THE shipyard which built the Titanic last night sounded the loudest alarm in Belfast in appreciation of NHS workers.
The horn at Harland and Wolff had not been heard for two decades.
Belfast: Harland and Wolff's horn sounds as a tribute to health service staff and other key workers during #ClapForCarers #Covid19 #AllInThisTogether @BBCNewsNI pic.twitter.com/GqZhFiX2Of
— Johnny Caldwell (@Johnny_Caldwell) April 9, 2020
Applause for those battling coronavirus has filled the streets of Northern Ireland every Thursday night. The freight and passenger ships of Belfast harbour also paid noisy tribute with their fog horns.
Harland and Wolff managing director John Petticrew said: "We figured that it would be appropriate because they are unique times we are in, we thought we would sound a unique alarm."
It was heard at 8pm above a cacophony of clapping for essential workers.
Mr Petticrew said: "It is quite simple. It is to support all the essential workers who are working, like nurses and doctors and bus drivers, to show our support from Harland and Wolff, just the same as everybody else."
"It is not about Harland and Wolff, it is about the people risking their lives on our behalf."
He said the alarm had not been rung for about 20 years.
Unite the Union represents workers at Harland and Wolff.
"The shipyard horn has not been sounded properly in 20 years and is the loudest siren in Belfast," the union said.
