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Waverley was launched during the afternoon on a rainy 2nd October 1946. A&J Inglis's yard manager at the time was James Inglis, son of Dr John Inglis, one of the co-founders of the company with his brother Antony. The paddler was designed by William McGregor, senior in this field at Inglis, assisted by James Grub, Design Draughtsman who undertook a lot of the detailed work.
Following the launch, the steamer was taken to the fitting out wharf by late afternoon. Tugs from the Clyde Shipping Co attended, as they did for every Inglis launch.
The dignitaries retired to the City Chambers in George Square for speeches and a meal. Lady Matthews, wife of Sir Ronald (Chairman of the LNER), launched the steamer and Sir Ronald spoke at the dinner about the new ship's role, being the first ship built for the LNER since World War 2. What he could not know then was that she actually turned out to be the last ever built of its type and eventually attained world fame as the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world.
Also present on 2 October was her first Captain, John Cameron DSC RNR who oversaw the build at Inglis following his release from the Admiralty. Captain Cameron had been in command of HMS Waverley, the peace-time PS Waverley which had been launched at Inglis in 29 May 1899, when she was lost in action on her way back from Dunkirk on 29 May 1940. He received his decoration from King George VI in 1946. He revisited the French shore aboard the present Waverley in 1980 to lay a wreath in memory of his fallen comrades.
The Waverley - the last seagoing Paddle Steamer
The fitting out of the new steamer continued over the ensuing months from January to March 1947, while Glasgow experienced sub-zero temperatures. During the spring of 1947, Waverley was at Greenock for her Main Engine to be fitted. The machinery was constructed during 1946 at the Rankin & Blackmore Eagle Foundry in that town, engine no 520, and one of the last largest ever fitted to a Clyde paddle steamer.
A&J Inglis continued to build and repair ships until 1962 when they ceased trading. Waverley returned every year for her annual refit until closure. The yard is long-since overgrown and is now to be the site for Glasgow's new Transport Museum, which will replace the one at Kelvin Hall.
Her maiden voyage took place on 16 June 1947 from Craigendoran to Lochgoihead and Arrochar.
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