Author Topic: Waverley Updates - 2018  (Read 17936 times)

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Offline Clydebuilt1971

Re: Waverley Updates - 2018
« Reply #15 on: Jun 11, 2018, 03:21 PM »
Well Waverley is now back on her home river - a short break until the Clyde season starts Friday 22nd June although I cant help thinking they've missed a trick by not getting her out on short cruises just now given the weather we're having here on the Clyde just now!

Her Western Isles sailings appear to have been well patronised and with little or no disruption due to weather or otherwise!

A couple of shots attached:

(1) About to go under the Skye Bridge heading for Kyle of Lochalsh (G Alexander)
(2) Rounding Cloch Point, River Clyde on her return to the river last Tuesday night (J Huggins)

In the second shot you will notice she is flying a number of flags.

a) At the bow on her jackstaff is the Pilot Jack - which is basically a white bordered Union Flag.
b) Top of the foremast is her name pennant
c) Atop the bridge is her pilot exemption flag and the MacBraynes House Flag - David MacBrayne was the steamer company serving the Western Isles until they were merged with Caledonian Steam Packet Co in 1973 to become Caledonian MacBrayne - the company who gifted Waverley to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society less than a year later.
Waverley only ever flies this flag on her Western Isles sailings when shes in "MacBraynes territory"
d) Main Mast - at the top is the house flag of Waverley Steam Navigation Co - the company set up in 1974 to own the vessel on behalf of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society. Mid way down the mast is the house flag of SGV (Schiffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstattersees) - the company who run the paddle steamer fleet on Lake Lucerne, Switzerland. There has been a close relationship between to the two companies over the years and Waverley has flown this flag on many occasions during her Western Isles programmes. SGV
e) Finally at her stern flies the Red Ensign or "duster" - the flag proudly flown by a British merchant cargo or passenger vessel since 1707.

So - a good start to her season but much remains. Heres hoping that the weather is kind and she remains free from the mechanical issues which have blighted the last few seasons. I still hear the phrase " why has she so many tech issues?" Remember folks the first phase of her heritage refurb was completed in 2000 and the final phase in 2003, 18 and 15 years ago respectively AND the main parts of her are still vintage 1946!!

Gav

« Last Edit: Jun 11, 2018, 03:34 PM by Clydebuilt1971 »

Offline Clydebuilt1971

Re: Waverley Updates - 2018
« Reply #16 on: Jun 11, 2018, 03:39 PM »

That, as you said, must make manouvering a nightmare sometimes!

Hi Thomas,

Some people are alarmed at the speed at which Waverley approaches piers - she needs to do this as her rudder doesn't really have an effect at anything less than 5 knots so she needs to keep way on to maintain steerage. She does stop very well however!

When I was a regular on board the first thing I was amazed at was the way the ship is manoeuvred using a combo of engine movements and rope positioning. It is a joy to watch!

Gav

Offline Clydebuilt1971

Re: Waverley Updates - 2018
« Reply #17 on: Jun 25, 2018, 10:48 AM »
Hi Folks,

The weekend just past was the first of Waverley's main Clyde Season during which she undertook the following sailings:

(1) Glasgow - Kilcreggan - Dunoon - Rothesay return
(2) Glasgow - Greenock - Helensburgh - Dunoon - Rothesay - Tighnabruiach (via Kyles of Bute) return
(3) Glasgow - Largs - Lochranza (Arran) - Campbeltown - Cruise round Sanda Isles - Return

The weather was great here so loadings were good as far as I aware although Saturday was blighted by some idiot who decided to jump overboard as the ship arrived back at Glasgow - I don't know the full detail but the law were waiting for him on the quayside so I guess he'd been causing issues earlier - and also assume he thought he could get away by swimming! This is the sort of behaviour that gets the paddler a bad name on Saturdays - some people just cant seem to keep it real it would appear!
Thankfully it appears to be from her after end - had this been forward end then the danger of her 11 ton paddle wheels mashing you to pieces is all too real!!!

Anyway on a happier note I've attached an excellent drone photo of Waverley approaching Tighnabruaich Pier on Saturday (Geo Harris) and of her departing from Largs Pier last night bound for Glasgow after her Campbeltown and Sanda Isles sailing (Stuart Cameron)

The weather this week is to be even better so hoping that is reflected in her numbers.

I'm very much looking forward to my sail to Brodick (Arran) from Greenock on Thurs 9th Aug. Thursdays are great - loads of piers and great scenery!

Gav
« Last Edit: Jun 26, 2018, 07:59 AM by Clydebuilt1971 »

Offline cunardqueen

Re: Waverley Updates - 2018
« Reply #18 on: Jun 25, 2018, 08:12 PM »
Quote
  I don't know the full detail but the law were waiting for him on the quayside so I guess he'd been causing issues earlier - and also assume he thought he could get away by swimming! This is the sort of behaviour that gets the paddler a bad name on Saturdays - some people just cant seem to keep it real it would appear! 
If you can believe the Sun, then the person had issues with the bar closing.
Sadly those of us who work behind the bar have to put up with a load of **** from the public. Even when we try to help them.
From the moment you first glimpsed the Queen,
 you just knew you were in for a very special time ahead.!

Offline Clydebuilt1971

Re: Waverley Updates - 2018
« Reply #19 on: Jul 16, 2018, 12:03 PM »
Whilst waiting on the gangway being put onboard Queen Mary yesterday I took some photos of Waverley being turned in the river by work boat "Push In". She was heading down river on a cruise to Lochranza at the North end of the Isle of Arran. A sailing I hope to do on Sunday Aug 26th - her final Sunday of the main Clyde Season.
She used to turn by putting her bow into the entrance to Princes Dock and then warp round the quay onto her berth in front of the Science Centre but Queen Mary is now berthed there so until she moves onto her permanent berth that manoeuvre wont be possible.

These shots had me remembering the "flying cant" she used to do when berthing at Anderston Quay after a day's sailing. That's another story for another thread but suffice to say it was an excellent piece of ship handling!

I heard Waverley lost a couple of days last week due to a generator issue. She has two but cannot sail unless both are operational. Loading from Glasgow looked OK yesterday despite the dull and ultimately rainy weather.

Gav

Offline Clydebuilt1971

Re: Waverley Updates - 2018
« Reply #20 on: Jul 16, 2018, 12:14 PM »
On the subject of the Flying Cant mentioned in my previous post - this YouTube clip shows it better than I could describe.

It was taken on the final weekend of sailings the paddler undertook from her original berth at Anderston Quay - her home since she started operation under the WSN flag in 1975 - before moving to her current berth at Glasgow Science Centre in 2004.

The move was necessary as a new fixed bridge was due to be built across the Clyde which would have locked her in the upper river for ever!!

The actual manoeuvre starts at around 8mins however worth watching from the start as she passes through the two opening bridges on the Clyde - The Millenium Bridge - located between the Science Centre and the BBC buildings and then Bells Bridge - which was built for the Garden Festival in 1988 and has remained in operation ever since!!

Hopefully you will enjoy watching what is a very tricky manoeuvre in a narrow space - also remember Waverley loses steerage way below 4/5knts....... :)

I was on board that day but (thankfully) haven't spotted me in this video :)

ps Waverley - Flying Cant July 2004

Gav

Online Rob Lightbody

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Re: Waverley Updates - 2018
« Reply #21 on: Aug 05, 2018, 04:03 PM »
I had a delightful day on the Clyde estuary and Holy Loch yesterday, on board a 130bhp Fletcher speed boat. I enjoyed it so much I've spend today on eBay and Gumtree!  Probably just as well that i can't afford the time or money involved.

I can now testify that experiencing the sorts of speed that QE2 could cruise at, in a very small craft, is extremely exciting!

Part of the day involved intercepting Waverley as she arrived into Dunoon, it was lovely being alongside to watch this at close hand.

https://flic.kr/p/28JtcgA

https://flic.kr/p/28rZtwV

https://flic.kr/p/28JsyfS

https://flic.kr/p/274Y5vS

https://flic.kr/p/28Jmyqo

https://flic.kr/p/MG9uaQ
Passionate about QE2's service life for 40 years and creator of this website.  I have worked in IT for 28 years and created my personal QE2 website in 1994.

Offline June Ingram

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Re: Waverley Updates - 2018
« Reply #22 on: Aug 05, 2018, 08:44 PM »
Really awesome photos, Rob ! And thanks for sharing.  Can you tell us please, a bit more about the speedboat ?  Thanks ! June  :)
QE2 - the ship for all of time, a ship of timeless beauty !

Offline Bruce Nicholls

Re: Waverley Updates - 2018
« Reply #23 on: Aug 12, 2018, 11:32 AM »
I note from Facebook that Waverley now has outside security who's purpose appears to be mainly to prevent passengers taking their own alcohol on board. Given earlier comments about the 'bring your own' groups on board this looks like a step in the right direction.

Online Rob Lightbody

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Re: Waverley Updates - 2018
« Reply #24 on: Aug 12, 2018, 01:06 PM »
I note from Facebook that Waverley now has outside security who's purpose appears to be mainly to prevent passengers taking their own alcohol on board. Given earlier comments about the 'bring your own' groups on board this looks like a step in the right direction.

I'm going to miss travelling on Waverley this year (again), and part of the reason is that I refuse to travel on a Saturday, after previous experiences of stag dos and hen nights travelling with the specific intent to get very drunk on board.  The fact that they might not mange to come aboard with drink of their own, won't help when they start buying drink on board.  Its one aspect of the West of Scotland that I'm not particularly proud of.

Unfortunately not travelling on Saturday slashes my options, and I have lots of other stuff I have to fit in with my limited free time.

Photos below were taken while sober, with sober people, on a nice quiet boat...

Waverley and the seals by Rob Lightbody, on Flickr

Waverley leaving Dunoon by Rob Lightbody, on Flickr

PS Waverley approaching Dunoon Pier by Rob Lightbody, on Flickr
Passionate about QE2's service life for 40 years and creator of this website.  I have worked in IT for 28 years and created my personal QE2 website in 1994.

Offline Bruce Nicholls

Re: Waverley Updates - 2018
« Reply #25 on: Aug 12, 2018, 06:18 PM »
At least the cash is now going to Waverley's finances.

Great photos by the way Rob.

Offline Isabelle Prondzynski

Re: Waverley Updates - 2018
« Reply #26 on: Aug 13, 2018, 11:12 AM »
Beautiful pics, Rob!

Make me want to come back and spend a day on Waverley, enjoying the beautiful ship, the great company and the fabulous scenery.

Offline June Ingram

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Re: Waverley Updates - 2018
« Reply #27 on: Aug 13, 2018, 08:38 PM »
Great photos, Rob !  Thanks for posting them !  :)
QE2 - the ship for all of time, a ship of timeless beauty !

Offline Clydebuilt1971

Re: Waverley Updates - 2018
« Reply #28 on: Aug 14, 2018, 10:09 PM »
Great shots of the paddler folks!!

I was on board on Thursday 9th August Greenock - Brodick (Isle of Arran) - Largs and had a great wee sail. I'm away on business right now but will post some shots when I get back.

Not too long to go before her Clyde Season is over for yet another year - lets hope its been a good one for her and that her sailings down south realise good returns also.

Every little helps!

Gav

Offline Clydebuilt1971

Re: Waverley Updates - 2018
« Reply #29 on: Aug 15, 2018, 10:08 PM »
Hi Folks,

A couple of short videos taken whilst on board Waverley last Thursday
First two are of her Greenock built triple expansion diagonal steam engine -  last one taken from starboard sponson looking forward as she powers her way across the Clyde from Cumbrae to Brodick.

Gav





« Last Edit: Mar 04, 2021, 10:20 AM by Rob Lightbody »