PSPS Loch Riddon Charter May 1972

Monday, 12 March 2012

PSPS Loch Riddon Charter May 1972

In May 1972 the PSPS Scottish Branch chartered Waverley sailing from Gourock,Wemyss Bay and Largs to Loch Riddon to land at Ormidale pier by the M.V. Rover, however on the day it was the M.V. The Second Snark which tendered to Waverley at Loch Riddon.

The following pictures were taken in May 1972 and permission has kindly been given to post them on this blog.

This picture was taken from The Second Snark as passengers board Waverley
at Gourock before departing for Wemyss Bay

A further close up of Waverley at Gourock

The Second Snark at Ormidale pier with Waverley at anchor in Loch Riddon

A view of Waverley taken from The Second Snark as she tenders to Waverley

For more pictures of Waverley and other steamers during the 70's click the following link, www.flickr.com/photos/malawirail/sets/72157594330129238

The planned charter to Ormidale this year should give plenty of photo opportunities for those passengers on The Second Snark either when sailing on her from/to Greenock or while landing at Ormidale from Waverley.

Tickets for the charter will be on sail at the next two Branch meetings on Friday 16th March and Friday 20th April (Branch AGM), postal booking forms will be sent out in the Spring issue of Paddle Wheels.

Paul Semple

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.

Monday, 12 March 2012