The fundraising appeal to save paddle steamer Waverley has reached its £2.3 million target just seven months after it was announced that the famous steamship would not operate in 2019.

The Boiler Refit Appeal has attracted donations from over 8,000 individuals with support from the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, several trusts and £1 million from the Scottish Government. Arnold Clark and the Swire Charitable Trust have both just confirmed their support taking the appeal to its target.

The Boiler Refit of Waverley will get fully underway this month with work due to take around 4 months. This will allow Waverley to re-enter service in summer 2020. Her 2020 programme will include a visit to the Bristol Channel in early September. Waverley will also operate on the Clyde, the south coast, the Thames, from Liverpool & North Wales.

The new boilers are currently being built by Cochran Ltd. in Annan and will be completed in February.

The work required on the ship will involve the removal of the iconic twin funnels to allow access to the boiler room.

Other components being built such as the new electric generators are already complete.
The new boilers are currently being built by Cochran Ltd. in Annan and will be completed in February. Other components being built such as the new electric generators are already complete.

Waverley Excursions General Manager, Paul Semple, said: “Thanks to the fantastic generosity of so many people and organisations we are now able to push ‘full ahead’ with Waverley’s boiler refit which will be the most substantial refit since her rebuild was completed back in 2003. I would like to thank everyone who has donated to the appeal and supported our efforts to save the last seagoing paddle steamer in the world.”

Waverley is owned by a registered charity and operated on a not-for-profit basis. The recent appeal for cash has been the most successful in the ship’s preservation career but ongoing support will be required given the annual cost of dry docking and refit.

Mr Semple further commented: “The trustees of the Waverley charity believe that ongoing charitable giving must now form a greater part of Waverley’s long-term operational survival to ensure she remains in service. We are deeply grateful to all those who have helped this year, and in the months and years ahead, will ask those who care and who are able to help, to add Waverley to their permanent thoughts.”

Waverley will be moved from Glasgow to Greenock this month, where the major “open-heart surgery” will take place.