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World's last seagoing paddle steamer returning to Southend Pier for Thames cruises

Historic - PS Waverly arriving at Southend Pier with around 700 passengers on board last year <i>(Image: Simon Murdoch)</i>
Historic - PS Waverly arriving at Southend Pier with around 700 passengers on board last year (Image: Simon Murdoch)

The world's last seagoing paddle steamer will be running cruises from Southend later this year.

The Paddle Steamer Waverley will operate River Thames cruises from Southend Pier and with provisional of September 22 and October 8 set to be confirmed.

Last year the boat operated services to London Tower Bridge, River Medway, Greenwich and the Mansel Thames Forts from Southend Pier.


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The trips proved popular, as thousands of people took advantage of the unique river cruise.

The PS Waverley is the last seagoing paddle steamer in the world and can carry up to 900 passengers.

Waverley’s maiden voyage was on June 16, 1947 and saw her operate the route she was primarily intended – the cruise up Loch Long and Loch Goil to the villages of Lochgoilhead and Arrochar.

By 1973 Waverley was the last seagoing paddle steamer in the world.

On May 10, 2019 it was announced that Waverley was withdrawn from service and would need new boilers if she was to sail again. The Boiler Refit Appeal was launched to raise £2.3m and Save The Waverley. The appeal attracted donations from over 8,500 individuals with support from the PSPS, Scottish Government, several trusts and foundations.