WEL – Heritage Rebuild Update & Voyage to Great Yarmouth

Supporting the preservation and operation of paddle steamers Waverley and Kingswear Castle

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Waverley at anchor in the Bristol Channel on 15th December 1999 awaiting a weather window to steam to Great Yarmouth.

After three week’s delay waiting for good weather, Waverley sailed from Avonmouth on Saturday 18th December 1999. She got as far as Ilfracombe, but in the light of a bad forecast, returned to Swansea Bay to anchor. She was later able to sail from Swansea Bay at 04:30 on Sunday. By 11:30 she was just passing St Ives, and after rounding Land’s End, passed The Lizard at 15:30. She arrived at Southampton for 07:00 on Monday for bunkers.

Waverley awaiting fuel at Southampton’s QE2 Terminal early on 20th December 1999.|G. Harman


Further view of Waverley at Southampton early on 20th December 1999.|G. Harman


Unfortunately there was a delay in the fuel delivery, and she could not steam away until 13:45. By 1930 Waverley was 5 miles east of The Royal Sovereign Light (off Eastbourne). The paddler anchored off Great Yarmouth at 08:00 on Tuesday morning and entered the port at about 09:00. She was handed-over to George Prior Engineering at noon on 22nd December 1999.

Waverley arriving at the yard of George Prior Engineering at Great Yarmouth on 21st December 1999.|Gordon A Reid