Supporting the preservation and operation of paddle steamers Waverley and Kingswear Castle
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
It is with great regret that the branch advise the death of Mr Bob Thomson – a long term supporter of Waverley and Balmoral. Bob died in the early hours of Saturday morning after a period of illness and will be sorely missed by all who knew him. The Scottish Branch would like to extend…
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Focus On Main Engine Equipment (Words G. Stewart – Pics Dave Elms & G. Stewart) This is the second of a series of articles charting the progress of the rebuild of Clydebuilt paddler PS Medway Queen – Dunkirk Veteran. The previous article focused on the the various engine parts arriving at Abel’s Albion Dockyard in…
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(pics courtesy of Capt John Megoran) As you may or may not know the PSPS have another paddlesteamer by the name of Kingswear Castle. This immaculate little paddler is based at Chatham Historic Dockyard and was built in 1924 for service on the River Dart along with two sister ships PS Compton Castle and PS…
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A quick update on the ongoing works to Waverley’s two boilers which are undergoing a complete re-tube due to small areas of corrosion found at either end of each tube whilst carrying out the boilers’ ten year inspection. The following photos – taken by Waverley Steam Navigation’s Dr Joe McKendrick – show the arrival and…
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Following on from Stuart’s Chairman’s Blog I thought it time bring everyone up to date. Waverley’s band of enthusiastic volunteers have been working hard on everything from boiler cleaning, electric motor testing, painting and varnishing to deck caulking. What is deck caulking some may ask? Read on… One of Waverley’s many traditional features are her…
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Queen Mary as Queen Mary II after changing her name to allow Cunard to use it for their new liner. Queen Mary leaving Rothesay (between 1965-68 with Single Funnel). She may not be a paddle steamer but the 1933 Denny of Dumbarton built turbine steamer Queen Mary has had a connection with our Waverley practically…
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