Waverley Summer 2010

Gerry Ward's video of Waverley during Summer 2010. Great shots pity the weather was not more 'summery'

 

MedEvac Exercise with Waverley.

Whilst enjoying a cruise round the Isle of Wight in September we were aware of a helicopter approaching. This turned out to be a MedEvac exercise of which Waverley would be the focal point.


The following videos (shot from my mobile phone hence the quality) were taken during the exercise.


(May take a while to load depending on internet connection speed)

(1) The Helicopter lowers the stretcher onto Waverley's Aft Deck.

(2) The Helicopter returns to remove the "patient".

(3) The "patient" and Winchman are returned to the helicopter.

(4) Helicopter with "patient" and winchman now safely onboard, returns to base.

Gavin Stewart

ps Waverley - Final Call at Tarbert, Loch Fyne 2008

(Words G Stewart, Video Footage S McKechnie)

The branch are always keen to involve it's members where ever possible. I first met Stephen a couple of years back when he partcipated in our Voluntary Assistance survey and he has been very active helping out every since.

Stephen can be seen throughout the sailing season camera in hand taking photos and also short video clips. He has been kind enough to put them on a DVD and the video below is a series of clips of Waverley leaving Tarbert Pier, Loch Fyne for what could her last time. The pier is in urgent need of repairs and to date there has been no money available from the powers that be to do it. This is a real pity as Tarbert was always a favourite destination of mine!

Anyway - on with the show - it lasts a couple of minutes and may take a little time to load depending on your internet connection speed.
Viewers with Dial Up may experience problems for which we apologise!

Hope you enjoy this one - more to come from Stephen soon!!

Gavin

Lochranza - At Last!!

The motor ship Balmoral is also operated by Waverley Excursions and sails in support of the PS Waverley. Since Lochranza pier re-opened, there have been a number of planned sailings to Lochranza by the Balmoral during her normal September weekend visit to the Clyde but none of these have actually taken place, mostly due to weather conditions, when alternative cruises have been provided in more sheltered waters.

2008 proved to be the year that Balmoral eventually reached her planned destination and provided us with a very enjoyable cruise for the day, on Sunday 28th September.

However, Lochranza was not Balmoral's only unusual call for the day - she also made a call at Clydebank on her way down river from Glasgow.

Unfortunately it was not clear where Balmoral would actually call

and a number of us waited to see her come alongside

the restored Titan crane at Clydebank

- a great location in perfect sunlight.

In the end she arrived and berthed unexpectedly at the edge of Rothesay Dock,

resulting in a mad dash to try and catch a photo looking straight into the sun

After her Clydebank call,
Balmoral speeds off for her next call at Greenock


Balmoral arriving at Greenock

Balmoral at Lochranza

One of the least interested residents at Lochranza!

There were actually 4 deer together in this area but they were among

various obstructions which spoiled the line-up with the ship

Just what Clyde Cruising is all about - sitting in the sun,

enjoying the scenery and fresh air, passing the time of day with friends,

putting the world of coastal cruising to rights,

recounting exploits and previous journeys and planning for the next trip

A compilation of some short video clips taken during the Lochranza visit,

starring a few local heros (but no deer!) who pull out the stops

to make Waverley and Balmoral trips

1 possible and

2 memorable

Thanks to all concerned for another great trip.

Charles McCrossan

Lochranza Traditions

You may have heard of "caber tossing" or "haggis hunting" but have you ever heard of "toilet-roll hurling"? Regular Waverley passengers on the last sailing of the season to Lochranza are assured that this is a traditional ritual exercised each year, when the last Steamer of the season has called at Lochranza, over the past century or so . I am sure that the current perpetrators have not been enacting the ritual for all that time - but they do a great job in adding to the occasion on behalf of Waverley. Knowing the folks involved, I'm surprised that sheep and tractors are not also involved - but that is a whole different story!!

Anne, Fiona and Kenny enjoy themselves as Waverley moves astern from Lochranza pier, while someone, somewhere, on Waverley makes a token effort to fight back! (This clip from the end of the 2007 season)

Charles McCrossan

The Heart of Our Paddler

When you see Waverley going about her business in one of her many sailing areas throughout the cruising season what do you see?

Well.....the most obvious things are her two red, white and black funnels - rising proudly from the deck - their rake making the ship look like she is doing 18 knots standing still!! The subtle sheer of her hull or those black fan shaped paddle boxes.

But what makes this masterpiece of wood, steel and brass tick?

See video below to find out!!! (may take a few seconds to load depending on connection speed)

2100ihp of triple expansion steam engine - the heart of our paddler!!

Gav

Video Clip - Steam Capstan from Flying Buzzard

Not about paddles but definitely steam!! Click on the play button bottom left to play the video clip - please note that it may take a few seconds to start depending on your internet connection speed.

Steam Tug Flying Buzzard is a harbour tug built by Ferguson Bros, Port Glasgow in 1951 for the Clyde Shipping Co Ltd. She was one of three near identical vessels the others being Flying Merlin and Flying Petrel.

She was sold from the fleet in the 60s and after a spell in Dundee ended up residing in Maryport at the then new Maritime Museum. When the Museum went to the wall in 2001 she was bought by a private owner who removed her boiler and brass fittings and effectively left her to rot in the harbour.

In 2004 she was bought by Mr Mike Nelder, the steam plant was removed and replaced by an oil motor from a scrapped trawler. The redundant main steam engine and ancillary equipment was sold to the Scottish Maritime Museum and is being restored at the moment. The capstan was on display at last weekend's Glasgow River Festival and was being operated by compressed air.

For more information on Flying Buzzard visit her website here

The museum had another working exhibit on their stand which was a compound steam engine from a floating crane - more on that one another time.

Cheers for now!

Gavin