READERS will be aware the paddle steamer Waverley returned to Glasgow last Wednesday after undergoing maintenance work and her annual survey at Greenock.
While passing Port Glasgow’s Mirren Shore she sounded three long blasts from the steam whistle on her forward funnel, pictured.
It was a farewell gesture from the last seagoing paddle steamer in the world to what had been a working replica of the world’s first seagoing paddle steamer – the Comet – which was then in the final stages of being dismantled close by.
My thanks go to the Port Glasgow resident who kindly supplied the accompanying images of the Waverley blowing her steam whistle and passing Port Glasgow.
The original Comet was built for Henry Bell of Helensburgh by John Wood & Company, Port Glasgow.
In August, 1812, an advertisement placed by Bell appeared in the Greenock Advertiser newspaper advising of the Clyde services to be operated by the Comet, described as a steam passage boat.
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