The Waverley - Paddle Steamer
PS Waverley is the last seagoing passenger-carrying paddle steamer in the world. Built in 1946, she sailed from Craigendoran on the Firth of Clyde to Arrochar on Loch Long until 1973. Waverley is powered by a three-crank diagonal triple-expansion marine steam engine built by Rankin & Blackmore, Engineers, Eagle Foundry, Greenock, Scotland. It is rated at 2,100 IHP and achieved a trial speed of 18.37 knots (34.02 km/h; 21.14 mph) at 57.8 rpm. Passengers can watch these engines from passageways on either side of the engine room. CalMac withdrew Waverley after the 1973 season as she was too costly to operate and needed significant expenditure. By then the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society had been set up as a registered UK charity, and had bought the near-derelict small River Dart paddler Kingswear Castle. CalMac, keen to ensure that the ship was preserved, sold Waverley to the PSPS for the token sum of £1.
A public appeal was launched to secure funding for the return of the Waverley to service and the fund-raising operation was successful. Waverley underwent a £7m two-phase Heritage Rebuild in 2000 and 2003 at the shipyard of George Prior Engineering in Great Yarmouth, funded principally by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The substantial work included two new boilers, improvements to meet modern safety standards and to returning the ship to her original 1947 livery.
Waverley returned to the Bristol Channel for the first time in five years in 2023 for a month long visit of various sailings between Penarth, and Illfracombe. She also visited former docking points such as Minehead (first time in ten years) and Tenby (first time in thirty years).
A public appeal was launched to secure funding for the return of the Waverley to service and the fund-raising operation was successful. Waverley underwent a £7m two-phase Heritage Rebuild in 2000 and 2003 at the shipyard of George Prior Engineering in Great Yarmouth, funded principally by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The substantial work included two new boilers, improvements to meet modern safety standards and to returning the ship to her original 1947 livery.
Waverley returned to the Bristol Channel for the first time in five years in 2023 for a month long visit of various sailings between Penarth, and Illfracombe. She also visited former docking points such as Minehead (first time in ten years) and Tenby (first time in thirty years).
10th June 2023 - Visiting Minehead
The Waverley Paddle Steamer arrives into Minehead for the first time in ten years on the 10th June 2023. The famous paddle steamer was operating a curise from Penath through to Illfracombe.
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11th June 2023 - Cruising the Bristol Channel
On the 11th June I was able to travel on board Waverley for the first time joining an afternoon cruise on the Bristol Channel from Clevedon Pier. The cruise departed from Penarth picking up at Clevedon, then continuing to Portishead before an afternoon cruise under both Severn Bridges before returning to Penarth and later Clevedon. Sadly sea mist hugged the coast which limited visibility on the day.
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J Class sailing boats CTRL.J is is pictured in the Portishead Bay on the 11th June 2023.
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Cable Laying Ship 'Decisive' MMSI: 367450000 is pictured entering Avonmouth Dock on the 11th June 2023.
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Engine Room of the Waverley Paddle Steamer
Paddle Steamer Waverley in the Bristol Channel on the 11th June 2023.
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Engine Room of the Waverley Paddle Steamer
Victoria Letter Box on board The Waverley.
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The Prince of Wales Bridge (2nd Severn Crossing)
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1st Severn Crossing Bridge
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Severn Bridges to Penarth and Clevedon
Car Carrying Ship 'Promient Ace' is piloted into the dock at Portbury by local tug Svizter Brunel on the 11th June 2023.
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Penarth from the Waverley on the 11th June 2023.
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Penarth Pier on the 11th June 2023 from The Waverley Paddle Steamer.
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Throwing the lines from the Waverley onto the pier at Penarth on the 11th June 2023.
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Andrew Comrie - Chief Purser of The Waverley
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Flat Holm and Steep Holm are pictured from Penarth on the 11th June 2023.
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The Riverman Tug heads between Portbury and Cardiff on the 11th June 2023.
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Clevedon Pier on the 11th June 2023 with passengers waiting to join The Waverley for an evening cruise in the Bristol Channel
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The Waverley is pictured at Clevedon Pier on the 7th June 2023 having arrived back from a day cruise on the Bristol Channel.
The Waverley is pictured at Clevedon Pier on the 7th June 2023 having arrived back from a day cruise on the Bristol Channel.
16th June 2023 - Arriving into Penarth from Illfracombe
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