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Waverley on the Thames
Dateline 28 September 2000
Three Paddle Steamers Day
Today's sailing started at Tilbury at 1015 hrs, bound for Southend and the River Medway to rendezvous with the river paddle steamer Kingswear Castle. The KC was due to take some passengers up Dam Head Creek to view the third paddle steamer, Medway Queen.
Leaving Tilbury, Captain Gellatly used the anchor to swing the ship round before proceeding downstream as the tide was flooding at the time. Southend was reached without incident. The Engineers used the opportunity to tighten up a steam leak on the Main Engine before we steamed south to the mouth of the River Medway.
Approaching Kingsnorth Power Station, the KC came into sight, awaiting our arrival. Soon the Waverley dropped anchor at the mouth of Damhead Creek and, after a while, she stopped swinging round.
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The KC started her approach, but a unexpected current caught her at the last moment, and she made a heavy contact with the corner of Waverley's sponson. Unfortunately she incurred some damage to her spring beam as a result, and three of the paddle floats were fouling against this spot.
Both KC's and Waverley's Engineers examined the damage and quickly modified the floats to clear. However, it was decided not to proceed with the transfer of passengers to avoid the risk of a second rendezvous. Later we heard that the damage to KC had been repaired and she was fully serviceable.
So the KC cast off and set course for Chatham under her own power, rapidly followed by the Waverley, once she had weighed anchor.
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The KC at full speed as the Waverley steams for Chatham. |
Waverley turned by the dry-docks at the Chatham Historic Dockyard as she had the day before.
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Passing back down the Medway we passed and exchanged whistle salutes with KC. |
| At Southend work is underway demolishing the remains of the Pier Head building to make way for a new Lifeboat House. |  |
| The Gravesend - Tilbury Ferry Wilkins Micawber arrives at Tilbury to return Waverley passengers to the south bank. |  |
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On the Thames Waverley takes fuel from the tanker Whitask as there is no suitable access for road tankers to her regular piers. |
| The Whitask slowly passes alongside the Waverley while she is berthed at Tilbury Landing Stage. |  |
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Whitask secured alongside while the aggregate dredger City of London passes downstream |