Clyde Summer Season 2013

Thursday 5 September 2013

Clyde Summer Season 2013

Waverley has now arrived on the south coast having departed Glasgow on Monday 2nd September after making a brief call at Yarrows yard at Scotstoun to allow for her navigation lights to be replaced.

The main Clyde summer season came to a conclusion after Waverley sailed back from Millport to Glasgow on Sunday (1st September). Overall the ship had performed exceptionally well and no days were lost due to mechanical issues. Indeed none of the 64 scheduled sailings were outright cancelled and only a few minor alterations to the published timetable were necessary due to weather conditions.

The weather for most of July was excellent and as a result the ship carried her greatest passenger loadings since 1994. During August the weather was variable but passenger numbers kept in line with 2012 so overall the Clyde season has been a success. Throughout the season changes have been taking place in terms of the new WEL website as well as a new format for press advertising. A new logo has been designed and is now evident on the website and on some souvenirs in the shop. It is hoped that the new style of advertising and the new logo bring a fresh feel to the Waverley brand.

Looking ahead there are still 36 days of scheduled sailings between the South Coast, Thames and Clyde. Waverley as ever is in need of continued support to ensure her long term survival.

The following pictures were taken during her final week of the Clyde season on Tuesday 27th August (Ayr) and Sunday 1st September.

Waverley cants round the corner on the North Harbour at Ayr for the final time in 2013.

Berthing at Compass Pier, Ayr.

Arriving at Greenock on Sunday 1st September.

At Millport Old Pier while her passengers have time ashore.

Low tide at Millport. (Photo by David Shirres)

Resting at Millport. (Photo by David Shirres)

Over the final weekend Waverley had two special flags being flown above the bridge. They are the flags of the Swiss cantons of Luzern (blue and white) and Unterwalden (red and white). They were being flown to welcome 2 paddle steamer masters from Lake Luzern who were making a special trip to Scotland just to sail on Waverley.

The final fan board selection for the Summer Clyde Season 2013, the return sailing from Millport to Glasgow.

Paul Semple

1 comment:

Unknown said...: Nice place . Summer is a favorite season for photo walking, especially for you cross-processing lovers. Here are some reminders on what to bring for some fun photo walking under the summer sun!

Microstock photo website; 4 October 2013 at 07:17

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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.

Thursday 5 September 2013