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 Bought in 1977 by Southern Water she was finally withdrawn from commercial service in 1985 – but saved and purchased for £20,000 in 1988 by the Charity that still owns her today.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

April 2023 - Steamship Shieldhall releases details on 2023 sailing programme

The volunteers at Steamship Shieldhall in Southampton have released details of the ship’s 2023 sailing progamme. Commencing on Friday 16 June, with a final sailing on Sunday 17 September, there are a variety of 2hr, 3hr, 3 1/2hr, 4hr and all day sailings to choose from, including some returning favourite cruises and some all-new trips!  Shieldhall’s number of sailings is comparable with 2022, though with a  reduced number of sailing weekends, to help save with Shieldhall’s ‘steam-up’ costs. During 2022 Shieldhall’s fuel costs increased by more than 100%, whilst there have been other increases to operating costs and the general cost of living. Mindful of this, new for the programme in 2023 are three Friday evening sailings.’

To find out more, click here

March 2022 SS Shieldhall has been awarded £196,415 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund's Cultural Assets Fund, to safeguard nationally important heritage which is at risk due to the pandemic.  Read more

June 2021

SS Shieldhall in dry dock, June 2021

SS Shieldhall arrives in Dry Dock in Falmouth ahead of the start of her 2021 sailing season on 26th June.

April 2021 £61,200 awarded to the Steamship Shieldhall Charity from the second round of the Government's Culture Recovery Fund. Full story

March 2020 - Fuelling Shieldhall for the future

Shieldhall sailing

The Solent Steam Packet, owners of Shieldhall, have secured National Lottery Heritage Fund support of £6800 to fund a project enabling the vessel to meet international environmental requirements for exhaust emission.  

Based in Southampton, Shieldhall is subject to a limit of 0.1% sulphur in her fuel to minimise the emission of sulphur dioxide.

The project is due to start in March 2020 and will consist of seal welding the rivets in Shieldhall’s fuel tank areas and welding the seams where hull plates overlap. Externally, the “as built” appearance of the hull will be preserved. The main reason for the project is to prevent any seepage of the compliant diesel fuel passing the rivets or plate seams and working its way into the sea.  Full story

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Steamship Shieldhall by Darryl Morrell