HAYNES WORLD: Steamship Shieldhall 31st July 2022

STEAMSHIP SHIELDHALL

31st July 2022

I went to Southampton for the weekend at the end of July. The first event was CANBERRA DAY, on 30th July, a Celebration organised by the Ocean Liner Society with speakers who were very knowledgeable about the ship for many reasons. One thing I particularly remember hearing in a talk by a Naval Architect was about the Admiralty Equation. I understood the explanation at the time, thank goodness. I didn't ever sail on CANBERRA but really enjoyed hearing so much about her history, design, building, and of course her service in the Falklands Conflict in 1982. She was certainly popular as a cruise ship, from her maiden voyage on 2nd June 1961 until her last cruise ended on 30th September 1997.

On Sunday 31st July 2022 I had arranged to sail on the STEAMSHIP SHIELDHALL, for a Cowes Week 'Liners Day' Steam Cruise, leaving Berth 110 in the Western Docks at 2.00 p.m. There were many OLS friends on board, as well as other members of the public, when I climbed the gangway in the warm sunshine, so I knew it was going to be a good afternoon at sea.

SHIELDHALL is the largest working steamship in Britain, according to my Boarding Pass leaflet. As a member of the National Historic Fleet she serves as a sea-going tribute to Britain's maritime heritage.

Commissioned in 1955 by Glasgow Corporation to dump treated sewage sludge at sea, she had a surprising secondary role as a passenger ship, taking groups out to sea with her on day trips. In 1977 she was sold to Southern Water and operated out of Southampton before being withdrawn from service in 1985. As the last of her kind she was rescued from being scrapped and, in 1988, bought by The Solent Steam Packet Limited, the charity that continues to operate her today.

I sat and watched the sea as we steamed along, or walked around the decks to see other vessels; I also chatted with a couple of older cheerful ladies. One of them was dressed in lavender-coloured summer clothes so she caught my eye. I told her about my days at sea with Union-Castle Line and she remembered seeing them occasionally. She also told me that her late brother-in-law had worked on this ship back in the days when sewage sludge was loaded and then disposed of at sea so we all had a giggle at that. I don't think I will forget this cheerful lady and her friend for a long time.

There is a tea and refreshments bar on board as well as a licensed bar, and it was possible to visit the Engine Room too, plus a lot of inboard or outboard seating. There were occasional commentaries about the history and sights on our route, including mention of various shipping lines (including Union-Castle Line I'm happy to say) that used the seaways over many years.

Passengers on board were able to visit the Bridge in small numbers so I was happy to do that during the afternoon. I understand that the Captain and a few other senior staff are paid by the charity but everyone else on board is there as a volunteer and seem very happy about it. I was on the Bridge when the Captain pointed out that the ship PATRICIA was about to sail near us in the opposite direction so she received a steam whistle salute from SHIELDHALL. That was fun to see and hear.

We were due back in the Western Docks at 6 p.m. after a wonderful afternoon at sea on a little treasure of a ship. Long may the STEAMSHIP SHIELDHALL sail.

These are some of the photographs I took that afternoon.