South Coast Report 1
7 September 2008
by Martin Longhurst
Waverley arrived at Southampton Berth 104 from Ayr at about 4 pm on 5 September, after sheltering at Rosslare for 2 days en route, ready to take up her South Coast timetable.
Captain Andy O'Brian was in command of the steamer with Ian Clark serving as Chief Officer. On the Saturday and Sunday Captain Steve Colledge joined the bridge team to give the benefit of his pilotage exemptions for Southampton and Portsmouth. The bad weather continued on Saturday and Waverley was unable to sail outside The Solent. The paddler's sail started at Southampton, unfortunately delayed by about an hour owing to a late delivery of frozen food, and took her to Portsmouth and Yarmouth before a round trip to Bembridge inside the Isle of Wight, instead of Round the Island. Nevertheless there was a good number on board and the steamer escaped the rain until 5.20 pm.
The mighty paddler pulls away from Portsmouth Harbour Station Pier to start her last leg to Southampton on 6 September
Although conditions had improved on Sunday, it was still not deemed prudent to leave the sheltered waters of The Solent and a revised cruise was offered leaving Southampton and Yarmouth as scheduled but then turning east for a visit to Portsmouth Harbour to the ships of the Royal Navy. Passengers were given an hour ashore at Yarmouth before the final sector to Southampton, where Waverley docked about 16.30.
St Helen heading out of Portsmouth for Fishbourne
The view from the harbour mouth - HMS Ark Royal, Solent Cat, 2 Saint class car ferries moored with Our Lady Pamela, HMS Warrior (flying two signals), a Gosport ferry and a Wightlink FastCat calling at the Station Pier. The darker masts beyond belong to HMS Victory.
Two sterns spanning two centuries of war ship design - Victory and Ark Royal
Assault ship Intrepid awaits her fate
The passenger catamaran Incat 050 undergoing conversion for the Isle of Man Steam Packet in the Dockyard
Three destroyers in commission but the rest are mainly laid up in dock
HMS Bristol (in commission but now a static training ship) passed by Solent Cat
What's hiding behind the pier cafe at Yarmouth?