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Bristol
Channel 2011 Report by Martin Longhurst and Tony Gamblin Pictures by Martin Longhurst |
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Unfortunately the completion of
Waverley’s annual overhaul was delayed owing to difficulties resolving problems
with her steering gear. Following
successful sea trials on Wednesday 7 June, she was able to steam south direct
to Swansea.
She arrived into Swansea
shortly after 20.00 the next day for bunkers, water and an overnight berth
before sailing to Penarth to take up her first public trip. Good loadings were carried on a series of
three up Channel cruises, though steady rain set in during the late afternoon
and evening.
Approaching Clevedon Pier on Saturday
morning 12 June
Saturday saw the steamer
offer a trip from Clevedon and Penarth to Ilfracombe for time ashore. The tides were against her all day and also
precluded a return call at Penarth, Welsh passengers being returned home by
coach as planned. About 300 sailed with
her and enjoyed a smooth sailing. The
westward leg was chilly but we saw more of the sun as time went on – indeed we
sailed back east under blue skies bathed in bright sunlight.
The crew bike painted to match the paddle
drum
Heading back to Clevedon
Passengers on board were
pleased to see the paddler once again and, understanding the need to support
the ship, many bought Grand Draw tickets.
Chief Officer David Howie lowers the ensign
to salute Ken Angell, a former Engineer on board Waverley and Balmoral, whose
ashes were scattered in the sea off Lynmouth.
Arrival back at Clevedon
Unfortunately Sunday’s cruise
(to Porthcawl and the Glamorgan heritage coast) had to be cancelled due to
adverse weather conditions.
While it remained windy on
Monday 13 June, the scheduled cruise to Minehead was able to operate – though
the afternoon cruise to Porlock Bay had to be curtailed due to tidal
constraints. Waverley spent her Tuesday
off-service day in Avonmouth Docks, then the next day sailed from Clevedon and
Penarth to Ilfracombe and Clovelly in cool and overcast conditions. A very limited number of passengers were
landed at Clovelly (as only one 12 seater landing boat was available) while the
rest observed proceedings from the decks of the ship.
Wind and sea conditions
caused considerable disruption on Thursday 16 June. The call at Sharpness was cancelled, with
passengers coached to Clevedon for a cruise to Ilfracombe. However, the call was abandoned and with
deteriorating conditions all passengers were landed at Penarth and coached
home. The ship then headed to
Avonmouth, but the wind across the lock entrance prevented her from entering,
so she headed for an overnight anchorage at Blue Anchor Bay ready for a charter
sailing out of Minehead the next day.
In the event, this charter was cancelled due to weather conditions, so
the vessel returned to Avonmouth Docks where she remained overnight with
Saturday’s cruise also cancelled.
She locked out on Sunday
morning, tug assistance being necessary in the continuing high winds. Standing on Clevedon Pier awaiting her
arrival, the prospects of a successful berthing seemed dubious with a strong
onshore breeze creating choppy conditions.
In the distance the paddler could be seen pitching as she headed into
the weather. Unsurprisingly the message
came through that the call had been cancelled.
However, Captain O’Brian realised that, if the departure from Penarth
was delayed until 11.00, then there would be a chance for passengers to drive
round to join the ship at her next scheduled call at Penarth. The pier there would be sheltered from the
westerly wind, creating perfectly calm conditions. Just under 350 joined the steamer including
a significant number of people originating from Clevedon.
The delay, however, ruled out
the planned Lundy call notwithstanding the likelihood that sea conditions would
not allow the passage there in any case.
Therefore passengers were offered three hours ashore at Ilfracombe
instead. In the event, conditions
improved steadily through the day.
Shortly before arrival at the Devon port it was announced that a 2 hour
Devon coast cruise would be offered as an alternative to time ashore and almost
150 took this option. The paddler
hugged the coast on this leg, turning off Lynmouth.
The Town Crier of Ilfracombe welcomes us to
Victorian Week
The Bideford Youth Pipe Band play – Devon’s
farewell to our Scottish ship
Waverley sailed promptly at
17.00 for her return passage to the Welsh side. Ilfracombe residents Lin McQueen and her son
Joshua Cummins (11) saw Paddle Steamer Waverley tied up in Ilfracombe Harbour
and decided to go on board to have a look round the unique ship. Lin said “It was such a lovely sunny day we
were enjoying sitting in the sun.”
On the quay the Bideford
Youth Pipe Band played “Speed Bonnie Boat” and “Scotland the Brave” to
tumultuous applause from the steamer passengers, as the ship started off on her
voyage to Penarth, near Cardiff, with Lin and Joshua still aboard. When Lin realised what had happened, she
contacted Simon Morgan, who had just taken up his role as the ship’s
purser. He quickly alerted Captain
O’Brian, who turned the ship around to return the two to Ilfracombe.
On arrival back at Penarth,
the crew started preparing the ship for her open sea voyage back to Scotland
while water was taken. She shortly
sailed for Greenock, arriving well in time to start her Scottish season with a
charter on Tuesday morning.
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The last
Welsh passengers disembark |
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Close up of
the fan boards |