Waverley at Lundy Island

Tuesday 9 June 2009

Waverley at Lundy Island

Some pictures from Waverley's first visits in 2009 to Lundy Island. The photographers are Michael McKinnon (like Waverley from Scotland), who is working for the Landmark Trust on Lundy this summer, and long time PSPS member Ashley Gill. Click on the pictures for larger size images.

The first picture (above) of Waverley's first arrival at Lundy was taken by Michael and, coincidently, it captures the second photographer, Ashley, in the red jacket on the ship's upper deck, abaft the funnels, watching the ship's approach. On the bridge is Waverley's senior master Capt Andy O'Brian and Capt Luke Davies.

The views above and below, also captured by Michael, show Waverley alongside the east side of Lundy pier as her passengers enjoy time ashore to explore the island. The paddler is looking absolutely magnificant despite limited financial resources over the past winter - she is a great credit to her officers, crew, managers and the dedicated band of enthusiatic volunteers that look after her.

First picture by Ashley (below) shows the paddler berthed on the other side of Lundy pier on 7th June.

Below, Ashley's second picture captures Ilfracombe's Town Cryer at work onthe paddler's promenade deck

In the following picture, by Ashley, Waverley has moved off to anchor - this was a familar sight until the pier at Lundy was constructed in recent years.

Finally a super view, captured by Ashley, showing Waverley underway off Lundy

The copyright of these photos remain with the photographers - many thanks to Michael and Ashley for sharing these superb views with us.

Stuart Cameron.

The Society

The Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS) is Britain's longest established, largest and most successful steamship preservation group.
A registered charity founded in 1959, we have over 3000 members and through our associated charitable companies we operate the only two working paddle steamers in Great Britain.
Without the PSPS there would no longer be the opportunity to sail on a Paddle Steamer in Great Britain.

Our aims
i) to preserve paddle steamers in sailing condition
ii) to educate the public in the historic significance of paddle steamers in the Nation's maritime and industrial heritage
iii) to acquire, preserve and exhibit a collection of equipment and material associated with paddle steamers.

Our Ships

Flagship of our fleet is Waverley the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world. Built in 1947 Waverley was gifted to the Society for just £1. As well as operating on her native Clyde each summer she visits other coastal areas around the UK during the spring and autumn each year.

Kingswear Castle is Britain's only operational coal-fired paddle steamer. Built in 1924 to sail on the River Dart she was purchased by the Society in 1967. From 1985 until 2012 she sailed the Thames and Medway. In 2013 Kingswear Castle returned to the Dart where she now operates public sailings during the summer season.

The society is composed of five branches: Scottish, London & Home Counties, Bristol Channel, Wessex & Dart and North England - all of which help raise money to keep our paddle steamers sailing.

The Scottish Branch

The Scottish Branch was formed in 1969 by Douglas McGowan, now our Honorary Branch President. In November 1973 Douglas was invited to attend a meeting with CalMac which resulted in Paddle Steamer Waverley being gifted to the PSPS for £1! It was then on 8th August 1974 that the PSPS took ownership of the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world and her second career in preservation had begun. Since 1974 the Scottish Branch has been directly linked to supporting Waverley.

The Scottish Branch is proud of its achievements. We are an active and forward thinking branch with a thriving membership of over 800 - we are proud to be the branch which secured an operational future for Waverley. Our members are regularly involved with voluntary work which helps ensure Waverley continues to sail. During the summer sailing season we help raise funds through the Society's Grand Draw and our annual fundraising cruise on Waverley. The Branch meets in Glasgow each month during the non-sailing season (October - April) and we extend an invitation to join the Society and indeed join the Scottish Branch.

Tuesday 9 June 2009