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ALL ABOARD PADDLE STEAMER WAVERLEY : MAIN DECK
At the front of the ship is the bar. This has
changed on several occasions. At one point, the bar serving area
was behind from where this shot was taken and two staircases either
side gave access to the promenade deck. Fitted with Lloyd Loom chairs,
the furnishings and fitments closely approximate her 1947 condition
- a requirement of the Heritage Lottery money required for her Millenium
Rebuild. Not busy on a midweek June day on the Bristol Channel,
but highly popular on a Clyde summer Saturday even when the sun
shines outside
The forward companionway to the upper deck.There
are two entrances to the bar - the starboard one is shown.This stairway
is of more recent origin, replacing the two narrow side staircases.
The exact configuration of stairs and lounge has changed a number
of times over the years
The alleyways down the port and starboard side
of the ship pass the enclosed boiler room and the open engine room.
The engines can be seen from the gallery and are the major attraction
on the ship. The large silver casing across the alleyway is the
rotating paddle shaft, which turns the paddle wheels. Toilets are
located in the sponsons - the area of the ship where the breadth
is extended to house the paddle wheels
The engines are controlled manually by the Chief
Engineer or his delegate from a platform above the engines
Above : The three connecting rods turn the crankshaft
and the shaft activates "eccentric" gear which controls
the steam valves, keeping everything in perfect timing
Above : The pistons are pushed from the cylinder
and, through connecting rods, drive the crankshaft
The engines are triple expansion (the steam passes
through three cylinders as it cools and expands), three crank (with
pistons pushed by the steam from the high, medium and low pressure
cylinders) diagonal engines - diagonal because the pistons are aligned
on an incline to the ship
The wall panels of the boiler room are normally
used for displays
Aft of the engine room is a forward aligned companionway
leading to the promenade deck at the Purser's Office. To the right
is the entrance to the main restaurant and at the extreme
right, the stairs down to the lower bar. Behind the stairway is
a red Royal Mail posting box opposite the Souvenir Shop
The souvenir shop is always a popular place -
a kiosk selling souvenirs such as pencils, book marks and post cards
as well as relevant shipping books, posters and also a range of
sweets
The main restaurant aft is done out in immediate
post-war style although for most of her commercial life it was tablecloths,
napkins and silver service. Now there is a canteen-style servery
behind the emergency exit and everything is self-service. The exit
is a modern development - to meet modern safety requirements for
evacuation routes. The area below is now crew quarters - but as
can be seen, is also used for storage !
The lower bar is the only part of the lower deck
open to the public and can be classed as "snug" or "claustrophobic"
depending on your viewpoint
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Waverley
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