Alison organised the highlight of the weekend, a Saturday trip on the SS Steamship Shieldhall.
SS Shieldhall is a heritage / preserved steamship operating out of dock 110 at Southampton docks. It is one of the last reciprocating steam engined ships built, using technology that dated back to the late 19th Century. Her working life was based on the River Clyde in Gasgow making regular trips from Shieldhall.
In 1976 after 21 years of service on the Clyde, Shieldhall was laid up, and in the following year was bought by the Southern Water Authority. Once at Southampton, Shieldhall would take sludge from the areas of Marchwood, Totton and Woolston, then dump the sludge in an area south of the Nab Tower.
All the areas on the ship were open for public viewing including the Bridge and Engine Room. The steps to the Engine room are very steep and the room is extremely hot…
Some pictures and video below from the engine room, click on an image to see it in detail.
As it was D-Day, we passed an army barge, watched a Red Arrows show and a padre was onboard to conduct a short service.
On our return journey, we passed several large cruise ships, including the P&O ship IONA and several vehicle transportation ships.
It seemed to take ages docking on our return journey but that gave the opportunity to watch the loading of one of the worlds largest container ships “ONE INGENUITY”. Fascinating watching the endless trail of containers being driven across the docks and then hauled into position, 25 high, onto the deck of this behemoth.
She carries around 11,000 forty foot containers…
We ate at a restaurant called El Toro in Southsea in the evening. Excellent food and service. Moe and Alison enjoyed the burgers!
Sunday and Chris and I set out for a car show at Port Solent. For a moment, I thought I would be experiencing a ride in his Hot Rod, but sad to say, it just wouldn’t start…
Sunday lunch at the Bosham Inn, Bosham was excellent.
Monday evening we will board the ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo. The docks at Portsmouth only a short drive from Hayling Island.