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Dawn Knox – A rearranger of words into something hopefully meaningful…

Southend Pier to Tower Bridge on a Paddle Steamer

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Paddle Steamer Waverley

Paddle Steamer Waverley

Paddle Steamer Waverley

Paddle Steamer Waverley

Isn’t it wonderful that there are people with the interest and skills necessary to keep our history alive? Recently, I went on a trip along the Thames from Southend on Sea Pier in Essex, to Tower Bridge in London, on the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world – PS Waverley. It was a pleasure to see the boat so – well – shipshape, and a joy to watch the engineers in the engine room.

Bench on Southend Pier

Bench on Southend Pier

Southend Pier

Southend Pier

Southend Pier

Southend Pier

Our trip started at Southend on Sea, on the pier. At just over a mile long, it is the longest pleasure pier in the world and we decided to walk the length of it, rather than wait for the train.

Post box on Southend Pier

Post box on Southend Pier

I was surprised to see the thinnest post box I’ve ever seen on the pier and apparently, if you post a card there, it will have a Southend Pier frank.

Once on board, we watched the engineers start the enormous engine and saw the gigantic paddles turning.

Engine room on PS Waverley

Engine room on PS Waverley

Engine room on PS Waverley

Engine room on PS Waverley

Engine room on PS Waverley

Engine room on PS Waverley

Engineer on PS Waverley

Engineer on PS Waverley

Despite the grey weather and odd shower, the water wasn’t choppy and it was interesting to see familiar places from such a unusual viewpoint.

Thames Barrier

Thames Barrier

The O2

The O2

Traitors' Gate into the Tower of London

Traitors’ Gate into the Tower of London

Ford Motor Company factory at Dagenham

Ford Motor Company factory at Dagenham

Area around Canary Wharf

Area around Canary Wharf

 

When we arrived at Tower Bridge, the traffic was stopped and there was a bridge lift, allowing us to pass under the bridge. We turned around and half an hour later, there was another bridge lift for us to start our trip downriver, back to Southend.

Tower Bridge, London

Tower Bridge, London

Tower Bridge, London

Tower Bridge, London

Tower Bridge, London

Tower Bridge, London

 

The current PS Waverley was built in 1946 to replace the original that was built in 1899. She served in the Second World War as a minesweeper but was sunk in 1940 while evacuating troops from Dunkirk.

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PS Waverley and sunset

PS Waverley and sunset

Sunset from Southend Pier

Sunset from Southend Pier

We arrived back at Southend Pier at about 6.00pm, just in time for the sun to set and the lights to come on in Southend.

Southend from the Pier

Southend from the Pier

Have you ever been on the PS Waverley? What did you think? If you want to know more, here is the PS Waverley website.

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