The second PSPS visit to George Prior Engineering at Great Yarmouth.
Waverley at George Prior Engineering’s wharf, viewed from across the River Yare.|Stuart CameronIan McMillan, Project Director, welcomed the party to Great Yarmouth.On the quayside by the gangway aboard, the main engine crankshaft gleamed in the sunshine.Waverley’s paddle box without paddles!The after deck shelter standing in the workshop where it had been fabricated in aluminium. It is due to be lifted into place in the next week. The pale green is primer paint.Inside the deck shelter, the numerous beams to support the observation deck are visible.The absence of so much weight has brought Waverley’s rudder well out of the water.The view along the port side looking for’ard. The sponsons had been refitted since our first visit.In a store shed, various parts awaited refitting. Here, the main engine eccentrics are stacked next to the low pressure cylinder cover (foreground).Several auxiliaries have been refurbished by Waverley staff in Glasgow. This pump had just been returned from Scotland.Also back from north of the border, the air pump lies on its side.In the joinery shop, legs for bar stools and tables awaited fitting to the new furniture to the original designs.|Stuart CameronHere are some drawers to be fitted to built-in units on board.|Stuart CameronThe refurbished roller shutter for the Langs Supreme bar is stacked together with a screen from the after deck shelter and handrails from the dining saloon.|Stuart CameronA general view of the paddler from the gangway showing temporary awnings over the engine room and the empty after deck.The party gathered around the boiler room while Ian McMillan explains the work in progress.Looking down into the boiler room with scaffold boards to allow access to install the pipework.The fireboxes of the boilers with the forced draught fan top right.The fine wire being used to align the bearings of the main engine to the paddle shaft may just be discerned. The tolerance for this job is as much as ten thousandths of an inch, more than for a faster running marine diesel engine.The view from the port engine room alleyway.Safety and neat working practices are very much a feature of George Prior’s operations.The control platform.Re-decking in progress on the starboard sponson.The opening used by the deck crew to reach the aft waist mooring bits.|Stuart CameronThe after companionway from the promenade deck.|Stuart CameronThe bottom of the same companionway. The party make their way into the Langs Supreme bar.|Stuart CameronLooking aft through the shop space, the new emergency escape from the dining saloon can be seen with daylight coming down.The new Stannah lift, or dumb waiter, is situated just aft of the new emergency escape. It will be used to deliver meals to the lower dining saloon.|Stuart CameronIn the Langs bar, the last stage of the construction of the double bottom is in progress. The hull plating (silver) is the present bottom. The new steel deck in the bar (covered with wood) will form the second watertight barrier, with the intervening space becoming an empty sealed tank.|Stuart CameronThe view for’ard in the starboard engine room alleyway.Viewed from the starboard alleyway, this is the interior of the after sponson house, showing its riveted construction.The existing furniture and fittings replaced in the Jeanie Deans lounge.New fire door in the port engine room alleyway.Finally the party inspected the newly painted paddle wheels still stored on the quayside.
Words and photographs by Martin Longhurst except where stated.
