Waverley on the South Coast: 5 September 2005
by Martin Longhurst
Firstly, an apology for the lack of updates recently. There is no
particular reason except there are only 24 hours in a day and I do like to sleep
for 7 or 8 of them! I will try and keep you up to date now the paddler is in my
"home waters."
Unfortunately, Waverley's last day on the Clyde (which should have been a
standard Ailsa Craig Monday) was disrupted by the weather. But before that, she
had to make an unscheduled call at Greenock to land a sick passenger. After
Largs, it was not possible to proceed to Ayr and the steamer turned north to
cruise Loch Long (to near Arrochar), Loch Goil (turning one mile short of
Lochgoilhead), the Gareloch and Holy Loch before landing her 166 passengers at
Greenock, to be coached home.
After taking bunkers, Waverley departed Greenock at 20.00 on Monday and arriving
at Weymouth at 10.00 on Wednesday morning, 30 August, after a good passage. She
spent some time tied up there waiting to take up service at 1300 on Friday. This
was a three-hour non-landing cruise but nevertheless attracted over 400
passengers. Then on to Swanage and Bournemouth for a show boat cruise to
Southampton, where she spent the night.
Saturday saw the paddler take her first cruise of the year round the Isle of
Wight. This was heavily booked and unfortunately some unbooked passengers had to
be turned away at Southampton, Portsmouth and Yarmouth. The Island was
circumnavigated clockwise. Unfortunately conditions were a bit misty for part of
the cruise.
The spell of good weather continued on Sunday but the increasing humidity led to
more mist. Over one hundred were on board for the 09.00 departure and a similar
number joined at Yarmouth. Good progress was made to Bournemouth and Swanage and
over 300 took the Jurassic Coast cruise to Weymouth. About another 100
joined for the single trip to Swanage with coach return.
Unfortunately the return passage was marred by several bouts of torrential rain.
Picture: Waverley at her berth in Southampton, 4 September 2005.