Supporting the preservation and operation of paddle steamers Waverley and Kingswear Castle
Views of the P & O liners taken from MV Balmoral during a special cruise from Portsmouth to view the seven liners in Southampton Docks and later in the day to view the ships sailing. MV Balmoral alongside at Portsmouth awaiting passengers Adonia Azur and Shieldhall Ventura Aurora Oriana Oceana Arcadia
MV Balmoral alongside Swanage Pier MV Balmoral departing Swanage on Monday 2nd July 2012 Alongside Yarmouth Pier Wednesday 4th July MV Balmoral departing Yarmouth Isle of Wight for Portsmouth on Wedneday 4th July
On Sunday 8th July the joint Charter of Waverley organised to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the formation of the Clyde River Steamer Club took place. The weather was kind compared to the recent pattern in that very little rain fell with virtually no wind which allowed for perfect conditions to ferry land in Loch Riddon using…
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The following few pictures were taken as Waverley arrived and departed Greenock on Thursday evening for the annual Scottish Branch evening charter of Waverley. Unfortunately the weather was not great although it did remain dry for some of the cruise. Waverley arrives at Greenock from Largs having completed her day sailing Heading for Helensburgh after…
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All PSPS members should now have received their summer 2012 Paddle Wheels magazine along with a Waverley Clyde Timetable produced by the Scottish Branch. This timetable is very similar to those produced by WEL for some years as the main Clyde advertising leaflet. The Scottish Branch committee felt it appropriate to produce enough timetables for all…
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Balmoral arrived at Lydney at 08:30 for an 08:45 departure (with this early start there was no “sunrise cruise” from Clevedon this time) Waiting to board were a disappointingly small number of about 80 (including about a dozen regulars who’d travelled some distance for the sailing – and one chap who’d camped overnight!) Bal arriving…
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Following Waverley’s successful visit to the Western Isles at the start of June some pictures have been forwarded to the blog to upload taken of the ship during her 11 day visit. The following show a few of the many taken by Roy Tait and David Shirres. Both have more pictures on flickr just click the…
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Waerley arriving at Greenock Customhouse Quay from Glasgow Berthing at Greenock View of AIDAcara and Alteje Schult form Waverley as she departs from Greenock Waveley departs Greenock on the return sailing – mv Clyde Clipper turning nto he Victoria Harbour ahead of her
After leaving Glasgow and the Clyde last Wednesday Balmoral was forced to take shelter in Douglas, Isle of Man due to the prevailing wind which prevented her first 3 advertised passenger sailings taking place. It was not until 6am on Sunday (17th June) before she departed Douglas and headed to Garlieston to board her first passengers of…
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Waverley’s first day in service.
It was on Monday 16th June 1947 that Waverley undertook her maiden voyage: little did anyone realise what a life she was starting! On her first day in service she sailed up Loch Long to Lochgoilhead and Arrochar as part of the famous “Three Lochs Tour”. It was therefore appropriate that on the 65th anniversary…
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After much effort to ensure that Balmoral was ready for passenger service the weather unfortunately prevented her first scheduled passenger sailing of 2012 taking place. She did sail across to the Isle of Man and shortly after arriving at Douglas Captain Ian Clark was interviewed. The interview can be seen by clicking the following link: http://www.manx.net/tv/mt-tv/watch/5913/mv-balmoral-returns…
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Balmoral left Glasgow earlier this week and headed for the Irish Sea for the first 5 days of her summer season. The weather forecast for the start of these 5 days doesn’t look good, but it’s looking better for the last 3 days. On Tuesday 19th June Balmoral will sail south to the Bristol Channel…
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Balmoral finalising preparations before departure for the start of her 2012 season Balmoral eases astern out of Prince’s Dock The Balmoral and Waverley names together Balmoral’s farewell blast on her horn, is acknowledged by Waverley with a long blast on her whistle Off to sea we go! 2012 season beckons, hopefully with lots of good…
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With Balmoral’s first passenger sailing for 2012 scheduled for Thursday 14th June it was at 9am on Wednesday 13th June she departed Princes Dock Glasgow and backed up river to be alongside Waverley for a few minutes. Both ships exchanged whistle salutes and Balmoral left for compass adjusting at the Tail of the Bank. She then…
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As per timetable Waverley departed Fort William on Monday 4th June direct to Oban before heading along the south coast of Mull to land at Iona. In 2011 weather conditions prevented her from landing any passengers but this year weather conditions were excellent allowing each of her 500 passengers about an hour and a half…
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Waverley and Balmoral together in Glasgow.
Since leaving dry dock Balmoral has been berthed in the James Watt Dock where work had continued. She has now been fitted with an additional generator which will be situated at the stern above the galley for this season. It is planned over next winter this generator will replace one of her Lister generators which…
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The Monarch has been rescued by two Wareham based enthusiasts. Plans are in hand to move her to Wareham where a full programme of restoration and improvements are planned before the steamer commences operations based at Wareham Quay. Both skilled and unskilled volunteers are urgently required, if you are or you know anyone who is…
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On Thursday morning Waverley left Greenock Custom House Quay to undertake sea trials which involved some work on the boilers to ensure the burners are operating correctly but also to make compass adjustments. She left Custom House Quay at 10am and sailed down Firth to Toward and then made her way back up river to…
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The following sequence of photographs shows Waverley and Balmoral leaving drydock. Waverley was undocked, with the help of Clyde Marines two tugs Biter and Beaver Bay, and moved to Greenock Custom House Quay – the last short section under her own power. Balmoral and Waverley afloat and waiting for the dock gates to be opened…
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As the dry dock work nears completion Joe McKendrick has supplied a few more pictures. As can be seen below Waverley’s bow is now repaired and only requires painting. The standard of paint on both ships is excellent and thanks are due to Joe for supplying the photos taken today (Saturday 28th April). With both ships now looking ready to…
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We are sad to announce, after a short illness, the death yesterday of long time Bristol Channel Branch member Phil Tolley.A sympathy card has been sent to Phils’ wife Audrey on behalf of the committee and all branch members.The funeral will be held on Wednesday 9th May 2012 at 10.00am. at Totterdown Methodist Church, Bushy…
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As work contiunes to ensure that both Waverley and Balmoral are ready for another season pictures have kindly been provided by David Howie, Waverley’s Chief Officer, and David Shirres one of the engineering volunteers on Waverley over the winter. David Shirres also produced the “Inside Waverley” CD ROM a few years ago which has been on…
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Keith Robertson has been a regular volunteer over the past two winters and was given permission to film the dry docking of both ships when they entered Garvel last week. He has very kindly supplied a short 1 minute video of the actual docking, although the video shows the full docking at a much increased…
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With the new Friends tickets being usable across all sailing areas, below is a schedule of the dates when the ships are in each area. WAVERLEY Western Isles – June 1 to June 11 Clyde – June 16 to Aug 26 Bristol Channel – Aug 29 to Sept 9 South Coast…
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A new ‘Friends of Waverley’ ticket has been announced. It will replace the existing annual regional Commodore tickets and cruising voucher schemes. The information pack states that “it is very keenly priced (cheap! PH) at only £175 for an adult and entitles you to unlimited sailing all year round, for both ships and on all…
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The Bristol Channel Branch A.G.M was held on Saturday 14th April at the Walton Park Hotel, Clevedon. With only about 2 dozen members attending. The minutes of the previous years AGM were circulated, read, agreed and approved. The Chairman gave his report on the 2011 season and gave news on the 2012 timetable, the new…
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Waverley and Balmoral are now both in Garvel Graving Dock, Greenock. Balmoral is in the dock ahead of Waverley and pictures showing both ships entering the dock are to be found on the Waverley Excursions Facebook page.Both vessels entered the dock on Wednesday 18th April and this is the first time both have been dry…
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The AGM for the Scottish Branch of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society will take place on Friday 20 April at Renfield St Stephen’s Church Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow at 7.30 p.m. to transact the following business:- 1. To receive apologies for absence 2. To approve the Minutes of the forty-first Annual General Meeting 3. To…
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