13 September 2023

PS Waverley, the world's last Seagoing paddle steamer, made her inaugural cruise from Shoreham Port this Wednesday 13th September 2023.

The harbour was a buzz of excitement as we welcomed the living piece of maritime history, which boarded 600 people on the sold-out cruise on Wednesday morning. Crowds gathered on the nearby Kingston Beach to see the vessel arrive, moor, and depart from the Port’s Outer-Layby Terminal.

Today’s cruise is  taking passengers to Ryde; some will disembark to visit the Isle of Wight, while others will take a trip on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, and some will stay on board for an extended cruise through the Solent, taking in the Needles Rocks and Lighthouse, before disembarking at Yarmouth.

The PS Waverley was built in 1946 to replace a steamer of the same name which was sunk while evacuating troops from Dunkirk during the Second World War. In 1974 Waverley began a second career as one of the country’s best-loved tourist attractions. Since she has been in operational preservation, she has been awarded four stars by Visit Scotland, an engineering heritage award, and has carried over 6 million passengers from over 60 ports around the UK.

Shoreham Port’s Harbour Master, Julian Seaman commented "We're excited to have welcomed the iconic Paddle Steamer Waverley to Shoreham Port for the first time today. It is fantastic that the excursion was so popular with local people; it is a testament to the enduring appeal of the vessel and the support of those who are passionate about preserving our maritime heritage. Thank you to the team at Waverley Excursions and Port colleagues who worked to ensure the morning ran smoothly."

Categories: Community, Maritime