After completion of her Thames season it was the early hours
of Monday 10th October when Waverley made her way down the Thames Estuary
to begin her journey home. Her journey to Weymouth provided lively conditions and
at a reduced speed, due to sea conditions, it took until the Tuesday morning to
reach Weymouth. She refuelled at Weymouth and lay alongside for most of the day
waiting for the conditions to ease. After departing Weymouth Waverley sailed directly
to Glasgow arriving early afternoon on Thursday 13th allowing her
crew some rest before undertaking the final sailings on the Clyde for 2011.
On Friday 14th an evening charter had been arranged
and this provided well over 700 passengers for a cruise down the Clyde turning
at the Tail of the Bank. On Saturday the steamer sailed to the head of Loch
Long to Arrochar where she turned off the former Admiralty pier before heading
back Blairmore. On Saturday the weather was not so kind but over 500 were
carried despite the wet conditions.
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| Heading up river early afteroon on Thursday 13th October. (Photo by Dr Joe McKendrick) |
The following video was taken as the ship departed from Helensburgh
for the last time in 2011. Note Captain Clark waving from the bridge!
Sunday promised to be the best day of the weekend weather wise and after the overnight rain cleared the day promised to be a success.
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| Sunday 16th just before boarding. (Gary Stevenson) |
By the time boarding had started at 9.30am a queue had
formed along the Quay. Shortly after 10am Waverley was turned with the help of
the tug and proceeded “doon the watter” with over 500 onboard including many
supporters who had travelled far and wide to be there for what was a day to
remember.
Greenock provided a further 200 passengers which on departure
from the Custom House meant that over 700 were aboard. The following link shows
a video taken of both arrivals and departures from Greenock on Sunday.
As suspected by the time Waverley reached Largs a good crowd
were waiting, unfortunately not all would be lucky enough to get aboard.
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| The queue at Largs as Waverley berthed, down the pier and onto the street! (Gary Stevenson) |
Those with pre-booked tickets were allowed to board leaving
just 20 further spaces for non-ticket holders. With an apology and thanks to
those unable to sail Waverley departed Largs with 860 passengers, the limit of
her class IV passenger certificate.
On passage to Rothesay two sea-king helicopters flew
overhead.
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| On passage to Rothesay. (Gary Stevenson) |
Waverley
arrived at Tighnabruaich at just before 3pm, the scheduled departure time! However
Captain Clark altered the departure time to 3.30pm to give the full 30 minutes
ashore. At 3.30pm prompt she departed with three long blasts on the whistle and
so the homeward journey had begun.
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| At Tighnabruaich. (Charles McCrossan) |
By
the time she reached Greenock day light was failing and on departure from
Greenock Waverley’s speed was increased until she was flat out. By Dumbarton
she was at full speed and with the engine running at 58rpm she certainly was
keen to get home for a well earned winter rest. Unusually the tug was waiting
to allow her to be turned before berthing port side to the Quay for winter
lay-up. As the gangways were put out the passengers provided an applause in
recognition of the efforts of the crew. Indeed two of the final passengers to
leave had only stepped aboard Waverley for the first time on the Sunday morning
and it was them who were the last to say thanks to the crew for a great day out
adding that they would definitely return.
So as thoughts turn to the winter months ahead, the winter maintenance
and the sheer hard work required to keep our paddler in pristine operational
condition sincere thanks are due to all those for whom this has been a testing
season. The ship’s crew, the office staff and the directors of both Waverley
Excursions & Waverley Steam Navigational Company as well as the many volunteers
they all deserve a massive thank you, not forgetting the passengers for it is
them that also guarantee that the ship keeps sailing.
The Waverley appeal remains open and further funds will
still be needed to ensure that Waverley operates a 2012 season so if you can
donate please do so, full details on the website at www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk
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| Final fan boards. Timetable sugguestions! (Charles McCrossan) |
Paul Semple
