South Coast
& Thames Part 9
Report
and pictures by Jenny Longhurst
(Except where stated)
Waverley arrived at Berth 104
at Southampton late on Monday 11 October 2010 to prepare for her prestige
sailing to mark the Maiden Voyage of Cunard’s brand
new liner. This ship had been named
earlier that day by HM The Queen as Queen Elizabeth.
On the Tuesday the public
sailing was due to commence at Ryde before Waverley steamed to Portsmouth and
back to Southampton to pick up more passengers. This was a very popular cruise and had been
sold out for many weeks.
The first view of Queen Elizabeth
Waverley tying up at Berth 104 (Richard Jolliffe)
With all her passengers on
board well before the QE’s departure time, Captain Andy O’Brian explained his
plan. As QE is a “clear water” vessel
there are strict restrictions on other vessels navigating in her
proximity. He therefore planned to
follow her as closely as possible down Southampton Water. At its mouth, there are two channels. The main deep water channel, which the QE
would take, swings west before turning east to avoid the Bramble Bank off
Cowes. However, the other channel (which
Waverley would take) turns east immediately.
This would enable the paddler to get ahead of the Cunarder
for a fine view of her as she got up speed.
As soon as QE was eased away from her berth, downstream
of Waverley’s, the steamer moved off to follow her. There were a large number of other vessels
of all sizes jockeying for position, We got some good side views as QE pulled of
the berth and then of the stern as we followed down the channel.
We exchanged blasts
with Shieldhall.
Spirit of
Portsmouth comes between Waverley and the Queen Elizabeth
The view from
Spirit of Portsmouth (Richard Jolliffe)
The view from QE’s top deck (Cunard) More
from Cunard’s blog
It was a perfect day for the
occasion with clear blue skies and plenty of sunshine. As planned, the paddler was able to take her
short cut and passengers were asked to spread out to even the ship up as we
needed both wheels in the water to speed across the corner. This worked well
and Waverley’s passengers had a fine view as QE exchanged blasts and sped passed
off Ryde.
Note the illuminated name beneath the funnel
Finally the liner disappeared
into the distance just as dusk fell, with her lights blazing as she headed for
her first port of call of Vigo in Spain. Waverley’s passengers were returned to their
departure ports in the same order and then the paddler spent a few hours
alongside at Southampton before heading to Weymouth to take enough fuel to get
her home to Glasgow, where she arrived late on Thursday night.
