'Remarkable achievement' as world's last seagoing paddle steamer hits milestone
Special anniversary sailing marks landmark birthday
The world’s last seagoing paddle steamer has made a special anniversary sailing to mark 80 years since she was launched in Scotland’s biggest city.
The team behind the Waverley described the length of its service as a “remarkable achievement,” pointing out that the historic ship continues to give tens of thouands of people “joy” every year.
The famous vessel marked her birthday with a special sailing through London’s Tower Bridge, before travelling on down the River Thames and visiting Gravesend and Southend.
To mark the milestone, a new book, ‘Waverley 80 Years of Pleasure’, has also been complied by historian Iain Quinn. The book celebrates the Waverley’s extraordinary 80-year story, from her launch and early career through to her preservation and continued life as a working passenger ship.
Paul Semple, the general manager of Waverley Excursions said that everyone connected with the ship could be “incredibly proud” of seeing her mark her 80th anniversary.
“She was built to serve the Clyde coast and, 80 years later, she continues to give tens of thousands of people the opportunity to experience the joy of travelling by steam,” Mr Semple said.
“From her early beginnings with the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) to her survival as a working paddle steamer after being gifted for £1 to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, Waverley has become much more than a ship. She is a living piece of maritime history and a much-loved part of our national heritage.”
Among those joining the Waverley for the sailing was David Horne, managing director of LNER, recognising that the ship was the last steamer build for the firm, which also operated The Flying Scotsman.
The Waverley was launched at Pointhouse Yard of A&J Inglis in Glasgow on 2 October 1946 by Lady Matthews, wife of the chairman of the LNER. She entered service on 16 June 1947, beginning a remarkable career that would see her become one of the most recognisable historic vessels in the world.
At her launch in Glasgow, Lady Matthews spoke of “the splendour of the Clyde coast scenery,” which she said “should be viewed from steamers like this.”
Eight decades on, Mr Semple said it was “particularly special” to be celebrating the paddle steamer’s 80th anniversary in London, while also looking ahead to returning home to the Clyde for the final sailings of its anniversary season.
Following the anniversary celebrations, the ship will continue sailing on the Thames until 11 October, before returning to Glasgow and the Clyde coast for two final sailings on 17 and 18 October.
In each of the past three consecutive summer seasons, the Waverley has attracted over 150,000 passengers reaffirming the affection towards the historic steamer. A recent independent economic impact assessment put her contribution to the UK economy at £11.6 million.
Since 1975, she has operated in preservation carrying over SIX million passengers, visiting several areas of the UK offering a variety of day, afternoon, and evening cruises. The ship is operated on a not-for-profit basis and owned by Waverley Steam Navigation Co. Ltd, a registered charity.
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