Trials and Tribulations
Saturday May 30 was a beautiful
day despite the official weather forecast. Waverley sailed from 
Bristol to Clevedon, Penarth
and Ilfracombe for time ashore. A good crowd was carried
including a evening showboat from Penarth to Ilfracombe with a
coach return. Unfortunately there was a 45 minute delay taking
water at Penarth as there had been no opportunity to top up
earlier in the day. So it was that the paddler was carefully
maneourvred round the lock entrance to the Cumberland Basin and
then steamed off into the darkness under the Clifton Suspension
Bridge.
Photo by Martin Longhurst
Minutes later, while rounding the
notorious Horseshoe Bend in the River Avon, Waverley touched
bottom on the outside of the Bend. In the darkness a lifeboat was
used to carry a hawser across the 
River to the inside of the Bend where the Port of
Bristol has thoughfully provided some stout ballards. Using the
windlass, assisted by the main engine, the vessel was refloated.
Although the river bed is mainly sandy, Waverley managed to find
two small rocks which made a small hole in the hull. This was not
substantial and she was able to proceed under her own power to
Swansea for repairs to the platework and frames in drydock. As
predicted, she was able to resume sailing on the following
Saturday June 6.
Waverley rounds the Horseshoe Bend going upstream in 1997
Photo by Ashley Gill
The weather intervened during the following week causing the cancellation of yet more sailings. Conditions had abated by Friday June 12 and Waverley was able to sail again from Bristol. The weather remained poor for the ensuing weekend. The bird watching cruise from Milford Haven went ahead on the Sunday in choppy seas with 750 on board.
Waverley has now returned to her native waters and has commenced her summer season on the Clyde.