The paddle steamer, Waverley, built in 1946, is the last remaining sea-going paddle steamer in the world. Originally Waverley was one of over 300 Clyde steamers that started service in 1812 with Henry Bell’s Comet and were still operating in the early 1960’s. Named after Walter Scott’s first novel, this elegant steamer sails a full season of cruises every year from her base in the Firth of Clyde. The Waverley was built on the Clyde in 1946 as a replacement for the original PS Waverley of 1899 that took part in WWII, working as a minesweeper. The original Waverley was sunk in 1940 while helping with the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk. Her replacement was launched in Glasgow in 1946. You can read the whole story here.
The revival of pre-war fortunes in the 1950’s and 1960’s saw a change in holiday preferences which led to a decline in passenger numbers and competition from new forms of holiday travel brought the era almost to a close. The paddle steamer Waverley still continues to provide the leisurely delights of Clyde steamer excursions thanks to the efforts of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS). Every trip serves as a reminder of the time when holidaymakers swarmed onto steamers to go doon the watter, sailing from Glasgow down the Firth of Clyde to the seaside holiday resorts and quiet West Highland piers. The 1900 steamer SS Sir Walter Scott still sails on Loch Katrine, while on Loch Lomond, the PS Maid of the Loch is being restored.
With a restaurant and bar on board, an excursion on the PS Waverley, sounds like a great way to get close to sealife and explore some of the lovely coast around here, accompanied by the rhythm of paddle wheels and steam engines.
