Above : PS Uri at Weggis on Switzerland's
Lake Lucerne. Originally built in 1901, she is the oldest Swiss paddle steamer
still in regular operation.
Paddle
Steamers operate in some of the most beautiful of holiday destinations : the
Swiss and Italian lakes, Dresden and the River Elbe, Prague, the Firth of Clyde, Norway's
Lake Mjosa, the Austrian Danube and lakes in the Salzkammergut. In these areas
you can enjoy a fantastic holiday and use paddle steamers for short or day-long
excursions at your convenience. The Foundation For Paddle Steamers Worldwide
believes there is little future for the ships unless they keep sailing - and
only with your help and frequent patronage will they have a secure future. Scroll down to find out more about all the operational
paddle steamers and their operating companies.
Paddle Steamers have some
distinctive features which set them apart from other ships .........
PADDLE WHEELS
STEAM ENGINES
DECORATIVE
PADDLE BOXES
The method of
propulsion used by the first steamships and still ideal for calm
and shallow
waters. Many paddlers have viewing port-holes on the main deck so the
turning wheels and splashing waters can be seen to good effect.
Unlike screw-propelled
steamships, the location of the paddle shaft at or near main deck
level means that there is more of the machinery to see from passenger
areas. On most paddle steamers the engines are promoted as a major on-board attraction.
Here, lubrication oil is topped-up on Lake Lucerne's PS Schiller.
From a distance, Paddle Steamers
can often be identified by their distinctive paddle boxes, with
vents of different sizes and shapes, often highly decorated. The
Paddle Steamer Waverley's port side vents gets a touch-up of paint
whilst she waits at Tighnabruaich for a return trip to Glasgow
KET TO THE TABLES BELOW
: PLEASE CLICK
WHERE THERE IS A HYPERLINK FOR MORE INFORMATION:
OPERATING AREA : to see photos of
the area in which the paddle steamers sail. (pages being developed over time) PADDLE STEAMERS : to go
to a dedicated page profiling the vessel, with photographs when available and
historical notes YEAR
: the date
the ship was first in service. In reality, most are much newer vessels due to
periodic extensive re-fits based on the original structural elements OPERATOR
: for Tramscape's review of company operations and links to the fleet, current
and historic (where there is more than one ship to review) WEBSITE : to go to the operating
company's website for official information, timetables and fares (most have
English language option) Go also to John
Bird's site for the latest on Swiss and Italian
schedules, updated daily to include details of special paddler services
not always well advertised in advance Go also to the Swiss magazine "Dampferzeitung" website http://www.dampferzeitung.ch/
and follow the link to "Aktuell" for the latest special sailings news
for Swiss lakes, Germany and Austria IF YOU WOULD LIKE CLARIFICATION ON ANY
MATTER REGARDING THESE STEAMERS : ASK
THE WEBMASTER : HE MIGHT WELL BE ABLE TO
HELP
PADDLE
STEAMERS IN EUROPE : see
below for other world areas
Schiffahrtsgesellschaft
des Vierwaldstattersees
(SGV) Fully integrated into the SGV public timetable with all available
paddlers
active in high summer sailing the length of the lake and back
from Luzern. Unterwaden cruises into the Alpnachersee to Alpnachstad
under a low bridge. Slightly reduced paddler service in early and
late summer. In recent years one paddler (normally Uri) active
over Christmas and New Year. Unterwalden is out of service until
2011 for a major refit. Link
to supporters' group website
Compagnie General de Navigation sur le
Lac Leman
(CGN) Fully integrated into the CGN public timetable with all paddlers
active in high summer sailing on a range of cruises from Geneva
and Lausanne, normally calling at all piers. Slightly reduced paddler
service in early and late summer, but "retired" vessels
sometimes active on charter sailings. The CGN also operates motorised ex-paddle steamer
Vevey (see table below) plus two others currently laid-up awaiting
re-fit. Link
to supporters' group website
Sachsische
Dampschiffahrts GmbH &
Co Long summer season of scheduled services on the River Elbe, mostly
originating at Dresden, but with vessels also based at Bad Schandau,
Koenigstein and Pirna to provide a range of full day cruises. The
frequency of vessels allows shorter trips and return on a different
paddler especially in high season. Short non-landing cruises are offered from Dresden
(to the "Blue Wonder" bridge) and return trips to nearby
Pillnitz palace also available. One downstream service to Meissen
and return is scheduled.
Insel- und
Halligreederei Timetabled services from Kiel west to
Rendsburg and east to Laboe and services over complete Kiel canal
to Brunsbuttel. Occasional Elbe cruises from Hamburg and coastal
cruises from Rostock.
Traunseeschiffahrt Karlheinz Eder
GesmbH Owned by a preservation group, but integrated into the main public timetable, Sundays
early July to early Sept : From Gmunden 11:30-13:50 and 14:00-16:35
on Sundays. Additional Saturday trips - but you need to check in
advance.
NLC - Navigazione Lago di
Como Limited use as part of local lake scheduled timetable in summer
season. Normally on full length Como-Colico and return run on summer
Sundays unless on private charter and also on peak summer Thursdays
NLM - Navigazione
Lago di
Maggiore Expected only to sail on charters or special sailings in 2008.
In 2007 she was on scheduled Sunday services, but poorly marketed
and lightly patronised.
Nederlandse Raderstoomboot
Maatschappij Mainly used as a floating restaurant in Rotterdam, particularly
for functions. Can be chartered to sail from Rotterdam
PPS-EVD : Prague
Passenger
Shipping Public scheduled sailings from Prague, with a mixture of local
cruises and longer day cruises to the Slapy Dam. Occasional long
trips to Melnik at Vltava/Labe confluence
These paddle steamers are
fitted with cabins for overnight accommodation and were originally used for
passenger (and some freight) transport over long distances in remoter parts
of northern Russia and Siberia. Although generaly no longer on these runs they
still provide for longer cruises rather than dsy excursions
Russia
River Dvina, Archangelysk
N V Gogol
1911
Rarely in use but is available for charter and in recent years
has been chartered for cruises generally of 2-3 nights by a local
travel agency.
River Lena, Siberia
Krasnoyarsk
1959
Overnight or longer services in remote areas with limited public
transport. Some freight / supplies carried. Lena
Shipping Company. Internet
Photo Gallery
PADDLE
VESSELS (MOTOR-POWERED) in
EUROPE
Paddle-wheel ships, even if not powered by steam engines,
do have their attractions, at least from the shore. Watching them pass by or
call at a nearby pier, there is nothing to distinguish them from the real thing.
On board, it is a different matter.These vessels have
enclosed engine rooms and therefore, very little of interest to view on the
main deck. The smooth operation of steam engines is replaced by the constant
din and vibration of diesels, more noticeable on some vessels than others. Whilst
it regrets any conversion from steam to motor power, especially the recent conversion
of "Goethe", the Foundation for Paddle Steamers Worldwide recognises
that in certain circumstances it has enabled classic ships to survive. There is, of course, the hope that at some stage they might be reconverted,
as was the case with PS Montreux on Lake Geneva but these would be exceptional
cases : plans to return the remaining three Lake Geneva vessels to steam faltered
on cost grounds, as did the hopes of retro-fitting the original engines of MPV
Diessen when it was rebuilt in 2006. Right: Engines of Grof Szechenyi
(ex-Stadt Passau). Photo by courtesy of Zsolt Szabo
MOTOR
PADDLE
VESSELS (CONVERTED FROM STEAM)
These vessels have been converted from steamers,
usually as an economy measure undertaken when the original boiler was requiring
replacement.
The dates of conversion are shown in the column "MPV". The Year column shows
the date of original construction. The uproar which accompanied the decision
of the Rhine's KD company to convert Goethe to diesel operation after the 2008
season raised the question as to whether such ships have any real value. In
Goethe's case she had only recently been "modernised" and although
a fine ship, had very little of historical value left in her. Many enthusiasts
declared that the converted Goethe would turn the Rhein into a type of Disneyland
and vowed not to sail on the ship (or any other KD vessel) again. Some of
the earlier conversions were understandable : nostalgia for steam was still
not a factor and it would have been a matter of scrapping the ship outright
if the new technology had not been fitted. At least in these cases, the historical
fabric of the ships remained. The Dutch vessel, Kapitein Kok, had diesels fitted
to an old and almost derelict vessel - in reality, the only way the historical
ship would have found a new life.
Country / Operating Area / Operator
Paddle Vessel Fleet
Year
MPV
Basic Service Pattern / Link to Operator page
in this database
Compagnie General de Navigation sur le
Lac Leman
(CGN) In recent years one motor
paddler (ie Vevey) has been active into December and available for
service if required to cover for a motor vessel throughout the winter.
Expected to be dry-docked for a major overhaul after the 2010 season.
KD - Koln-Dusseldorfer Deutsche
Rheinschiffahrt Long season from late Spring through to mid-autumn on a full
day trip from Koblenz calling at all piers to Rudesheim and return.
For 2009 : 25th April - 4th October, usually from Koblenz (09:00
back 20:10) to Ruedesheim (15:15 / 16:15).
Originally designed for long overnight ferry services in temoter
parts of Russia, she now operates as a hotel ship based in Kiev during the winter when
31 rooms are offered for use. The banquet room and restaurant are
open for private hire for functions and entertainment can be provided.
In summer she can be chartered for cruises along the Dneipr river.
By the time diesel power
became widely available for excusion ships in the late 1920s, new
ships around most of Europe were screw-driven. Only on the Clyde
in the UK did the London & North Eastern Railway experiment
with diesel electric drive for their paddler "Talisman"
of 1935. Their attempt was not entirely successful, although on
Switzerland's lake Geneva a number of paddlers received diesel drives
with various methods of transferring power to the paddle shaft and
several of these sail on today (see above). The Austrian DDSG's
Stadt Wien and Stadt Passau (now Grof Szechenyi), with geared diesel
drives, were unusual and unique. The experiment with diesels and
paddles was not repeated until Elias Lonnrot (1986) which replicated
an older steamer but with a more economical propulsion system. Diesels
were also chosen for the brand new "Herrsching" (1992)
on Germany's Ammersee and when "Diessen" on the
same lake was heavily
rebuilt in 2006 she was re-engined with diesels rather than her
old steam engines which had been removed in 1975. MPV Stadt Wien and Grof Szechenyi have cabins for overnight
accommodation but these ships no longer used on original service pattern so these are
not used in service.
Country / Operating Area
Paddle Steamer Fleet
Year
Basic Service Pattern / Link to Operator page
in this database
Herr W Stift Sunday cruises from Tulln into the Wachau valley
are to continue in 2009 from July 12th to 23rd August, with some
special cruises and
charters also undertaken (see website). Open as a restaurant at
Tulln when not
cruising, but spent much of early 2009 in Hungary.
Greenhill Rendezvenyiroda Zrl Moored at Budapest and used on occasional short cruises but only
for charters (such as conferences or special parties) for which
high quality catering is provided. Not available for public timetabled
sailings
Modern vessels built in "retro" style but using modern diesel equipment.
Whilst the Finland project was a genuine attempt to build a historical replica
despite fitting her with diesels, the next European sidewheeler to be built
new was a "genuine Disneyland" ship. Even forgetting that she runs
around the fun park on a guided rail, does this ship have any merit in its own
right?
Very short trips of around 20 minutes through an artificial lagoon
with riverbank "attractions" in the Disney fun park.
Runs on a guided rail.
Some have said that building modern paddle steamers in "retro"
style is basically creating a pastiche with no real soul or legitimacy. This
is surely true for many of the numerous sternwheelers built worldwide in recent
years, but can it be also said of the Ammersee's "Herrsching"? She
is a fine paddler, modern yet with reference to traditional styling, but without
steam engines does she have a heart and soul ? When it came to replacing the
worn out paddler Diessen, the same operators decided not to scrap the ship but
build a new one incorporating much of the old. In reality she is a new ship
and reinstalling her original steam engines which are held in a museum was rejected
on cost grounds. Whilst she is a fine vessel, does this mean that Ammersee is
little more than "Disneyland"?
Staatliche Schiffahrt
Ammersee Completely rebuit in 2005/6 based on the lengthening
the hull of the original Diessen (built 1908 and converted to diesel
operation in 1975) and retaining important historical parts from
its predecessor. Integrated into the lake's public scheduled timetable
So-called "hobby steamboating" is a poular pastime for many,and
it is possible for individuals to build and operate small launches for personal
use and for carrying a small number of passengers. There are numerous such steam
launches in the world - but very few and paddle steamers ........
SMALL MODERN DIESEL POWERED PADDLERS WITH
SIDE WHEEL
The attraction of "paddles" for tourist boats is recognised and
some small excursion boats have been built with side wheels, wether as the main
source of propulsion or ancilliary to a screw. These small vessels provide a
useful service for tourists wishing short trips, for example on a river in a
city centre and are out of scope of this database, but vessels for which there
are photos in the webmaster's collection are included
MODERN RECONSTRUCTION
WITH STEAM ENGINE, SCREW PROPELLED, WITH PLANS TO BECOME A PADDLER
Hableany is currently powered
by one screw and has a decorative paddle wheel but there are plans to make
her a genuine paddle vessel in the future. She is based on an original design
from 1867. 20 metres long, with a 6 hp steam engine
Do you want to go on a short European
steamer-sailing break? John
Woodhams Vintage Tours could be exactly what you are looking
for. They organise mini-tours taking in as many steamers as possible
in the areas visited, making it easy for you to ensure you don't miss anything
- and you will be in the congenial company of like-minded people.
REFERENCES
The
essential reference book for Paddle Steamer enthusiasts is:
Paddle Steamers in the 1990s By Russell Plummer
Published 1994 by GMS Enterprises, 67 Pyhill, Bretton, Peterborough,
England Tel (0)1733-265123
IBSN 1 870384 27 X
This book gives extensive details of all known paddlers remaining in
Europe, including motor powered paddlers
Also the following which also includes screw steamers and diesel conversions,
including those in static roles
Steam Ships of Europe by Alistair
Deayton Published in 1988 by Conway Maritime press Ltd, 24 Bride Lane, Fleet
Street, London EC4Y 8DR ISBN 0 81577 478 4
These books have been a
wonderful source of information and inspiration for this website
CAN YOU HELP WITH THIS DATABASE ?
The webmaster would be delighted to receive any updates of relevant information
and photographs (of which you own copyright) which could help to keep this database
as up-to-date as possible and fill in gaps in the historical record.
I
know that many of you will have photographs of paddle steamers on the internet
on photo-sharing websites such as Picasa and Flickr. No photos are used on this
website unless they were taken by the webmaster or someone who has given express
permission for their own photos to be used. However, some photos from Flickr
etc may be used so long a the copyright tag (Creative Commons etc) allocated
to the photo at the time of downloading allows.
Tramscape is trying to develop
this website as the main source on the internet for paddle steamer information
and photos, so the webmaster would be very grateful if you would allow use of
your photos in this database so they can be seen by the wider paddle steamer
interest group who will be reading this website.
Please
e-mail the Webmaster your
information and photos or general authorisation to use photos from another website
source. Thank you very much
THE FOUNDATION FOR PADDLE STEAMERS WORLDWIDE'S
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The aim of the Foundation for
Paddle Steamers Worldwide is to raise
awareness of and interest in Paddle Steamers through a presence on the internet
where enthusiasts and the general public alike can, through the the regularly
updated Paddle Steamer Resources by Tramscape database,
learn about Paddle Steamers and their operations, past and present.
It
is hoped that increased
interest will lead to increased patronage of
existing Paddle Steamers and growing support for the organisations which are
now closely involved in ensuring that they will continue to sail on long into the future
and which are working towards restoring decommissioned ships for future service.
Passengers
queue up for a trip on PS Blumlisalp on lake Thun (right). This
paddler was derelict before being saved by enthusiasts. The Foundation believes that Paddle Steamers add
something extra to a boat trip, generate a lot of public
interest and inspire enthusiasts
to support them in other ways also. Click
here to find out why.
THE FOUNDATION FOR PADDLE STEAMERS WORLDWIDE'S
VIEW
A commercial ship
has little future unless it is doing what it was built to do - sail
in revenue service. Paddle Steamers
can have good long-term prospects because
they are significant revenue earners for their operators and are also recognised as having exceptional tourism-generating potential by public authorities in the areas
in which they operate.
However, steamships generally do have higher operating
costs than modern motor vessels and it is accepted that operators
do need some external support in maintaining their paddle steamer
fleets.
The organisations through which enthusiasts
can make a real difference in helping to ensure the continued operation
of these classic vessels are already there and have been extremely
successful in their efforts. This makes Paddle
Steamers ideal vessels for the wider marine enthusiast community to support.
Paddle Steamers became very successful on rivers, lakes and
in estuarine waters, but just when their final demise was anticipated, a remarkable
renaissance began. Rather than heading to the scrap yard, "life-expired"
paddlers such as "Savoie"
on Lake Geneva, seen here in dry dock in 2005 are now being totally refurbished
for many more years' service. Click
here for more.
PADDLE STEAMER RESOURCES MAIN MENU
DATABASE
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MENU
USE THIS
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The
Foundation for Paddle Steamers Worldwide. Main menu for the
Paddle Steamer Resources by Tramscape Database How to contact the webmaster
- acknowledgements - about this site
In public service,
their operating companies and website links (includes motor paddlers) Projects
for completely new-build paddle steamers
With new roles as restaurants, museums etc (with website links) or laid up awaiting their
fate
Vessels scrapped in recent years
Operational and preserved paddle steamer engines
By country and area : Paddle
Steamers and service operators of the past The ultimate fleet of coastal cruising steamers Search
here for British Paddle Steamers Organisations you
can join or channel financial assistance through The webmaster's photograph
collection in thumbnail form Sites
listed in the database plus other sites of interest (European ships) Steamships
or diesel conversions propelled by a stern wheel (Mississippi-style)
Clyde and other passenger
turbine
steamers, surviving ferries and ocean liners Vessels for which
there are photographs in the Tramscape collection only Link to Tramscape's extensive
tramway photograph collection
Raddampfer in betrieb : BateauxVapeurs
à roues à aubes en service : Swiss paddle steamers
