South Coast Report 2
17 September 2008
by Martin Longhurst
Monday 8 September 2008 was an off-service day at Southampton, allowing the crew time to undertake some maintenance on the steamer. The weather was fair that day but unfortunately deteriorated again precluding a public sailing on the Tuesday.
In the evening, the paddler sailed light to Weymouth to take up her schedule on Wednesday. She duly sailed from the Dorset port in the morning but was unable to make landfall at Bournemouth, owing to the swell conditions, before calling at Yarmouth. She picked up passengers here for the short cruise turning off Cowes. On the return to Yarmouth, the steamer proceeded to Southampton, giving passengers the bonus of witnessing the departure of QE2 and QM2. This occasion is likely to be the final encounter of the paddler and the QE2. The Weymouth passengers were coached home. At this stage the decision was taken to cancel Thursday's timetable, Waverley remaining tied up at Southampton. This enabled her to take up her schedule on Friday steaming to Portsmouth and Yarmouth for a Needles cruise.
A party of Swiss paddle steamer enthusiasts were visiting Britain on a visit organised jointly by Dampferzeitung (a Swiss enthusiast periodical) and Ian McMillan of WEL, to see and sail on some of Britain's historic ships. On Wednesday WEL had chartered SS Shieldhall for the party to view the departure of Cunard's QE2 and QM2. Sheildhall sailed from Berth 39 at 15.00 and returned at 20.30. There was an added bonus at 17.00 when the Waverley, returning from Yarmouth to Southampton, passed the Sheildhall off Calshot Spit. Both ships were flying the WSN house flag! Two Clyde steamers under the same company for one day. Iain Quinn acted as WEL's liaison and tour guide on the Sheildhall. The Shieldhall spent the early evening near the Bramble Bank giving the maximum view of the 2 Queen liners under way. The Shieldhall's captain and crew are to be congratulated on turning out their ship so smartly and for providing excellent catering which was enjoyed by all those on board.
On the Thursday the party visited Bristol Docks and the SS Great Britain and cruised on the Balmoral on Friday up the River Avon. On Saturday and Sunday the party joined Waverley for her days' cruises.
Three steam ships in one day
On Saturday 13 September Waverley was finally able to circumnavigate the Isle of Wight under sunny skies and with smooth seas. Over 600 were on board as the ship left Yarmouth. As yet Captain Andy O'Brian has not obtained the necessary exemptions, so pilotage was required from both the Southampton and Portsmouth authorities.
Approaching Yarmouth for the first call, Waverley encountered the SS Shieldhall carrying out a wedding charter with P&O connections, hence their house flag was flying from the fore mast. Much later, passing Cowes for the second time, the small paddler Monarch had come out of her new River Medina home to rendezvous with her big cousin. Commentator Chris Philips reckoned that this was the first meeting of two paddle steamers in the Solent since 1965. Waverley finished her day as timetabled at Southampton.
The following morning saw her steam away at 09.00 for her cruise to Yarmouth, Bournemouth and Weymouth for time ashore. As in the last few years, the connection to Swanage was provided by Dorset Belle. The cruise proceeded under blue skies as planned until Waverley returned to Yarmouth. Regrettably a yacht impeded her approach to the pier and the paddler veered off course and became trapped between the pier ahead and numerous moorings astern. Attempts to extricate her led to some damage to the timber pier, rendering it impossible to land her passengers. Instead they were carried on to Southampton and returned to the Isle of Wight by Red Funnel and hired coaches.
On Monday the steamer left Southampton at the crack of dawn to take up her scheduled sailing from Worthing. Conditions were favourable and the paddler was able to berth at the pier. Unfortunately one of the mooring bollards failed and the call had to be abandoned, much to the dismay of the several hundred waiting passengers.