Builders: A & J Inglis 1899
Propulsion type: Paddle Compound Diagonal
Owners: North British Railway Company (later London North Eastern Railway)
Service dates: 1899 - 1940
Tonnage: Gross 537
Comments:
Waverley was a revalation when she was introduced to the Clyde. She broke tradition with the North British fleet in that she was their first compound diagonally engined steamer, her predecessors sporting single cylinder engines. This refinement meant a significant increase in speed and she attained 19.73 knots on her trials. She was well fitted out and her speed meant she was a match for the steamers of the rival Glasgow & South Western Railway, a fact she proved by beating PS Jupiter in an unofficial race. Originally she was not plated to her bows, but she had her promenade deck carried forward of her mast, which gave her passengers more space than did her fleetmates. She was originally placed on the Ayr and Arran run, but later moved to the Rothesay service and later still on the Kyles of Bute run. She was overhauled and renovated in 1920 and it is in this latter guise that she is shown her. In 1938 she was laid up and would probably have been scrapped but for the outbreak of war. She formed part of the 12th Minesweeping Flotilla operating out of Harwich and sailed to take part in the evacuation of Dunkirk in May 1940. She was lost there whilst going to the assistance of Eagle III who had been beached. Her wreck was discovered by a diver in 1986. A plaque to her memory can be seen on today's PS Waverley, which is the last sea going paddle steamer in the world.