Dateline 3 September 2000

Waverley had a superb journey south, leaving Anderston Quay at 09.20 hrs on Tuesday 28 August. Fuel was taken at Falmouth before the paddler arrived at Weymouth at midnight on Wednesday.

Unfortunately weather conditions deteriorated the moment she entered service from Weymouth on Friday 1 September. The first afternoon cruise was due to go along the Dorset coast to Lulworth. However, after a couple of miles or so, it was decided to turn and stay in the lee of Portland Bill for the duration of the cruise. Portland Harbour was closed to navigation and so the paddler kept tight in along the coast until the headland. The cruise was curtailed at two hours.

The forecast was for westerly gales overnight so Captain Gellatly decided to remain out of harm's way in Weymouth Harbour. This meant that, unfortunately, the evening Fireworks cruise out of Bournemouth had to be cancelled.

Waverley left Weymouth at 05.00 hrs on Saturday to take up her schedule at Southampton. She was allocated Berth 46, adjacent to S.S. Shieldhall. She sailed just after time after waiting for a delayed party of passengers. Weather conditions were now ideal with bright sunshine and a northerly breeze making for apparently no wind over the deck of the paddler.

Good time was made to Gilliker Point, where speed was reduced to avoid an early arrival. A smooth approach was made to Portsmouth Harbour Station Pier where a goodly crowd joined the steamer.

On leaving, the services of the tug Gary James pushed Waverley's bow round the ease the problems of making a swift exit from the Harbour.

Passing down the main channel the Brittany Ferries super ferry Normandie was coming into port. The approach to Sandown was made in perfect conditions and again the paddler was again greeted by a large crowd of passengers. The circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight was made clockwise and a shower of hail was encountered off Blackgang.

Towards the Needles there was a lively swell running and Captain Gellatly took the steamer away from the coast to avoid the confused seas.

We rounded the Needles in sunshine and made our way eastwards once more.

Along the Solent we passed Croson's Poole Belle and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Sir Tristram, seen overtaking a yacht.

So back to Sandown, where the ship was berthed on the western arm of the Pier Head. Purser Jim MacFadzean had to take a hammer to a recalcitrant clip of the pier chains to allow the gangway to be put out!

On the passage to Portsmouth we saw P&O Cruises liner Aurora in the distance off Cowes, just as the sun began to set and a golden glow spread around. Departure from Portsmouth was held up slightly to allow the Wightlink FastCat Our Lady Patricia to come alongside at her normal berth just ahead of the paddler's. Again the tug Gary James assisted with the turn as we headed off into the gathering gloom. Visible in the Camber Docks was Wightlink's new fast craft Fastcat Shanklin, with temporary covers over her twin bows. She is expected to enter service later this month. Back at Berth 46, Southampton, Waverley's passengers soon dispersed into the night.

Here are some more views around the Rebuilt paddler:

The Wheelhouse, Bridge and For'ard Deck Shelter are unchanged apart from revarnishing or scumbling as appropriate.

All the buoyant apparatus have been replaced by these units, constructed to a modern design (using foam blocks in place of airtight copper tanks) and complying with current safety standards.

The port engineroom alleyway looking aft. The bulkheads are painted a bright yellow hue. A passenger is just passing through the new steel firedoor, which normally stands open. It is planned to lay timber decking next winter.

The Emergency Exit doors from the Dining Saloon. Finished in birch veneer, the diamond 'window' is a feature from Waverley's original outfit. Note the use of mirror glass to present a light atmosphere. Finally, there is the LNER style plastic sign.

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