Celebrating Southampton Maritime History

On Sunday 10th May, Southampton Unit of the Maritime Volunteer Service came together with two other Southampton maritime charities – SS Shieldhall and Solent Dolphin – to celebrate two historic traditions associated with the Port.

The unit took part in the annual Rogation of the Seas service held onboard the Steamship Shieldhall berthed in the Western Docks. The involvement of the Lord Mayor of Southampton is unique feature of the service, as he holds the historic title of Admiral of the Port. The service was led by the Lord Mayor’s Chaplain, The Revd Tony Palmer. The current Lord Mayor, Cllr James Baillie gave the City’s seal of approval and appreciation of the reinstating of the Rogation of the Seas.

Following the service, the action moved to Shamrock Quay where a small convoy of vessels had mustered. The Admiral’s flag was transferred to the MVS Vessel “The Hound”. The other vessels in the Convoy were: MVS “Arkwright” (from the Portsmouth MVS Unit), “Wizard of Bembridge”, “Alison McGregor” (Solent Dolphin), and the Hamble Independent Lifeboat. A crew of three Merchant Navy Cadets from Warsash Maritime Centre (part of Solent University) crewed the Southampton MVS unit’s safety boat.