SS Shieldhall, Museum ship and preserved steamship in Southampton, United Kingdom.
SS Shieldhall stands as Europe's largest working historic steamship, measuring 82 meters in length with traditional riveted hull construction and triple-expansion steam engines that visitors can observe in operation.
Built by Lobnitz & Co. in Renfrew, Scotland in 1955, SS Shieldhall originally served as a sewage sludge carrier for Glasgow Corporation until 1985 when rising fuel costs led to her withdrawal from active service.
The vessel operates under volunteer management by Solent Steam Packet Limited, participating in international maritime festivals and serving as an educational platform that preserves Britain's industrial maritime heritage for future generations.
Based at Berth 110 in Southampton Docks, SS Shieldhall offers scheduled cruises during summer months with guided tours of the bridge and engine room, and visitors should check the website for current sailing schedules.
SS Shieldhall remains the last ocean-going steamship of her type still in active service, featuring open-crank engines that allow passengers to witness 19th-century steam propulsion technology in full operation.
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