WAVERLEY SALUTES HARWICH ON HER 80th BIRTHDAY.

With flags flying and whistles blowing the iconic Paddle Steamer Waverley will salute Harwich Harbour and Ha’penny Pier as she steams past on her cruise to London. The famous Waverley celebrates her 80th birthday this year. Waverley, the world’s last passenger carrying paddle steamer will be making a special detour into Harwich harbour around 11.15am on Thursday September 24.

Onlookers are invited to join the celebrations on the Ha’Penny Pier and Harwich Quay to have a grandstand view of Waverley, together with a reciprocal salute from Harwich’s own heritage ship, LV18 which will sound her horn to the Pride of the Clyde before Civic guests and ship enthusiasts. Look out for her – a spectacle not to be missed on this unique occasion to celebrate the LV18’s current exhibition of ‘Seaside Piers on Posters’ to coincide with the Waverley’s 80th birthday. The LV18 and exhibition will be open free of charge on the day.

More information:

‘The event to celebrate the Waverley’s 80th birthday since it’s launch in 1946 and to pay homage to the port of Harwich and it’s historic wooden Ha’penny Pier, which was for many years an arrival and departure point for many of the East Coast’s Paddle Steamers during the heyday of the thriving seaside resorts.

The Waverley will enter the harbour around the Guard Buoy around about 11 – 11.15am and proceed into the mouth of the River Stour, then turning and heading for a slow pass of the Ha’penny Pier where she will sound her ships whistle. The LV18 will respond with a blast (or more!) of her air horn. After which the Deputy Lord Lieutenant for the County of Essex will lead the ‘three cheers for the Waverley’ to raise a rousing response from those present.

The Harwich Mayor, consort and invited dignitaries will be met on the Ha’Penny Pier at 10.50am by Heather O’Neil representing the Pharos Trust, owners and operators of the LV18.

Many thanks to The Waverly Paddle Steamer Trust, National Piers Society, Harwich Haven Authority, Tim Wardley, NIgel Spencer, Harwich Town Council, Harwich Harbour Ferry, Scruton Wyatt Media & BBC Essex

Image of PS Waverley is © Jeff Welch and used with kind permission.