Talk: "The Steamship Shieldhall" by Paul Hurst

Talk: "The Steamship Shieldhall" by Paul Hurst

Shieldhall is the largest working steamship in Britain, still taking paying passengers on day trips around the Solent, Poole and the Jurassic coast.  She is run entirely by volunteers from the Captain down to the Stokers in the boiler and engine room. A member of the National Historic Fleet she serves as a sea going tribute to Britain's maritime heritage.

A trip on Shieldhall is a memorable day out and we have arranged for a Haslar Yacht Club group booking for Sunday 19th July. We will be able to see the triple expansion steam engines working, feel the heat in the boiler room and see the white-hot inner of the furnaces producing the steam to run the twenty plus steam engines that bring the ship to life.  We can take a trip up to the bridge and chat with the officers, we might even be asked to sound the ship's siren and whistle!

Ahead of that, and to whet your appetite, Paul Hurst, one of Shieldhall's volunteer stokers, has kindly agreed to come along and explain how the ship came about, what she did in her early life and describe some of her memorable accolades as a Heritage Ship. The talk will describe many aspects of Shieldhall in preparation for our trip aboard her in July.

The talk on 6th February and the cruise on 19th July are separate events so you can book on either or both. The talk is free, the cruise will cost about £45 (TBC). The talk will take place in The Fabrosa room of Hornet Services Sailing Club. Those who wish to have a meal before the talk (e.g. fish and chips) will be able to order one at the bar in the Hornet Clubhouse from 18:00. To gain entry to The Hornet site you will need to show the Security guards some photo ID of either your driving licence or your passport.

The itinerary for the evening is: 

         18:00                     Bar open at The Hornet for drinks and meals at members own cost       

         19:30 - 20:30         Talk on the Shieldhall in the Fabrosa Room   

         20:30                     Q&As

        18:00 - 23:00           Bar open throughout the evening

Last updated 11:47pm on 4 January 2026