Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

WAVERLEY repairing the belting around her paddle boxes at Custom House Quay, Greenock

WAVERLEY was repairing the belting around her paddle boxes.

   When WAVERLEY comes into a pier, wharf, dock, etc., it is her paddle boxes which come into contact (= land against the wharf wall) with the pier.

   So landing against the wall could cause seriously expensive damage to her side and hull and to protect her she has thick rubber belting fixed to her paddle boxes to absorb the pressure and shock of touching and landing on the wall.