LOCAL

In the darkest days of the Second World War she saw off Nazi U-boats in the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean, but now British battleship HMS Belfast is facing a new fight - against time. And Russian businesses are rallying round to help save a precious piece of Russo-British military history as the ‘Last Witness' appeal gains ground.

HMS Belfast, which came into naval service in 1938, is hailed as the last surviving vessel from the war. Preserved as a museum on the River Thames in London, she attracts thousands of visitors every year. But rust is slowly destroying her two massive metal masts, and these need urgently replacing at a cost of around US$2 million.

Which is where Russia comes in: fundraising efforts in the Russian business community have already netted US$400,000 towards the fund. Moreover, the replacement masts are due to be built in the White Sea port Severodvinsk, close to Arkhangelsk where the Arctic Convoys landed their precious cargoes of vitally-needed military hardware to help the Red Army repel Hitler's attack. Those hard-fought convoys, which risked icy collisions in perpetual darkness through the winter and were exposed to air attack in the endless daylight of summer, also followed the route of the first British explorers to reach Russia's White Sea coast during the time of Elizabeth I and Ivan the Terrible.

The fund-raising drive, overseen by Britain's Imperial War Museum, is intended to have a Russian flavor. Companies such as steel giants Severstal and energy firm Rosneftgazstroy are contributing funds and expertise, while Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov has offered his support. "This project symbolizes the common will of the Allies fighting shoulder to shoulder against Nazism," he said. "We remember those heroic days when hundreds of thousands of sailors and soldiers were struggling for freedom despite numerous losses.

We remember all of those who gave their lives during that battle."

Now the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce, which has centers in London, Moscow and St Petersburg, is getting involved in the campaign. The London branch is holding its regular networking evening on the warship on November 12, where HRH Prince Michael of Kent is expected to attend. And, as HMS Belfast director Brad King explains, there is real hope that Russia's growing business interests in the UK will help complete the fund-raising drive and save this iconic vessel. "We appeal to our business friends from Russia to help and support the ship so there will be an even greater part of Russia in London," he said. "Don't just witness history - be part of it!" 

By Andy Potts