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Steam narrow boat President

FoP goes to sea in the paddle wheel ex-ferry - Waverley

Can you remember the look of wonderment and joy on a child's face as Christmas presents were un-wrapped? Well, that vision of un-confined wonderment and joy, you will be pleased to know, is something that surfaces, just occasionally, in adult life, as you would have observed when Chief Engineer, Dave Stott, first saw the engine room of the paddle steamer, ‘Waverley’. In fact, a state of euphoria lit up his face for the whole of the day at sea.

In June, Oakwood Press held a book launch on, ‘Waverley’, during a trip in the Bristol Channel.  Customers of the publisher were invited along at much reduced fare.

Sitting in a cafe at Clevedon, before departure, there was a pleasant surprise when Dave and Angie Stott walked in, and then told me that Nigel and Louise Wood were coming, too.

The trip was Clevedon - Penarth - Barry - Flat Holme, then should have been Steep Holme - Weston - Penarth – Clevedon. At Barry ‘Waverley’ just poked her nose into the harbour entrance, appropriate, of course, for the subject of the book being launched, then backed out with three hoots on her steam whistle - a super sonorous sound. Very long hoots, too, considering they should be short ones.

A change of plan was then made due to weather conditions. Instead of crossing to Weston we went up to Newport, entered the river, and steamed beneath the famous transporter bridge. A new bridge beyond prevented further progress and that is when we found that sea going paddle steamers can be winded, too. There wasn't sufficient width of river to turn on engine and rudder; so the anchor was dropped and the wind allowed to turn the boat.

I was pleased that Nigel was there to see the manoeuvre for he is the master of amazing evolutions.

We than steamed back to Penarth, where the trip terminated. The motor coach ride back to Clevedon took us over the new Severn Bridge.
'Waverley" is, of course, essentially a Clyde steamer but these days she travels much farther field. Her season including the Thames/Medway, Solent and English Channel, and the Bristol Channel/Severn Estuary.
If you haven't been on ‘Waverley’ then try and put a trip on her in your diary for next year.

For cruising programme tel.: 0845 130 4647, or: www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk
Her smaller, coal fired, sister paddler the ex' River Dart ‘Kingswear Castle’ sails out of Rochester, Chatham, and Strood. Another vessel well worth a day out. Enquiries: 01634 827648

The two steamers belong to a group of three vessels, the third one being the motor ship ‘Balmoral’ which covers a similar itinerary to ‘Waverley’.
“Waverley’s machinery is awesomely larger than "President’s
Built at Rankine and Blackmore's Eagle Foundry at Greenock it is a triple expansion engine disposed diagonally.
Cylinder dimensions are 24 inches high pressure, 39 inches low pressure and 62inches low pressure. The stroke is 66 inches. The valves are operated by Stephenson gear, this being activated by a reversing engine.
We were able to purchase from the shop aboard ‘Waverley’ a super book, "Paddle Steamer - a layman’s guide", by R. J. Ramsay C. Eng.,,F.I. Mar.E.

It is packed with information and diagrams on engines, boilers and ancillary equipment, plus, interpretation of indicator diagrams and calculation of indicated horsepower.
Building dates for the ships mentioned are: ‘Waverley’ ­– 1946, ‘Kingswear Castle’  - 1924. ‘Balmoral’ - 1949.
“The Barry Railway Steamers”, by M.A. Tedstone.

The waverley Website