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Here is my account of that memorable cruise:
Sunday the 31st of August saw the
‘Final’, as put in hand quotations by a Mr McCrorie, sailing in the
CalMac Fleet of the MV Pioneer. Supposedly ending her 29-year career with
the company, she left Gourock all dressed shortly after the MV Juno arrived
and departed for a regular crossing to Dunoon. Pioneer had been working this
service earlier on, maintaining one of her adopted names ‘old faithful’
till the end. With passengers from far and wide and with an even wider
respect for the vessel, Pioneer gave three long blasts on her horn as a
salute to the people of Gourock who had turned out in masses. The fine
weather on a perfect day helped to fill her decks even more for the gentle
cruise planned for rounding Bute and back to Gourock. An announcement over
the tannoy invited all onboard into her main Saloon for a talk introduced by
CalMac public affairs manager Hugh McLennan who commended the ship for her
years of service. He then, joined by her current Captain Smith, presented
the honouree CalMac historian Ian McCrorie who gave a emotional yet humours
history of the vessel. He then announced that he would be signing copies of
a complimentary book dedicated to the ship in the purser’s office, I tell
you I was almost fist in line! Passengers and crew then piles out onto the
decks for a view of the passing towns along the Lower Clyde coast including
another three blasts for Largs. Some headed inside for food at this point
where some excellent CalMac cuisine was being served (well as much as you
can do in her small grill!). Others preferred to hang on as long as possible
out side (like myself!) to enjoy the passing Clyde views and magnificent
hills of Arran. Some strolled the car deck remembering the days of the Clyde
cruising aboard the ‘galloping’ Glen Sannox and other fine vessels –
Pioneer being one of the last to do so. I was one of a lucky few that were
invited onto the bridge as we passed the southern tip of Bute. Captain smith
and another kind crewmember kindly showed the controls and then let us
wander about (so long as we didn’t touch anything that would alter our
coarse!). I took the chance to contemplate her life while standing on the
port bridge wing with the brisk air blowing her flag proudly on her bow.
Someone mentioned the PS Waverly might be visible near Lochranza on the
north tip of Arran. I grabbed my binoculars and scanned the horizon and
spotted her in the distance at full speed heading for the named pier. After
lingering for a bit longer we were asked o leave as the half way point of
Tighnabruaich has arrived and we were due to stop and dock. A regular
crewmember from Lochranza had joined an old-time and favourite at this once
much used and picturesque pier to help the Pioneers crew unload the
passenger gangway for a few (well a few hundred) photos. As she was due to
leave at 18:00 and was running a little late, people rushed down and onto
the shoreline to get that ‘last’ picture of her there. Some poured into
local gardens and most of the hamlet turned out to see her off – there
only other caller now is the veteran paddler ‘Waverley’. A quick blast on
the horn let us know Pioneer wished to say her farewells too. With a gentle
push she left the remote pier and headed up the Kyles of Bute. Rounding the
narrows with ease and in one spectacular move, she edged her way through the
navigation markers and came in sight of another fleet mate, the Loch Fyne.
Not the first she had seen on this trip but the closest passed. As we neared
her, the Loch Fyne gave a dramatic bow door down and Pioneer thanked her for
this with a blast for her and three for the pier. A crewmember of the Loch
class vessel ran up to the bridge and tooted the horn in reply with a few
waves exchanged. Rounding the top of Bute memories were shared of her career
and past and contemplations were given towards her future. Arriving in the
Bay of Rothesay another three-blast salute was given. I suppose expectedly,
the PS Waverly was also there too, apparently running late on her schedule
whichever way you want to put it was a magnificent sight as they ran
parallel to each other out of the bay. Pioneer gave a blast with a reply of
a toot from Waverly so Pioneer gave a two-blast reply with a two toot back
from the paddler. The good hearted crew of the Pioneer gave a cheerful Blast
– Blast Blast – Blast – Blast with the reply from the Waverly Toot
Tooooooopfht and she ran out of steam! – I'm glad I got that on Video! The
Waverly then departed for Largs and we headed for ‘home’ to Gourock. The
buzz seemed to die down at this point and I made my way down to the main
saloon to join a few other members from Clyde Shipping to share a few
moments of the day. After a quick drink I decided to head for the open car
deck as the sun started to cast its golden light onto the Clyde. After
standing again under her main gantry feeling the rhythm of her purring
engines – I realised I hadn’t seen them! Thankfully and very gratefully
a crewmember offered to take me down and show me around her perfect
Blackstone’s. After nearly 30 years of service and the same time help from
her fantastic and loving crew they are running as new – I wasn’t going
to mention the wooden chocks holding her rams for the stabilisers in place
– but that adds to her character! It was nearly impossible to hear what
the 2nd engineer was talking about but I think just the
experience of being there was worth it – many thanks again! I returned to
the car deck to find a unusual mass of people present, I found a few faces
and found there was a photo to be taken of all the passengers. Ian McCrorie,
Captain Smith and Hugh McLennan headed the picture in memory of the trip –
later to be put in a special CalMac publication. Before we knew it (and far
too soon to me) we had arrived back at Gourock and ended her ‘final’
cruise (and official sailing – or was it?!). We were kindly given an
‘excursion pack’ from the company as we disembarked which included a few
custom gifts from CalMac. Most people left and some rushed for the last
seasonal sailing of the Waverly (who was dashing behind us to) from Customs
House Quay. I decided to stay and watch her move to the ‘wires’ for the
last time. For her famously loud engines, she seemed to slip almost
un-noticed and elegantly to her sleeping area for a deserved rest. I said my
farewells to her kind and helpful crew and finally to the fine host herself
before dragging myself off back south. However some good news was announced
onboard. I suppose not un-expectedly, her expired class certificate was
extended for at lease 3 months to cover for her controversial replacement
– the Courisk who has suffered a serious breakdown and had to be towed to
the Clyde from Mallaig. Hopefully after this stint she will return to the
Clyde to cover for the Streakers overhauls due to take place as there is not
clearly a current vessel available. I'm not a big fan of her being on the
Clyde, to me she's always been a western Isles ship, but I suppose as
long as she’s employed anywhere in the network it’s a good thing. So – good luck to a fine
vessel and long may her career continue with those Lions on her trademark
funnels…
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