Southend Pier Waverley river cruises back for this autumn

The trips on The Waverley are due to return to Southend Pier in September.

The ship is the largest seagoing paddle steaming in the world and trips will be available from Southend between September 23 and October 9.

Senior councillors and businesses bosses have welcomed the return of the pleasure cruises from the city’s world-famous pier.

Carole Mulroney, Lib Dem councillor for the environment, culture and tourism said: “Obviously the last few years have seen wonderful events like this not taking place.

“It’s really great to see the shop coming back and the trips are incredibly popular and the boat is wonderful to see. It’s great to have them back at and using the pier.

“People enjoy the river cruises and I’ve done it before and it’s a real joy. There’s so much to see and I really hope everyone takes full advantage of it.

“Boats like this used to come to the pier very frequently and there was a big hay day for them. People love the leisurely afternoon.”

The announcement comes after the Dutch Eendracht Schooner made a fly-by visit to Southend, spending the night moored at the city’s legendary pier last week.

The three-masted vessel from the Netherlands, built in 1989, is world-renowned and used to train sailors across the world.

Paul Thompson owner of Pebbles One Café on the seafront has also welcomed the return of the river cruises from the pier.

He said: “I think it’s great to see the pier being used by boats like this, the trips have always been so popular.

“I think it’s very positive and is something different to do with the family. I think it will be just as popular as before, it’s a good think for Southend.”

For years throughout September and October, the Waverley has been regularly churning up and down the Thames.

The Waverley was launched in 1946 with its maiden voyage in 1947, to replace her 1899 predecessor, sunk by German aircraft in the Channel during the Dunkirk evacuation. About 400 lives were lost, including most of the crew