The Maid of the Loch Traditional Cache
Lorgadh: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.
Regards
Karen
Lorgadh - Volunteer UK Reviewer
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Maid of the Loch is the last paddle steamer built in Britain and the last in a long line of paddle steamers on Loch Lomond, dating back to 1818. In 2004, she officially became an historic ship, being placed on the UK “Designated Vessels List” which recognizes vessels of “substantial heritage merit with regional and local significance”.
This is a small magnetic cache with sufficient room for a logbook and very, very small items only (e.g. geocoins). Please take care when retrieving or replacing this cache to ensure it remains in the correct position for future cachers. Significant stealth may be required at busy times.
Maid of the Loch was built by A&J Inglis of Pointhouse, Glasgow, and is by far the largest steamer to ever sail on Loch Lomond. She was constructed at their yard on the River Clyde using nuts and bolts before being dismantled and transported to Balloch Pier railway station, where she was reassembled on a purpose-built slipway using more traditional rivets. The station at the pier is no longer present, but the platform still exists - Maid of the Loch is berthed alongside it.
Below: Maid of the Loch as she currently appears at Balloch slipway
In 1950 the British Transport Commision, owner of the newly nationalised railways, made the decision to replace the Princess May and Prince Edward with a new paddle steamer, to be the largest inland waterway vessel ever in Britain. Maid of the Loch was this replacement, officially launched on 5th March 1953, and entering service on 25th May that same year (also Queen Elizabeth II Coronation year and the year the Royal Yacht Britannia was launched). During her time plying the waters of the loch, she called regularly at several locations including Luss, Tarbet, Ardlui, and Inversnaid.
Below: Maid of the Loch at Luss Pier.
She operated on Loch Lomond for 29 years before cost pressures led to her being laid up after a last commercial sailing on 31 August 1981. One problem was that some of the piers on the loch would become unusable, either because of poor state of repair, or silting making the area around them too shallow. A series of attempts to bring her back into service under a succession of owners was unsuccessful, and she presented a sad sight gradually deteriorating at the side of the loch.
In 1992 Dumbarton District Council bought Maid of the Loch and restoration work started. In 1995 the Council supported a group of local enthusiasts in setting up a charitable organisation, the Loch Lomond Steamship Company, to take over ownership and carry on restoration. She became ready for static operation with a cafe/bar and function suite in 2000, and has undergone extensive restoration which aims to have the Maid return to steam operation in 2013.
The Maid is (as of Summer 2012) open every Saturday 11am - 4pm and Sunday 2pm to 4pm until the end of August. The Maid is closed during winter, and reopens at Easter. Admission is free, but donations are most welcome and helps the upkeep and restoration of the Maid.
The above information and pictures are sourced from material on board Maid of the Loch, and from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS_Maid_of_the_Loch and http://www.maidoftheloch.com
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(Decrypt)
Oruvaq gur terra envyvat, orybj jbbqra abgvpr pnfr (evtug unaq fvqr)