.
* [[List of tourist attractions in Ireland]]
{{-}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book |last=Delaunoy |first=Philippe |year=2019 |title=SS Nomadic – Titanic's Little Sister |publisher=History Press |location=Belfast |isbn=978-0-7509-8807-0}}
*{{cite book |last=Pritchard |first=Mervyn |year=2008 |title=The Belfast Child: S.S. Nomadic, Exploring the World's Last Great Link to R.M.S. Titanic |location=Belfast |publisher=Queen's Island Press |isbn=978-0-9559314-0-6}}
*{{cite book |last1=Vanhoutte |first1=Fabrice |last2=Melia |first2=Philippe |year=2004 |title=Le S/S Nomadic: Petit frère du Titanic |location=Cherbourg |publisher=Editions Isoète |isbn=2-913920-39-X}}

==External links==
{{Commonscatinline}}
* {{Official|http://www.nomadicbelfast.com/ }}
* [https://nomadicpreservationsociety.wordpress.com/ Nomadic Preservation Society]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090403053112/http://nomadicpreservationsociety.co.uk/ Nomadic Preservation Society (old site)]
* [http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/item/4685/ SS ''Nomadic'' History]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120214124545/http://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/ships_register.php?action=ship&id=2053 UK National Register of Historic Vessels]
* {{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4651166.stm |title=Titanic link ship set for Belfast |publisher=[[BBC]] News |date=26 January 2006}}

{{White Star Line ships}}
{{Oldest surviving ships (pre-1919)}}
{{National Historic Ships}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Nomadic (1911)}}
[[Category:Steamships]]
[[Category:Passenger ships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Ships built in Belfast]]
[[Category:Ships of the White Star Line]]
[[Category:1911 ships]]
[[Category:Museum ships in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Ships and vessels of the National Historic Fleet]]
[[Category:Ships built by Harland and Wolff]]