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Clyde
Finale 2010 (or
done pursering) Report and pictures by Martin Longhurst (Except
where stated) |
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Waverley arrived back at her home berth at Pacific
Quay, Glasgow, late on Thursday 14 October 2010 to prepare for her final
weekend of
service for
2010. This weekend would also mark the
retirement of Purser Jim McFadzean after 23 seasons
of service to Waverley and Balmoral.
Saturday 16 October was forecast to be a very nice
day and this turned out to be the case, although it was very cold early and
late in the voyage. We sailed from
Glasgow at 10.00 for Greenock, Helensburgh, Kilcreggan and Blairmore for a
non-landing cruise to Arrochar, at the head of Loch
Long. The small pier at Blairmore was packed and there were over 600 passengers on
board for the Loch Long sector.
Note the wreath
held by Second Officer John Simm in the colours of
the Merchant Navy with the badge of HMS Waverley at the centre
Shortly after the ship had been turned at the head of
the loch, there was the fifth wreath laying ceremony of the season to remember
the loss of HMS Waverley in 1940.
Throughout the weekend, Jim was assisted by three
Assistant Pursers – Simon Morgan, David Edwards and Paul Semple. As there were a number of other past and
present Pursers on board, a group photograph was
called for!
Back row L to
R: Simon Morgan, Paul Semple, Jim McFadzean,
David Edwards, Tony Gamblin
Front row
Campbell Scott, Gary Stephenson, Scott Adam (Picture by Ashley Gill)
At Blairmore Pier, the
Chairman of the Pier Trust presented Purser Jim with a Certificate of Life
Membership, a handsome decorated cake, a Blairmore
mug and a Blairmore teddy!
At Kilcreggan, Jim said
hello on the ship’s PA to “four young ladies” who, it turned out, were
neighbours of his 93 year old mother who lives nearby.
Waverley’s
ensign was flown at half-mast throughout the weekend as a mark of respect to
James Moore, the longest-serving Chairman of Waverley Excursions Limited and an
original Waverley volunteer, who had died on 14 October. James had enjoyed his last sail round Ailsa
Craig in August.
Back at Greenock, a slightly early arrival caught out
the regular rope handlers who drove up just as Waverley’s ropes had been taken
ashore by passengers, including Simon’s brother, Robin Morgan. As we disembarked at Pacific Quay just after
19.00, revellers were already queuing for the evening Show Boat cruise.
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Wanted by the Fashion Police |
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Signal flags
spell out Jim’s initials |
Unfortunately Sunday’s weather was a bit damper and
colder but this did not dampen the spirits of those who had come to say goodbye
to Jim. These included Captains Ian
Clark and Ted Davis who had travelled north specially, as well as many regular
passengers and former crew members from all over the country. Promptly at 10.00 Captain O’Brian swung the
paddler and set off down river for Greenock, Largs and Rothesay
for a cruise round the Isle of Bute.
Frequent hot drinks were the order of the day as the mist, rain and
sunshine intermingled. Terry Sylvester
reminded us of his publicity slogan “On the Clyde you frequently sail out of
the rain into the sun” which was true of this day.
At Largs Jim had a big surprise as his mother,
brother, sister and partner unexpectedly came on board to be present on this
memorable day.
A presentation to Purser Jim took place in a very
crowded Jeannie Deans bar at 15.00 just after we had rounded Garroch Head, the most southerly point of Bute. Captain O’Brian and other officers lined up
with Jim across the forward end of the bar.
Assistant Purser Paul Semple made an excellent
speech paying tribute to Jim’s great qualities and contribution to the ships’
cause. In conclusion, he presented Jim a
giant cheque for £1,400 contributed by the steamer’s Scottish passengers. Gavin Stewart, Chairman of the PSPS Scottish
Branch, added his and the Society’s thanks and marked this with a presentation
of a whisky decanter. Finally, Graeme
Hogg, Chairman of Waverley Excursions, spoke on behalf of the Company to
express everyone’s gratitude for Jim’s sterling service. He also recounted his first meeting with Jim
when a diversion of the steamer had left him stranded at Rothesay
when he needed to be at Tighnabruaich. On complaining to Jim, he had been given £10
for a taxi – “that will get you home, sir.”
The fare was actually £11!
Pat Marron sets about cutting the celebratory cake
While we were below decks, the ship had been turned
as restricted visibility and low tide in the Kyles
made it unwise to traverse the Narrows.
As many of you will know, my wife Jenny knits many of the red, white and
black bobble hats sold in the ship’s shop.
She had knitted a Special Edition version for Jim with “Done Pursering” knitted into it. This he proceeded to wear at each port on
our return voyage, going ashore to say his goodbyes to the pier staff who were
left in no doubt it was his last day.
The traditional three blasts on the whistle to mark the last call were
also given.
On the last leg
up river, Eila Handyside
presented Jim with an album containing the signatures and messages of the
contributors together with a selection of appropriate photographs.
A lone piper played us into Pacific Quay and after
securing the ship, Captain O’Brian paid his tribute to Jim over the PA,
thanking him on behalf of all the captains and crew members he had sailed
with. Captain O’Brian also spoke of the
resignation of Chief Engineer Gordon Reid, who was leaving the Company after a
long period of service, including acting as Project Manager for Waverley’s
Millennium Rebuild of 2000 and 2003.
After end-of-season tidying up the following day, the
paddler’s crew attending a special dinner to mark Jim’s retirement in relaxed
circumstances.
Waverley’s Directors all contributed to buy Jim an
original painting of Tighnabruaich which was duly
presented to him by Ian McMillan, Operations Director, at the commencement of
the following Thursday’s Board Meeting.