The Waverly Paddle Steamer - Glasgow - July 2009

[skin]

A trip down the water – (pronounced “ A trip doon the waaatter”)

A sail down the Clyde in essentially a live museum piece.

The Waverly – the last sea going paddle steamer in the world

Built on the Clyde in 1947 - to replace the original Waverley that sunk off Dunkirk in 1940, the Waverley was originally built to sail only between Craigendorran & Arrochar in West Scotland.

£1 doesn't get you much these days, but in 1974 it bought a 693-tonne paddle steamer! Mounting running costs left the then operators no choice but to withdraw Waverley from service with the idea of preserving this unique ship. The Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS) stepped in and took over the helm - for the princely sum of £1. It is a credit to the Society and supporters that the Waverley.

2003 saw the completion of a major restoration project, which returned Waverley to the original 1940s style with which she was built.

The boat

Some of the sights

The Titan crane - being preserved for heritage.

Camis Erskine – war veterans hospital

And theres always the moonies from the local neds on the riverbank
- Sweet Glasgow !!

[boxfrenzy]

How funny. The boat is cool. Nice one

[BB]

Nice!

Trust the Glasgees to get their arses out!

[skin]

The Waverly does trips round the country and it can be found on the Thames in London - just check their website if your interested.

[superkev]

nice stuff, easy way to spy future explores on the banks!

[Muse]

what a beautiful boat

[escortmad79]

Good to see it's back in service after smashing into a pontoon a while back!

[the_undertaker]

Great to see the Waverley again, I used to go to Whitehaven harbour as a kid to see it on its annual visits to take people on day trips to the Isle of Man, although I never got to sail on her. For the last 10 years or so The Balmoral replaced her on these trips - a vessel I have sailed on, and although not a paddle steamer, she's an equally beautiful old vessel.

[BA]

Nice pics there skin