<!--#easybanner-->
Waverley on the Thames
Dateline 25 September 2000
First Call at Queen Elizabeth II Pier for The Millennium Dome
 |
Having spent the night alongside Tilbury Landing Stage, Waverley steamed light to Southend at about 0800 hrs to commence her day's public sailings. This was upriver to Tilbury, The Dome and Tower Pier. She is seen arriving back at Tilbury. Upon leaving, just under 150 were aboard. |
Approaching the QE2 Pier
Waverley was assisted onto the berth by her usual tug Revenge.
As we came alongside, the London Belle arrived from Greenwich
69 passengers disembarked and three joined the ship!
The view from the Upper Deck
Millennium Time unloads as Waverley draws away
City Cruises provide the service from Waterloo Millennium Pier, just by the London Eye
The first of four lifts of Tower Bridge for Waverley (Note the plume of steam from the whistle)
The Bridge closes as soon as the ship is clear
Shaping up to take Tower Pier
Alongside Tower Pier Image by Michael Thomas
Most of the remaining passengers disembarked at Tower Pier for the afternoon ashore, some having inclusive tickets to The Tower of London. During the intervening period, Waverley offered a non-landing cruise.
Tug Revenge again turned the paddler, just down stream of London Bridge.
Taking the strain as the turn commences
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary Sir Tristram moored alongside HMS Belfast for a recruitment exercise. Note the Army Landing Craft L113 Audemer (in dark camoflage) and the yachts Star Trekker and St Christopher tied up beyond Sir Tristram.
The tow rope is slipped as the Bridge starts to rise. The launch Pridela is just passing between the towers. The yachts Star Trekker and St Christopher took advantage of Waverley's lift to start their return voyages.
View from Tower Bridge Image by Michael Thomas
Unfortunately the weather deteriorated and a slight drizzle fell throughout the afternoon. Waverley turned a mile below the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at Thurrock, making the turn in one maneouvre.
The return to Tower Pier was achieved on time, but the drizzle soon turned to heavy rain.
Chief Engineer Ian McMillan polishes the High Pressure big end while loading is in progress
Another snappy turn was made with the aid of the tug Revenge, which we then followed downstream to The Dome, in case her assistance was required to berth at the QE2 Pier. In the event, this was unnecessary and Waverley slotted on to the north end of the pontoon, just fifteen feet astern of City Cruisers' Millennium Time.