Industrial And Transport

Steamship Shieldhall: towards 2055, the next 10 years

Steamship Shieldhall is a unique survivor of a time when steamships were the primary means of transporting cargo around our coasts. Our project will ensure that Shieldhall, the first ever flagship of the National Historic Fleet, remains sustainable and operational. The importance of retaining operational status is fundamental to Shieldhall’s national and international heritage significance, financial sustainability and, moreover, a primary condition of the lease for Shieldhall’s berth at Southampton. The project will address the ever increasing challenges of operating a 70-year old steamship complete with original machinery and historic features. We will deliver a range of essential and urgent conservation interventions alongside carefully considered environmental improvements which will help to protect the environment. When considered as a cohesive package of conservation actions, modern enhancements and proposals for improving inclusion, access and participation this project will fundamentally transform our organisational sustainability and safeguard Steamship Shieldhall as we steam towards 2055.