SS Shieldhall
View photos of Steamship Shieldhall
Shieldhall has two large, oil fired boilers providing steam power throughout the ship. They are similar, although smaller, than those used on the Titanic. The ship is of special interest as she is built on the classical lines of a 1920s steamer with a traditional wheelhouse; the hull is of riveted and welded construction and this unusual feature is representative of the transitional phase in British shipbuilding when welding took over from riveted practice. The hull has a slightly raked bow and cruiser stern. She’s 268 feet long and 1,792 gross tons (1,003 net). The ship is the second bearing the name Shieldhall.
Provides a working example of steamship machinery both above and below deck, Shieldhall is typical of the cargo and passenger ships of the 1870s – mid 1960s.
Although now based in Southampton from where you can cruise on her, Shieldhall was originally part of the Glasgow Sludge Fleet, operated by Glasgow Corporation to transport treated sewage sludge down the river Clyde to be dumped at sea. She was in service from 1956 – 1977. In 1988 she was taken on by The Solent Steam Packet Ltd for preservation.
On sailing days she can be found at 48 Berth in Southampton’s Eastern Docks, entrance via Dock Gate 4. On non-sailing days she is at Berth 110.
Book tickets for Shieldhall cruises at www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk
