National Historic Ships UK’s (NHSUK) annual awards were announced in November 2024, with Waverley, the last Clyde paddle steamer built and the last sea-going paddle steamer operational in the world, being given the National Flagship of the Year title. Built for the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER), she was launched in October 1946. Since 1974 Waverley has been owned by Waverley Steam Navigation Co Ltd and is operated by Waverley Excursions. Now fully restored and in her original LNER colours, Waverley continues to cruise around the UK each summer.
The Operational Flagship of the Year was awarded to ST Challenge, the last surviving Thames shiphandling steam tug. Challenge has been under her current private ownership since 2020 and, thanks to the determination of a dedicated team of enthusiastic and skilled volunteers, she is regularly in steam.
The steam tug Challenge is the last surviving example of a large purposebuilt Thames shiphandling steam tug. She has based around the Thames Estuary for her entire working life.