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Maritime artist Gordon Bauwens range
of Ocean Liners and Clyde steamers in maritime art prints. Gordon Bauwens
ocean liners collection available from the military art company.
The Artist: Born in Glasgow in 1951, Gordon Bauwens inherited a
deep passion for the River Clyde and its ships. As a schoolboy he could
often be found among the city's docklands experiencing the sights and
atmosphere of the busy port first-hand. Early paintings of such scenes won
him gold and bronze medals in regional schools art competitions. In 1967,
Gordon was deeply impressed when he witnessed the launch of the last great
Cunarder to be built on the Clyde, Queen Elizabeth 2. While employed by a
marine engineering consultancy, Gordon developed his own distinctive style
in ship illustration and gained qualifications in technical graphics.
Currently a graphic designer for education, he paints marine
subjects in his own time for pleasure and on a commercial freelance basis.
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| Her Majestys Royal Yacht Britannia by Gordon Bauwens. The order to build a Royal Yacht as replacement for the obsolete Victoria and Albert was placed in February 1952 with John Brown & Co Ltd. The Clydebank yard won this contract largely because of its experience in building the prestigious Cunard Queens and Caronia. Launched in April 1953 by Her Majesty the Queen, Britannia was the most modern in a long line of Royal Yachts dating back to King Charles IIs Mary, 1660. Britannia was designed as a dual function vessel - as a Royal Yacht in peacetime an as hospital ship in times of hostility. Although built under post war austerity conditions, she provided a classical, well-balanced profile, with meticulous attention paid to detail. Features included innovative funnel design, bulbous bow, stabilisers, superstructure tested in a wind tunnel, and the steel hull rivetted than machined flush above the waterline to give an immaculate finish. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh took personal interest in the interior design, choosing for the Royal apartments simple decor incorporating white painted walls, mahogany and brass. Exquisite furnishings and objet dart provided embellishment, with many items retained from previous Royal vessels. Throughout Britannias 43 year active life, her appearance remained flawless, inside and out, despite having steamed well over 1 million miles. In service Britannia became a fitting symbol of Britains proud maritime heritage, and in retirement, will continue as a showcase for British shipbuilding at its best. The painting shows Britannia with the Forth Rail Bridge in the background. Signed limited edition of 850 prints. Image size 13 inches x 9.5 inches (33cm x 24cm). Price £75.00  Part of our Buy Two, Get a Third Half Price Offer
ITEM CODE GBQ0007 |
| RMS Titanic - A Day to Remember by Gordon Bauwens. Second in the trio of superliners planned to eclipse their competition on the lucrative north Atlantic route, Titanic was launched from Harland & Wolffs Belfast shipyard on 31st My 1911. Timed to coincide with her sister ship Olympics departure, White Star achieved the desired publicity with around 100,000 witnessing the grand occasion. Designed for luxury rather than speed, Titanic cost around £1.5 million, and was undoubtedly one of the most elegant liners built during the golden era of sea travel. Postponed for 24 hours due to high winds, her builders trials took place on 2 April 1912. Tugs arrived around 6am to ease the massive hulk through the Victorian Channel and out to Belfast Lough where Titanic could proceed for the first time under her own power. Signal burgee A hoisted, the liner then underwent rigorous and carefully measured tests within the Lough until, in the early afternoon, she turned her bow towards the open Irish Sea for running trials. Steaming south for two hours brought Titanic within view of County Downs Mourne Mountains and lighthouse of St Johns Point. Here the vessel carried out a broad 180 degree turn before heading back to Belfast to receive her Board of Trade passenger certificate, good for one year from today, 2-4-1912. Shortly after 8pm, Titanic finally left for Southampton and, in darkness, bade farewell to the coastline she would never sea again. Signed limited edition of 850 prints. Image size 21 inches x 14.5 inches (53cm x 37cm). Price £75.00 Part of our Buy Two, Get a Third Half Price Offer
ITEM CODE GBQ0005 |
| QE2 - Transatlantic Arrival by Gordon Bauwens. Few waterfronts in the world are as instantly recognisable and admired as New York. Cunard first used the port in 1847 and its vast liners became almost as much a part of the Citys image as its famous skyline thereafter. Transatlantic legends bearing immortal names such as Lusitania, Mauretania, Aquitania, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth all graced this famous waterfront. And now, having already sailed well over four million miles since her own maiden arrival, QE2 still proudly bears the Cunard insignia into New York harbour, looking more majestic with each passing year. The magnificent liner is enjoying a traditional fireboat welcome while being met by Moran tugs. Manhattans twin towers and the distant Statue of Liberty shimmer in the early evening sun as overhead, Concorde banks to give her passengers a glimpse of the spectacular panorama below. It is apt that his fine portrait of the last Clyde-built Cunarder is by an artist whose charted her growth from steel skeleton into elegant ocean greyhound, culminating in her launch viewed from across the Clyde in 1967. He was received by QE2s captain when presenting the liner with a framed print for her 25th Anniversary in 1994, the original painting having been purchased by the Chairman of Cunard.
Signed limited edition of 1150 prints. Image size 21 inches x 14.5 inches (53cm x 37cm). Price £75.00 Part of our Buy Two, Get a Third Half Price Offer
ITEM CODE GBQ0009 |
| River Portraits, the Liner Sylvania by Gordon Bauwens. Cunard added four new liners to their passenger fleet during the 1950s. All were built by John Brown & Co Ltd, Clydebank, for the St Lawrence route to Quebec City and Montreal, Canada. Fourth in this quartet of sisterships, which included Saxonia, Ivernia and Carinthia, Sylvania was also the last ever Cunarder designed exclusively for North Atlantic trade. Launched in November 1956, she entered service the following summer with Liverpool and Greenock her UK ports. Sylvania maintained a reliable and regular service on her Canadian route until 1961 before transferring to the New York run as replacement for the ex-White Star motorship, Britannic. In 1965 she began a new role in Mediterranean cruising, initially sailing from Liverpool then Gibraltar. Two years later she emerged from a refit with white hull and her own hovercraft. As with her sisters, Sylvanias primary transatlantic career had been all too quickly overtaken by jet air travel, inevitably leading to her sale by Cunard in 1968. However, her useful life was far from over. As the Albatros, she was still operating in the Bahamas at the time of writing. Signed limited edition of 850 prints. Image size 21 inches x 15 inches (53cm x 38cm). Price £75.00 Part of our Buy Two, Get a Third Half Price Offer
ITEM CODE GBQ0008 |
| Aquitania - The Ship Beautiful by Gordon Bauwens. December 1909 saw Cunards directors authorise a new liner to operate in union with Mauretania and Lusitania, offering a three-ship weekly transatlantic express service - a long held Company dream. Among the details, they specified that the new vessel should be constructed of the very best materials, finished complete in a first class style of workmanship to the entire satisfaction of the owners. In Aquitania, John Browns Clydebank shipyard surpassed Cunards criteria by creating what many have described as the most beautiful four funnelled liner ever built. Known throughout most of her long and successful career as the Ship Beautiful, she was in a class of her own. The combination of almost perfect external proportions along with spectacular interiors, endeared her to all. Sea going manners were equally impeccable with her captain on the maiden voyage exclaiming, her steadiness and lack of vibration are phenomenal.
During Aquitanias career of almost 36 years, she carried a total of 1.2 million passengers over 3 million miles and crossed the Atlantic 442 times and served faithfully throughout the two world wars as troop carrier and hospital ship. The worlds last surviving four funnelled liners life was further extended as a post-war immigrant ship before finally sailing to the breakers in February 1950. Dignified and incredibly beautiful to the end, her demise saddened thousands whose lives she had touched across the years. The painting shows Aquitania on builders trials in May 1914, in the background PS Glen Sannox en route from Arran to Ardrossan sets course to pass astern of Aquitania and a southbound trading brig. Signed limited edition of 650 prints. Image size 21 inches x 14.5 inches (53cm x 37cm). Price £75.00 Part of our Buy Two, Get a Third Half Price Offer
ITEM CODE GBQ0006 |
| SS Sir Walter Scott by Gordon Bauwens. The handsome steamship, Sir Walter Scott, which sails Loch Katrine in the Trossachs, is named after the author who highlighted the area in his poem of 1810, The Lady of the Lake. Since then, this tranquil wooded loch mirroring the majestic mountain Ben Venue at its easterly end, has been popular with visitors from all over the world. Cruising on SS Sir Walter Scott provides the perfect opportunity for visitors to share the authors passion for this scenic jewel in the heart of Scotland. When she entered service in 1900, this elegant little steamer - measuring 110 feet by 19 feet beam and weighing 110 tons - was not particularly unusual, with many inland lochs offering similar pleasure sailings. Sir Walter Scott began life at William Denny & Brothers in Dumbarton, but was not launched from the shipyard. She was taken instead in knocked-down form by barge up Loch Lomond, then overland by horse-drawn carts to Loch Katrine for re-assembly. Now, she is unique as the only surviving screw-steamer in regular passenger service in Scotland, her sleek hull still powered by the original triple-expansion steam engine. As Loch Katrine is also Glasgow Citys water supply, every effort was taken in her design to minimise pollution. Indeed, it is for this reason she still operates as a solid-fuel burning steamer while most comparable vessels have converted to diesel propulsion. To sail on board the Sir Walter Scott with the dramatic visual backdrop slowly unfolding, the gentle rhythms of the almost-silent steam engine and soft lapping water, makes for an enchanting experience few ever forget. Signed open edition. Image size 13 inches x 9.5 inches (33cm x 24cm). Price £22.00 Part of our Buy Two, Get a Third Half Price Offer
ITEM CODE GBQ0010 |
| Memories of an Empress by Gordon Bauwens. The Canadian Pacific liner Empress of Britain preparing for transatlantic departure from Greenock, 1960. Empress of Britain was built in 1956 for Canadian Pacific by Fairfields shipyard, Glasgow. Slightly larger than Sylvania, she too, with her sisters, was designed primarily to operate between the UK and Canada. Sylvania is shown on the Clyde with the paddle steamer Waverley in Caledonian Steam Packet colours. Signed limited edition of 850 prints. Image size 21 inches x 15 inches (53cm x 38cm). Price £75.00 Part of our Buy Two, Get a Third Half Price Offer
ITEM CODE GBQ0011 |
| Majestic at Sea by Gordon Bauwens. Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 on their historic combined transatlantic crossing, 25th April - 1st May 2004. Signed limited edition of 1150 prints. Image size 21 inches x 14.5 inches (53cm x 37cm). Price £80.00 Part of our Buy Two, Get a Third Half Price Offer
ITEM CODE GBQ0012 |
| RMS Queen Elizabeth - Fit for a Queen by Gordon Bauwens. In 1946 the daunting task of restoring Queen Elizabeth from grey troop carrier into the stateliest of liners was shared between the Clyde and Southampton. Cunard allowed John Brown & Co, the Elizabeths builders, just 10 weeks to transform the vessels structure as she lay at anchor at the Tail othe Bank. The most striking aspect of this work, as the liners drab wartime coat was chipped away, was how in stages from bow to stern, she gradually emerged in gleaming Cunard colours. This phase completed, the vessel returned to Southampton to be refitted with her original furnishings and for dry docking. Setting out for Scotland once more, Commodore Bisset learned that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth and Margaret Rose would join the revitalised vessel on the Clyde for her trials on October 8. On one run over the measured mile off Arran the Queen, invited by the Commodore, took the wheel while her two daughters recorded the time taken with stop watches. Then, her speed trials over, the ship headed back to the Tail othe Bank where the steamer Queen Mary II would take the Royal Party back to Greenocks Princes Pier. En Route, as the sleek Cunarder cleared the sweeping bend between Gourock and Strone, the early evening sun highlighted her shining new paintwork. Framed by the autumn tinted hills, she shared the moment with PS Jupiter and the little Clyde puffer, Ardfern. Signed limited edition of 750 prints. Image size 23 inches x 16 inches (58cm x 41cm). Price £75.00 Part of our Buy Two, Get a Third Half Price Offer
ITEM CODE GBQ0002 |
| RMS Queen Mary - The Legend Begins by Gordon Bauwens. The magnificent new Cunarder bids farewell to her birthplace - John Browns shipyard, Clydebank 24th March 1936. Signed limited edition of 850 prints. Image size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Price £75.00 Part of our Buy Two, Get a Third Half Price Offer
ITEM CODE GBQ0001 |
| Reflections by Gordon Bauwens. At Waverleys launch on a misty October morning in 1946, few could have conceived that she was destined to proudly bear the title of the worlds last sea-going paddle steamer. Even in 1974, when sold to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society for the nominal fee of £1, most were grateful that Waverley was saved from the breakers, albeit as a static museum piece. Some enthusiasts with a greater vision, however, realised her true potential, and now, over two decades later, the steamers fine lines are familiar, not only her native Clyde waters, but right round the British coastline and beyond. When built, the vessel was just one of many powered by triple expansion steam engines. The powerful, thrusting pistons and immense driving cranks became compulsive viewing for succeeding generations of Clydesiders on their annual trips doon the watter. Today, Waverley is the only vessel of her class still offering this thrilling experience. PS Waverley continues to inspire feelings of pride and affection wherever she sails. Truly fulfilling that earlier vision, she has become living testament to those qualities which made Clyde-built ships renowned throughout the maritime world, and to the special skills which keep this graceful old paddle steaming towards the 21st century. The Waverley is pictured on the tranquil waters of the Clyde near Erskine. Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 22 inches x 16 inches (56cm x 41cm). Price £75.00 Part of our Buy Two, Get a Third Half Price Offer
ITEM CODE GBQ0003 |
| Welcome Home QE2 by Gordon Bauwens. Featuring Queen Elizabeth 2 on her first homecoming to the river where she began her illustrious career, this painting captures the supreme elegance of the liner in the beautiful Firth of Clyde. As a backdrop, Hunters Quay and Dunoon nestle beneath the hazy blue hills of the Cowal peninsula, enjoying this brief reminder of when the river was one of Britains busiest shipping thoroughfares. In over 250 years of shipbuilding on the Clyde some 35,000 new vessels witnessed this lovely vista. The occasion which brought about QE2s only appearance on these waters for over 20 years was Cunards 150th Anniversary celebrations in 1990. Four years later the mighty QE2 again returned to the Clyde as part of her Silver Jubilee cruise programme. At the end of a memorable day, with the sun glistening off her giant hull and superstructure, the majestic Queen glided past those same blue hills. Signed limited edition of 850 prints. Image size 21 inches x 16 inches (53cm x 41cm). Price £ ITEM CODE GBQ0004 |
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QE2 - Transatlantic Arrival by Gordon Bauwens
Few waterfronts in the world are as instantly recognisable and
admired as New York. Cunard first used the port in 1847 and its vast
liners became almost as much a part of the City's image as its famous
skyline thereafter. Transatlantic legends bearing immortal names such as
Lusitania, Mauretania, Aquitania, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth all
graced this famous waterfront. And now, having already sailed well over
four million miles since her own maiden arrival, QE2 still proudly bears
the Cunard insignia into New York harbour, looking more majestic with
each passing year. The magnificent liner is enjoying a traditional fireboat welcome
while being met by Moran tugs. Manhattan's twin towers and the distant
Statue of Liberty shimmer in the early evening sun as overhead, Concorde
banks to give her passengers a glimpse of the spectacular panorama
below.It is apt that his fine portrait of the last Clyde-built Cunarder
is by an artist whose charted her growth from steel skeleton into
elegant ocean greyhound, culminating in her launch viewed from across
the Clyde in 1967. He was received by QE2's captain when presenting the
liner with a framed print for her 25th Anniversary in 1994, the original
painting having been purchased by the Chairman of Cunard.
River Portraits, the Liner Sylvania by Gordon Bauwens
Cunard added four new liners to their passenger fleet during the
1950'5. All were built by John Brown & Co Ltd, Clydebank, for the St
Lawrence route to Quebec City and Montreal, Canada. Fourth in this
quartet of sisterships, which included Saxonia, Ivernia and Carinthia,
Sylvania was also the last ever Cunarder designed exclusively for North
Atlantic trade. Launched in November 1956, she entered service the
following summer with Liverpool and Greenock her UK ports. Sylvania
maintained a reliable and regular service on her Canadian route until
1961 before transferring to the New York run as replacement for the
ex-White Star motorship, Britannic. In 1965 she began a new role in
Mediterranean cruising, initially sailing from Liverpool then Gibraltar.
Two years later she emerged from a refit with white hull and her own
hovercraft. As with her sisters, Sylvania's primary transatlantic career
had been all too quickly overtaken by jet air travel, inevitably leading
to her sale by Cunard in 1968. However, her useful life was far from
over. As the Albatros, she was still operating in the Bahamas at the
time of writing.
Memories of an Empress by
Gordon Bauwens The Canadian Pacific liner Empress of Britain preparing for
transatlantic departure from Greenock, 1960.
Her Majestys Royal Yacht Britannia by Gordon
Bauwens The order to build a Royal Yacht as replacement for the obsolete
Victoria and Albert was placed in February 1952 with John Brown & Co
Ltd. The Clydebank yard won this contract largely because of its
experience in building the prestigious Cunard Queens and Caronia.
Launched in April 1953 by Her Majesty the Queen, Britannia was the most
modern in a long line of Royal Yachts dating back to King Charles II's
Mary, 1660. Britannia was designed as a dual function vessel - as a Royal
Yacht in peacetime an as hospital ship in times of hostility. Although
built under post war austerity conditions, she provided a classical,
well-balanced profile, with meticulous attention paid to detail.
Features included innovative funnel design, bulbous bow, stabilisers,
superstructure tested in a wind tunnel, and the steel hull rivetted than
machined flush above the waterline to give an immaculate finish. The Queen
and Duke of Edinburgh took personal interest in the interior
design, choosing for the Royal apartments simple decor incorporating
white painted walls, mahogany and brass. Exquisite furnishings and objet
d'art provided embellishment, with many items retained from previous
Royal vessels. Throughout Britannia's 43 year active life, her appearance
remained flawless, inside and out, despite having steamed well over 1
million miles. In service Britannia became a fitting symbol of Britain's
proud maritime heritage, and in retirement, will continue as a showcase
for British shipbuilding at its best. The painting shows Britannia with
the Forth Rail Bridge in the background.
Aquitania - The Ship Beautiful by Gordon Bauwens
December 1909 saw Cunard's directors authorise a new liner to
operate in union with Mauretania and Lusitania, offering a three-ship
weekly transatlantic express service - a long held Company dream. Among
the details, they specified that the new vessel should 'be constructed
of the very best materials, finished complete in a first class style of
workmanship to the entire satisfaction of the owners'. In Aquitania,
John Brown's Clydebank shipyard surpassed Cunard's criteria by creating
what many have described as the most beautiful four funnelled liner ever
built. Known throughout most of her long and successful career as the
'Ship Beautiful', she was in a class of her own. The combination of
almost perfect external proportions along with spectacular interiors,
endeared her to all. Sea going manners were equally impeccable with her
captain on the maiden voyage exclaiming, 'her steadiness and lack of
vibration are phenomenal'. During Aquitania's career of almost 36 years, she carried a total
of 1.2 million passengers over 3 million ,miles and crossed the Atlantic
442 times and served faithfully throughout the two world wars as troop
carrier and hospital ship. The world's last surviving four funnelled
liner's life was further extended as a post-war immigrant ship before
finally sailing to the breakers in February 1950. Dignified and
incredibly beautiful to the end, her demise saddened thousands whose
lives she had touched across the years.
RMS Titanic - A Day to Remember by Gordon Bauwens
Second in the trio of superliners planned to eclipse their
competition on the lucrative north Atlantic route, Titanic was launched
from Harland & Wolff's Belfast shipyard on 31st My 1911. Timed to
coincide with her sister ship Olympic's departure, White Star achieved
the desired publicity with around 100,000 witnessing the grand occasion.
Designed for luxury rather than speed, Titanic cost around £1.5
million, and was undoubtedly one of the most elegant liners built during
the 'golden era' of sea travel. Postponed for 24 hours due to high winds, her builders trials took
place on 2 April 1912. Tugs arrived around 6am to ease the massive hulk
through the Victorian Channel and out to Belfast Lough where Titanic
could proceed for the first time under her own power. Signal burgee 'A'
hoisted, the liner then underwent rigorous and carefully measured tests
within the Lough until, in the early afternoon, she turned her bow
towards the open Irish Sea for running trials. Steaming south for two
hours brought Titanic within view of County Down's Mourne Mountains and
lighthouse of St John's Point. Here the vessel carried out a broad 180
degree turn before heading back to Belfast to receive her Board of Trade
passenger certificate, "good for one year from today,
2-4-1912". Shortly after 8pm, Titanic finally left for Southampton
and, in darkness, bade farewell to the coastline she would never sea
again.
RMS Queen Mary - The Legend Begins by Gordon
Bauwens The
magnificent new Cunarder bids farewell to her birthplace - John Browns
shipyard, Clydebank 24th March 1936.
Welcome Home QE2 by Gordon Bauwens
Featuring Queen Elizabeth 2 on her first homecoming to the river
where she began her illustrious career, this painting captures the
supreme elegance of the liner in the beautiful Firth of Clyde. As a
backdrop, Hunter's Quay and Dunoon nestle beneath the hazy blue hills of
the Cowal peninsula, enjoying this brief reminder of when the river was
one of Britain's busiest shipping thoroughfares. In over 250 years of
shipbuilding on the Clyde some 35,000 new vessels witnessed this lovely
vista. The occasion which brought about QE2's only appearance on these
waters for over 20 years was Cunard's 150th Anniversary celebrations in
1990. Four years later the mighty QE2 again returned to the Clyde as
part of her Silver Jubilee cruise programme. At the end of a memorable
day, with the sun glistening off her giant hull and superstructure, the
majestic Queen glided past those same blue hills.
RMS Queen Elizabeth - Fit for a Queen by Gordon
Brauwens In 1946 the daunting task of restoring Queen Elizabeth from grey troop carrier into the stateliest of liners was shared between the Clyde
and Southampton. Cunard allowed John Brown & Co, the Elizabeth's
builders, just 10 weeks to transform the vessel's structure as she lay
at anchor at the Tail o'the Bank. The most striking aspect of this work,
as the liners drab wartime coat was chipped away, was how in stages from
bow to stern, she gradually emerged in gleaming Cunard colours. This
phase completed, the vessel returned to Southampton to be refitted with
her original furnishings and for dry docking. Setting out for Scotland once more, Commodore Bisset learned that
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth and Margaret Rose would
join the revitalised vessel on the Clyde for her trials on October 8. On
one run over the measured mile off Arran the Queen, invited by the
Commodore, took the wheel while her two daughters recorded the time
taken with stop watches. Then, her speed trials over, the ship headed
back to the Tail o'the Bank where the steamer Queen Mary II would take
the Royal Party back to Greenock's Prince's Pier. En Route, as the sleek
Cunarder cleared the sweeping bend between Gourock and Strone, the early
evening sun highlighted her shining new paintwork. Framed by the autumn
tinted hills, she shared the moment with PS Jupiter and the little Clyde
puffer, Ardfern.
SS Sir Walter Scott by Gordon Bauwens
The handsome steamship, 'Sir Walter Scott', which sails Loch
Katrine in the Trossachs, is named after the author who highlighted the
area in his poem of 1810, 'The Lady of the Lake'. Since then, this
tranquil wooded loch mirroring the majestic mountain Ben Venue at its
easterly end, has been popular with visitors from all over the world.
Cruising on SS Sir Walter Scott provides the perfect opportunity for
visitors to share the author's passion for this scenic jewel in the
heart of Scotland. When she entered service in 1900, this elegant little steamer -
measuring 110 feet by 19 feet beam and weighing 110 tons - was not
particularly unusual, with many inland lochs offering similar pleasure
sailings. 'Sir Walter Scott' began life at William Denny & Brothers
in Dumbarton, but was not launched from the shipyard. She was taken
instead in 'knocked-down' form by barge up Loch Lomond, then overland by
horse-drawn carts to Loch Katrine for re-assembly. Now, she is unique as
the only surviving screw-steamer in regular passenger service in
Scotland, her sleek hull still powered by the original triple-expansion
steam engine. As Loch Katrine is also Glasgow City's water supply, every
effort was taken in her design to minimise pollution. Indeed, it is for
this reason she still operates as a solid-fuel burning steamer while
most comparable vessels have converted to diesel propulsion. To sail on
board the 'Sir Walter Scott' with the dramatic visual backdrop slowly
unfolding, the gentle rhythms of the almost-silent steam engine and soft
lapping water, makes for an enchanting experience few ever forget.
Reflections by Gordon Bauwens At Waverley's launch on a misty October morning in 1946, few could
have conceived that she was destined to proudly bear the title of the
world's last sea-going paddle steamer. Even in 1974, when sold to the
Paddle Steamer Preservation Society for the nominal fee of £1, most
were grateful that Waverley was saved from the breakers, albeit as a
static museum piece. Some enthusiasts with a greater vision, however,
realised her true potential, and now, over two decades later, the
steamer's fine lines are familiar, not only her native Clyde waters, but
right round the British coastline and beyond. When built, the vessel was just one of many powered by triple
expansion steam engines. The powerful, thrusting pistons and immense
driving cranks became compulsive viewing for succeeding generations of
Clydesiders on their annual trips 'doon the watter'. Today, Waverly is
the only vessel of her class still offering this thrilling experience.
PS Waverley continues to inspire feelings of pride and affection
wherever she sails. Truly fulfilling that earlier vision, she has become
living testament to those qualities which made Clyde-built ships
renowned throughout the maritime world, and to the special skills which
keep this graceful old paddle steaming towards the 21st century.
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