Name SS Shieldhall

1.   What is the vessel’s ability to demonstrate history in her physical fabric?

Evidence for designs, functions, techniques, processes, styles, customs and habits or uses and associations in relation to events and people.  How early, intact or rare these features are may impact on significance.

Built in 1955 by Lobnitz and Co in Renfrew Scotland, SHIELDHALL was designed as a ‘one off’ to meet specific customer requirements.  She encapsulates the history of ship development, from technology that allowed steam to supplant sail at the turn of the 20th Century through to the transition in building methods from riveted to welded joints after the Second World War.  SHIELDHALL is one of only a few remaining vessels able to demonstrate this material change with her superstructure and hull displaying both techniques according to her original build.  Her boilers, two triple expansion steam engines and steering gear are of a similar configuration to earlier vessels, such as RMS TITANIC, and are original, as are the capstans, windlass and numerous auxiliary pumps which are powered by two oil fired scotch boilers.  The Glasgow sludge fleet was unique in being certificated for passengers and SHIELDHALL’s passenger saloon represents a feature of social history, where a public asset was used for the public good. Under the ownership of Southern Water, it was converted to an Officers and Owners Saloon as evidenced by the partition between the Saloon and Bar area made by two doors in what was originally an open area. In 1978, the bridge wings were enclosed by Southern Water and a small deck house was added around the base of the foremast as a Bosun’s store.  There were also some changes to the accommodation.  These adaptations have been reversed in preservation where possible, albeit using modern, approved marine grade materials. Given her operational status, features such as high door sills and narrow doorways remain.  In 2000, the timber rubbing strake was replaced with a composite rubber version of the same shape and form.  The traditional deck caulking has been replaced by a modern alternative of a similar style which is more durable and effective to maintain.  Steelwork is replaced when necessary to meet operational requirements. Conservation is ongoing, with interventions being reversible where possible in case the vessel should become a static exhibit at any future point.

2.   What are the vessel’s associational links for which there is no physical evidence?

Associations with people or places.  Off-ship research.

Commissioned by the Glasgow Corporation, SHIELDHALL was part of the passing scene on the Clyde, often known by the epithet of “Banana Boat”, more a reference to the colour scheme of the sludge ships than their trade. She has strong links to this area and, during a period of unrest in the shipbuilding industry, the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders had a ‘work-in’ rather than a strike, where a recording by a local folk group of the “Shieldhall Song” was used as an event to raise funds.  Although built in the 1950s, the technology found in SHIELDHALL’s boilers and main engine dates from the late 19th Century and was widely used on merchant ships until the 1960s, with SHIELDHALL being one of the very few remaining vessels worldwide able to demonstrate its active use. SHIELDHALL’s associations with the Solent region stem from 1977 when she carried sewage sludge for Southern Water from Marchwood, Millbrook and Woolston to an area to the south of the Isle of Wight.  After being bought by Solent Steam Packet Ltd in 1988, she remained in Southampton, operated by a volunteer crew.  At the time of writing this statement, SHIELDHALL is believed to be the only passenger/cargo, twin screw, steam reciprocating engine, sea-going vessel that remains operational in the world, with other survivors being single screw or based on inland lakes.  Photographs and documentation from her shipbuilders are retained in the Glasgow University Archives and the Glasgow Corporation.  Archive material collected by the current owners resides in the Sea City Museum archives in Southampton.  Many documentaries about SS TITANIC or the age of steam at sea have featured SHIELDHALL. She was recorded on the National Register of Historic Vessels in 1996 and given the status of inclusion in the National Historic Fleet.  She was awarded Flagship of the Year twice by National Historic Ships UK in 2009 and 2018.

3.   How does the vessel’s shape or form combine and contribute to her function?

Overall aesthetic impact of the vessel, her lines, material she was built from and her setting.  Does she remain in her working environment?

SHIELDHALL was originally used by Glasgow Corporation to take treated sewage sludge to dumping grounds near the Firth of Clyde. She performed a similar task for Southern Water between 1980 and 1985, before being withdrawn from service because of rising fuel costs. The sludge ship was a hard-working vessel intended to operate both summer and winter, in all types of weather and sea conditions. The lower reaches of the Firth of Clyde experience heavy weather conditions during storms. As a result, the design of the high fo’c’sle was intended to provide a degree of shelter to the foredeck in bad weather and keep the crew accommodation largely dry. The large freeing ports in the bulwarks ensure that water cleared the decks quickly whilst the high door sills into the saloon and accommodation spaces provided a good degree of protection from the ingress of surface water. The ship was also twin screw to assist in manoeuvring in the narrow confines of the Clyde and the restricted approaches to wharves. SHIELDHALL’s design includes simple but efficient sewage discharge equipment which, from above decks, is not immediately apparent. SHIELDHALL remains in operational use in an area where she spent the latter half of her working life.  She is open to the public throughout the season for cruises and events alongside. Located in the heart of the Docks, she provides visitors with a comprehensive view of operations there with vessels ranging in size from the largest container ships and cruise ships to the smallest ferries and pleasure craft.

Sources:

Glasgow University Archives

City Of Glasgow Corporation Archives

“The Shieldhall Story”, 1st and 2nd editions, author Graham Mackenzie

“From Dalmuir to Garroch Head”, authors Iain Quinn, Donald Robertson and David Stevenson

Shieldhall Conservation Management Plan, 2014

Author:

The Solent Steam Packet Ltd, July 2025