THE Southampton-based SS Shieldhall, the oldest passenger cargo steamship still active in Europe, has announced her cruise programme for 2015.

The ship will be celebrating her 60th birthday with a special cruise in conjunction with her previous owners Southern Water, on Saturday, July 5, revisiting part of the route she followed whilst in service between 1977 and 1985.

Now, thanks in part to a £1.4m Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant project “Saving Shieldhall: Learning through Conservation in Action”, the vessel will be offering a varied cruise programme during the summer months.

Shieldhall will commence her 2015 programme on May 30 with a two-hour Vikings Cruise, remembering the 1,000th anniversary of Canute being crowned King of England in Southampton.

Other cruise highlights include a trip to see the Americas Cup World Series racing on Sunday, July 26; a Cowes Fireworks Cruise on Friday, August 14 while on Saturday, September 5 there will be a Merchant Navy Day Cruise, remembering merchant seamen who lost their lives in the First World War and the Second World War.

Once again, Shieldhall will be departing Southampton Waters for a week in Poole, from where she will make three trips to visit the Bournemouth Air Festival (Friday, August 21, Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23).

Shieldhall HLF project manager, Graham Mackenzie said: “We’ve designed our cruise programme to offer something for everyone, from family-friendly two-hour cruises to Americas Cup World Series and Fastnet Races, music cruises and specialist interest trips.

“We will be offering commentary on board, so our guests can learn about the history of the docks and the sights and sounds of Southampton Water and the Solent.”

Guests on Shieldhall receive much more than a conventional cruise along Southampton Water.

Visits to the engine and boiler rooms and the bridge are actively encouraged by the team of volunteers who manage the ship.

“We are told that the interaction with our volunteers is a highlight of everyone’s time on board”, said Graham.

Daily Echo: SS Shieldhall

Learning and participation activities are being developed for the 2015 season by Bristol-based Culture Force, while new interpretation by Henry Lyndsay will recall Shieldhall’s early dual role as a sludge carrier and passenger boat, carrying Glasgow residents “doon the watter” during the summer months.

Youth groups are not forgotten and are encouraged to visit Shieldhall to experience a “Training Day at Sea” on Sunday, June 28.

“Shieldhall’s an excellent resource for local residents as well as enthusiasts,” said Graham.

“With the ongoing lottery work we are opening up Shieldhall to new audiences with a diverse cruise programme and also through her setting for ‘alongside functions’ where the ship regularly hosts theatre, quiz and film nights.

“Few people could have imagined 60 years ago that Shieldhall would still be in service, providing pleasure to thousands of visitors who can rightly still enjoy the experience of ‘steam at sea’.”