I was aboard Waverley yesterday evening sailing from Tower Pier. Pretty busy though the trip down to the Thames Barrier didn't stretch her at all- most of the time we seemed to be drifting on the tide and I don't think the engine telegraph ever ventured beyond "slow".
Donations are needed to keep this lovely ship in operation. These can be made through the Waverley Excursions website
http://www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk/index.htm . Better still, buy a ticket (she's doing her Thames and Medway season at the moment) and put some money in the purser's bucket on your way off! The Balmoral has now completed her 2011 season.
I for one would not like to see this irreplaceable part of our maritime heritage turned into a static museum or, worse, lost altogether.