News
SS Shieldhall set to return to high seas
31 January 2012
After a year of setback and hard work both on the ship and behind the scenes, significant progress has been made on funding, and offers of assistance to get SS Shieldhall back to sea.
In December 2011 the trustees of the Headley Trust awarded the SS Shieldhall a grant of £32,000 to help fund the repair work to theengine-room framing. This award has significantly raised hopes of getting the vessel back to a sea-worthy condition.
Significant progress is also being mande on other grant applications, which will help to secure SS Shieldhall's longer term future and enhance the many learning and recreational opportunities available. A new target has also been set to raise a further £170,000 for the charity by corporate and individual donations.
Sailings are planned to start in April, with two 'Titanic' related events on the 10th and 14th April. As a mark of respect for the vents of 100 years ago, SS Shieldhall's colour scheme ahs been altered to feature a black hull. This is a memorial to those who were lost on the 15th April 1912, but also to all those lost at sea in peacetime and war.
The season will continue with excursions to view the three Cunard Queens in June, the seven ships of the P&O fleet in early July, when P&O celebrate their 175th anniversary, and many other events taking place along the south coast in the summer.
Graham Mackenzie, Managing Director, says: "We have had massive support in the last year from around the world, small and large donations. We would like to sincerely thank everyone for their contributions to date. However, there is still a long way to go. We need financial support more than ever either through donations or sailing with us, otherwise without sufficient income, we cannot sustain the old lady in the future."
