24th Jun 2011 / 8:39am
One of the country's most important historic steam ships continues to struggle for survival. After raising an amazing £80,000 to fund its bi-annual “MOT”, the Maritime & Coast Guard 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 are 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 our maritime heritage.
Commented Vice-Chairman, Doug Brodie, “After the amazing fund raising efforts and donations to get “Shieldhall” into dry-dock, 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 her 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. We hope to shortly 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. We need to turn to other forms of finance and we will shortly begin the process of applying for suitable lottery and heritage funding. A review is also being undertaken of all works necessary to ensure a vital part of our working maritime heritage survives for future generations to appreciate. We hope 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 we expect to put “Shieldhall” back 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, we had plans to train apprentices from Southampton City College as a pilot scheme for National Historic Ships and are 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 our normal excursion programme.
The SS Shieldhall is one of a small number of vessels recognised by the UK's ship 'listing' body, known as the National Historic Ships, and was named their 'Flagship' in 2009. As such, she's recognised as being of significant national importance and operates as a heritage attraction. All vessels 'listed' are considered a high priority for preservation, but unlike historic buildings, the UK's heritage ships aren't guaranteed financial support.
By way of comparison, English Heritage is planning to spend over £11million on property maintenance this year and The National Trust recently spent over £166million on routine property running costs, according to the last available figures.
If the money cannot be found to get the SS Shieldhall back to sea, there is the possibility that she will suffer the same fate as the Mersey-based MV Wincham, which was scrapped in April 2009 for want of £60,000 dry-dock costs. In October 2010, the Grimsby paddle steamer, Lincoln Castle, was also broken up after a failed rescue attempt by enthusiasts. This new appeal has now been launched by the charitable body which runs the ship, The Solent Steam Packet Ltd.
Various fund raising activities will be planned and our website www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk will give details.
Managing Director of the operations, Graham Mackenzie, said: “We rely solely on revenue from fares and donations for survival. Without emergency funding, the historic SS Shieldhall may not regain her passenger certificate and therefore her main source of income. The future prospects could be bleak if the funding is not forthcoming.”
18th May 2011 / 9:31am
SS Shieldhall sails in June, August and September.
June
Sun 5th 10:00 Western Solent to view Old Gaffers as they make their way up The Solent. (3)
Fri 24th 19:00 Music Cruise. A short evening cruise with our resident Jazz Band, the Shieldhall Stompers.
Sat 25th 10:00 Cruise to Bembridge Ledge area to meet the yachts on the 80th anniversary Round the Island Yacht Race
Sun 26th 11:00 Excursion eastwards towards Ryde and Bembridge. (5 hours) 16:00 £29.00
August
Thu 11th 11:00 Cowes Week
Fri 12th 18:30 Cowes Fireworks. Spectacular firework display; listen to resident Jazz band, the Shieldhall Stompers.
Mon 15th 10:00 Southampton to Poole.
Fri 19th 10:00 From Poole Town Quay to view the spectacular Bournemouth Air Festival.
Sat 20th 10:00 From Poole Town Quay to view the spectacular Bournemouth Air Festival.
Sun 21st 10:00 From Poole Town Quay to view the spectacular Bournemouth Air Festival
Mon 22nd 10:00 Poole to Southampton.
September
Sat 3rd 12:00 Merchant Navy Day cruise. Celebrate our Merchant Navy that made BritainGreat. Old seadogs can bring along their discharge books for signing.
Sun 4th 12:00 Memorial cruise for those Merchant seamen that gave their lives for our country, in peace and war.
For all bookings call 0844 357 2329 and leave a message or send an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Major Credit and Debit cards now accepted. Debit cards, no surcharge. 2% surcharge for credit cards. Visit the website at: www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk
Please note that excursions are provisional until dry docking is funded.
11th May 2011 / 2:53pm
The Windermere Steamboat Museum in Cumbria has received initial support for a £7.4m Heritage Lottery Fund bid, including £494,000 development funding. Situated on the shores of Lake Windermere near Bowness, the currently closed museum houses a nationally significant boat and maritime collection dating from the 12th century. This unique collection showcases the development of boatbuilding in the Lake District over the last two hundred years, telling the story of how these wonderful vintage vessels were used on Windermere. The project aims to reinvigorate the museum to create an exciting tourist attraction where people can enjoy the 40 vessels it houses and the surrounding landscape. Integral to these plans are new apprenticeships in boat conservation plus an inspiring learning programme targeted at visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
9th May 2011 / 3:53pm
One of the country's most important historic steam ships may be granted a stay of execution, thanks to a handful of enthusiasts and the generosity of the public. Last year, the SS Shieldhall was facing the breaker's yard, with a massive shortfall in funding. But an emergency appeal launched in January of this year means that this beautiful heritage ship may now get the go ahead to sail for another two years.
The 55 year-old SS Shieldhall, based at the Port of Southampton, is the largest remaining sea-going steamship in the UK and the last fully operational coastal passenger / cargo steamer in Europe. But budget cuts have meant that grants are no longer routinely available to fund maintenance work on heritage ships. Registered charity, The Solent Steam Packet, launched its fundraising effort last November to pay for the ship's 'MOT' in May 2011. Without this she couldn't continue to sail and would be at risk of being scrapped.
The cost of the inspection was expected to top £80,000, including fuel costs alone from Southampton to Falmouth of £15,000. The future was looking bleak but following a string of fundraising events – from book sales to gala dinners – a total of £69,000 has been raised and there is optimism that the remaining £11,000 will be raised by the time that the ship is dry-docked in May.
Once the dry-dock period has been completed, Shieldhall will begin her summer excursion programme based in the sheltered waters of The Solent. The first are on the 4th and 5th June, with others to follow later that month. More details of this programme are available at www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk
Captain Peter Roberts, Master, SS Shieldhall, said: “Ninety percent of the money raised has come from private donations, which means that we have an awful lot of people to thank! Without such generosity, there's no doubt that we would have had to scrap this lovely old steamship and we owe our supporters a great deal.”
SS Shieldhall is one of a small number of vessels forming the UK’s National Historic Ships Fleet and was named an official ‘Flagship’ in 2009. As such she's been officially recognised as being of pre-eminent national or regional importance. But the responsibility of keeping her afloat has fallen to a small number of unpaid volunteers who have struggled against budget cuts and rising fuel costs.
Managing Director, Graham Mackenzie, commented: “Our biggest disappointment is that the marine industry, by and large, has ignored our appeal for help, with just two smaller companies making donations. It appears that philanthropy is not a factor in this sector anymore, which is a sad reflection on our great maritime trading nation.” At a recent interview on BBC Radio Solent, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the famous round the world yachtsman and mariner commented that Shieldhall is “a classic example of the steamers that made Britain the major trading nation that we are”. Sir Robin also expressed his disappointment for the lack of support from the marine industry.
By way of comparison, English Heritage is planning to spend over £11million on property maintenance this year and The National Trust recently spent over £166million on routine property running costs, according to the last available figures.
18th Apr 2011 / 9:59am
MAID OF THE LOCH, Loch Lomond's Paddle Steamer, is re-opening to the public at Easter. On Friday 22nd, through to Monday 25th March, the ship will be open from 11am to 4pm each day, with free admission and car parking. The historic Balloch Steam Slipway will be "In Steam" for the four days, too.
"The Maid and winchhouse will open to the public for the first time this year", said John Beveridge, Director of the Loch Lomond Steamship Company, the charity that owns the Maid. "We have spent the winter refurbishing the shop and local history display area, so that visitors will have an improved experience on the Maid", he added.
The new feature has been given seating for the first time, with tea, coffee & cakes available. The saloon on the promenade deck has been re-wired, redecorated, has new lighting, and an impressive audio visual facility.
John promised visitors will be pleasantly surprised, saying "We have given the Maid a spring clean, and are making good progress in her refurbishment. We invite everyone to come aboard see for themselves the improvements our dedicated volunteers are making".
The charity's volunteer engineers will be on hand to demonstrate and explain the workings of the 1902 winchhouse engine and gearing system that can haul the Maid out of the water. Children can blow the steam whistle, and try their hand at the interactive displays.
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The Steam Heritage Blog contains news on from the heritage and preservation scene including updates and last minute changes to steam and vintage shows and events.
