Supporting the preservation and operation of paddle steamers Waverley and Kingswear Castle
After a non-stop direct journey from Southampton Waverley arrived at her Glasgow berth a little before 5am on Sunday 21st October in time to take up her final sailing of 2012 from Glasgow to Tighnabruaich. This sailing was the usual Saturday roster in the main summer season but on this occasion with a shorter time allowed at…
Read more
Glasgow Plamtation Quay No 81, Sunday 21st Oct 2012 at approximately 20:30. Thanks to everyone involved in making the 2012 season happen. (photo: Stuart Cameron)
Just before 9am on Friday morning Waverley departed Southampton. Wind conditions have improved to allow her to proceed along the South Coast making way for Glasgow. At 1100 from Milford on Sea promenade she was caught on camera by Keith Adams off the Needles in very gloomy and overcast conditions. P Semple
Some more vews from London (taken by Stuart Cameron on 5th – 6th October 2012). Showboat Sailing from Gravesend arriving at London Tower Millennium Pier Waverley and HMS Belfast Waverley and ‘the City’ towers The view from London Bridge around midnight on 5th October 2012 Saturday 6th October 2012- Waverley is preparing to sail for Southend…
Read more
The following report on Waverley’s first weekend on the Thames this year was passed to the Branch by Roy Tait. “Waverley arrived at Margate early on Friday morning having sailed 130 nautical miles overnight from Portsmouth. After embarking her self-loading cargo she paddled round the Kent coast bound for the City of London via Whitstable, Southend-on-Sea…
Read more
The Autumn edition of Paddle Wheels has now been posted out to members although due to a printer error the wrong issue number and season is printed on the front cover. Along with the current issue members will find the winter syllabus card showing the dates and subject of Branch meetings. The syllabus for this winter is…
Read more
After completing her final sailing on September 19th on charter Balmoral made her way to Avonmouth docks. The ship is currently berthed in Avonmouth rather than Bristol due to the much greater ease of pressing her into service if the need arises over the next 3 weeks. If she were to be berthed at Bristol…
Read more
The following picture of Maid of the Loch was taken by John Beveridge on Saturday (23rd September). The Maid is proudly dressed with signal flags, name pennant, flag staff at the bow and an ensign. The flags were provided by the Scottish Branch in time for the Jubilee in June this year. John adds that…
Read more
The following pictures (except the first) were provided by Roy Tait of Balmoral at Oban North Pier. Her visit to the Western Isles was marked by some poor weather but those who choose to join her for the Corryvreckan whirlpool trip on Sunday September 2nd were not disappointed. The whirlpool lived up to its name…
Read more
Photos taken on Waverley on the upper reaches of the Clyde in August 2012 – click on an image for larger size. The Clydebank Titan was the second of the six Giant Cantilever Cranes to be erected on Clydeside, being built at the John Brown Shipyard in Clydebank in 1906-07 by the Glasgow structural engineering…
Read more
It was a sombre Waverley which lay at Ayr Harbour on the morning of Tuesday 21th August with her red ensign at half mast. After a very heavy downpour Waverley left Ayr at 10am with three long blasts given as she started her last scheduled Ayr to Long Goil cruise for summer 2012. Shortly after Waverley had cleared…
Read more
It is with the deepest regret and a very heavy heart that I have to intimate the passing of one of the greatest of PS Waverley’s supporters over the past 30 years.
– a tale of Poppy Leaves and Paddle Steamers Paddle Steamer Mary Jane at Tarbert Loch Fyne in 1856 Today, the 12th of August 2012, 200 years after the pioneer Clyde paddle steamer, the Comet, first churned up the still river waters, PS Waverley performs her one and only Sunday visit to Tarbert Loch Fyne of 2012 –…
Read more
Most of Waverley’s regular passengers will be aware that Craig Peacock, Catering Manager, has found new employment with Northern Lighthouse Board. Craig first joined Waverley as chief cook in 1992 and then in 1996 was also to be found as chief steward. For more than half of his 20 years with the company he held…
Read more
As part of the bicentenary celebrations of Henry Bell’s Comet, Stuart Noble, chairman of Helensburgh Heritage Trust made a presentation to Waverley.
In August 1812, two centuries ago, the River Clyde would see a transport revolution – one that would change the economy of the river for ever. A Helensburgh hotel owner began to operate Europe’s first ever commercial steam ship from Glasgow to Greenock. No longer would ships be dependent on the tide or the wind.…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
