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A week ago, I enjoyed a day out, with friends, with a load of
"day-trippers", aboard the Waverley, the last seagoing paddle-steamer in
the World. We left Portsmouth for Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, and then around
the Island clockwise, back to Yarmouth, and return to Portsmouth.

Around 90-odd miles all told, I reckon, which Waverley did at her service
speed of 15 knots (18 knots is flat-out). Without a trace of any vibration
from her triple-expansion engine or her paddles. Smooth as silk. It helped,
that it was a gorgeous late-summer day, Sun shining from a cloudless blue
sky, light Easterly breeze.

Waverley was built in 1946 for excursions on the Clyde, but in recent years
has travelled much further afield from her base, making regular visits to
South coast and West coast ports. She's no toy, displacing 800 tons with
2100 horse power, and carries a maximum of 800 passengers (which she did
last week: full to bursting!). There's a gallery both sides of the engine,
giving passengers a close view of the works.

Just a bit of Britain's maritime heritage, lovingly preserved by a charity,
and kept in beautiful nick. And, what's more, earning her keep. Long may
she survive.

For information about Waverley's sailings, go to www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk

George.
===============================================================
Contact George at george@huxtable.u-net.com ,or by phone +44 1865 820222,
or from within UK 01865 820222.
Or by post- George Huxtable, 1 Sandy Lane, Southmoor, Abingdon, Oxon OX13
5HX, UK.

   

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