We regret to record the passing on 19 December 2023 of John Whittle, the architect of the “Paddler for a Pound” scheme in 1974 and an Honorary Member of the Society.  As such, he played a crucial role in enabling the Society and the Waverley companies to keep Waverley sailing on for so many years.  

The story has been told many times over the years, not least in 2014, the 40th Anniversary and you can read an account of the commemoration here. The heading picture shows the 2014 re-enactment, with Douglas McGowan passing the £1 note to John Whittle (centre), with Terry Sylvester to the right. 

The Society’s President, Douglas McGowan MBE, said “The passing of John Whittle is undoubtedly a pivotal moment in the history of the PSPS and of course PS Waverley. With the truly magnanimous gesture of John and his colleagues at the Scottish Transport Group back in 1974 of gifting us the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer, in an instant, the future of paddle steamer preservation was to be dramatically changed. In the following 50 years, Waverley has given pleasure to over 6 million passengers throughout the UK. It also changed the lives of many individuals, it certainly changed mine!

I was in touch with John right up until the very end and just before he passed away, he wrote me a lovely email and I quote: “While I cannot say this in person, thank you to Terry and yourself for the support you gave us (as our unpaid marketing consultants!) and thank you for the friendship which continues and is highly valued. Finally a big thank you to you and the others involved for establishing the firm foundations on which the 50 years have been built and inspired others to share your ambition and enabled Waverley to win the hearts and minds of so many people. There is no doubt and it is very satisfying that Waverley has such a secure future”.

What an amazing legacy John Whittle has left us all. Thank you John.”

A full tribute is planned for Paddle Wheels magazine, but in the meantime you can read an obituary by Andrew Clark on the excellent Clyde River Steamer Club website.

John was interviewed by Iain Quinn in October 2022 and a video of the occasion can be viewed by clicking on the image below. As well as describing the transfer of Waverley, he spoke about his work changing the Caledonian Steam Packet Company into CalMac.

The first time! The picture below shows Douglas McGowan passing the pound note that bought Waverley to Colonel Sir Patrick Thomas, Chairman of the Scottish Transport Group, on 8th August 1974 as Terry Sylvester (left) and John Whittle (right) look on. PSPS Collection

We apologise for the delay in preparing this item.