Paddle Steamer Waverley

[graham]

Spotted the Waverley steaming west through Sully Bay (Near Cardiff) this afternoon.I believe she is the oldest seagoing paddle steamer in the world.

 

[PeteCooper]

She is indeed, and is a frequent feature of our Wednesday evening races on the Clyde.

 

[oldharry]

Oldest and only seagoing paddle steamer still in commission, and well worth the rather expensive ticket for a ride if only to watch the triple expansion steam engine running - 2000hp and at cruising speed you barely have to raise your voice to talk over it. Amazing - and hypnotic!

There are other smaller paddle steamers around, but none of them are seagoing.

 

[hannahman]

I've made several trips aboard Waverly. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
She's lovely in every aspect.
She's had a huge Lottery funded rebuild in recent years, to keep her operational for many years to come. Amongst other things her engine crankshaft (all 8 tons of it!) was lifted out for re-machining, and her funnels were renewed, decks relaid etc. She has been restored and maintained retaining or recreating all her original features, and at the same time conforming to strict modern safety standards, and is a credit to all involved. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
She operates alongside the smaller motor vessel Balmoral. Some may remember her from many years back, when she was a Red Funnel ferry operating between Cowes-Southampton. She too is kept in the same standard as Waverly. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Sgeir]

A fine sight. In the Sound of Luing;

 

[Lakesailor]

I used to (as a very, very young boy, you understand) travel on the Lincoln, Tattershall and Wingfield Castles across the Humber. I can rememeber standing and staring at the engines as the worked.

Because the Minerva Pier in Hull where they berthed was in the tidal channel and the tide runs so fast the skipper could come into the berth sideways by merely stemming the tide and steering toward the pier. Ferry-gliding in real terms.

 

[Casey]

Thanks for the memory. My wife and I did much of our courting on those very vessels. (transport was cheap then!). She even allowed me to watch those fabulous engines working occasionally!!

 

[Romeo]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the memory. My wife and I did much of our courting on those very vessels. (transport was cheap then!). She even allowed me to watch those fabulous engines working occasionally!!

[/ QUOTE ]
Leave your wife's fabulous engines out of this please!

 

[Lakesailor]

I think I also saw Casey's girlfriend's engines steaming /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Casey]

Fifty years later and she still makes my temperature rise!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Lakesailor]

Wipe her down with an oily rag and she should last a fair bit longer.

 

[Casey]

That must be why she's lasted so long - I used to do it regularly!!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Rabbie]

One of my favourites. As a wee boy growing up in the 40s on the Clyde, I was treated to 'doon the watter' trips on Waverley and her like, several times a year leaving Broomielaw Pier in Glasgow for the Kyles, Rothesay, Arran etc. Fathers were wont to excuse the wife to 'go and show the boys the engines', knowing full well that the bar was on the route!. Happy, happy days. I have a water-colour of her in my bathroom. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[whipper_snapper]

Not my picture, but nice.

 

[oldharry]

Lovely - but didnt know they had Waverley rigged for sail as well. What do they do with the paddles and funnel .......? Bit like HMS Warrior's order - "Up propellor" for best sailing performance?

Seriously - great Pic - thanks!

 

[Lakesailor]

OOH, Sorry. Just couldn't live with those colour casts.

 

[Bejasus]

is that her heading up the Kilbrannan sound towards Lochranza? Have taken many trips on her since I was a child going doon the water with the family at the Glasgow Fair holiday to Dunoon, Millport and Rothesay.

 

[whipper_snapper]

Thanks LS, I knew something was wrong but didn't know what to do about it.

I don't know where either boat is going! But it is off Arran and I believe the Kilbrannan side but I am no expert on the area. I was sent the picture because of an association with the other boat This picture may help, they were taken July last year. I can tell you more about the other boat if anyone is interested!

 

[Sgeir]

Could be wrong, but it looks to me like An Casteal Abhail from off the NE side off the island.

EDIT: Or maybe Cioch na h-Oighe, but also from the NE.

 

[LittleShip]

Com'on Douglas

Looks like the bottom of wee Cubrea (or however it's spelt,) with Millport in the distance!

Tom

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