13th September 2025 ~ Shipping at Terneuzen & the Ghent Canal in 2024 ~ with Des Upcraft ~
Des shares photos from a ship spotting visit to the Netherlands …
Last year Des and a fellow ship photographer went on a three-day visit to key viewpoints at Terneuzen and on the canal to Ghent. With accompanying ship details and commentary Des will share photographs of the shipping they saw.
Des Upcraft is Secretary of the Thames Ship Society and a keen ship enthusiast who has participated in a number of ship photography excursions since joining the Society in 2016. These include the Solent and Felixstowe/Ipswich in the UK, the Kiel Canal and Hamburg, Gibraltar, Rotterdam and a ten-day trip to the Panama Canal.
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11th October 2025 ~ Aboard “Americana” down South America way ~ with Ted Scull ~
A passenger and container ship …
We will hear about two very different northbound sailings in 1984 & 1992 … from Buenos Aires via varied ports northbound to New York. Americana was well laid out for passengers, both inside and out, for passengers from around the world and aided social life aboard Ivaran Lines’ passenger & container ship.
Theodore W. Scull (Ted) is a New York City-based travel writer who has written several books on transatlantic crossings, including “Ocean Liner Odyssey” and “Ocean Liner Twilight.” He has been cruising since he was a teenager and has amassed a logbook of travel by sea aboard cargo and passenger ships that is probably unrivalled in longevity and variety … welcome back Ted.
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8th November 2025 ~ A change of Korea ~ with Andrew McAlpine ~
Conceived in Denmark ... Constructed in South Korea ... Connecting Europe & Asia …
When they were built, they were the largest container ships in the world at 18,000TEU's. This behind the scenes look at two of South Korea’s largest shipyards is the story of how these and other giants of the seas are constructed, and how the cutting-edge technology used has enabled shipbuilders to push the limits even further, creating vessels that now exceed the scale of these once unparalleled giants.
Andrew McAlpine is a maritime writer, photographer and speaker specialising in the port & shipping industry, whose photos and articles are regularly published in various international shipping magazines. Andrew can draw on his day-to-day experiences as an Operations Control Supervisor at DP World 's Port of Southampton which provides ready access to port industry news and contacts.
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13th December 2025 ~ History of the Merchant Navy ~ with David Parsons ~
A history of British merchant shipping from early times to the 21st Century.
David Parsons served on a variety of ships including general cargo, tankers, passenger vessels, Royal Fleet Auxiliaries and latterly as master on cross channel ferries. He came ashore in 1993 as Chief Executive of the Merchant Navy Welfare Board until his retirement in 2017. He is currently the National Secretary of the Merchant Navy Association in a voluntary capacity.
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10th January 2026 ~ A day out aboard Cap San Diego ~ with David Trevor-Jones ~
Built in 1961 - saved from scrapping in 1986 - a vintage cargo ship ...
The last of a six ship series built by Deutsche Werft for Hamburg Sud's South American service in 1961 … Cap San Diego was saved from scrapping in 1986 by the city of Hamburg. Entirely seaworthy these days, the city’s museum operates occasional day trips … come and enjoy a day on the River Elbe with David and appreciate the apex of German-built general cargo ships.
David Trevor-Jones is talks organiser & director at the Ocean Liner Society – and a long-standing branch member, friend and speaker at WSS Dorset. David’s shipping research and photography ranges from classic liners including the Russian “Author” class, via Swedish excursion steamers to “re-borne” cruise ships of lines such as CMV and Ambassador.
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14th February 2026 ~ Black Sea, Red Sea & Red Arrows – with Bill Mayes ~
Cruising with Saga 2008-2010 …
This talk features three cruises on the Saga Ruby, including a unique cruise from Southampton to Aqaba with two Suez Canal transits, a cruise to the Black Sea, when we could, and a non-stop round Britain trip.
Bill Mayes is well known as the Chairman of the Ocean Liner Society, a director of The World Ship Society and a regular contributor to Sea Lines and Ships Monthly. He has amassed a huge “back catalogue” of voyages worldwide and a wealth of knowledge specialising in cruise ships and ferries. A good and longstanding friend of WSS Dorset.
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14th March 2026 ~ A Look Back at Shipping on the Fal ~ with Krispen Atkinson ~
Following a great talk on Falmouth in 2025, Krispen explores laid-up tonnage on the river ...
For over a century, the stretch of water between Truro and Falmouth has served as a home for laid-up ships, with vessels from renowned but now-defunct shipping companies - such as Blue Funnel, Blue Star Line, Cunard (and its subsidiaries), and Shaw Savill - occupying berths near the King Harry Ferry. During this time, notable ships have graced the river, including the first purpose-built LNG carriers, the school ships Uganda and Nevasa, and Cunard's sister ships Franconia and Carmania. Krispen has shared his talk on Falmouth … now learn what lies beyond …
Krispen Atkinson is a maritime consultant, director of The World Ship Society and regular contributor to Ship’s Monthly & Marine News with a passion for modern merchant shipping. As author of an annual “Maritime Review” series, Krispen is a WSS speaker in demand.
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11th April 2026 ~ Gateway to the World: The Great Port of New York ~ with Bill Miller ~
Ships, bridges, skyscrapers, history and a 250th birthday party ...
Called the greatest harbour anywhere, we tour the harbour & its highlights: the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, bridges & ferryboats, the grand liners & the great skyscrapers. 2026 is the 250th anniversary of America and a gala parade of ships in New York harbour is scheduled for July 4th. We welcome Bill back a few weeks before he narrates the parade from Queen Mary 2.
Bill Miller is an international authority on ocean liners & cruise ships - and great fan of New York. Great ships of the past, those “floating palaces,” as well as the current generation of cruise ships, the “floating resorts”. An international speaker, known as “Mr. Ocean Liner,” Bill has authored over 100 books on subjects from early steamers, immigrant ships and liners at war topassenger ships of today.
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9th May 2026 ~ Ferry Tales of the Eighties ~ with Steve Pink ~
From Thoresen’s Vikings to P&O’s Prides … over 20 south coast ferries …
After an early career at sea, Steve spent ten years in port operations and sales & marketing with Thoresen Car Ferries and its successors. From Thoresen's Viking I and Townsend's Free Enterprise II to P&O Ferries' Pride of Dover ... via freight ferries, the end of Southampton ferry services, requisitioning ferries for the Falklands, the P&O takeover, traumatic strikes and more ... all these stories provide a backdrop as Steve takes a look at over 20 south coast ferries.
Steve Pink is branch secretary and events organiser at WSS Dorset and a member of the Ocean Liner Society. A Nautical Studies graduate with a background in cargo-passenger shipping, ferries and cruising - Steve also acts as editor & promoter for ~Ships~Dorset~ facebook group and website content.
