Famous paddle steamer flourishing on 50th anniversary

THE world's last seagoing paddle steamer - once saved from the scrapyard by a Sunday Mail campaign - is celebrating a record sailing season on the Clyde.

- BY JENNIFER HYLAND

The Waverley has seen the highest number of trips in more than a decade on her 50th anniversary with almost 160,000 passengers on board since May.

Since its launch in 1946, the ship has remained a firm favourite with day trippers heading “doon the watter” from Glasgow to west coast islands.

But in the mid-70s, it fell into disrepair and faced being sent to the scrap yard until it was bought for £1 by the PSPS, which then joined forces with this newspaper to campaign for its survival.

Paul Semple, Waverley Excursions general manager, said: “All at Waverley were delighted the 50th Anniversary year in preservation saw passenger numbers on the Clyde summer sailings at their highest in more than a decade.