Thames 24.9.00

Waverley's first full day on the Thames Estuary was Friday 22 September when she was due to sail from Tilbury and Southend to Clacton, Walton and Ipswich. Unfortunately the tides were about half a metre below prediction which meant that there was insufficient depth to traverse the Swin Channel. Consequently,it was not possible to reach Clacton or Walton on the way to Ipswich. The afternoon cruise was scheduled to take Waverley back down the River Orwell to Felixstowe and then along the River Stour to Parkestone Quay before turning for the open sea. As the scheduled calls at Walton and Clacton were still not possible, Captain Gellatly decided to steam northerly up the Suffolk coast to Orfordness. When she turned, she was 35 miles short of completing the circumnavigation of Great Britain from Great Yarmouth! This was also the first occasion when this cruise has been given. Waverley spent the night at Cliff Quay in Ipswich Docks.

Tidal conditions were no more favourable on Saturday when the planned sail was from Ipswich, Walton and Clacton to Tilbury, via the Upper Pool of London. Purser Jim McFadzean informed us on boarding that no call would be possible at Clacton, and that the additional distance around the sandbanks meant that our arrival at Tilbury would be some 45-60 minutes late. A very good number joined at Ipswich, using the usual bus shuttle service from Tower Ramparts Bus Station and the Railway Station. It was very hazy steaming down the Orwell and on to Walton Pier to pick up some more passengers. Clacton passengers were transferred by coach to join the ship at Southend. The cruise was given under unbroken blue skies, with the only shade seeming to come from the Orwell and Queen Elizabeth (M25) Bridges. Passing Greenwich, where a river festival was taking place, the replica three-masted man-o'-war Grand Turk was preparing to fire a 'broadside,' which we later heard echoing up the river.

Tug Revenge assisted Waverley turn in the Upper Pool, just upstream of Tower Bridge.

Waverley finished her day at Tilbury where a large fleet of coaches was drawn up to speed passengers home.

Sunday's cruise was from Tower Pier for Tilbury, Southend and a Thames Forts cruise. Moored opposite Tower Pier, alongside HMS Belfast, was the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Sir Tristram on a courtesy visit. Details of all visiting vessels, and of all lifts of Tower Bridge can be found on Livesights together with live and recorded pictures from the Upper Pool. Before the day cruise had ended, an evening cruise had begun! Passengers from Southend and Tilbury joined the paddler for a trip up to see Tower Bridge floodlit.

Departure from Tilbury was delayed slightly as the enormous car carrier Hyundai No. 203 was leaving her berth, assisted by the tugs Cobham and Sun Sussex.

We steamed westward into an unusual sunset, finally experiencing the "Twinkling Thames" in its full glory.

The Millenium Dome with the Canary Wharf towers beyond, to its left.

By the time we had rounded Blackwall Point, darkness had fallen over The Dome.

Waverley's funnel seems to dwarf Britain's tallest building!

The paddler passes through Tower Bridge on 24 September 2000

Waverley's funnels are caught in the Bridge's floodlights as she passes between the towers followed by two Thames passenger launches, one on either side.