Supporting the preservation and operation of paddle steamers Waverley and Kingswear Castle
Stuart Cameron has provided a very comprehensive report below on Waverley’s Saturday in the middle of the traditional Glasgow Fair holiday period. However, being on board, it was a bit difficult for him to capture Waverley arriving back at the Science Centre on Saturday evening so just to complete his story board, I’ve added this…
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Click on the images for larger, sharper versions The middle weekend of Glasgow Fair, being also the weekend of the Glasgow River Festival and the annual Lifeboat Day at Tighnabruaich, turned out to be a very busy period for the paddler. On the Friday, the popular daytime cruise to Rothesay was followed by a very…
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The following two views illustrate some variety of transport on the Clyde in the summer of 2009 – both views were taken from the new Meadowside Quay Walk looking across to the BVT Surface Fleet shipyard at Govan. Sunday 19th July 2009 at 09:06AM – Loch Lomond Seaplane’s Cessna 200 G-MDJE passing HMS Defender as…
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Over Sat 25th & Sun 26th July the banks of the River Clyde will once again come alive as the Glasgow River Festival swings into action. As ever the Scottish Branch will have a stand at the festival located in front of the Crowne Plazza Hotel just across from Bells Bridge. On Sunday this year…
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Note: clicking on photos below will result in a larger, sharper image. During the course of her sailing week Waverley leaves her base at Plantation Quay, adjacent to the Glasgow Science Centre, on four days for traditional sailings ‘doon the watter’ (down the River Clyde) to the resorts, lochs and islands of the beautiful Firth…
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Following a heavy contact with the breakwater berth at Dunoon in blustery conditions on the first day of her regular Clyde summer sailings (26th June 2009) it was necessary to take Waverley out of service for repair to her port, forward sponson. Fortunally, the Garvel Drydock company at Greenock was able to commence repairs immediately…
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Photo by David Alan Many thousands, probably even millions, of photographs have been taken of Waverley but this shot of her passing through the narrows at the Kyles of Bute, taken this afternoon by David Alan, is from a somewhat unusual angle which not many of us will be able to replicate – unless you…
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Waverley’s fleetmate Balmoral continued to celebrate her 60th anniversary in style with a visit to Cowes, Isle of Wight on Saturday. This port of call was familiar territory to the former Red Funnel vessel as the Southampton – Isle of Wight service was the one she was originally built to serve. The photo above (kindly…
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Last week’s evening cruise organised by the Scottish Branch of the PSPS had two objectives: As already reported, the evening was a great success and the weather was wonderful, and despite some enforced changes to plans at the last minute, due to tidal conditions, over 700 passengers enjoyed a memorable evening – and some of…
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On 25th June 2009 Waverley was chartered to Clydebank High School for a reunion of former staff and pupils. The following pictures were taken by Mr Tom MacDonald Tom’s pictures were taken from the site of the former Beardmore’s Dalmuir Naval Construction Works. When Tom started his working life the Dalmuir site was partly operated…
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For many years during the 1980s and 1990s the annual PSPS Scottish Branch Midsummer Charter of Waverley enjoyed superb weather but in the last few years there has been some not so good nights – although the atmosphere on board was always great. For the 2009 charter the tremendous weather returned – a fitting night…
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TThanks to John Huggins for the use of his photograph taken in early June As many will know, Largs pier has been undergoing demolition of the old pier and construction of a new pier over the winter. Plans were that the new pier would be ready by 1st week in July with a contingency plan…
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Entering service for her 60th year, MV Balmoral made her first sailing of her 2009 season on Wednesday 17th June when she sailed from Bristol, down the River Avon and met up with her fleetmate PS Waverley in the Bristol Channel. The following selection of photos have been provided by Chris Jones. A well loaded…
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On Sunday 31st May, the Oban Gaelic Choir with the Sileas Sinclair Band, provided an evening Ceilidh Cruise from Oban to Fort William and back in what can only be described as idyllic sailing conditions. The cruise was a joint fund-raising effort between The Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival Committee and Waverley Excursions…
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Over many years now the branch have chartered Waverley for an evening cruise – this year is no exception and marks the start of the paddler’s Clyde cruising timetable for 2009. For a taster take a look at Shelagh Holt’s excellent article on last year’s charter here. Please click on the flyer above to see…
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Some pictures from Waverley’s first visits in 2009 to Lundy Island. The photographers are Michael McKinnon (like Waverley from Scotland), who is working for the Landmark Trust on Lundy this summer, and long time PSPS member Ashley Gill. Click on the pictures for larger size images.The first picture (above) of Waverley’s first arrival at Lundy…
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Returning from Oban at the end of her short programme of sailings in late May 2009, Waverley berthed at Port Ellen on the lovely Isle of Islay. In recent times Waverley has had to omit a number of planned calls at the island port due mainly to weather factors. The 2009 call was captured in…
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(Photos reproduced with kind permission of Chris Jones) On Thursday June 4th Waverley arrived in the Bristol Channel to undertake two weeks of cruises. The following three shots show her arrival at Avonmouth. Moving on to Monday 8th June and the following shots show our paddler approaching, arriving and departing Penarth. Off she goes to…
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The Waverley Study Group proudly present the Folk Boat ’09! Sail Doon the Watter on the famous Paddle Steamer Waverley and enjoy a great night’s music into the bargain! See flier above for details of how to get your ticket for this unique event. All monies raised will go towards the ongoing preservation and…
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Random Views from Waverley’s West Highland weekend. A large queue of passengers at Glasgow Plantation Quay waits to board Waverley for her first sail of 2009 (click on picture to expand) Waverley at Oban North Pier with Lord of the Isles at anchor in Ardantraive Bay – due to very busy berths at Oban. (click…
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First thing Friday morning and a queue of over 200 wait to board PS Waverley on a rather grey and overcast morning – but the forecast for the weekend was good! By now with well over 400 on board, following her calls at Greenock and Campbeltown, Waverley rocks and rolls her way around the Mull…
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Two photos taken yesterday by Deryk Docherty as Waverley tests or “floats” her boiler safety valves whilst alongside Custom House Quay, Greenock. Quite an awesome sound if you’re standing in the vicinity when this happens!! Gavin Stewart
Waverley arriving back upriver after her move from Drydock yesterday,and a short “shakedown trip” around the upper firth this morning. Passing the former Elderslie drydocks as she makesher approach towards her berth at the Science Centre Safely alongside at the Science Centre at 13:00 All involved have put in a really huge effort AFTER the…
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(Words by Gavin Stewart. Pictures by Gerry Deegan) Early in the afternoon of Tuesday 26th May our little paddler came out of her temporary home in Garvel Dry Dock, Greenock. Gerry Deegan – a native of Inverclyde and a former shipyard engineer – was on hand to record the event on camera. Many thanks to…
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Saturday past was the last official work party of the Winter. The ship is currently in Garvel Drydock, Greenock receiving her annual overhaul and survey which will result in the renewing of her passenger certificate for another year. The recommissioning of her boilers continues apace and the current date for coming out of Garvel is…
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Further to Charles’s coverage of the paddler from her berth in Glasgow to Erskine Bridge here are some shots from further down river. These first two shots – taken by Tom McNeill shows the entourage passing Langbank. Waverley had quite a crowd waiting for her as she rounded the Garvel Bend (not just seagulls!). Clyde…
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Monday 18th May saw P.S. Waverley make her first move downriver from her winter berth in Glasgow – without turning a paddle wheel! In order to allow recommissioning work on the boilers to continue while other routine inspections are carried out in the drydock, Waverley was towed to Greenock where she entered Garvel Drydock late…
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A Fund Raising Concert in support of the operation of P.S Waverley is being held at Adeladie’s – Bath Street, Glasgow (just at corner with Pitt Street) Friday 22 May, 2009 7:45 – 10:30 Tickets £8 Available from Tickets Scotland 0870 220 1116 or book on-line at http://www.tickets-scotland.com/ (and scroll down to the date) More…
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I know this is cheating a bit, but I had to put together the traditional Chairman’s Report for the Scottish Branch AGM and thought it might be an idea to include as a blog. It’s simply a good time of the year to have a wee summing up of the last year that we have…
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PSPS and Clyde steamer enthusiasts were well represented at Bob Thomson’s funeral in Glasgow today. This picture was on the cover of today’s special hymnsheet. – for many it will represent Bob as we knew him and will remember him. Farewell old friend, thanks for the chat and the shared good times through the years
