Final Sailing of 2012

Friday 26 October 2012

Final Sailing of 2012

After a non-stop direct journey from Southampton Waverley arrived at her Glasgow berth a little before 5am on Sunday 21st October in time to take up her final sailing of 2012 from Glasgow to Tighnabruaich. This sailing was the usual Saturday roster in the main summer season but on this occasion with a shorter time allowed at Tighnabuaich.

After refuelling and a crew safety briefing Waverley departed at 10am to head down river for the last time in 2012. Good numbers joined her at Glasgow and in total over the course of the day over 930 were carried.

The schedule for the day was altered slightly to allow for the scattering of the ashes of Dr Joe McKendrick. Waverley made her call at Tighnabuaich as planned and then set off again. Unusually the ashes were scattered from the stern of the ship to allow all those who wanted to be present the chance to listen to a short reading by Douglas McGowan before casting a rose into the sea. After the ashes were scattered three long blasts were sounded on the whistle after which Waverley turned and headed back to the pier. Once again the red ensign was lowered to half mast as a mark of respect to someone who done so much to keep Waverley sailing.

Waverley departs Tighnabruaich

Passing through the narrows homeward bound for winter

As is often the case on the final sailing many regulars turned out to show support for the ship and Sunday was no exception. The following picture was taken on Sunday and shows 5 men who were all involved in the first year of preservation in 1975 (some are still involved 37 years on!).

Left to Right: Derek Peters, Cameron Marshall, Douglas McGowan, Peter Reid and Terry Sylvester

As Waverley headed for Greenock day light was fading over the Firth however the atmosphere on board was one of appreciation for yet another wonderful day cruising on the Clyde by paddler. Indeed it was one of those days which keeps passengers returning year after year.

Waverley leaves Greenock heading for Glasgow.

Nearly home as Waverley passes Glenlee and the Riverside Museum

In total since 1st June Waverley has sailed over 12900 nautical miles with over 2.6 million engine revolutions, not bad for a 65 year old!

(Pictures supplied by Douglas McGowan and David Shirres)

P Semple

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.

Friday 26 October 2012