The Dorset Branch of the World Ship Society meets on the second Saturday afternoon of the month between September and May at The Centre – Ferndown in East Dorset (BH22 8XH),
2.15pm for a 2.30pm start. All meetings are “hybrid” sharing our Dorset venue event with a wider member community via Zoom giving local members the choice between getting together or enjoying the event at home. .
Our nine meetings per year have been widely acknowledged as informative and well presented, attracting popular and respected speakers from the local, national and international ships, shipping and maritime history scene. Visitors to our branch are always welcome ~ in person or via Zoom ~ please get in touch. Initial invitations come with no obligation, and we hope you enjoy the afternoon. Ongoing participants are encouraged to become Branch Members ~ for only £20 a year. For details of our future events programme please see www.shipsdorset.org/events … and do contact us. Hybrid meetings now allow us to welcome you wherever you are in the world! Email us via info@shipsdorset.org or to find out more see www.shipsdorset.org
Dorset Branch Secretary – Steve Pink … Email – steve@telecommerce.co.uk … Tel. – 07831 111589
~ Support your local WSS Branch … and join us too! ~
WSS DORSET 2025/26 MEETING PROGRAMME
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
~ ~ ~
11th October 2025
Aboard “Americana” down South America way
with Ted Scull
Ivaran Lines’ passenger & container ship
~ ~ ~
8th November 2025
A Change of Korea
with Andrew McAlpine
Conceived in Denmark … Constructed in South Korea … Connecting Europe & Asia
~ ~ ~
13th December 2025
History of the Merchant Navy
with David Parsons
A history of British merchant shipping from early times to the 21st Century
~ ~ ~
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
~ ~ ~
14th February 2026
Black Sea, Red Sea & Red Arrows
with Bill Mayes
Cruising with Saga 2008-2010
~ ~ ~
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
~ ~ ~
11th April 2026
Gateway to the World: The Great Port of New York
with Bill Miller
A harbour – bridges – liners – skyscrapers … and an anniversary
~ ~ ~
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