The incident on Friday came as the steamer, with hundreds of passengers on board, started her Clyde cruising season.

She was due to leave on trips from Greenock on Saturday and Sunday. Both were cancelled as repairs to the Waverley continued at James Watt Dock, Greenock. Cruises on Tuesday and Wednesday have now also been cancelled.

Waverley Excursions issued a statement on their website: “Whilst berthing at Dunoon the Paddle Steamer Waverley landed heavily on the Pier. There were passengers on board, 12 of whom sustained very minor injuries which were attended to by a doctor."

Rob Lightbody from Glasgow, a passenger on board at the time, said: "There was a loud bang and then a hissing sound coming from two of the life rafts stored in the white barrels on deck which were knocked into the water and started inflating.

"People fell over. I saw one old lady lying on her back."

But he added: "People weren't angry or complaining. They were actually more sad that the ship had been damaged. Put it this way, I'll be back soon on the Waverley."

A jazz cruise scheduled for Friday night was also postponed.

Photos on Rob Lightbody's flickr page. Click http://www.flickr.com/photos/lightbody/

Photos of damage in our Waverley gallery. Click http://www.inverclydenow.com/ShowGallery.asp?ID=17

Waverley Excursions. Click http://www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk