The History of the PS Waverley
By Jess Crighton
The Waverley has been in operation since the 1940’s (Credit: Waverley Excursions)
Known for being the last seagoing paddle steamer in the world, The Waverley has a long and interesting legacy. The PS Waverley, named after Sir Walter Scott’s first book, was built to replace the original PS Waverley which unfortunately sank during efforts to evacuate Dunkirk in 1940. She was the last Clyde built paddle steamer, built for London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) and was launched in October of 1946, hailing 693 tonnes. She even has a portrait of the aforementioned book’s hero inside her paddle boxes.
Her maiden voyage from Glasgow to Loch Long and Loch Goil was on June 16th, 1947, thus beginning her time serving passenger trade from Craigendoran to Arrochar up until 1973.
Throughout its existence she has had three owners, LNER, Caledonian Steam Packet Company and Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac). In 1973 CalMac withdrew the Waverley as she was too expensive to operate, by then the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS) had been set up and had purchased another paddle steamer named the PS Kingswear Castle, which was nearly dilapidated.
The Waverley holds a special place in the hearts of Scottish people, especially those from along the river Clyde. Greenock company Rankin & Blackmore installed her engine and coal fire boiler after she was taken to Victoria Harbour along the Clyde at the end of 1946.
In 1975 CalMac famously sold the Waverley to the PSPS for only one pound, thus beginning the Waverley Excursions. Public fundraising was needed to secure the return of the Waverley. Thus, the Waverley Steam Navigation & Co was set up.
This proved successful as since then she has been able to complete excursions throughout numerous ports in Britain, making yearly extensive sailings around the UK. This made it possible for her to have a two-phase heritage re-build process from 2000-2003 at a shipyard in Great Yarmouth which was worth £7 million. This sum was made possible by the heritage lottery fund.
Since being sold to the PSPS she has undergone many restoration projects. She has been updated to comply with modern safety standards, a new boiler, and annual painting to her bodywork to prevent rust from occurring.
The PS Waverley back in 1947 during her maiden voyage (Credit: Waverley Excursions)
In May 2019, it was announced that the Waverley was being taken out of service as she required new boilers. A fundraiser was launched and the target of £2.3 million was reached at the end of 2019, however complications with the re-fit and Covid-19 prevented her from going back into service until August 2020.
The Waverley has proved to be a popular tourist attraction, she has served over 6 million passengers throughout 60 different ports in the UK. She has also garnered four stars from Visit Scotland. Seagoers can enjoy the classic promenade deck, the Caledonia Tearoom and even her steam room.
She is fuelled by a triple expansion marine steam engine with a whopping 2100 horsepower, with her top speed reaching 18.37 knots. Most of her equipment is powered by steam, this includes her steering and every main pump, all of which are kept going by the two oil fired boilers.
Ian Quinn, Waverley Historian and Waverley Excursions Volunteer said; “She is the last seagoing paddle steamer in the world and is a significant part of British maritime heritage, there is nothing else like her that still goes to sea.
“The Waverley became an interest to me through family, it’s been in the family for a long time, my father was a marine engineer. I wasn't encouraged, my interest just got madder and madder.
“The name ‘Clyde Built’ is a known title mainly from the past. The engine and technical machinery were built in Greenock by Rankin & Blackmore in 1946. The engine is a special part of Clyde built kit; it is very special beyond 1975 as it is one of a kind now. The clock tower in Victoria harbour in Greenock was built in the same foundry as the Waverley's engine.
“The Waverley is 50 years in preservation this year, with her being sold for £1 to the Paddle Steamers Preservation Society in August 1974.
“I think the most interesting thing about the Waverley is the engine and the sound the paddles make. The appearance is also special as it is unique, and people recognise her as the Waverley, everyone seems to know what she looks like.”
Joseph Shields, who grew up along the west coast, Inverclyde, said; “I think they should keep restoring it, there’s too many things going away now, it’s important to our heritage. There was a man from Port Glasgow I knew who the captain was for years and years. When I worked in the Daily Record in the 70s and 80s I could see it being docked for the night in Glasgow.
“We don't have the money, but I would like to keep our heritage, ships such as the Comet are gone now, this is the only one left. People used to come down from Glasgow to go to Millport and Kilcreggan before going abroad was more common, it was a great day out.
“Now you can see that all the yards are shut along the Clyde. Other countries have started building them for cheaper, we have delays in Scotland. My dad was a joiner in the shipyards and worked on the Waverley for a while, after a while because it deteriorated. She’s charity funded I believe, to help with preservation and doing it up.
“You looked out the window in Inverclyde, there used to be shipyards all over the place and you could hear the noise of them working.”
The Waverley in the Firth of Clyde (Credit: Getty Images, Ken Jack)
The Waverley is a summer staple for those who grew up on the west coast, with such a unique piece of history on your doorstep. The Waverley is no doubt a staple in Scottish history, and still shines through as an iconic figure of the shipbuilding industry in Scotland, nearly 80 years after her launch. The Waverley starts her excursions this year having run from May 17th until October.