Appeal £135,000 needed to replace steamer's masts

WAVERLEY, the world's last seagoing paddle steamer, which sails the Bristol Channel between England and South Wales, has launched an appeal to raise £135,000 to replace both of her masts and dining saloon windows ahead of the 2026 sailing season.

- Ian LEWIS

These traditional features are central to Waverley's distinctive profile, and renewing them in authentic materials is essential to preserving the ship's historic character and renewed appearance.

The steamer offers a wide variety of cruises to Swansea, Porthcawl, Penarth, Tenby and Milford Haven. South West England departure points include Portishead, Minhead Ilfracombe and Clevedon.

The past year has seen the most trips in more than a decade on the steamer's 50th anniversary, with nearly 160,000 passengers on board since May.