Waverley on the South Coast Part 7

Report by Martin Longhurst

Sunday 10 September 2006 was a beautiful day as passengers joined the steamer at Berth 104 in Southampton's Western Docks. Nearby Thompson's Celebration was at the Mayflower Cruise Terminal. Visibility was a little hazy as we headed down Southampton Water so we went below for an excellent full breakfast. All too soon we were picking our way through the yachts on our approach to Yarmouth Pier. There were about 200 on the pier which doubled the numbers on board as we headed west parallel to the shingle beach of Hurst Spit.

The balloon goes up over Bournemouth

The forward line is secured - note the closed section of pier

Bournemouth Belle turns for Swanage

Bournemouth was the focal point of the day's timetable as connections were provided by Dorset Belle Cruises to and from Swanage. This was because Swanage Pier's strength had been re-assessed and subsequently the structure had been closed to ships of Waverley and Balmoral's size. Bournemouth Pier had also been surveyed and the lower parts of both the eastern and western landing stages had been blocked off pending repairs. This meant that the connecting ships had to berth on opposite sides of the pier and that only two flights of steps to the main pier level were in use, which slowed down embarkation and disembarkation somewhat.

The absence of the Swanage call allowed the paddler to reach Weymouth early, giving passengers extra time for their run ashore. We took advantage of the added minutes to visit a couple of further flung pubs, The Queens Hotel, selling an excellent pint of Weymouth Brewery bitter, and the nearby Hop Back pub The Dolphin.

At 3.37 Peter Bushell arrived at Bournemouth and rumour has it that the clouds moved in!

Condor Express inbound from the Channel Islands

Leaving Weymouth the steamer was virtually full as 150 had joined for the one-way trip along the Jurassic Coast, return by coach. On the return run to Bournemouth the Wessex Branch held their Hospitality Cruise and 17 members were able to visit the Bridge in small groups. The steamer slowed passing Swanage Bay as the ashes of a regular passenger were scattered. Then we overhauled the Bournemouth Belle which was running the Swanage link just off Old Harry Rocks.

Old Harry Rocks

Bournemouth Belle follows the paddler back to Bournemouth

Waverley secure on the western berth as the Belle catches up

Back at Bournemouth Pier there was a vast exchange of passengers which allowed the Bournemouth Belle time to catch up. Additional passengers also joined for the evening cruise to Southampton, return by coach. The sun had set as we berthed at Yarmouth to drop off our Wight passengers.

Berthing at Southampton Berth 104 was delayed as, after having turned by the George V Graving Dock, Waverley had to pause while Grimaldi Line's Grand Benelux slowly crossed her path inbound.

After an off service day on Monday 11th, the steamer had a successful Tuesday and Wednesday serving Weymouth, Bournemouth and the Western Solent before tying up for the night at Portsmouth.

Thursday was due to take the paddler to Yarmouth, Bournemouth (with Dorset Belle connection for Swanage) and for a non-landing cruise to Lulworth Cove. Heavy rain had caused major traffic disruption in Portsmouth and Waverley waited 15 minutes for a coach party which had been held up. Finally we followed HMS Atherstone out of the Harbour and turned to starboard. After Yarmouth there were over 350 on board but this was to remain our complement for longer than planned. Leaving the Solent we encountered a long but persistent swell which gently rolled the steamer on her way westward. On arrival at Bournemouth, this led to unacceptable motion and Captain Colledge reluctantly decided that he was unable to land or embark passengers.

Lulworth Cove - traditional paddle steamer destination

Waverley steamed across the bay to Durleston Head and then hugged the coast to Lulworth. Here she swung out to sea to line up for an approach to the Cove. As we now had plenty of time in hand (as the schedule allowed for calls at both Bournemouth and Swanage), the paddler gave a further cruise viewing the coast as far as Weymouth and then the outside of Portland Harbour. Here we passed HMS Tyne before turning back east on a direct course for The Needles.

The spectacular Jurassic Coast

The Needles - Scratchell's Bay to the right and Alum Bay to the left

Caedmon arrives at Yarmouth as Cenwulf makes for Lymington in the background

We arrived at Yarmouth promptly at 18.30 hours and went straight on to Portsmouth, where the passengers got off before the steamer sailed light for Southampton for her overnight stay.

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