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About SS Shieldhall
A heritage cargo-passenger ship, included in the National Historic Fleet, SS Shieldhall was built and launched on the Clyde in 1955, to a classic pre-Second World War design.
She had a long and successful first career with Glasgow Corporation – year-round, carrying treated sludge out to sea and, in the summer, taking passengers ‘doon the watter’ on pleasure trips. Bought in 1977 by Southern Water she was finally withdrawn from commercial service in 1985 – but saved and purchased for £20,000 in 1988 by the Charity that still owns her today.
Steamship Shieldhall is one of the country’s most important historic vessels, her heritage significance underscored by her listing as part of the National Historic Fleet. Fundamental to her significance is that she is fully operational, each year providing thousands of people with the opportunity to experience steam-powered sea travel.
Her hull and superstructure are as they were when built. Her boilers and steam engines are original and of a similar configuration to those of far earlier vessels, such as RMS Titanic.
Shieldhall is one of the very few active vessels worldwide that can demonstrate the steam technology that eclipsed sailing ships in maritime trade. Shieldhall's unusual combination of riveted and welded joints is illustrative of the transition in ship building methods after the Second World War. Shieldhall has two triple expansion steam engines, steam operated auxiliary engines, operating pumps, fans, and deck machinery all powered by two oil fired scotch boilers. This technology dates to the late 1800s and was widely used on merchant ships until the 1960s. Surviving vessels with this technology are invariably static. Shieldhall is one of a few that can be experienced in operation.
LATEST NEWS
September 2023 Clyde-built vessels Shieldhall and Waverley steamed together on the Solent Full story
May 2023 Shieldhall has returned from her annual dry docking ahead of busy sailing season Full story
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