Thames Report 1
29 September 2008
by Martin Longhurst
Friday 26 September 2008 marked Waverley's first ever call at Dover's Cruise Terminal 2, as she prepared for her sail to London Tower Pier. She shared the terminal with Fred. Olsen's Black Watch. This was the third berth Waverley has used at Dover, previously having used Wellington Dock and the Prince of Wales Pier. The cruise today had been billed to depart from Prince of Wales Pier and so coaches were laid on to take passengers to the new location. On calm seas and under clear skis, the steamer rounded the Kent coast under the command of Captain Ian Clark.
Following arrival at Tower Pier, the steamer was prepared for the PSPS London Branch charter. This was very successful (likely to be a record financially) trip. Captain Clark took the paddler down and upstream at a very sedate pace to conserve fuel, turning in Silvertown Reach.
Saturday dawned with Waverley and the Pool of London shrouded in thick fog. She was due to sail at 0915 for Tilbury, Southend and Clacton, with coach return. Later an evening cruise up the River Orwell was scheduled from Clacton and Harwich. This unusual timetable had been put in place because there was a test closure of the Thames Barrier due the following morning, so no day trip from London would be possible that day.
No navigation is permitted through Tower Bridge or the Barrier unless there is at least two cables (400 yards) visibility. As at one point it was impossible to see Tower Bridge from Tower Pier, the fog was too thick for the steamer to sail. In the event, her departure was an hour late - a crucial delay as this meant she would miss the tide to cross the bar on the southerly approach to Clacton.
Bookings for the day were reviewed and the best option was to offer an impromptu Forts cruise for those already on board plus those waiting at Southend, just over 200 people. Only 34 were pre-booked for the evening cruises. So after leaving Southend at two o'clock the steamer gave a trip encompassing Red Sands, Shivering Sands and Knock John Forts, arriving back at five. The evening cruise was lost as there was not time for the paddler to regain her timetable. She therefore steamed from Southend to Harwich light, arriving at about 2130.
The steamer gave a sail from Harwich to Clacton, Southend and Tower Pier on the Sunday. There was limited visibility but not as restricted as the previous day's. Aboard was a Canadian of 94 years whose previous paddle steamer voyage had been on the Laguna Belle when he was 12!
More passengers joined the paddler at Clacton before she set off southwards to find the Swin Spitway Channel. As it was high water, this was traversed at Full Ahead before the ship entered The Wallet. Visibility was restricted but the Knock John Fort and the Kentish Flats wind farm could be seen in the distance. The landmarks of Southend were visible for most of the 90 minutes before our arrival at Britain's longest pier.
It was the Marine Family Fun Day and Mr Punch was in evidence at the Pier Head. The glorious weather had brought out the crowds and the steamer left for the final leg to Tower Pier with a pretty full complement.