AN appeal has been launched to raise £135,000 for the Waverley, the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer, to help keep the ship visiting Minehead.

The charity which owns the Waverley needs to replace both of her masts and also the dining saloon windows ahead of the 2026 sailing season.

The Waverley returned to the waters off the West Somerset coast after a lengthy absence three years ago and has since made annual calls to Minehead.

Its Bristol Channel timetable for the 2026 season is due to be released in February, with bookings then opening.

The traditional masts and dining saloon windows are central to Waverley’s distinctive profile, and renewing them in authentic materials is seen as essential to preserving the ship’s historic character and renewed appearance.

Waverley general manager Paul Semple said it was important to maintain the ship’s authentic preservation.

Mr Semple said: “Essentially, many parts of the ship could be replaced with more modern materials and fittings which may last longer, but collectively that would change the look and feel of the ship.

“Preserving Waverley is about maintaining her as far as is possible as she was intended to be.

“We are preserving her truly unique character.

“As the world continuously changes around Waverley, she becomes even more special as she represents a moment in time when she was first designed and built.”

The masts and windows winter appeal hopes to have the work completed by March, during a £1.5 million winter refit which is now well underway with essential maintenance and several major investment projects in progress.

Waverley needs 13 new dining saloon windows fitted at a cost of £6,000 each, while replacement fore and main masts were currently being sourced and expected to cost £50,000 to produce and fit to the vessel.

Mr Semple said the charity remained fully committed to maintaining Waverley’s traditional style wherever possible, even though it was rarely the most cost-efficient route.

Current work also included replacing the fire sprinkler system and renewing the port paddle box spring beam, two projects alone which were costing more than £500,000 and were jointly funded by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society and Waverley’s owning charity.

Mr Semple said throughout Waverley’s preservation career many refurbishments had been undertaken, although it had not always been possible to fully preserve her original 1947 character.

Waverley, built in Glasgow for the London and North Eastern Railway, has attracted more than 150,000 passengers in each of the past three seasons since returning to the Bristol Channel, and more than six million in total since her relaunch in 1975.

Mr Semple said contributions would help prepare Waverley for the 2026 season, during which she would proudly mark the 80th anniversary of her launch.

All donations, large or small, would be warmly welcomed and could be made online via the Waverley’s website or by contacting the booking office on 0141 243 2224 Monday to Thursday from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, and Friday until 4 pm.