Journey On The Legendary PS Waverley To Central London - Historic Paddle Steamer Adventure!

S05E69 Welcome back to this very special episode in which we join the World's last sea-going paddle steamer, the PS Waverley, on a cruise from Ipswich to the very heart of London, with a brief stop at Clacton Pier on the way.
This is a very special journey as it is the first time that the PS Waverley has visited Ipswich in more than 20 years. The story begins with the Waverley, silently making its way up the River Orwell, in darkness, whilst it prepares to receive a new bunch of travelers the following day.
The #pswaverley has been lovingly restored with the support of the #psps otherwise known as the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, to whom we are eternally grateful. No trip to the #pswaverley would be complete without a really good look at her incredible triple expansion steam engine, delivering 2100hp to a pair of rimless paddles.
Join us for a look around the vessel and capture the amazing sights as darkness approaches as we proceed along the #riverthames passing #woolwich , galleons point, the Thames Barrier, the #greenwich Navel College and finally, #towerbridge in total darkness.
Thank you to the PSPS and especially the ‪@PSPSScottishBranch‬ for keeping this wonderful vessel afloat.
Chapters
00:00 PS Waverley arrives on the River Orwell
00:32 Alongside at the Port of ipswich and the importance of ‪@PSPSScottishBranch‬
01:21 The history of the PS Waverley and going #doonthewatter and the #PSPS
03:53 The journey begins
05:33 Engine, rimless paddle wheels and boilers
08:11 Setting off - the River Orwell
09:58 HMS Ganges, Shotley Point ‪@HMSGANGESDOTCOM‬
12:10 Felixstowe, North Sea and exploring PS Waverley
13:11 Clacton Pier
15:12 Heading for the Thames
17:05 Entering the Thames, Thames Gateway
20:14 QE2 Bridge and the Dartford Crossing
23:05 Tower Bridge to Tower Pier
25:28 2024 SCHEDULE ANNOUNCEMENT
Music
Trabant 33 - Raise Your Swords
Trabant 33 - Fields of Scotland
Gary the Canary - Catch the Wind
Grant Lamotte - Keep Walking
Biddy Sullivan - Day of Mine
Johannes Bornlof - Thousand Miles
Helmut Schenker - November Light
Courtesy of #epidemicsound - epidemicsound.com

[@PaulSta-o2q]

A good reply, which I ca’t top. Enjoyed our brief engagement. Happy sailing.

[@ThamesShips]

Excellent video. 👍 I remember watching the pilot board as Waverley was passing Tilbury that day!

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Thank you - it really was a great day and a good few weeks for Waverley on the Thames!

[@sparetime2101]

I remember this vessel well when she plied between Hull and New Holland Lincolnshire. With its shallow draft, it was ideal for dodging the ever changing mudflats in the Humber estuary. It was not unknown for the vessel to run aground on a falling tide in which case passengers retired to the bar to kill time until the tide turned and the vessel was afloat again. Watching the reciprocating pistons working to a rythmic sound was magical. Thank goodness she has been saved. 😂❤

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Thank you for such wonderful memories - We do like the idea of 'retiring to the bar' when grounded! Amazingly the Waverley has little more draft than our own boat!

[@sparetime2101]

@@lovelifeloveboat Ah, but do you have a flat bottom?

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Ah I do, but my boat doesn't - Personally, I find paddle steamers quite remarkable and their workload at Dunkirk is so easily overlooked!

[@grahamgetsabout2672]

What a video, absolutely fabulous. We’ve missed the PS Waverley in the past due to bad weather so lucky you and thank you for taking us along 👏👏👏👏👏👍

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dawnsharples187]

Congratulations on a fantastic video. You captured the magic of a fantastic trip on the Waverley. It was great to meet you both. John & Dawn

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Thanks! You too! Sadly the audio was a little too noisy - it sounded like we were actually in a washing machine!!

[@sealineboater]

Absolutely stunning vessel and what a great trip! Thank you for sharing.

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Our pleasure!

[@bt1163]

hello, is this a one off trip or is it a current tour schedule ? very interesting journey esp going on the thames into central london. was it a return trip or do you have to make your own way back from london ? thanks for sharing.

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Hi, this was a set of one-off excursions and there was a return coach offered, however, most would maybe use this as part of a larger journey. tickets are reasonably priced per person and I think Waverley Excursions, the charity's operating company are planning on offering similar 'return travel' excursions again this year. As yet the final schedule hasn't been fully publicised but their website is waverleyexcursions.co.uk/