Waverley Memories
Millport man Bill Anderson of Crichton Street has fond memories of the MS Waverley. He trained as an apprentice plumber with Charles Kerr and Sons over 50 years ago. The company did maintenance for Caledonia Steam Packet ships which included the Waverley, the Jeanie Deans, and all the ships in the River Steam Packet. Work was done on the ships during the winter as they were tied up at the Albert Harbour in Greenock or Rothesay Dock in Clydebank, but also continued when the ships sailed throughout the summer. Bill, 75, remembers working in the toilets by candlelight. The ship, then had a generator which shut off at 3pm. However, Bill’s shift didn’t finish till 5pm hence the candles to work by! Bill’s fondest memories were sailing up the Kyles of Bute and Tighnabruaich when he was working. He became a plumber and eventually retired from the West of Scotland Water Board to Millport 22 years ago.
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