A CELEBRATION of the Steamers of the Clyde will be taking place at Dunoon Pier next month.
Featuring talks, a range of stalls and a display of model paddle steamers, the free-to-attend event will take place on Saturday, April 18 and is a tribute to Dunoon Pier of the 1960s and 1970s, as well as marking the official start of the two years of anniversary celebrations for the iconic and much-loved PS Waverley, the worlds last remaining sea-going paddle steamer.
The event is jointly organised by Dunoon based group Cowal Heritage Society and Scottish maritime history group Ship Ahoy, an annual gathering of enthusiast clubs and organisations working in tandem with the operators of historical and modern vessels.
Steamers of the Clyde will run from 10am to 4pm with author, historian and Waverley quartermaster Iain Quinn presenting three engaging talks within the piers pavilion building.
He explained: It promises to be a fantastic day for anyone with an interest in the maritime history of Dunoon and the Clyde, and we hope to see as many local people as possible enjoying the working models of the Waverley, the TS Duchess of Hamilton and the PS Jeanie Deans, expertly crafted over many years by John McNulty of Clyde Steamers.
The event at Dunoon Pier will include stalls for Tighnabruaich Pier Association, Waverley Excursions Ltd and John McNulty Clyde Steamer Models. There will plenty of memorabilia on sale including postcards, photos and rare books about the Clyde Steamers.”
Ian added: Its a chance to look back at the legacy left by the era of the Clyde steamers and kicks-off two years of celebrations about the Waverley that spans eight decades. Completed in 1946, the Waverley made its maiden voyage in 1947.
It will also be a precursor to an event at Summerlee Heritage Museum in Coatbridge one week later on April 25th which will showcase a wide range of models and include 25 stalls for organisations such as the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society and the Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust.
“We’d like to put on record our thanks to Peter Welsh of Argyll and Bute Council for his support and co-operation for what promises to be a wonderful maritime-focused event.”
