Billed as the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer, the PS Waverley is back in the South West this bank holiday weekend.
The famous maritime treasure has just undergone a £1.5 million refit and is now ‘shipshape’, ready for a busy diary of cruises and tours along the local coastlines.
The iconic steamer will arrive in Plymouth on Friday, 22 May, and stay until Monday, 25 May.
Westward Shipping News will capture the first images of the vessel in the Sound on our live webcams as the Waverley makes its way to the Barbican Landing Stage.
City tourist bosses and the Cattewater Harbour Commissioners are making every effort to welcome back the national treasure with events at Commercial Wharf and providing passengers with a warm Plymouth welcome.
The PS Waverley was last seen in the region in 2024, and the crew at Westward Shipping News were proud to sail on the attraction out to Eddystone Lighthouse and back on an evening tour.
Onboard, we enjoyed the sight and sound of a real steamship, and especially the telegraph ring, and visiting the engine room, with catering facilities onboard.
The Waverley, which has carried 6 million passengers over the years, will be visiting Fowey, Falmouth, Penzance, Padstow and Mevagissey.
Capt Bruce Clark, Waverley’s master, said, “We are delighted to be bringing Waverley back to the South West for another season of coastal cruising over the holiday weekend.”
Paul Semple, Waverley’s general manager, said: “This year we have opted to bring Waverley back to the South West and the variety of cruises we are able to offer in the area and the 80th season since her launch.”
“Seeing the pleasure Waverley brings to those who step aboard makes the recent £1.5m refit investment worthwhile as we work to safeguard her in operation for everyone to enjoy.”
Built on the Clyde in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, Waverley first sailed in 1947 and carries the name of her predecessor who was sunk during the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk in 1940.
The current Waverley was built and designed as a steam packet boat and served many years in that role around the coast and lochs of Western Scotland.
The last Clyde paddle steamer of her ilk, she was eventually “pensioned off” and sold for £1 to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society in 1974.
For all dates and schedules, together with bookings and tickets, you can view them on their web portal: www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk or by calling 0141 243 2224.
