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Originally,
Waverley was a two class vessel. On the main deck forward was a small lounge
that led to a tearoom, whilst at the after end was the restaurant designed to
accomodate 100 passengers seated at large 10-seater tables. Beneath the restaurant
was the small smokeroom bar and the Third Class accommodation. The Promenade Deck
contained an Observation Lounge for First Class passengers with comfortable Lloyd
Loom armchairs whilst the Aft Deck Shelter was for Third Class passengers and
had wooden benches.
Waverley
cost £107,725 to build. When
she entered service, Waverley could hold up to 1,350 passengers. Over
one and a half miles of timber decking was required to re-deck the Waverley
ready for re-entry for service in 1975.
Waverley's
longest serving Chief Engineer was William Summers. Bill
joined Waverley as her first Chief in 1947 and remained
for 22 years until official retirement in 1969. But, when
Waverley Steam Navigation took
over in 1974, it was clear that the old paddler was still
a very important part of Bill's life and he chose to help
out in so many ways until his death in 1977.
Waverley
made a star appearance in the blockbuster 2011 movie 'Sherlock
Holmes - A Game of Shadows' alongside Robert Downey Junior
and Jude Law!
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