As Waverley approaches the final weekend of her Thames sailing programme for 2018 now is as good a time as any to post a photo of surely the most unique feature of her visits to the Pool of London - the opening of Tower Bridge.
There is of course a connection with the Clyde within the bridge itself.
The metal superstructure was built by famous Scottish company William Arrol & Co - famous for the Forth and Tay Rail Bridges , the gantry built at H&W Belfast under which the Olympic Class liners Olympic, Titanic and Britannic were built and numerous Titan Cranes on the Clyde and around the world.
Arrol were one of eight contractors involved in the bridge's construction. Which was completed in 1894.
Sir William Arrol - Tower Bridge (be aware some of the information on this wordpress site is incorrect but is interesting nonetheless)
I have sailed on Waverley on the Thames - sailed through the bridge to and from The Pool of London and also stood on the viewing areas underneath the bascules of the bridge itself as the paddler sails through blowing her steam whistle to cheers from the crowds who always assemble to see what is sailing through - tourists are fascinated about her as there is nothing like her left sailing in the world.
I never fail to feel very very proud that a wee paddle steamer built to sail in the upper Firth of Clyde with the name Glasgow proudly painted on her cruiser stern can stop the City of London in her tracks!!!
Clydebuilt and Proud
Gav
Photo from Facebook page The Liquid Highway