tall ships

Written by Laurence McKeown and Rosemary Jenkinson, four monologues allowed audiences a unique glimpse into the maritime history and heritage of Belfast. Each play featured a Belfast character from a particular ship. The performances were interactive for family audiences.

Thomas Patrick Dillon, a trimmer in the engine room of the Titanic

After the Titanic sank, he was picked up by a lifeboat with a bottle of brandy in his pocket which the quartermaster threw overboard in disgust. Thomas describes the building and launch of Titanic, the excitement it aroused in Belfast, his pride at working on the ship and his devastation at the sinking, all the time insisting he wasn’t drunk!

Don Fisher, an engineer on SS Canberra

Belfast-born Don, like his father and grandfather was a merchant engineer. He sailed on the SS Canberra during its time in the Falklands war when it was transformed from luxury liner to hospital ship. He recounts the dramatic events of 1982 / 83 complete with a rendition of Rod Stewart’s ‘We are Sailing’.

Mark Andrews, a fireman on RMS Olympic

Mark took part in the firemen’s mutiny in 1912 when they refused to go to sea shortly after the sinking of the Titanic because, like the Titanic, the Olympic did not have adequate lifeboats to cater for all on board. He talks about his continued service throughout World War 1 and why now, in August 1919 he is leaving to join the Royal Navy.

Ernie Calvert, a night concierge on HMS Belfast

Ernie’s grandfather served on HMS Belfast throughout its operational life, from August 1939 until it retired from service in August 1963. Ernie was born in the same year as the ship retired and has numerous stories from his grandfather about life onboard. Now patrolling the decks Ernie can ‘see’ the ship through the many different phases of its existence.

This production has been reinvented for various Maritime Festivals over the years, below is a video from 2011.