Steamship Shieldhall stages two D-Day 80 themed cruises this weekend

Southampton’s heritage steamship, SS Shieldhall, stages two D-Day related cruises this coming weekend, Sat 8 and Sun 9 June.

Saturday’s trip will see Shieldhall steam to the Solent and Lepe, and will take place between 2pm – 6pm. Tickets are £46.00 adults and £17.00 children (family tickets available).

Operation Overlord, launched on D-Day – 6th June 1944 – was the largest military invasion in history, with 156,000 troops landing on the Normandy beaches on the first day alone.

On D-Day itself, Southampton was the embarkation port for British and Canadian assault troops, with two-thirds of the entire British assault force passing through the port.

Between D-Day and the end of the war, about 3,500,000 military personnel passed through Southampton.

Military vehicles, equipment and stores were also moved through the port.

Shieldhall will pass down Southampton Water and journey to Lepe, with a commentary recalling the events of June 1940.

On board will be Southampton City Council’s Curator of Maritime and Local Collections, Maria Newbery and See Southampton’s Jack Wilson, with D-Day related displays and slideshows featuring in the Saloon.

On her way down and return up Southampton Water Shieldhall will pass cruise ships including the Celebrity Apex; Iona and Regal Princess – always the chance to sound her whistle and play the ‘Shieldhall Organ’ – recognised as one of the ‘sounds of the summer’!

On Sunday 9 June, Shieldhall stages an extended trip into Portsmouth Harbour, between 11.30am – 6pm. Tickets are £61.00 adults and £23.00 children (family tickets available).

By the spring of 1944 southern England was fast becoming a huge armed camp, as men, vehicles, stores and ammunition moved to their marshalling areas.

Portsmouth was the headquarters and main departure point for the military and naval units destined for Sword Beach on the Normandy coast.

Many of the specialist ships and landing craft used on D-Day had been modified at Portsmouth Dockyard, whilst parts of the Mulberry Harbours (the artificial harbours that were used by the Allies for landing troops and supplies in Normandy) were built there.

It was also an embarkation point for troops.

Shieldhall’s D-Day 80 cruise will pass into Portsmouth Harbour, home to the Royal Navy – an exciting opportunity to view Britain’s naval vessels and the dramatic skyline of Portsmouth, including Southsea; Clarence pier; Spice Island and the Spinnaker Tower, from the water.

Shieldhall will be accompanied into Portsmouth Harbour by Boathouse 4’s MBG 81.

She served (when renamed as MTB 416) at the Normandy landings, involved from 6 to 30 June 1944, with Gosport as her base.

On her way down and return up Southampton Water Shieldhall will pass cruise ships including the Arcadia; Arvia; Queen Mary 2 and Seven Seas Splendour – with the opportunity for more whistle tooting!

Both D-Day cruises will see a service take place onboard conducted by the Shieldhall Padre, the Reverend Dennis Mould, to which all are welcome.

Limited tickets remain available for both trips, and can be booked online at:
https://www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk/bookings or through calling the Ticket Manager on 023 8155 0242

As part of the cruises, guests can see Shieldhall’s impressive engine room with its original steam engines at work and the bridge, with its traditional instruments and gleaming brasswork; admire the ship’s steam assisted steering gear (similar to that used on Titanic); talk to the Captain and her volunteer crew; listen to an informed commentary on the sights and sounds of Southampton Water and the Solent; pass close to the great ocean liners and container ships; walk the teak decks; relax in the Saloon with a wide range of refreshments including tea / coffee; a range of Titanic bottled beers; wine and snacks, available on all trips.

Courtesy parking is available close to Shieldhall’s 110 Berth in Southampton’s western docks.