City Sailing · video

What this video covers

The paddle steamer Waverley operates passenger excursions on the River Clyde, departing from Blairmore Pier for trips around Carrick Castle.0:14 Built in 1946 as a replacement for the original vessel lost at Dunkirk, the ship features fixed paddle wheels that prevent independent rotation, requiring the captain to rely solely on a stern rudder for steering.0:58 Because the rudder only functions when water flows over it, the vessel must maintain speed during docking manoeuvres before reversing engines to stop.1:42 Crew members use heaving lines and steam winches to secure the ship to the pier, often utilising a spring line to pivot the bow away from the dock during departure.1:59 The ship is powered by a triple-expansion steam engine, which requires specific boiler maintenance, including a 2.3 million pound refit in 2019.10:32 Now designated as a national flagship, the Waverley remains the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer, maintaining a seasonal schedule that includes routes in Scotland and the south of England.10:52

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