South Coast 2007

    Third Report 24 September

Words and pictures by Martin Longhurst

On 9 September, Ashley Gill sailed on the Fairmile launch and was overtaken by a steam driven thing

Later the same day he visited the Durleston Globe and had a similar experience

Following the perfect conditions of the previous day, Sunday 15 September 2007 dawned grey and unpromising. The steamer departed from Southampton with Assistant Purser Simon Morgan letting go the forward line, as his left official duty at the end of his summer vacation job. Approaching Yarmouth, Purser Jim MacFadzean was called to the Bridge.

The reason became clear as he made a Special Announcement after the Yarmouth passengers had boarded but before we sailed. A strong wind warning had been issued for the afternoon. As this would coincide with low water during our return call at Bournemouth, it would not be possible for this call to take place. However, it was still be possible to make the lunchtime call. Passengers for Bournemouth and Swanage were offered the alternative of staying on board to Weymouth or getting off at Bournemouth and making their own way home.

The call at Bournemouth was accomplished safely. Passengers on the pier were offered the single trip to Weymouth at £15.95, making their own way home. Soon the paddler was heading westward into a freshening breeze. Extra time was given at Weymouth in the light of the direct return sailing. On departing Weymouth, Waverley turned south and sailed past Portland Harbour before turning east.

Summer's over at Weymouth - the next show is Easter 2008

Weymouth Lifeboat brought home a rescued craft

We sailed round Lyme Bay on the return voyage - RFA Lyme Bay not the geographical one!

The Jurassic Coast

The sun went down ...

... but knitting continued under the spotlight!

Captain Colledge kept his distance from the Jurassic Coast in the prevailing conditions but turned north to gain the lee of the Isle of Purbeck after passing Durleston Head. The steamer slipped smoothly across the bay and called at Yarmouth just after dusk. Southampton was reached without further incident and the ship was secured for her off service day on Monday.

Tuesday's sail went ahead as timetabled, with the paddler finishing the day positioning to Weymouth. Waverley spent the night at the Dorset port but conditions deteriorated overnight and she sailed light for Bournemouth to see if a call could be made there. This turned out to be possible and passengers, including 350 on a rail tour, were safely embarked. The cruise continued as planned to Yarmouth with a short cruise turning off Cowes. On the return to Yarmouth, her casual Bournemouth passengers were taken home via Wightlink ferry to Lymington and thence by coach. However, the rail tour passengers were taken on to Southampton, where coaches were waiting to take them to Central Station to rejoin their retimed train.

It had been hoped to offer a limited cruise from Portsmouth and Yarmouth on the Thursday but the weather intervened once more and paddler headed light for Tilbury, where she locked in to the Docks in the evening - another first for the Waverley. Friday's timetabled cruise was from Dover and Tilbury to Tower Pier. On previous occasions when this situation had arisen, Dover passengers had been coached to join the ship at Whitstable. Unfortunately the tides were not suitable to allow a call at the North Kent harbour this year, so it was not possible to offer Dover passengers an alternative trip.

The paddler took up her schedule at 16.30 from Tilbury Landing Stage when she sailed for Tower Pier. This little trip was followed by the PSPS London Branch Charter downriver, turning just short of Crayfordness, which carried over 400 people.

After the night alongside Tower Pier, the paddler headed out again at 09.30 for Tilbury, Southend and Clacton. Good numbers were carried all day on this marathon 13 hour sail. Coming upriver we spotted two firework displays - one at Woolwich from about 8 miles away and the second in the City as we approached Tower Bridge.

Tug Revenge swings the paddler with City Hall on the south bank

The bascules go up ...

... and down again!

Time share cruise ship The World moored at Greenwich

The remains of the tea clipper Cutty Sark that aren't in storage at Chatham Historic Dockyard are under the white tent over her dry dock at Greenwich

Replica frigate Grand Turk in a floating dry dock

Ancient and modern

Moon rise

Sunday's cruise was timetabled to be from Tower Pier to Tilbury, Southend and round the Thames Forts. Following the flat calm on Saturday, the wind sprung up again on Sunday. Again Jim had to make a Special Announcement, this time warning us that the passage round the Forts might not be possible owing to a strong wind warning.

Royalist

The former Western Ferry's Sound of Scarba - now Soond - moored at North Woolwich

Nipashore swings the steamer at Chatham

Tugs manoeuvre Southern Bay into Sheerness Docks

The calls at Tilbury and Southend were made successfully despite the strengthening wind. Leaving Southend, the paddler turned south for the River Medway and proceeded upstream as far as the Chatham Bullnose where she was turned by the small tug Nipashore.

Turning at Tower Pier for the final leg downstream to Tilbury

Passing City Hall (yellow lights)

And through the bridge.

Back to South Coast Index