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19 April 2011
New pictures
Click here for pictures showing some of the work that has been carried out aboard Waverley over the winter.
30 March 2011
Marine Engine Services Ltd
Many thanks to Peter Thompson for his great help with the generators on Balmoral.
To all we recommend Marine Engineering Services Ltd to supply or maintain your small diesel engines, pumps and generators.
11 March 2011
Tar & Feather
Friday last saw the delivery to Balmoral of a brand new pitch boiler - Click here for pictures. With a capacity for up to ten gallons of hot pitch at a time, the unit will improve our ability to maintain the ship's timber decks.
The long established Bristol manufacturer 'Farvis,' a family business of many generations now lead buy Ross Floyd, donated the unit, painted in environmental green.
It is interesting to record that Ross and his family have long been supporters of Bristol Channel sailings and indeed the firm initially made ship's funnels - over 150 years ago though.
Boost for Heritage Engines
We are pleased to learn that Marine Engine Services of Uxbridge are to supply parts for the Lister JM6 generator engines on Balmoral. Operations director, Ian McMillan, commented, 'This is a great contribution to keeping these engines in service. They are after all maintained by a skilled voluntary effort.' Many thanks to Mike at www.marineengine.co.uk
Happy Birthday Mayflower
Balmoral's neighbour at Bristol for many years has been the steam tug Mayflower. On May 18th this wonderful ship will be in steam for the 150th anniversary of her launch. There are special events being held in the week following with public trips on offer around Bristol City Docks.
Coal fired and with a compound steam engine, Waverley is one of the oldest vessels still in steam anywhere in the world. Happy Birthday!
8 March 2011
Record Price
Events in the Middle East have real affect on 'steamers' in the UK. Last week a price of $120 per barrel was reached for crude oil. This is only 20% less than the record levels reached in the huge price spike of 2008. We all hope that current political problems can be resolved , largely for the benefit of the citizens of the Middle East, but also to secure the future of sailings, and fares, nearer to home.
Storm Tent in Switzerland
May 14th sees a public celebration to mark the return to service of the rebuilt paddle steamer Unterwalden. A parade of steam is planned with five large paddlers on show. We hear that many tickets have been sold, but that there is still availability.
Our ships are scheduled for dry-dock at this time, so a visit to Switzerland may be just the ticket!
4 March 2011
Swanage Pier
Only some two years have passes since Swanage Pier was re-opened to Waverley & Balmoral. Repair work was enabled through a generous bequest to the pier trust.
Last week Ian McMillan visited Swanage to look at the pier and to meet with a small group of trustees. The pier trustees deserve full support from stakeholders, both local and further afield with their efforts to maintain the pier.
How many trees in a deck?
Friday last saw delivery to Balmoral at Bristol of the first part of the new timber deck. Some 200 new planks, each 4' by 2 ¼' thick sawn & Fininish planed were loaded aboard. It is vital that they be kept dry before laying so a covered timber warehouse has been built on the after deck by our team of volunteers.
Cathedrals in Steel
The big after deck shelter on Waverley has disappeared in a 'cathedral of steel' made of course from scaffolding. Areas of the top timber deck require renewal and the whole caulked to prevent leaking in wet weather. The work must be completed dry: hence the need for covering in.
South West Historical Electrical Society Visit
Thirty members had an organised visit to Balmoral last week. Opportunity was taken to visit the engine room and to sight the extensive repair works currently being undertaken.
Over coffee and biscuits, members were 'entertained' with a short lecture given by Ian McMillan extolling the virtues of marine electrical practice, while Basil Stockbridge gave an introduction to the ship's history.
Time & Tide -
Waits for no one, not even Captain Andy O'Brian. Last weeks visit to Newport was necessary to measure the on-going silting at the river Berth. Sadly in the current economic climate, the local authority is unable to support the cost of maintenance dredging. Four trips are planned from Newport in 2011 - check back here soon for the new timetable.
3 February 2011
People's Millions Update
Check out the latest update on the work being carried out aboard Balmoral after the People's Millions win
www.itv.com/westcountry-east/servicing-the-balmoral11869/
Click here for pictures
1 February 2011
Balmoral TV Appearance tonight
Following on from ITVs People's Millions win, tune into the people at work segment of ITV West News tonight to see a special appearance by Balmoral!
28 January 2011
Tar Mac
We are pleased to say a big thank you to Farvis Bitumen boilers of Bristol, for their donation of a brand new bar or pitch boiler on Balmoral.
The unit will replace the primitive kit, which has been used for many years. It has a capacity of 10 gallons and with thermostatic control has many up to date safety features.
The new bar deck has over 4,000 ft of seam, all to be filled with pitch. The new equipment will save much time. See www.farvis.com
Still no drill
Blog followers will recall from last year that the heavy bench drill was stolen from our store at Bristol. We're still on the look out for a replacement. Any offers? Please ring 07860 192536.
A bit of Waverley for Liverpool…
The I/P crosshead or, to use the proper technical term, the big slidy bit that goes back and forth in the middle if the engine, has been sent down to Messrs. Atlantic Engineering at Liverpool. This long established firm once a part of the famous blue funnel line are world renowned as straighteners & refurbishers of shafting. For Waverley, the work involves cutting back of the bearing surfaces building up by special welding techniques and final machining, all of course, under the watchful eye of the MCA. See www.atlanticeng.com
Sinking Barry - No not the town, but the ship!
In 2011, we hope to mark the 70th anniversary of the sinking of the White Funnel Paddle Steamer 'Waverley'. Lost during the war, in 1941, the ship had originally been built as the Barry. We would like to hear from anyone who sailed on the ship before the war, or may have had family or friends who served on board during the conflict.
24 January 2011
Visit to Excursions
Waverley's commercial manager and a member of the marketing team travelled down to London last weekend for the annual Excursions Exhibition. The event was busy throughout the day and, despite not having the full timetable confirmed for this years sailings, we generated a lot of interest from new potential customers as well as regular passengers on both the Waverley and Balmoral.
We've attended a few excursion and travel & tourism events over the past year and Excursions was by far the best - there was always someone stopping by our stand whether they were asking for more details about the sailings or reminiscing about past trips.
17 January 2011
Timetable Planning
Waverley's senior master and commercial manager are continuing to work hard planning an exciting timetable for the 2011 season. Last week Captain O'Brian visited Port Askaig on Islay to undertake a risk assessment of the berth for a call on route to Oban in April. Further visits to assess berths are also being planned in the near future for Kyle of Lochalsh, Broadford & Raasay.
6 January 2011
Volunteer work parties begin aboard Waverley and Balmoral
Winter work parties will begin on Saturday January 15 in Bristol and Glasgow. If you're travelling to Bristol for Saturday work, please phone 0141 221 8152 the day before or earlier.
New volunteers are always welcome, skilled and unskilled, provided that you are over 18! Both ships are heated in cold weather and parking is available nearby.
21 December 2010
Award for Waverley
We have been given to understand that Waverley may, in 2011, be the recipient of an award to recognise technical excellence and heritage merit in her operation and preservation. The award will be made by one of the leading technical institutions based in London.
Check back in the New Year for more details and information about the events.
Steam Boat Association of Great Britain
The Steam Boat Association of Great Britain has arranged a visit to Paddle Steamer Waverley at Glasgow on the 12th of February 2012. The host for the day will be Waverley chief engineer Ken Henderson. The Association represents the many owners of steam propelled historic craft and replicas and the members will have the opportunity to enjoy a guided tour of the paddle steamer and see many aspects of the vessel under repair.
Interesting to reflect, of course, that the world's first steam boat, the comet, will celebrate its bi-centenary on the Clyde in 2012. No doubt a matter for some discussion on the 12th.
Switzerland in the Snow!
A small group of Waverley and Balmoral staff along with volunteers travelled to Switzerland on the 11th December to enjoy some winter steaming. Saturday evening was spent in the Salon of paddle steamer Uri eating a fine Raclette style evening meal with the best of wine and hospitality. Uri was commanded for the evening by Captain Beat Kallenbach and ran up the lake as far as Beckenried and back. Friends from the SGV, operators of Uri, joined our team whilst on an adjacent table, a similar group representing the CGN, operators of the Geneva paddle steamer fleet, had travelled up from Geneva for the evening event. Needless to say this was something of a paddle steamer summit and a good time was had by all.
On the Sunday an ascent was made on mount Rigi, proceeding outward and back to Vitznau by the winter service motorships. The views from the train during the ascent were both very wintry and breathtaking. However just before reaching the summit a blizzard arrived so the subsequent hour was spent cowering in the small tea room before embarking on the train for the descent. On summer Sundays and holidays, the rack railway is steam operated, but traction was provided, as normal, by electric motors operating at 1500 volts DC.
On Monday, the team enjoyed a special preview of the completing rebuild of paddle steamer Unterwalden. Work of the highest quality was on show, although there is much to complete in the coming months. The maiden voyage is scheduled for May 2011 and there can be no doubt that when the time comes, the ship will be much admired by her passengers.
21 December 2010
Christmas lunch on Balmoral!
Bristol Channel branch members enjoyed their annual Christmas lunch aboard Balmoral yesterday. Guest speaker at the event was ex-MP Doug Naysmith and lunch was prepared by Operations Director Ian McMillan. Balmoral's recent victory in ITV's People's Millions was celebrated, with the signing of the £50,000 grant agreement also taking place at the lunch.
Click here for pictures.
Planning the new lounge
Hard on the heels of our success with the ITV People's Millions competition our team is busy at the drawing board laying out the plans for restoration of the main public lounge bar on the Balmoral.
Seating arrangements have to be investigated, materials verified for safety compliance and all set out in conformance with the as-built style of the ship.
On board the lounge has been stripped out of all remaining fabrics, none of which were original, of the interior of the ship whilst some linings have been removed to permit investigation of the structure of the ship, which lies behind. No further work is yet planned since the ship must be left intact for the PSPS Bristol Channel Branch Christmas meeting due to be held aboard on Saturday 18 December.
Drill wanted!
Over the summer the engineers block drill used on the Balmoral in the winter refit was stolen. The machine, although old, was a real workhorse and had been used by our volunteer team for years. We are really surprised that it had been stolen since it was not a DIY machine and three people would be needed to carry it!
We are on the look out for a new machine and would welcome any offers… as ever we would be willing to collect.
Keeping steam up on the Waverley
Temperatures in Glasgow have been extremely low over the past few weeks. Except when shut down for maintenance, the boilers are kept in steam to preserve the ship's fabric and prevent decay. In the extreme weather it has been necessary to burn over 3 tonnes of fuel per day - enough to steam 6 miles in the summer and by Thursday the chief engineer indicated that the fuel tanks were getting very low, whilst the weather was preventing any further deliveries. Will the fuel tanker get through? Check back next week to find out.
Steering Research
Up until the last war nearly all the paddlers in the UK had steam drained steering engines installed on the main deck, just forward of the workshop in the engine room. Very little was written about these machines, which covered the rudder through rods and chains. Has anyone got any photographs which show these machines? Please email them to info@waverleyexcursions.co.uk
26 November 2010
BALMORAL wins £50,000!
Good news! Balmoral has been successful in her bid to win £50,000 on ITV's Peoples Millions to fund the restoration of the ship's Britannia Lounge.
The result was revealed on last night's programme and a cheque was presented to WSN Director Alec Lewis.
Alec commented, 'The team of skilled volunteers will now be able to start work on this important project to totally refurbish the main Lounge and Bar. This will help contribute to a much more comfortable environment for the thousands of people who will be sailing on Balmoral in the summers ahead.
We are all very excited about this and would like to say a very big 'thank you' to all the people who supported our campaign and who voted for us on Wednesday.'
25 November 2010
Getting the vote in
WSN Director, Alec Lewis and his team were hard at work yesterday as Balmoral competed to win £50,000 on ITV People's Millions contest. Over a thousand leaflets were handed out at a roadshow held alongside Balmoral at Bristol yesterday. The ship was lit up and flags, bunting and posters all helped to persuade an interested public to vote. Meanwhile, ITV screened our team of volunteers hard at work and showed the ship out to sea with passengers aboard. Our team will be aboard the ship tonight to hear the result and to learn if the £50,000 prize has been won. Tune in to ITV West Country tonight at 6pm for the result!
Back in steam
The fires were lit and steam raised once more in Waverley's boilers last week (just in time for the cold weather!) Testing was undertaken to assess the condition of the boilers. Good news! No defects were found. Waverley's boilers are now kept in steam throughout the winter to keep the ship warm and preserve the internal fabrics. Check back here soon for details of Waverley's winter work parties
Friend at Sharpness
Operations Director Ian McMillan visited the Sharpness Shipyard yesterday for a meeting with the dry-dock team who carry out the repairs on Balmoral each spring. Ian found the team very busy with two historic ships under repair in the dry-dock. The Lundy service vessel Oldenberg was on the blocks for her annual survey and bottom repaint and was sharing the dock with the tug St Thomas Oldenburg is often to be seen, from the decks of Waverley and Balmoral, as she makes her way from Bideford or Ilfracombe to Lundy Island
22 November 2010
Turning-to at Bristol
Volunteer work parties started on board Balmoral at Bristol last week. A good turn out was reported and work began straight away. The ship is 'open' for work on Tuesdays and Fridays until Christmas and from mid January onwards. New members are always welcome, whether skilled or un-skilled, and fear not the cold weather - the central heating is switched on! Keep up with progress by reading these pages regularly.
Education, education, education
Company Safety Officer, Maria Mackinnon, who joined Waverley's team earlier this year has been taking part in training at Warsash Maritime Academy. Maria told us the course involved practical workshops to enable her to act as lead auditor for onboard audits.
All at sea
Captain Andy O'Brian, usually in command of Waverley or Balmoral, answered an SOS from our friends Stena who operate the ferry 'Caledonia'. Having undergone familiarisation training last year, Andy was able to stand in as Second Mate in a week which started with strong winds and ended with some really cold weather. Andy is now back to his day job of planning timetables for Waverley and Balmoral's 2011 season.
For a downloadable version click here
BALMORAL stars on the SILVER SCREEN
Balmoral appeared on ITV's People's Millions show in a competition to win £50,000 to refurbish the Britannia Lounge. Find out how Balmoral got on by tuning in to www.itv.com/westcountry-east at 6pm on November 25. Results will appear on this website tomorrow.
For more details - Click here
PRIZE DRAW WINNERS 2010
1st Prize. A two week Cruise for two persons on any Fred.Olsen Liner leaving the UK up to Nov.2011
WINNER Mr.C.Lewis, CARDIFF
2nd Prize. A season ticket for two persons on Waverley or Balmoral in the region of the winner's choice:
WINNER: Mrs. A. Mitchinson, Livingston
3rd Prize. Case of 12 Bottles of wine from Avery's of Bristol.
WINNER: Mr. A. Lillington, Clacton-0n-Sea
4th Prize. £100.
WINNER: Mrs Lesley Smith, London
5th Prize. £75.
WINNER: Mrs. T. Taylor, Kings Langley, Herts
6th Prize, £50.
WINNER: Mrs D. Kennedy, Havant, Hants
**** WAVERLEY ACCOLADE ****
Waverley has been nominated in the top 3 'Nostalgic Journeys in the World!' by The Sunday Times. To find out more click here
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