Photo: Andy Shapland.
Southampton’s heritage Steamship, SS Shieldhall, is turning 70 this week, and is looking to celebrate in style with two sailings which hark back to her days as a humble sludge vessel with Southern Water in the 1980s.
Today Shieldhall is a member of the National Historic Fleet; the No1 ‘Thing to Do’ in Southampton on TripAdvisor, whilst her volunteers were this year recipients of ‘The Kings Award for Voluntary Service.’
You can join Shieldhall’s volunteers on Sat 12 July for a ‘Steam to the Solent Cruise’ between 3.30pm – 7pm, when Shieldhall will pass some of her old depots on Southampton Water, as well as the cruise ships Iona, Virtuosa, Sky Princess, Ventura and Celebrity Apex – always the chance to sound her whistle and play the ‘Shieldhall Organ’!
On Sun 13 July between 11am – 6pm, Shieldhall will follow her old Southern Water route towards Bembridge and pass the historic and rarely seen Nab Tower, together with the Solent Forts. Cruise ships seen at close quarters will include Arcadia, Independence of the Seas and Norwegian Prima.
Shieldhall Chairman Martin Phipps notes: ‘We’re very proud that Shieldhall has reached her 70th anniversary milestone. In the year she was constructed, 1955, Winston Churchill was Prime Minister; the Dambusters film was released, and Bill Haley was ruling the airwaves with ‘Rock Around the Clock.’ Time has moved on, but not necessarily on Shieldhall, as we still have our original triple-expansion steam engines and twin Scotch Boilers that can be seen in the bowels of the ship. They are things of beauty, to be admired when the ship is in motion!’
More info and tickets for all sailings: ss-shieldhall.co.uk/bookings or calling the Ticket Manager on 023 8155 0242
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