OUR SAIL OF THE CENTURY

THE incredible story of how Sunday Mail readers helped save the world's last seagoing paddle steamer is revealed in a new documentary.

- JENNIFER HYLAND

Since its launch in 1946, the Waverley has remained a firm favourite with daytrippers for its legendry voyages "doon the watter" from Glasgow's River Clyde around the west coast islands.

It is listed by National Historic Ships UK as "a vessel of pre-eminent national importance" and was built to replace a previous Waverley sunk in 1940 while helping to evacuate troops from Dunkirk during World War II.

But in the mid-70s she fell into disrepair and faced being sent to the scrapyard before being bought for £1 by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS) which then joined forces with this newspaper to campaign for her survival.

Now the tale of how she was rescued is recounted in a new film Saving Waverley featuring unseen interviews and footage.

Terry Silvester, former chairman of the Waverley Organisation and a lifelong supporter of the ship, said: "The appeal was led by the Scottish Sunday Mail, which ran a great campaign with full colour centre spread, Ten Days To Save The Waverley.

"This brought people's contributions flooding in and we sailed in 76 and, of course, have sailed ever since." This month the 78-year-old Waverley celebrates her 50th anniversary of cruising with the PSPS after its spring sailing schedule kicked off on Friday.