Further support needed to save SS Shieldhall
Unlike historic buildings, UK heritage ships receive no guaranteed financial support.
SS Shieldhall, the largest remaining seagoing steamship operated by volunteers in the UK, and both a feature attraction and event venue at the last month’s Seawork exhibition, continues to struggle for survival.
After the volunteers had raised an impressive £80,000 to fund its bi-annual inspection in drydock, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency surveyor detected extensive corrosion of some frames below the engine room deck-plates. Passenger sailings are suspended until repairs can be funded and carried out. The cost of these repairs is likely to be extensive and into six figures. Whilst this is a major disappointment to supporters, they are determined to fight on and get the ship sailing again, retaining a vital part of the UK’s maritime heritage.
SS Shieldhall was built in 1955 for the Glasgow Corporation as a coastal tanker with, unusually, day excursion passenger accommodation. The1,972 gt, 82m LOA vessel is powered by two 800 hp triple expansion steam engines.
The charity Solent Steam Packet Ltd was set up by a group of enthusiasts to by and run SS Shieldhall in 1988 and, following restoration, obtained MCA Class VI Certification, permitting carriage of up to 200 passengers on coastal sea-going excursions. The ship is crewed by fully qualified but unpaid volunteers and relies solely on revenue from fares and donations for survival.
The charity’s vice chairman, Doug Brodie said, “After the amazing fund raising efforts and donations to get Shieldhall into drydock, this is a particularly bitter blow and means that we have to start fund raising all over again. Nevertheless, our team of dedicated volunteers is determined that this fine old ship will be returned to sound condition and to passenger service and that she will do so just as soon as possible”.
Back in its home port of Southampton, further discussions have taken place with the MCA surveyor and a detailed assessment is being prepared of the work that must be carried out. The charity hopes to soon provide an accurate estimate of the costs involved. The existing dry dock fund will remain open, and donations will be essential to compensate for the lack of cruise revenue whilst the problem is resolved. However, it is unrealistic to assume that this will raise the full sum required.
The charity needs to turn to other forms of finance and we will shortly begin the process of applying for suitable lottery and heritage funding. It is hoped that heritage bodies, corporate entities and the marine industry will rise to the challenge This process will take a long time and will affect the date when Shieldhall can return to sea.
Maritime historians highlighted the plight of the SS Shieldhall earlier this year, amidst ongoing concerns that Britain's maritime heritage is in decline and does not receive the same support as other aspects of our industrial heritage.
Shieldhall is very much a working ship. During this summer, the charity had plans to train apprentices from Southampton City College as a pilot scheme for National Historic Ships and was also embarking on training days for the Scouting movement. Both initiatives were aimed at getting young people aboard to appreciate a part of Britain’s maritime heritage and to offer unique training opportunities. These were in addition to the normal excursion programme.
If the money cannot be found to get the SS Shieldhall back to sea, there is the possibility that it will suffer the same fate as the Mersey based MV Wincham, which was scrapped in April 2009 for want of £60,000 drydock costs. In October 2010, the Grimsby paddle steamer, Lincoln Castle, was also broken up after a failed rescue attempt by enthusiasts.
Various fund raising activities are being planned, with further information at the website www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk
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