Waverley on the Thames 2006 Part 1
Report by Martin Longhurst
With Waverley safely berthed in sheltered waters, coaches were arranged to pick up her Dover passengers on Friday 22 September 2006. They met up with the steamer at Whitstable for a cruise up the Thames with a side trip to the Medway, unfortunately all in steady rain. The paddler took up her timetable with her Tilbury call and then headed for Tower Pier.
The original plan has been to operate a PSPS Evening Cruise on the Friday, but the availability of Tower Pier was limited by the call by the cruise ship Silver Cloud and suitable timings could not be agreed. In the event, WEL operated a later evening cruise on their own account, and this carried just over 300 passengers.
The sun attempting to shine on Tower Bridge
Silver Cloud moored alongside HMS Belfast
Bosun Aidan Jennings polishes the brass while Iain McCorkindale looks on amazed
Saturday started off quite foggy as the steamer rested at her overnight berth at the eastern end of Tower Pier. As Silver Cloud, moored alongside HMS Belfast on the south bank, was operating her tenders across the river to the western end, hence this was out of bounds to domestic passengers.
The sailing took the steamer to Southend and Whitstable. Once the early fog had lifted, it turned out to be a glorious day with the ship carrying many hundreds of happy passengers. Unfortunately, the level of advance bookings meant that no unbooked passengers could be taken. Conditions were so favourable that we were able to enjoy an extra 20 minutes in the Kentish port. At the conclusion of the sailing the paddler was able to remain alongside Tower Pier without having to clear the berth as had been expected.
Alongside at Whitstable
Sunday morning saw heavy rain early on, but this had cleared away by the time we arrived at Tower Pier to board the Paddle Steamer Parade sailing. This was also heavily booked, except for the River Medway sector.
Silver Cloud again - what a difference a day makes!
Sailing barges Hydrogen and Cabby waiting to share our bridge lift
Tug Revenge swings the paddler by London Bridge
Passing through an open span of the Thames Barrier
PS Kingswear Castle whistles in salute
A Tiger Moth flew overhead
Nipashore turned the Waverley just upstream of Upnor
Waverley steamed down river under blue skies amid bright sunshine. More people joined the ship at Tilbury, although some had taken advantage of the one-way trip to experience steamer travel. On to Southend where the majority of passengers disembarked - a lot of them being one-way travellers from two big coach parties.
Some Southenders got on to replace, but the paddler seemed strangely empty for the River Medway cruise and the rendezvous with the Kingswear Castle. We met the small paddler by Hoo Island and exchanged whistle blasts. Waverley continued upriver a little further before she was turned by the small tug Nipashore within sight of Upnor Castle.
Shortly we caught up with the KC and the passengers on each ship cheered their companions. Waverley having overtaken her consort on her starboard side, Captain John Megoran rang for Full Ahead and steamed forward along Waverley's port side. Final cheers and whistling ensued and then the larger steamer accelerated away for Southend.
An evening cruise was offered up river, and those taking this option replaced the morning's down river passengers. This option was also offered from Tilbury, where we also picked up the party of Vintage Cycle Club members who had travelled down in the morning. A beautiful sunset was observed on the passage westward. The steamer took over 30 minutes to disembark her passengers at Tower Pier, but finally all were off and she departed on her final leg to Tilbury, Southend travellers finishing their journey by coach. As on all other occasions, tug Revenge assisted in turning the paddler in the Pool of London.
My favourite shot - Waverley sailing off to Tilbury