Welcome to the
Homepage of Paddle Steamer Resources
by Tramscape
The Internet's largest,
regularly updated database of
mainly European Paddle Steamers past and present
Tramscape's aim is to to provide the widest source of information and
photographs available
on the internet on paddle steamers and steamer operations in Europe, past and
present and raise
awareness of and interest in paddle steamers.
Increased awareness and interest should lead to increased patronage of
vessels which will help maintain their operations into the future. Tramscape
also hopes that it might
also lead to the attraction of new benefactors or sources of investment to secure their long-term futures
and even bring decomissioned vessels back into service.
PADDLE STEAMER NEWS : HEADLINE STORY
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GOETHE TO BE CONVERTED TO DIESEL
It now looks 100% certain that the
last paddle steamer in the Koln-Dusseldorfer fleet will be converted
to diesel power this winter.
The new diesel units which will provide
her power
have already been purchased.
Her
last day in service on her service from Koblenz to Rudesheim and
return will be October 19th
This devastating news somewhat contradicts
the views put forward by the webmaster further down this page that
paddle steamers can be successfully operated in the modern world,
but he is sticking to his view! Goethe appears to be heavy on fuel
and it does appear that the
current high price of fuel is claiming its first victim amongst paddle steamers.
KD reckon with a minimum saving of EUR 300,000 per year, cutting
daily consumption from 4000 to 1500 litres - and, of course, saving
on two engineers' wages. A fair saving - but in the overall scheme
of things is it really that much ??? Other factors are of course involved, not
least forthcoming new rules for Rhine vessels requiring direct control
of the engines from the helm, rather than via a telegraph - a noble
but surely unnecessary safety measure (?) However,
it remains to be seen if this is a short-sighted view as KD can
hardly market her as a "nostalgia" vessel any longer. She is to all
intents and purposes a modern rebuild on a "old" hull.
A fine vessel, of course, but she will not have her steam plant. Each
person will have to make their own choice as to whether it is worth
going to the Rhine after October - or choosing somewhere else for
their holidays..... More on the Goethe vessel
page
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For
more news items about paddle steamers and other passenger steamships,
click here
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To move from the homepage
and around the database use this Main Menu or any appropriate underlined hyperlink
Page
down to see more about the main sections of the database
Webmaster's View : PADDLE STEAMERS : MORE THAN "JUST
GOING ON A BOAT TRIP ........"
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PADDLE WHEELS |
STEAM ENGINES |
:
the distinguishing features of a
paddle steamer. |
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Paddleboxes
have often been highly decorative and Waverley's boxes are
painted black with gold lining to emphasise the fact that
she is a paddle steamer. |
Paddle
Steamers generally have their engines visible from a public
gallery. This is Waverley's triple-expansion three-crank
set, one of the last of its type. More
examples |
Waverley, which entered service on the Clyde in 1947
is regarded as the world's last sea-going paddle steamer, although
a reasonable number remain on lakes and rivers worldwide
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Many people like going on a boat trip : somewhere to go, something to see
........ but the type of boat
sailed on can be a very important part of the whole experience
There is something special about watching
paddle steamers' magnificent engines turn in hypnotic rhythm with the ship's engineer keeping
a close eye on their progress and operating the various levers necessary to
bring them to a halt and to get back to speed after calling at a pier. Neither
this nor the mesmerising beat of the paddle
floats against
shimmering waters can be experienced on a diesel powered screw ship. Paddlers bring an added element of adventure to the experience of
cruising down a river valley, crossing a lake or exploring a coastline.
Paddle Steamers are
a special class of ship providing a high-quality lake and coastal cruising experience
with the added benefit of maintaining and demonstrating historically significant
propulsion methods in a modern environment. Heritage afloat - and in practical
use.
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Paddle
Steamers operate in some of the most beautiful of holiday destinations : the
Swiss and Italian lakes, the Rhine valley, Dresden, 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
Plan
your holiday or excursion
Photo
Right : PS Gallia on lake Lucerne, Switzerland
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Where can a King and Queen look out of their
window and see four operational excursion steamships ? Click
here to find out
Webmaster's View : PADDLE STEAMERS : DOMINATION, DECLINE
AND RENAISSANCE
Ever since 1812, when the first European paddle steamer in regular passenger
service, Comet, began to ply the River Clyde from Glasgow in Scotland, this type of vessel has
held a place of special affection in many people's hearts. They ferried thousands
of holidaymakers from their industrial cities to beautiful coastal resorts for
their much-awaited annual summer holidays and provided opportunites for cruises
from those resorts. This tradition is being maintained in Scotland and around
the British coast by Waverley, recognised as the world's last sea-going paddler,
and is thriving on several Swiss lakes and many rivers, notably the River Elbe
where paddle steamers are a treasured part of the local tourist scene.
From
a historical point of view, paddle steamers can be regarded as the dominant
design for the earliest steamships. Their reign was short-lived as screw propulsion
and turbine power followed by the marine diesel was found to be more suitable
for most marine applications. This is not to say that paddle steamers were unsuitable
- only that the advantages of alternatives made paddle steamers less attractive
to shipowners, almost all of whom operated in cut-throat competitive economic
environments whatever their line of business. Paddle Steamers maintained their
predominance the longest in lake, river and coastal trade. Calm waters did not
severely disadvantage the paddle in competition with the screw and shallow waters
gave paddlers a distinct advantage. The final demise of most paddle fleets came
as demand for their services fell. In the U.K. in particular, many holidaymakers
now took to foreign holidays rather than throng down to the traditional seaside resorts and those who
continued to do so now wished to travel by car and have their car with them
throughout. When designing new style ships to cater for these needs, paddlers were
found to be impractical and steam power uneconomic. Elsewhere, where there was
still a need for passenger-only vessels, increasing cost pressures made diesel-powered
vessels increasingly more attractive. When PS Maid of the Loch was built for
service on Scotland's Loch Lomond in 1953, the fact that she was so large and
the fact that she was a paddle steamer was a remarkable anachronism for the
time - and for most of the time she was a financial burden to her owners. She
was the last of her kind.
Those paddle steamers which survived into the modern era have benefited
from the greater interest now existing in preserving historical vessels and
thriving preservation societies have been instrumental in helping to achieve
this. Paddle Steamers have had
to redefine their role, having lost their baseload of commuter and general ferry
traffic in most cases. There is a growing demand again for excursions as
part of a growing leisure and tourism industry. Paddle Steamers are ideally
placed to capitalise on this. PS Maid of the Loch is now, after many years
of inactivity and deterioration, being restored for an eventual return to service
: the most recent of a number of paddle steamers now experiencing a renaissance.
Right
: PS Blumlisalp on Lake Thun in Switzerland in 2001. She was withdrawn
in 1971, leaving no paddle steamer on the lake, but after 17 years
of lying deteriorating in lakeside shallows, a preservation group
embarked on a restoration which saw her successfully returned to
service in 1992 as the thronging crowds show. The renaissance was
by now in full swing .............
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Webmaster's View : PADDLE STEAMERS : REALISTIC FOR SUCCESSFUL
"HERITAGE" OPERATION
Paddle
Steamers are not so large as to be too expensive to operate or restore. With limited assistance
they can survive long-term as operational ships, providing scheduled services
and giving pleasure to large numbers of passengers. Enthusiasts can make a
real difference in ensuring that these magnificent vessels survive to do the
job they do best, whilst preserving an important part of our maritime heritage
for the future. The examples are there to see.
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A global shipping corporation took control of the paddle steamer
fleet based in Dresden, the world's largest fleet, and refurbished
the ships, many over 100 years old to a magnificent standard. Most
people thought that the economic realities of the capitalist world
would spell the end of this East German fleet - but not so. Nine
paddle steamers are thriving.
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The larger Swiss Lakes would be unthinkable without their immaculately
maintained paddle steamers, although only 40 years ago it was assumed
that as the ships came to the "end.of their lives" they
would be replaced by motor vessels. The paddlers have remained alongside
the newer motor vessels in this most technologically advanced and
high-cost country.
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Enterprising enthusiast and preservationist groups have shown
that it is possible to take a paddle steamer disposed of by its
"commercial" owners, and even after many years of lay-up,
return it to operational service. Paddle Steamer Schonbrunn, above,
the last of a long line of paddlers on the Danube in Austria, was
saved in such a way.
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- Those
paddle steamers which survived the 1960s and early 1970s are now treasured members
of commercial fleets. Withdrawals and scrappings are now virtually unheard of.
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The leisure industry is generally expanding. There is a growing demand for "boat
trips" as part of general tourist activities.
- Operators know that the extra operational costs of a steamer
can be exceeded by their increased revenue-earning potential when imaginatevely
marketed.
- Paddlers now operate in fleets which are "going-concerns",
most of which are privately-owned, but highly sympathetic to maintaining their
paddler fleets.
- Partnership finance from enthusiasts'
organisations has been shown to be available and sufficient to make maintenance
of paddlers financially worthwhile.
- It has also been shown that enthusiast's
groups, employing professional staff can operate paddle steamers as "going
concerns" on their own account.
- Public interest in "heritage"
issues also helps unlock some public funding, e.g. for local tourist development,
specifically as a result of paddle steamers being in service
To survive,
most things need to operate at a profit, or contribute substantially to the
overall success of an enterprise, so paddle steamers must be operated
as "going concerns". Unlike a castle or stately home for example,
the general public is unlikely to wish visit a static paddle steamer as such. Some
have survived to earn their keep as floating restaurants and some even as parts
of museums, but potential for this is limited. The best way for a paddle steamer
to survive is to remain in operational service. This has been shown to be possible
- but in most cases, some financial support is needed from enthusiasts. The
amount of money needed, although substantial, is not so much as to make the
saving of paddle steamers impossible. In fact, they are realistic subjects for
successful, operational, preservation and, as such, are ideal ships for the
wider maritime enthusiast community to support.
Support
Paddle Steamers
IDEAS FORUM : Your view on Paddle Steamers
and maritime preservation matters
The webmaster has expressed his views on certain topics
on this homepage - maybe you have a view on these, or other, issues as well.
The
forthcoming conversion to diesel power of the Rhine's magnificent "Goethe"
has highlighted a range of problems facing steamer operators at the moment.
The current high price of fuel is only one of a number of obstacles to maintaining
paddle steamer fleets into the future. Even where vessels are saved for posterity,
it is becoming increasingly hard to find suitable places to moor them, let alone
find a suitable and profitable use for them. Whilst we have not lost any paddlers
outright so far, this year
is seeing a real decimation of the preserved turbine steamer fleet in Britain.
The last operational Clyde-built
ocean liner (Empress of Britain) has just gone to the breakers, the last Clyde-built car ferry (Caledonian Princess)
has just been towed to Greece to an uncertain future,
the SS Dover (Tuxedo Royale) has been ejected from its berth at Middlesbrough's
Middlehaven dock and the collapse of efforts to save SS Manxman, the last British short-sea passenger-only
ferry, have all occurred in the last year.
Do we do enough to preserve our
maritime heritage? Should old ships remain only in photograph albums? Are existing
preserved vessels managed effectively? Do we have suitable organisations to
ensure successful preservation of important vessels? Should "governments"
support preservation efforts? How can we improve the future for historical
vessels? What can we learn from other fields of interest such as steam railways?
Is the wider public really interested? Do ships get treated worse than historical
buildings - and why?
Let us have a rational and informed debate on these
matters
Click here
to give your views on these and other important issues - or to raise new issues
of interest.
In the database : PADDLE STEAMERS
OF EUROPE and some coverage of paddlers worldwide
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Here you can find out about paddle
steamers which are still in operation, such as PS Unterwalden
on Lake Lucerne (right), where to find them, read about their specifications
and history in Paddle Steamer Resources' vessel profiles. Links
are provided to the websites of many of the vessels for further
information.
You can also find out which paddlers
have been preserved and now have new roles such as restaurants
or museums.
Finally you can see which paddlers
still survive but are in a critical condition, without plans
for refurbishment and in most cases deteriorating to such an extent
that saving them may prove impossible if something does not happen
quickly
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Also in the database : PADDLE STEAMER NEWS
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Click
here for more news items, including:
The
campaign to raise funds to reactivate MPV Italie (left) has begun
Small British
paddler Monarch back in service in 2008, but at a new location
2008 : The
last chance to see PS Unterwalden before her major re-fit
Update on the USA's
PS Delta Queen
TS Caledonian Princess (latterly Tuxedo Princess) towed to
Greece
The last Clyde-built ocean liner still in steam SS Topaz (ex Empress
of Britain) beached at Alang for breaking
Another Istanbul steamer lost :
Fire devours SS Kanlica
Campaign to save SS Manxman at an end?
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Also in the database : PADDLE STEAMER ENGINES
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Paddle Steamers have distinctive engines, nearly all in the "diagonal"
format which was the final design before such machinery became obsolete
for new vessels. Some older paddlers survive with "oscillating"
engines, an earlier configuration of the steam cylinders. You can
find out about the basics of steam propulsion and see photos
of the gleaming crankshafts of a number of paddle steamers , such
as the diagonal set fitted in Austria's PS Schonbrunn (right) by
clicking here
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Also in the database : PADDLE STEAMER HISTORY AND BRITISH PADDLE STEAMER
INDEX
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The Historical
Database
includes
a wealth of information about paddle steamers and fleets of the
past sorted by country / area and operating company and includes
paddlers such as the old Rhein favourite Cecilie (right).
For British paddlers (such
as Caledonia, left) you can go directly to the
British Paddle Steamer
Index
where
a large number of passenger vessels are listed in alphabetical order
with links to full vessel profiles.
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Also in the database : THE PADDLE STEAMER RESOURCES "MAGAZINE"
A chance to look at
some paddle steamer (and other steamship) topics in a more informal way .............
and a chance for more of Tramscape's extensive photographic collection to be
presented on the internet.
Here are the
most recent topics in the magazine
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Lake Lucerne
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PS Unterwalden
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Unterwalden of 1902, lake Lucerne's second oldest paddler in
service, nearly did not survive, but thanks to a concerted effort
by local enthusiasts, the SGV were persuaded to reinstate her in
1985. Now she is due a major overhaul as her boiler needs replacing
- and serious attention is needed to the hull and decks. Since the
article was published, it has been decided that
she will be rebuilt to reflect her pre-1961 appearance with financial
assistance from enthusiasts' groups. 2008 will be her last season in
her current form.
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Lake Lucerne
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All the piers in camera
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Probably the webmaster's favourite part of the world - magnificent
Swiss scenery, numerous small piers in close proximity and
five wonderful paddle steamers. Here are a selection of photos from
the webmaster's collection taken between 1988 and 2001 illustrating
each pier on the lake.
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Lake Geneva
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MPV Italie in 2005
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In September 2005, time was running out for the 1908-built steamer
which in later years had been running on diesel power. A trip to
Geneva to take one last look was essential as she was to be laid
up at the end of the season. Prospects for a return to service did
not look good........
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London
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PS Tattershall Castle
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This traditional paddle ferry has a successful second life as
a bar and night club on the Thames in central London, but when she
was returned to her berth in 2004 after an extensive refit, paddle
steamer enthusiasts were horrified to see her. Have a look in detail
and see what you think....
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Firth of Clyde
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PS Jeanie
Deans 1931-68
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40 years ago, the London & North Eastern Railways crack Clyde
paddler Jeanie Deans was laid up awaiting her fate after a
failed early "preservationist" venture on the Thames. In December of 1967 she was towed
away to the breakers at Antwerp. Here are a few postcard photos
of her during her Clyde days to remind us all of this great steamer,
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Gothenburg, Sweden
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Gothenburg
in August 2007
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SS Bohuslan, a screw steamer saved by enthusiasts from the scrapyard
in 1966 and in service ever since - SS Marieholm, a Baltic Sea steamer
now moored as a restaurant - SS S:t Erik, now dieselised but
over 125 years old and still offering excursions - General comments
about Gothenburg's rich maritime heritage and surviving vessels.
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Lake Geneva
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Lake
Geneva in June 2007
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Savoie the Geneva based steamer - Vevey at 100 years old - Last
chance to see La Suisse before her major overhaul - Cruising on
Rhone around the Upper Lake - New vessels
Lavaux and Morges and "Navibus" Coppet - Large motor vessel
Lausanne
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Go
to the Magazine
Also in the database : BRITISH
TURBINE
STEAMERS (and selected other Clyde-built excursion
steamships)
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Dumbarton shipbuilders William Denny & Co pioneered the use of the steam turbine
in a passenger vessel under the auspices of the company of their
inventor Charles Parsons. After 1901
TURBINE-POWERED EXCURSION STEAMERS (of which Queen Mary, left is the last survivor
of a fleet of such vessels) became popular on the Clyde alongside
paddle steamers. It also looks at some survivors of the larger turbine-powered
steamships built on the Clyde and laments the recent demise of the
last such ocean liner. This website also takes a look at some other
CLYDE-BUILT
PASSENGER STEAM SHIPS,
such as those built by Fairfield's for Istanbul (Kuzguncuk, right),
the S.S. Sir Walter Scott, still active on Lake Katrine and
the USA's iconic Delta Queen, which incorporates many Clyde-built
components.
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Also in the database : PADDLE STEAMER RESOURCES - PHOTOGRAPH
ARCHIVE
Tramscape has a large collection of paddle steamer and related photos.
Over 4400 of these have been taken by Gordon Stewart. Many of these are now
available to view in full on the internet in thumbnail sized format and more
will be added soon.
If you have photograph series to which you have the
copyright and would like these to become incorporated into the database for
the benefit of all people who are interested in paddle steamers, I would be
delighted to receive them.
It is intended that high resolution images
of these photos will be made available to interested parties on application,
with a modest charge involved and with all proceeds being donated directly to
Paddle Steamer preservation.
Click here to enter the Photograph
Archive
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SPECIFIC PADDLE STEAMER INFORMATION
?
Most of the information available to me is
presented in abbreviated form in this database and it is unlikely
that I will be able to help with ships which are not included in this database,
but please Send the webmaster an
e-mail and I will give as much assistance as I can. For
more specific, detailed or obscure enquiries, why not post a message
on the board at
www.heritagesteamers.co.uk
The website www.paddleducks.co.uk
is the home of the world-wide modelling community where there is a lively
forum. Paddleducks members often have access
to ship plans and other information of specific relevance to modellers.
Please
note : Copyright for all photos on this website or in the Photograph
Archive belongs to Tramscape or the acknowledged photographer,
where this is not Gordon Stewart. Please do not reproduce these photos on any
other website or publication without express permission from Tramscape.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR PADDLE
STEAMER BOOKS/VIDEOS/DVDs
?
www.heritagesteamers.co.uk
: The Paddle Steamer Preservation Society's heritage Collections Site. Follow
"publications" to browse and buy.
PS
Kingswear Castle Trust - profits go to the
upkeep of the paddle steamer
Loch
Lomond related books and souvenirs - proceeds to PS Maid of the Loch
PS Medway Queen
: Additionally, if you link to a range of other internet sellers' sites via
this site, the MQ Preservation Society gets a commission on sales from the supplier.
CAN
YOU HELP WITH THIS DATABASE ?
News updates and any relevant
photos (which you have copyright to) would be gratefully appreciated by the
webmaster
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN
MODERN TRAMWAYS ?
Tramscape's other website, Tramscape Tramway Photographs, is a leading
source of tramway photography with over 16,700 photos from 120 tramways
(as at April 2008). This rapidly growing database can be researched
on
this link
If you have enjoyed using this database, please Support
Paddle Steamers - go
for a trip on these ships and tell
the webmaster !
THE WEBMASTER
Tramscape's database is researched, designed and
maintained Gordon Stewart. Tramscape
is based in England
This is a private venture aiming to raise awareness of
and interest in paddle steamers and is not associated with any external organisation.
Any
views expressed are those of the webmaster alone unless otherwise indicated.
All material and photographs displayed on this
website are the property of Tramscape or
accredited photographer where shown and not for use without permission
All
information is presented in good faith based on pretty meticulous research.
If any information is clearly wrong,
please advise me and I shall correct it
Feedback or enquiries are welcome.
Write in English, German (Deutsch) or French (Francais)
Send
an e-mail to Tramscape
Tramscape 2001-2008
Raddampfer : Geschichte und Aktuell - Vapeurs
à roues à aubes : le passé
et le présent
