HERITAGE steamship SS Shieldhall will embark on a special excursions programme to celebrate 30 years of charitable ownership in 2018.

It was back in 1988 that the Solent Steam Packet charity was formed, after purchasing Shieldhall from Southern Water for her then scrap value of £20,000. Over 500 sailings later, Shieldhall is a regular sight on the Solent during the summer season, where she delights passengers who wish to experience the magic of ‘steam at sea.’ It is access all areas on the Shieldhall, with passengers encouraged to visit the Engine Room and Boiler Room, and also meet the Captain on the Bridge.

Planned trips for the 2018 season include sailings coinciding with departure of cruise ships, Father’s Day and American Independence Day Sailings, ‘The 3 Queens’ in Port, Bournemouth Air Festival and the Southampton Boat Show, itself celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018.

Special group packages are available with a Titanic theme, which include a visit to Southampton’s SeaCity Museum, a guided walk around Southampton’s Titanic Quarter and Titanic Memorials, and a 3hr afternoon cruise on the Shieldhall.

There are plenty of activities for children on board, with a special Children’s Passport guiding youngsters around the ship. Families should look out for the specially priced 2hr Docks Cruises staged at regular intervals throughout the season, which provide a great introduction to life on the water! Scouts are not forgotten either with 2 activity days and sailings planned during the summer.

The seasons gets under way on Saturday May 26 with a docks cruise and ends on Sunday September 16 with a Heritage Open Days cruise.

Other excursions coincide with the Round the Island Race and the Cowes Week Fireworks.

A member of the National Historic Fleet, Shieldhall was constructed in 1955 in the Lobnitz Shipyard in Renfrew, she worked for the Glasgow Corporation carrying treated sludge to the dumping grounds off of the Firth of Clyde. She performed a similar sludge dispersal role for Southern Water between 1980 – 1985 before being withdrawn due to rising costs.

She was then purchased by the Solent Steam Packet charity who recognised her heritage value. The charity continue to operate her today with a band of passionate volunteers. Whilst in Glasgow, Shieldhall would carry passengers on pleasure cruises ‘doon the watter’ in the summer months – the reason a Saloon was originally built, to carry 80 passengers.

Tickets from ss-shieldhall.co.uk or 0844 357 2329 2329.