THE world’s last sea-going paddle steamer has come home to the Clyde for a stylish season finale for her 80th anniversary.
The much-loved vessel will ply to Dunoon and Blairmore on Saturday then cruise up Loch Long to Arrochar.
On Sunday, the final voyage of the year, Waverley will be in Rothesay, the Kyles of Bute and Tighnabruaich.
This weekend’s sailings bring to an end the longest operational season for more than a decade.
In the past weeks, Waverley has been along the South Coast of England skirting the White Cliffs of Dover and sailing up and down the River Thames including passing under the open arms of London’s Tower Bridge by both day and night.
The General Manager of Waverley Excursions, Paul Semple, said: “Waverley reaching her 80th anniversary is a remarkable achievement and one that everyone connected with the ship can be incredibly proud of.
“She was built to serve the Clyde coast and 80 years later she continues to give tens of thousands of people the opportunity to experience the joy of travelling by steam.
“From her early beginnings with London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) to her survival as a working paddle steamer after being gifted for £1 to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, Waverley has become much more than a ship. She is a living piece of maritime history and a much-loved part of our national heritage.”
Mr Semple added: “It is particularly special to be celebrating her 80th anniversary here in London, sailing through Tower Bridge, while also looking ahead to returning home to the Clyde for the final sailings of our anniversary season.”
Originally named and launched at the Pointhouse Yard of A&J Inglis in Glasgow on October 2, 1946 she entered service on June 16, 1947. It was the start of a remarkable career that would see Waverley become one of the most recognisable vessels in the world.
Waverley became the sweetest of songs on the River Clyde, perhaps as foreseen at that launch by Lady Matthews, wife of the chairman of the LNER.
She commented back in October 1946: “The splendour of the Clyde coast scenery should be viewed from steamers like this.”
Waverley will return next year, not least to mark the 80th anniversary of her maiden voyage on June 16.
For now, Paul Semple reflects this has been “a remarkable year”.
