July 2025
The volunteers at Steamship Shieldhall have pleasure in announcing that Southampton’s heritage steamship – and member of the National Historic Fleet – will spend time in Poole in August, helping to celebrate Shieldhall’s 70th birthday in style!
With no Bournemouth Air Festival, Shieldhall has introduced a couple of new sailings for 2025. On Saturday 9 August, Shieldhall will head east to view The Needles, passing the Old Harry Rocks en route, and on Sunday 10 August will explore the Jurassic Coast as far as St. Aldhem’s Head, with the excellent Dorset Mutineers on board providing shanty entertainment as she heads back to port.
Shieldhall’s 2025 Poole programme:
Friday 8 August, One way trip to Poole from Southampton, with entertainment from the Shieldhall Stompers Jazz Band, 10.30am – 4.30pm (departing Berth 110, Western Docks, Southampton), Adults: £56; Children £21; Family Bundle (2A, 2C) £133
Saturday 9 August, Cruise from Poole Quay to The Needles, passing Old Harry Rocks, 11.30am – 5.30pm (departing and returning to Poole Quay) Adults: £62; Children £23; Family Bundle (2A, 2C) £147
Sunday 10 August, Cruise from Poole Quay to the Jurassic Coast with the Dorset Mutineers shanty band 11am – 3.30pm (departing and returning to Poole Quay) Adults: £55; Children £21; Family Bundle (2A, 2C) £131
Monday 11 August, One way trip to Southampton, 10am – 4pm (departing Poole Quay) Adults: £56; Children £21; Family Bundle (2A, 2C) £133
There is a 25% saving for groups of 10 or more persons on the positional, one-way cruises on 8 & 11 August respectively. Return coaches are also available on the positional cruises.
Once onboard, guests are encouraged to visit Shieldhall’s impressive engine room complete with its original steam engines at work and the bridge, with its traditional instruments and gleaming brasswork; admire the ship’s steam assisted steering gear (similar to that used on Titanic); talk to the Captain and her volunteer crew and listen to an informed commentary on the sights and sounds of Poole Harbour and the Solent. Shieldhall will pass close to a range of marine traffic, always the chance for her crew to sound Shieldhall’s distinctive steam whistle and siren! Shieldhall’s teak decks provide great viewing spaces, whilst her steam propulsion lends itself to Shieldhall offering a stable viewing platform, ideal for photography. Guests can relax in Shieldhall’s Saloon with a wide range of refreshments including tea / coffee; bottled beers; wine and hot and cold food, available on all trips.
Shieldhall’s Chairman Martin Phipps noted: ‘We’re delighted to have confirmed our arrangements for Poole 2025. It’s always a highlight of our sailing programme, both for guests and our volunteer crew. This year marks Shieldhall’s 70th anniversary, and it’s wonderful that she can once again grace Poole Quay and take guests out to explore our historic southern waters’.
Tickets for all trips may be purchased at www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk or through calling the Ticket Manager on 023 8155 0242
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Notes to editors:
A heritage cargo-passenger ship, included in the National Historic Fleet, Shieldhall was built and launched on the Clyde in 1955, to a classic pre-WW2 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.
For further information, press visits or interviews please contact Shieldhall Chairman, Martin Phipps, e-mail: chairman@ss-shieldhall.co.uk
News release issued by Nigel Philpott, Shieldhall Marketing, nigelphilpott@aol.com , tel: 023 8084 3310 / 07769 114271
SS Shieldhall is located at Berth 110, Western Docks, Southampton SO15 0HH. Entrance via Dock Gate 10 or Dock Gate 20. She will sail from Berth 110 to Poole on Friday 8 August and return to Berth 110 from Poole on Mon 11 August 2025. For remaining sailings during her time in Poole, Shieldhall will head out from, and return to, Poole Quay.
www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk / https://www.facebook.com/Shieldhall / https://twitter.com/Shieldhall
