Paddle steamer out of action after pier crash
THE world’s last sea-going paddle steamer has been forced to cancel a series of cruises across Wales after crashing into a pier.
The Waverley had a number of sailings planned around Llandudno and Anglesey in the coming days, but it’s now in a dry dock being repaired after striking the pier at Rothesay in the Firth of Clyde last Friday. No-one was injured.
Cruises have now been cancelled until at least September 5, including those from Liverpool to Llandudno and Liverpool to Anglesey; Porthcawl to Ilfracombe and Porthcawl to Exmoor Coast; and from Penarth to Minehead and Penarth to Lundy Island.
A spokesman said: “On departure from Rothesay, an incident occurred in which damage was sustained to Waverley’s bow. As Waverley requires to enter dry dock for repair, the weekend’s Clyde sailings will now not be operating.
“Passengers have been informed and asked to return their tickets for a refund. Waverley will be back in service as soon as repairs have been completed.”
The steamship, which was launched in 1946, is operated by a charity, the Waverley Steam Navigation Company. With its towering funnels, timber decks, gleaming varnish and brass, it takes passengers on a nostalgic sea journey.
It’s not the first time she has been out of action. In July 1977 she was badly damaged when she struck rocks near Dunoon.
In June 2009 she struck the breakwater at Dunoon with 700 passengers on board, 12 of whom suffered minor injuries.
Since being sold to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, she has carried more than five million passengers.
The news of the Waverley comes just days after it was revealed that summer cruises on the MV Balmoral from Wales were also being cancelled after the ship’s propeller was damaged by a rope.
The company is now hoping to extend its sailing season by an extra week in October to give Bristol Channel passengers another chance to cruise.