Waverley 2015

[Clydebuilt1971]

Hi Folks,

The spring 2015 Timetable is available online now.

This starts in late May with some cruises to celebrate her first sailings in Preservation in 1975 and also a QM2 escort cruise followed by her usual sojourn to the Western Isles.

More detail here: http://cdn.waverleyexcursions.co.uk/word/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/scotland1.pdf

Gav

[Twynkle]

Thank you, Gav!
This just arrived ion my inbox! The plucky little ship will be celebrating 40 years!
Well done to PSW!
http://www.mmtrack79.co.uk/6/display.php?M=10134829&C=a2f3332d8134e6b9fff3b3fa892f5099&S=8142&L=2184&N=5520

[Clydebuilt1971]

Aye Rosie - most people "in the know" gave her the summer season in 1975 and said she would go out of business then.

40 years on and shes still going and is in much better shape than the ship given to the PSPS in 1974.

Who would have thought that not only has she been in service longer under WSN that she was under her previous owners she has been all around the UK and even across the channel (Dunkirk commemorations in 1994)

Not bad for a ship which was built for the Craigendorran - Arrochar route!!

Lang may her lums reek

Gav

[No 736]

Its a shame the weather is not always like this, she would need a running mate.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Its a shame the weather is not always like this, she would need a running mate.

Do she and Balmoral ever get together?

[Clydebuilt1971]

Its a shame the weather is not always like this, she would need a running mate.

Aye Steve - if only!!

Gav

[Clydebuilt1971]

Do she and Balmoral ever get together?

Hi Isabelle,

Balmoral was Waverley's running mate between 1986 and 2012 but she was laid up after that season by the operating company as they (I am led to believe) wanted to concentrate focus and funds on running one ship.

Balmoral is currently berthed in Bristol where a dedicated organisation has been created whose aim is to return her to service cruising the Bristol Channel, Mersey and South Coast etc. They have made excellent progress - this year funds were raised to drydock the ship and have her surveyed to ensure she could continue to sail and would have to be reclassified.

She was owned by Waverley Steam Navigation but I am led to believe that ownership has been transferred to the forementioned new organisation.

Waverley's story is one thing but arguably Balmoral's is something else!! It is not often that a ship is laid up, converted for static use and then returned to service but that is what happed with Balmoral. Heres hoping she can come out of layup once again!

Find out more here: http://www.heritagesteamers.co.uk/balmoral/news.htm

Gav

[Clydebuilt1971]

Waverley is currently in Garvel DryDock, Greenock for her annual overhaul ahead of the start of her season later in May as the Brian Climie pic below shows.
(note the slope at the bottom of her bow or forefoot - this is called a sand bow and was a feature of paddlers built for Clyde service by the North British Railway as the pier at Craigendoran was shallow at low tides - the sand bow allowed the vessel to take the ground but not get stuck - I've attached a photo I took when she was in Garvel in 2005 which shows it a little better)

The hull is being pressure washed to remove 15yrs of accumulated paint and the deckhouses are receiving a paint finish which will replace the current (faded) wood grain effect "scumbling" until funds are raised to have that effect re-applied - its a skilled procedure and there are not many who can do it these days (see attached pic of the scumbling being applied to her bridge during the rebuild - copyright Gordon Reid)

I have a ticket for the Greenock - Oban trip on May 26th - hope the weather is good as its a great day sail!!

Gav

[Clydebuilt1971]

Further to my last post the paddler is now out of drydock and will be alongside Greenock Customs House Quay for a few days to complete works, undergo sea trials and swing her compass.

16 days until her first outing of 2015.

Short article by Roy Tait with some excellent shots of her coming out of dock. Note the brown painted deckhouses instead of scumbling (as per previous post) - more evident in the shot of the captains cabin as her two lifeboats are not on board!

http://www.paddlesteamers.org/scottish/waverley-leaves-dry-dock-2015/

Cheers

Gav

[June Ingram]

Hi Gav -

Thank you very much for the message regarding Waverley.  The photos are great !  I see that note is made in the photo caption that Waverley is wearing his blue coat again this year.  She is a magnificent little ship.

June 

[Rob Lightbody]

Nice piece here in the Glasgow evening times

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/mobile/news/the-waverley-paddling-doon-the-watter-for-40-years-206126n.125142469

[Roy Warrender]

Nice to see the history behind the preservation of Waverley acknowledged
It would be nice if the Heritage fund was able to  help the QE2 to survive
I think the amount mentioned in the article was more like £3 Million than £3