Waverley passes through Tower Bridge on her 80th birthday

Eighty years to the day after she first slid into the River Kelvin in Glasgow, the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer was steaming under the raised arms of Tower Bridge.

Paddle Steamer Waverley made the passage through the London landmark shortly after 9.30am on Friday 2 October, as part of a special anniversary sailing on the River Thames. The sailing was due to continue downriver to Gravesend and Southend before a cruise of the historic Thames Forts.

Waverley Excursions says the anniversary is particularly significant given how few steam ships have ever had a career spanning eight decades.

📷Waverley meets her element for the first time at her launch - 2nd October 1946

Launched in Glasgow in 1946

Waverley was launched at the Pointhouse Yard of A&J Inglis in Glasgow on 2 October 1946 by Lady Matthews, wife of the Chairman of the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER). She entered service the following year, on 16 June 1947.

At the launch, Lady Matthews spoke of “the splendour of the Clyde coast scenery”, which she said “should be viewed from steamers like this.”

Waverley was the last steamer built for the old LNER, which also operated The Flying Scotsman. Among those on board for the anniversary sailing was David Horne, Managing Director of LNER, in recognition of the link between the railway company and the paddle steamer it commissioned 80 years ago.

📷Waverley Master Bruce Clark, LNER Managing Director David Horne, Chief Officer Gary Stevenson and General Manager Paul Semple

Gifted for £1

In 1974 Waverley was gifted to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society for £1. She has operated in preservation since 1975, carrying more than 6 million passengers and visiting several areas of the UK with day, afternoon and evening cruises.

Paul Semple, General Manager of Waverley Excursions, said: “Waverley reaching her 80th anniversary is a remarkable achievement and one that everyone connected with the ship can be incredibly proud of. She was built to serve the Clyde coast and, 80 years later, she continues to give tens of thousands of people the opportunity to experience the joy of travelling by steam.

“From her early beginnings with LNER to her survival as a working paddle steamer after being gifted for £1 to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, Waverley has become much more than a ship. She is a living piece of maritime history and a much-loved part of our national heritage.

“It is particularly special to be celebrating her 80th anniversary here in London, sailing through Tower Bridge, while also looking ahead to returning home to the Clyde for the final sailings of our anniversary season.”

📷Waverley steaming through London Tower Bridge on the morning of Friday 2nd October 2026

Waverley in numbers

The steamer is British Registered for up to 750 passengers and is fully restored to her original 1940s style. She is operated on a not-for-profit basis and owned by Waverley Steam Navigation Co. Ltd, a registered charity. Her Patron is Sir Timothy Laurence, husband of The Princess Royal.

In each of the past three summer seasons she has attracted more than 150,000 passengers. Waverley Excursions says a recent independent Economic Impact Assessment put her contribution to the UK economy at £11.6 million, more than double the figure in a similar assessment eight years earlier.

A new book, Waverley 80 Years of Pleasure, has been compiled by historian Iain Quinn to mark the milestone. It follows the ship from her launch and early career through to her preservation and continued life as a working passenger ship.

📷Waverley - the World's last seagoing paddle steamer

Where she sails next

Waverley will continue sailing on the River Thames until Sunday 11 October. She then returns to Scotland for the final weekend of her 2026 season, with two last sailings from Glasgow and the Clyde coast on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October.

Tickets for the remaining 2026 sailings are available on the Waverley Excursions website or by calling 0141 243 2224.

There is a second 80th anniversary still to come. On 16 June 2027 it will be 80 years since Waverley’s maiden voyage.

📷Waverley steaming through London Tower Bridge on the morning of Friday 2nd October 2026

📷Waverley steaming through London Tower Bridge on the morning of Friday 2nd October 2026