PS Waverley Cruise- London to Southend 7/10/13

[Roderick Smith]

It is too late now if you didn't do it:
* Did you ask the engineer about how Waverley could be towed, if necessary?
* Did you take a photo of 'Captain Sean' behind the wheel, to be a now & then comparison of 7 yo Sean behind the wheel of PS Canberra?

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[thewharfonline]

I took a photo of the no passengers allowed on the bridge sign...guess that's as close as it gets.

While I didn't ask about how the boat could be towed, we certainly were towed. Out from the berth, then whipped around mid-Thames for our journey commencement under the tower Bridge. Not sure if we were towed all the way under and then started up, or if the tug left us before then. Don't remember.

Here's an assortment of pictures from the day.
From top to bottom:
1. Even the lubricators on her steam engine have her name etched into them. Her engine is also 2100hp (correct me if I'm wrong but I think that's right UK paddlers?) Kind of blows the Alexander Arbuthnot out of the water.
2. Returning from Whitstable to Southend, decks full of passengers.
3. Stern rope command system, as it's winch operated. No manual pulling of big ropes.
4. Waverley on arrival at Southend Pier. Gorgeous weather.
5. In case you forgot which boat you're on the name is on the stair treads. I hope that detail is on your models.
6. This one's just for Rod, the pier train at Southend. Because it's the largest pleasure pier in the world at a mile and a third long. No one wants to walk that, £3.50 return gets you from one end to another.

[thewharfonline]

For those wanting to read a bit more or see a few more pictures from the day, I've updated my blog and you can have a read here:
http://seanbryan.com/2013/10/15/a-leisurely-cruise-on-the-ps-waverley/

[Roderick Smith]

Thanks Sean, particularly for the pier railway (one on which I haven't travelled).
Despite Tower Bridge being a highlight, there is no photo of it opened (twin bascule leaves).
Even though you couldn't get to the wheelhouse, there is no photo of you against any other backdrop (eg a named lifering).

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[thewharfonline]

I have photos of the bridge open in the foggy morning, both my camera and phone had died by the evening, so I didn't get any photos after dark.

I'm also not too crazy about appearing in photos. Trust me though, I was there, and if you don't, just ask Mick.

[mjt60a]

Yes indeed, we were there, I only got a few pictures myself and unfortunately, my computer is pretty much dead. Someone lent/gave me this one but it hasn't a card reader fitted - hence no photos from me for the last several months.