SS Shieldhall

Steamship Shieldhall, built in 1955, and still a working steamship. (image courtesy of Murgatroyd49, from Wikimedia Commons).

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There was a small ship moored along the quay in Poole at lunchtime, hung with bunting, and the gangway down, with a sign inviting visitors on board. I boarded. Wandered the deck. Clambered up steep companionways (forwards) and down steep companionways (backwards). Down into the engine room (dark, hot, smelling strongly of oil. A warning notice advised "Please note: the engine room is hot and greasy. So are the engineers.") Up onto the bridge, where brass gleamed, and very solid-state 1950s equipment (still working - better than modern electronics according to the crew) sits alongside modern radar screens and electronic charts. Bought a cup of tea in the saloon, and a biro in the gift shop.

A charming ship, with a real, scruffy working character. I wish I had had my camera with me. She was originally built to carry sewage sludge down the River Clyde in Glasgow to the local treatment works, but also transported passengers on outings at the weekends. Now that's what you call dual purpose. Ah, the 1950s, that golden age of British Leisure...