SHIELDHALL
At sea off the Isle -of - Wight - 31.9.1991
Don Smith Collection
Notes:-
SS SHIELDHALL was built for Glasgow Corporation as a sludge disposal vessel replacing an older namesake. She spent her working days moving treated sewage sludge from Shieldhall and Dalmuir down the River Clyde for disposal in the deeper waters around Garroch Head. These vessels had a long tradition of passenger carrying going back to the First World War when they used to take soldiers convalescing from their injuries on their runs to sea. Since that time all the ships, including SHIELDHALL, were fitted with comfortable accommodation and trips were provided mainly for disadvantaged people who otherwise would not have experienced a trip in a pleasure steamer. They were kept spotlessly clean with no trace of their humble task. SHIELDHALL was built on classic lines with a riveted and welded construction, a straight stem, cruiser stern and a traditional wheelhouse. She is fitted with two Scotch Boilers providing saturated steam to two triple expansion engines driving twin screws. Normal operating speed was 9 knots with a maximum of 13 knots. She entered service in 1955 and operated on the Clyde until 1976 when she was replaced by the motorship SS GARROCH HEAD and laid up. In 1977 she was purchased by Southern Water Authority to carry sludge from Southampton for disposal in an area south of the Isle of Wight. In 1985, the rising cost of fuel made her uneconomical to run and she was withdrawn from service and again laid up. As a result of an initiative by the Southampton City Museum, a preservation society, The Solent Steam Packet Ltd, was formed and, in 1988, SHIELDHALL was purchased for £20K. All work on the ship was carried out by unpaid volunteers and much has been done to bring her up to and keep her in seagoing condition.
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GRUZIYA / GRUZIA - Pass Cruise 15402 grt / 1975 blt / Russia / 7359400 Passing Tilbury Landing Stage - June 1976 Don Smith Collection
GOLFITO - Pass Cruise Underway Nr.Calshot - 30.4.1972 Don Smith Collection
GUGLIELMO MARCONI - Pass Cruise Underway Capetown - June 1972 Don Smith Collection
CROWN ODYSSEY - Pass Cruise Docked at Southampton - July 2002 Don Smith Collection
ASUKA - Pass Cruise Docked at Southampton - May 2002 Don Smith Collection
KOTA PANJANG - Pass / Cargo Anchored off Singapore - 1975 Don Smith Collection
SHIELDHALL At sea off the Isle -of - Wight - 31.9.1991 Don Smith Collection Notes:- SS SHIELDHALL was built for Glasgow Corporation as a sludge disposal vessel replacing an older namesake. She spent her working days moving treated sewage sludge from Shieldhall and Dalmuir down the River Clyde for disposal in the deeper waters around Garroch Head. These vessels had a long tradition of passenger carrying going back to the First World War when they used to take soldiers convalescing from their injuries on their runs to sea. Since that time all the ships, including SHIELDHALL, were fitted with comfortable accommodation and trips were provided mainly for disadvantaged people who otherwise would not have experienced a trip in a pleasure steamer. They were kept spotlessly clean with no trace of their humble task. SHIELDHALL was built on classic lines with a riveted and welded construction, a straight stem, cruiser stern and a traditional wheelhouse. She is fitted with two Scotch Boilers providing saturated steam to two triple expansion engines driving twin screws. Normal operating speed was 9 knots with a maximum of 13 knots. She entered service in 1955 and operated on the Clyde until 1976 when she was replaced by the motorship SS GARROCH HEAD and laid up. In 1977 she was purchased by Southern Water Authority to carry sludge from Southampton for disposal in an area south of the Isle of Wight. In 1985, the rising cost of fuel made her uneconomical to run and she was withdrawn from service and again laid up. As a result of an initiative by the Southampton City Museum, a preservation society, The Solent Steam Packet Ltd, was formed and, in 1988, SHIELDHALL was purchased for £20K. All work on the ship was carried out by unpaid volunteers and much has been done to bring her up to and keep her in seagoing condition.
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APOLLONIA - Pass Cruise Underway at Venice - September 1979 Don Smith Collection
UGANDA - Pass Cruise Leaving Tilbury - August 1974 Don Smith Collection
ACHILLE LAURO ex William Ruys - Pass Cruise Arriving at Southampton - 20.6.1980 Don Smith Collection
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CHIDAMBARAM ex Pasteur At Singapore - 1981 Don Smith Collection