Join Southampton’s heritage steamship SS Shieldhall for a rarely seen and wonderful sight on southern coastal waters on Saturday 13th September when two heritage steamships, Shieldhall and Waverley, both built in Scotland and today forming part of the National Historic Fleet, meet up with one another and steam together in the Solent.
This special rendezvous is being arranged as the culmination of Shieldhall’s 70th anniversary year afloat. Shieldhall will steam down Southampton Water and head out to the Solent Forts, before meeting with Waverley and heading west in tandem towards Cowes. Over the course of approx. one hour, the two ships will steam together, allowing plenty of opportunities for photography and whistle tooting as Shieldhall and Waverley salute one another in time-honoured style!
During the voyage Shieldhall will pass the cruise ships Celebrity Apex, Iona, MSC Virtuosa and Sky Princess – more opportunities to sound her whistle and play the ‘Shieldhall Organ’!
Shieldhall’s Chairman Martin Phipps said: “We’re delighted to announce the ‘Steam Together’ sailing with Paddle Steamer Waverley, which has been in the planning stage for a little while. The sight of the two ‘Glasgow icons’ steaming in the Solent is sure to bring back wonderful memories for many people. It’ll be a fitting way to mark the final steaming weekend for Shieldhall in our 70th anniversary year.”
Tickets for this not-to-missed event are £62 adults; £23 children 3-15 and £147 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children). Shieldhall will depart her 110 Berth in Southampton’s Western Docks at 1pm and will return to 110 Berth at 7pm. There is free parking close to Shieldhall, and a wide range of refreshments will be available on board. Tickets may be purchased at www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk/bookings, or through contacting the Ticket Manager on 023 8155 0242, tickets@ss-shieldhall.co.uk
To view Shieldhall’s complete 2025 sailing programme, list of Open Days and dates for Heritage Adventure Training Days at Sea and Experience Days, please visit: www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk
Steamship Shieldhall key trips for 2025 include:
Sat 24 May, Steam to the Solent Cruise, 3.30pm – 7pm
Sun 25 May, Sailing to Portsmouth, reflecting the 85th anniversary of Dunkirk and 40th anniversary of VE and VJ Day, 12.30pm – 7pm
Sat 7 June, Round the Island Race sailing, 10am – 5pm
Sun 8 June, Steam to the Solent with the Selsey Shantymen, 2.30pm – 6pm
Fri 13 June, Docks Evening Cruise with Tuto Tribe and their inspirational samba rock! 6.30pm – 9.30pm
Sat 14 June, Steam to the Solent, Titanic theme
Sun 15 June, Trip to the west of The Needles
Fri 27 June, Evening Music Cruise with The Dinner Set, 6.30pm – 9.30pm
Sat 28 June, Steam to the Solent with Jim Splice and the Main Brace, 3.30pm – 7pm
Sat 12 July, Steam to the Solent 70th anniversary cruise with a 1950s theme – pass Shieldhall’s old depots on Southampton Water! 3.30pm – 7pm
Sun 13 July, Return to the Nab Tower, the old route! 70th anniversary weekend cruise, 11am – 6pm
Sat 26 July, Cruise to view the Fastnet Race, 8.30am – 3.30pm
Sun 27 July, Steam to the Solent with the Southampton Salty Sea Dogs Shanty Band and see cruise ships depart 2.30pm – 6pm
Fri 8 August, One way cruise to Poole Harbour from Southampton, 10.30am – 4.30pm
Sat 9 August, Cruise from Poole Harbour to The Needles, passing Old Harry Rocks, 11.30am – 5.30pm
Sun 10 August, Cruise from Poole Harbour to the Jurassic Coast, 11am – 3.30pm
Mon 11 August, One way cruise to Southampton from Poole Harbour, 10am – 4pm
Sat 23 August, Steam to the Solent, A Celebration of Steam, marking RAIL200, 3.30pm – 7pm
Sun 24 August, Eastern Solent Cruise, passing Osborne House, Ryde and the Solent Forts, 12noon – 6pm
Mon 25 August, Bank Holiday Monday Steam to the Solent Cruise, 2.30pm – 6pm
Sat 30 August, Liners Day and Steam to the Solent to view 5 cruise ships depart, 3.30pm – 7pm
Sun 31 August, Jane All at Sea, Jane Austen and her Nautical Connections, Trip to Portsmouth and Merchant Navy Day Service, 11.30am – 6pm
Sat 13 September, 70th Anniversary of SS Shieldhall – Celebration “Steam Together” with Shieldhall & Waverley
Sun 14 September, Heritage Open Day and Heritage Open Day Cruise, 4pm – 6pm
There will be further announcements and additions made to Shieldhall’s sailing programme in the spring.
