A volunteer on one of the south coast’s most familiar historic ships has plenty of tales to tell about its past and the aims for its future
Nigel Philpott is a registered Blue Badge guide for south central England and has worked along the south coast for over 20 years. Previously the commercial manager at Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway in the New Forest, Nigel began volunteering for Southampton’s heritage steamship SS Shieldhall in 2013, where he can be found during sailngs giving an informed commentary on the sights and history of Southampton Water and the Solent.
Nigel reveals: “I get the best view in the house as we pass the mighty cruise ships moored on Southampton Water, before sailing by the listed pier at Hythe; the former Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley, and Henry VIII’s device forts at Netley and Calshot.
“The Shieldhall is a rare survivor, a seagoing time capsule - she celebrates her 70th birthday in 2025. It is a privilege to help keep her operational and to introduce new generations to the magic of steam at sea.”
The largest operational passenger cargo steamship in Europe, Shieldhall is a regular sight on coastal waters during the warmer months, with her distinctive siren and whistle recognised as one of the sounds of the summer.
Nigel adds: “Shieldhall doesn’t have the most glamorous past. She was constructed on the banks of the Clyde to act as a sludge ship for the Glasgow Corporation in the 1950s and 1960s, and then performed a similar role for Southern Water during the la
