PS Waverley

Porthandbuoy

Porthandbuoy

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Joined
27 Apr 2003
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The Gareloch
www.backbearing.com
Took this as she was coming out of Rothesay. I was a bit puzzled as to why she had gone astern for some considerable distance before going ahead, turning to port and passing us. A bit of googling soon told me that the paddle wheels are on the same shaft. ie. no "half ahead port, half astern starboard". This means the Waverley has a very wide turning circle and rather limited maneouverability.
She's a lovely sight though; and check out the almost total absence of wake

 
A number of years ago I visited Tower Bridge in London, and discovered it was due to open in the early evening. We later drove across the bridge a few times, and eventually it closed (to traffic) so we stopped in the queue and got out to watch. The bridge opened to let PS Waverley through! :)
 
She's still a head turner when you see her and what a lovtely sound from those paddles as well. I read somewhere that she goes just as fast in reverse . It was a great gesture from the Largs' Euro millions winners a few years ago that helped keep her afloat. Hope she goes for a load more years.
 
LONG_KEELER said:
And she only draws 6' 3" . Great that she goes to those yottie places where we can all enjoy her.

Must be awkward to pilot. Wonder if she has thrusters ?
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No thrusters. Does some very committed bow or stern spring manoevers sometimes to get off a berth against the wind. Lots of power against the spring rope - then full paddle power out, with some very rapid crew work to free and clear the rope. Hate to think what would happen if a rope broke
 
Porthandbuoy said:
Took this as she was coming out of Rothesay. I was a bit puzzled as to why she had gone astern for some considerable distance before going ahead, turning to port and passing us. A bit of googling soon told me that the paddle wheels are on the same shaft. ie. no "half ahead port, half astern starboard". This means the Waverley has a very wide turning circle and rather limited maneouverability.
Click to expand...

With the exception of a very small number of tugs, all paddle steamers have always had a common shaft. Having independently driven paddles means having two engines, and there is just about room to fit one honkin' great triple expansion job (technical engineering term) into the Waverley.

A1Sailor said:
... but I presume she may be difficult to steer at low speeds.
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Handles like a pig, I'm told. Titchy little rudder and no propeller wash over it.

IMG_7424_2013-May-18-5.13.32+-+PS+Waverley+Drydock.jpg


I'me very glad she survived, but I wish some of the older and prettier ones had made it as well. We were breaking the up through the 60's, and lost some absolute gems. The Waverley herself has suffered from appallingly inept management over the years, but there are signs that things are improving. Long term, though, I'm still worried ...

I took a trip on her last year with my wee crew, and we took them up on their offer of free membership of the PSPS for weans if you joined on board. Part of the offer is two free Waverley tickets. That should be easy enough, right? Couple of vouchers, show 'em with your membership card at the purser's office, get free tickets. Nope. You get two forms which you have to post off in advance, giving details of the trip you want to take, so they can post your tickets back to you. Very spontaneous, and it is perhaps no surprise, but sad, to find that the PSPS has precisely eight junior members.
 
Yep, springs and and a bit of push and pull gets her off the pier against the wind.
OP - Think about it - there is a triple expansion engine with a crankshaft right across the boat. WhereTF is the differential going to fit???? and how to control it?
If you're at anchor up the Kyles and she's out and about, you can hear her long before she appears. I don't know how many paddles are on each wheel, but it seemed as if the ninth blade thumps harder than the rest. Here's the good stuff https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhUr_bC74mU see the foward/reverse 'gearbox' being operated briefly at about 3.45
 
Billjratt said:
If you're at anchor up the Kyles and she's out and about, you can hear her long before she appears. I don't know how many paddles are on each wheel, but it seemed as if the ninth blade thumps harder than the rest.
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It's every eighth, and it's a function of the feathering gear, which ensures that the floats stay fairly close to the vertical in the water. One of the eight doesn't, though, and thumps loudly. There is an explanation at http://www.waverleyandbalmoral.co.uk/PSWaverley/articles05/drydock3/index.htm
 
It is really impressive seeing her going through either the north or south channels at the Burnt Isles in the Sound of Bute, as basically she only has two speeds, slow or fast, so it has to be fast to make certain she can make all the appropriate turns.
 
I did a trip on her some years ago, a circuit of the Thames forts from Southend pier, on the way back they really opened her up to overtake a container ship & the sight of the bow wave curling back down the side off the ship from the door just forward of the paddlebox was a sight to behold. I am told she tops out at 21 knots & can believe it.
 
image.jpgWe took a trip on her in Scotland last year and she is impressive. It was a perfect day, blue sky and sea a few clouds and you could see for miles. The engine room is impressive, here's a short video I shot; http://youtu.be/M2v_RjkVBB8
I hope the link works!
 
A couple of years ago we were ghosting into Harwich in a pearly misty twilight. Waverley loomed out of the mist around Landguard.
With her raking funnels and silent approach we wondered if we had been time warped back to the 1930s. Magic moment!
 
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