Paddle Steamer Resources by Tramscape

Lake Zurich, Switzerland

Paddlers run from the quay at Burkliplatz, Zurich (Stadt Rapperswil in 1988)......


 

......to numerous piers along the lake, and certain services pass through a narrow cutting into the Obersee. Stadt Zurich in 2001 (below) has mast and funnel retracted to get under the road and rail bridge as she leaves the Obersee.

Steamer services run from Zurich, Switzerland's major city, along the Lake to Rapperswil, with certain sailings continuing into the "Obersee". This south-eastern part of the lake is reached by a narrow channel, with the steamers passing under the road and rail bridge linking Rapperswil with Pfaffikon. Normally only one steamer is in operation at any one time but two days a week in July and August, both are usually in operation.

The value of the two Paddle Steamers, Stadt Zurich of 1909 and Stadt Rapperswil of 1914 to the region's tourist economy is well understood and the ZSG is currently formulating plans which will see significant work done on both paddlers to imporve passenger accommodation and restaurant facilities by 2006. The last major refits were in 1989/90 and 1985/86 respectively. It is anticipated that once the work has been completed, the paddlers will see more use. In 2001, each was in service for only 64 days and were by a large margin the most lightly used units of the regular fleet.
OPERATIONAL PADDLE STEAMERS
Stadt Zurich
Stadt Rapperswil
FURTHER INFORMATION
Historical Paddlers on Lake Zurich
Steamer Comparisons
Steamer Engines - the visible crankshaft area

LAKE ZURICH PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION

Go to the Photograph Collection

INTERNET RESOURCES

ZSG Official Website

Paddle Steamer Information Hotline : +44 1 482 1091

John Bird's Swiss Steamer Timetables : John's comprehensive site with current (and past) timetables, special cruise dates etc

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Salondampfer "Stadt Rapperswil" - seit 1914
By Charlotte Kunz
Published in 1986 by Hans Rathgeb, Rapperswil / Verlag Verkehrsverein Rapperswil-Jona
ISBN 3-907758-01-0
Detailed history of the lake's last Paddle Steamer
Brief details of the vessels can be found in the following more general Swiss steamer guides:
Dampfschiffe Schweiz
Anton Raber and Peter Horlacher
1982
Verlag Dampferzeitung, Luzern, Switzerland
Brief detals in four languages including English
Paddle Steamers of the Alps
Leslie Brown and Joe McKendrick
Ferry Publications
ISBN 1-871947-19-7
Illustrated profiles of the steamers and operating areas
Sciffahrt auf den Schweizer Seen
Anton Raber
1972
Orell Fussli Verlag, Zurich
ISBN 3-280-00285-0
Illustrated round up of Swiss lake vessels, with fleet lists and sections on vessel design and engineering.
Return to
Paddle Steamer List