January 2020 CRUISING Volume 57 Number 1 issn 0142-1492 The Journal of the Coastal MONTHLY Cruising Association Focusing on Ferries, Excursion Ships and Visit our Facebook Page or Web Site at Trip Boats around the coasts and on the www.coastalcruisingassociation.co.uk Rivers and Canals of the United Kingdom, Ireland and beyond. Editorial Team Editor Adrian Sweeney 7 Wood Lane, Prescot, Merseyside L34 1LN e-mail: [email protected] Sub-Editor (West) B Kennedy, 9 Porthcaul Close, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 4FE Sub-Editor (Europe) Paddle Steamer WAVERLEY at her berth at the A Deayton, Science Centre, Glasgow in November 2019. 2/3, 3 Barrhead Road, Paisley, PA2 7EA Photo taken by Iain Quinn from QUEEN MARY. Press Dates News for inclusion in Cruising Monthly is always welcome, and should be sent to the editor by Tuesday Jan 28 for the February Issue. Views of contributors to Cruising Monthly are not necessarily those of the CCA. Readers planning to use services referred to in Cruising Monthly are advised to confirm details with operators. Standard notes used in Cruising Monthly: M = Mondays, T = Tuesdays, W = Wednesdays, Th = Thursdays, F = Fridays, S = Saturdays, Su = Sundays, plus O = only or X = excepted. The expression "weekdays" excludes Sundays but “daily” includes every day of the week. BHO = Bank Holidays only. At Caernarfon on July 2 2017, BALMORAL rests for a while whilst on a Round Anglesey cruise. (Adrian Sweeney) Cruising Monthly January 2020 EDITORIAL hopes that you support the subscription increase when it is voted upon at the AGM. Chairman’s Message Ian McCrorie I would like to start by wishing every An Appreciation by Iain Quinn member a very Happy New Year, and some good coastal cruising in the first summer of It is with great sadness that the CCA records the new decade. In view of the success of the passing of Iain McCrorie on December th Waverley’s fund raising, we should be able to 5 . Ian was an author, shipping historian, enjoy many more opportunities than were musician and so much more. His passing available to us in 2019. Cruising Monthly play brings an era to a close but his was a life an important role in telling members when lived to the full – and that was the case with and where unusual excursions are going to everything Ian had contact with. take place, and I would like to thank Adrian Sweeney on your behalf for such a fine Perhaps in shipping enthusiast circles his newsletter. golden period was between 1966 and 1976 when as the CRSC Cruise convenor many a For a good number of years, we have been sailing was organised on vessels such as able to keep our annual membership KING GEORGE V, WAVERLEY, CALEDONIA, subscription at the very modest rate of £21. MAID OF ARGYLL – in fact the list is endless The absence of any increase is down to a together with the piers and places visited. His change of printer to one with a much lower final charter as cruise convenor was on board rate and to careful control of costs. QUEEN MARY in 1976 to Ardrishaig a classic Unfortunately, we are unable to control day, remembered fondly by all who took postage costs, and Royal Mail seems to be part. intent on driving its customers away by imposing a regular annual increase. The Now that his own final journey has current rate is 61p, which amounts over a commenced the legacy he has left the year to £7.32, or more than one third of our shipping enthusiast community is a annual subscription. There is bound to be a wonderful one. Perhaps the word legend is further increase in April. much overused these days but with Ian it is a word that can be used with confidence. Our The draft accounts produced by our condolences of course go to Olive, his wife, Treasurer show that in 2019 our expenditure and his family and friends at this saddest of exceeded our income. Although our finances times. are healthy, and can readily afford that particular loss, your Council believes that it Ian McCrorie – Finished with Engines. would be unwise not to recognise that the situation should not continue. Accordingly, Editor: It was noted on that on the day of albeit with great reluctance, Council has Ian’s Memorial Service in Greenock, Mon Dec decided to recommend at the AGM that the 16, the flags of CalMac’s Clyde fleet flew at subscription should be increased to £23 from half mast. the renewal date of 1 April 2020. That will still mean that each copy of Cruising Monthly will cost members less than £2, and it’s hard to think of any similar organisation which offers such good value for money. I will hope to see as many members as possible on the AGM day, for which the Scottish Branch has arranged an attractive programme, including a cruise on Lock Katrine and an AGM dinner which will contribute to the Waverley appeal. Council Page 2 Cruising Monthly January 2020 DIARY undertake a cruise to witness the start of the ‘Round the Island’ (Isle of Wight) yacht race that attracts upwards of 1500 entries and National AGM 25 January 2020 large numbers of spectator craft. This is an unforgettable maritime spectacle. On the As previously advised the National CCA AGM return journey no less than five cruise ships and Dinner will be held in the Commodore will be witnessed departing Southampton. Hotel, West Clyde Street Helensburgh, SHIELDHALL is the last survivor of her type Scotland. and is generally recognized as the largest UK steamship of her type operated entirely by The pre AGM Scenic Coach/Cruise will be to unpaid volunteers. For berthing and parking the Trossachs to cruise on Loch Katrine on details please refer to www.ss- board LADY OF THE LAKE (ex PRIDE OF THE shieldhall.co.uk/find_us where the CLYDE). The vessel has a heated saloon and information will be updated regularly – or call outside viewing deck and light refreshments the office. Hot and cold food, snacks and will be available. drinks will be available. The Solent Steam Packet Company have generously agreed to th Bookings close on Saturday January 11 extend “earlybird” booking offer, exclusively 2020. for the CCA, The advertised fare of £51has been reduced to £38.25. However, to qualify Please see booking form enclosed with for the discount, tickets must be purchased the October Issue of Cruising Monthly. using code 30052050 that expires on March 31. Early booking is recommended. This CCA 2020 Cruise Programme cruise MUST be booked directly from SHIELDHALL. Thank you to those who responded to the request for levels of support to the ideas Sunday 31 May floated for 2020 in CM. The SOLENT WEEKEND has now been confirmed (below) Charter cruise of SOLENT CAT or ALI CAT for and plans for the canal cruises are in hand. a cruise from Southampton (Hythe Ferry An upriver cruise from Bristol aboard TOWER Terminal – Town Quay) with a feeder coach BELLE jointly with the BALMORAL support operating from the Bournemouth/Poole group is under consideration and a possible conurbation. Passengers may embark at Medway cruise. Cowes, at no extra charge, for the ‘light’ run across to Southampton and, should they Solent Weekend wish, remain aboard for the evening run back Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 May to Cowes where the boat will overnight. This must be advised at the time of booking and Saturday 30 May departure times should be confirmed, in advance, with the operator (01983-564602). The CCA have combined with SHIELDHALL to The “CATS” have wide open decks and arrange a weekend of Solent cruises (30-31 comfortable observation lounges and a well- May). On Saturday 30th, members will have stocked refreshment bar. Full meals will not the opportunity to sail aboard the unique be available. An informed commentary will be SHIELDHALL, the largest working steam ship provided. There are four liners due in port on in Britain. A member of the National Historic the Sunday including Cunard’s QUEEN Fleet she serves as a sea going tribute to VICTORIA. A full tour of the docks will be Britain's maritime heritage. As a passenger provided before we embark upon an you too can experience the golden age of ambitious Solent cruise taking in the Rivers steam with opportunities to visit the bridge, Itchen, Test, Hamble, Beaulieu and Medina engine-room & boiler-room. See the steam and concluding with a tour of Portsmouth steering engine in operation and cover your Dockyard. ears when the whistle and the distinctive admiralty siren, the ‘organ,’ is sounded. On There will considerable demand for Saturday 30th, the SHIELDHALL will accommodation over the weekend as there Page 3 Cruising Monthly January 2020 are nine cruise ships in port. Should anyone • Ask any local businesses or contacts you require advice or assistance in this respect, may have to offer their support. This please call 07718994425 or e-mail: could be anything from taking a collection [email protected]. Those wishing to can in a shop to sponsorship or a one off overnight on the Isle of Wight may consider donation. the Travelodge in Newport, situated near the • Donate in lieu of a celebration such as a bus station. birthday, anniversary or in memory of a loved one. WAVERLEY means so much to If you intend to sail on both or just one the people all over the world and their families 2020 Solent Charters there are many and the memories that have been made attractions in the area to visit during an on board over the years so let's Save the extended stay.