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Paddle Steamer News

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2002

2002
31st December 2002
Lake Luzern
PS Uri operated a special New Year's Eve
Gala Cruise
from Luzern at 1930
25th December 2002
Lake Luzern
The 101 year old PS Uri operated more timetabled sailings than in 2002 over the
festive period between Wednesday 25th December 2002 and Sunday 5th January 2003 ......
...... as well as the regular Friday evening Fondue Cruises on 27th December and 3rd January 2003
see feature for full details
22nd December 2002
Lake Geneva
Last sailing of the season
PS Montreux operated her final sailing of
2002 - 1100 Christmas Market Brunch cruise from Lausanne to Montreux on Sunday 22nd December
8th December 2002
Lake Geneva
PS Montreux operated the first of three
Sunday Christmas Brunch Cruises from Lausanne at 1100 to the Montreux Christmas Market on Sunday 8th December

This was the first public sailing with the engines controlled directly from the bridge
19th October 2002
Lake Thun
PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Fondue
Cruise on Saturday 19th October departing
Thun at 1910
15th October 2002
Lake Geneva
The privately owned MPV Genève was towed by mv Général-Guisan from her regular
Geneva base to the CGN Ouchy floating dock at Lausanne on Tuesday 15th October for routine maintenance
It returned to Geneva on the afternoon of Monday 4th November towed by mv Léman

Do you have any further information
or photos suitable for display on this site ?
6th October 2002
Lake Geneva
MPV Italie operated sailings 33-50-64-155
instead of mv Chablais
The 1230 sailing from Lausanne to St-Gingolph
was combined with the first of four "Autumn Sunday Brunch Cruises" starting on Sunday 6th October
- these were instead of the independant
non-landing cruises originally planned to be operated by mv Lausanne
5th October 2002
Lake Thun
PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Fondue
Cruise on Saturday 5th October departing Thun
at 1910
Lake Zurich
PS Stadt Rapperswil made a rare Autumn
Saturday appearance and operated sailings
107-108
on Saturday 5th October departing Zurich at 1130
30th September 2002
Lake Luzern
PS Schiller made a rare Autumn appearance on the morning Luzern to Flüelen sailing
instead of the normal motor vessel on Monday 30th September
29th September 2002
Lake Geneva
PS Savoie made her final appearance of 2002
on sailings 30-91a-80b-191 - 1000 and 1400
round trips from Lausanne to St-Gingolph - on
Sunday 29th September
On the same evening MPV Italie made the last ever 1805 Sunday evening cruise from Lausanne to St-Gingolph and return
(sailings 172b-219 are to be withdawn in 2003)
Lake Zurich
PS Stadt Zürich made her final appearance of 2002 on sailings 105-106-115-116 - 1030 and 1430 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return - on Sunday 29th September instead of the advertised motor vessel
Lake Como
PS Concordia made her final appearance of 2002 on sailings 10-47 - 0920 from Como to Colico and return - on Sunday 29th September instead of the smaller ex-paddle steamer mv Milano
22nd September 2002
All Lakes
Sunday 22nd September marked the official
end of Summer Schedules for all Swiss Railways and Lake Steamers (including calls at most of the "Summer Only" piers)
For full details see the individual Timetable Index for each lake:-
Brienz
Geneva - exception (finished Mon 16th Sept)
Luzern
Thun
Zurich

Limited sailings by paddle steamers continued into the Autumn, although in some cases on a 'non-advertised' basis instead of the regular motor vessel
21st September 2002
Lake Luzern
A special Nidwaldner Transport Exhibition took place at Stanstad SGV Pier and LSE Railway Station on Saturday 21st September
PS Unterwalden was at the pier between 1123
and 1621 and was 'open for guided tours' at 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400 and 1500
The paddle steamer also operated two sailings
to Alpnachstad under the Acheregg road and
railway bridge
departing 1010 and 1621
instead of the normal motor vessel

See also feature item
7th September 2002
Lake Como
PS Concordia operated a special 'free' Book Exhibition cruise from Como to Lenno on Saturday 7th September
6th September 2002
Lake Brienz
PS Lötschberg operated an evening Jazz cruise from Interlaken on Friday 6th September departing Interlaken at 1930
Lake Zurich
PS Stadt Rapperswil operated the annual
evening Steam Boat Party from Zurich on
Friday 6th September departing at 2000
5th September 2002
Lake Geneva
PS Simplon operated the annual special cruise from Lausanne at 0915 for the 525th Thonon-les-Bains Fair on Thursday 5th September
This was the last public sailing by PS Simplon during 2002
26th August 2002

Lake Luzern
Whilst operating sailing 13 with approx 300 passengers on board, PS Stadt Luzern failed to slow down at Flüelen pier at 1455 on Monday
26th August

The paddle steamer was approaching the end
of sailing 13 (1120 'Wilhelm Tell Express'
Luzern to Flüelen
) when her hull became
embedded in the mud just short of the retaining
wall
The passengers were able to leave the steamer
with some delay and continue their journey
The paddle steamer's booked return sailing 26 started from Bauen with the Brunnen based mv Titlis as far as Trieb where mv Waldstätter took over back to Luzern
Pasengers returning from Flüelen travelled on
a later sailing  ( PS Schiller operated the next sailing 28 at 1620)
PS Stadt Luzern was subsequently pulled from
the mud by the Arnold company's 600 ton,
50 metre cargo vessel "Rudenz" built in 1991
Following repairs to the valve, the flagship was able to leave Flüelen at 2040 under its own steam and arrived back at Luzern Docks at 2230 for a thorough overnight examination
Fortunately there was no serious damage and the paddle steamer was able to operate her regular sailings 13-26 on Tuesday 27th August

See also photo feature
24th August 2002
Lake Luzern
The Tell Me sailing 111 was unusually operated by the two 100 year old steamers PS Uri and PS Unterwalden on the evening of Saturday 24th August
18th August 2002
Lake Geneva
PS Rhône broke down for the third time
during 2002 with further serious problems with
the hydraulic control system of the engine
whilst operating the 1220 lunch cruise
sailing 92 from Geneva on Sunday 18th August

and was withdrawn from service for the remainder of 2002
Apparantly the equipment had failed twice to
react and on one occasion the crew managed to
moor PS Rhône to the former static PS Valais
(permanently moored at Jardin-Anglais) to
prevent a repeat of the accident to MPV Vevey
on Friday 12th April this year
Do you know what time the breakdowns occured ?
17th August 2002
Lake Geneva
PS Simplon operated the last of a short series
of evening Disco Cruises from Geneva at 2300
on Saturday 17th August
14th August 2002
Lake Como
Italian National Holiday Week
PS Concordia operated weekday sailings
10-47
from Como at 0920 from Wednesday
14th August
to Saturday 17th August vice
mv Milano
Lake Zurich
PS Stadt Rapperswil had just left Uetikon
whilst operating sailing 136 on Wednesday 14th August with a full load of passengers on board heading for Meilen
After about 500 metres at 1607 a sailing boat collided with the starbord paddle wheel housing and the sailor fell overboard and sustained injuries, resulting in him being taken to hospital No damage was caused to either vessel and the paddle steamer continued to Zurich about 15 minutes later
11th August 2002
Lake Geneva
PS Simplon operated the (five-day) " week of the Simplon" timetabled sailings along the full length of the lake instead of the smaller PS Savoie on
        Sunday 11th August
        Monday 12th August
        Tuesday 13th August
        Wednesday 14th August
 and Thursday 15th August
see also photo feature
10th August 2002
Lake Geneva
PS Simplon operated the annual sailing from Yvoire (France) at 2005 to the Fêtes de Genève Fireworks at Geneva on Saturday 10th August
- this sailing was traditionally operated by MPV Helvétie (which had been laid-up from
Spring 2002)
Lake Luzern
In additional to the normal timetabled sailings,
PS Stadt Luzern and PS Uri operated the annual special evening fireworks cruises from Luzern at 1945 on Saturday 10th August
cruising round Luzern Bay for the annual fireworks display
9th August 2002
Lake Thun
PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Jazz
Cruise
from Thun at 2000 on Friday 9th August
7th August 2002
Lake Luzern
PS Unterwalden operated the regular special evening cruise from Beckenreid at 1940 on Wednesday 7th August instead of the usual mv Waldstätter
1st August 2002
All lakes
Swiss National Day - Thursday 1st August
Lake Brienz
In additional to the regular timetabled sailings 63-64-69-70,   PS Lötschberg operate an evening fireworks cruise from Interlaken
Lake Geneva
In additional to the regular timetabled sailings
PS Simplon operated an evening dance cruise from Geneva at 2030
Lake Luzern
The four operational paddle steamers operated
a normal Sunday timetable on Thursday 1st August leaving all the Alpnachstad sailings to be operated by motor vessels
PS Unterwalden and PS Schiller exchanged
their normal rosters and the latter operate non-stop from Beckenried to Luzern on sailing 28a
Fireworks at Brunnen
All four operational paddle steamers sailed in convoy along with some of the motor vessels
from Luzern at 2000 to Brunnen for the annual fireworks display
Lake Thun
In additional to the regular afternoon timetabled sailings 15-16,   PS Blümlisalp took part in the annual evening naval parade from Thun at 2030
Lake Zurich
In additional to the revised timetabled sailings,
(neither paddle steamer being able to sail into the Obersee due to major engineering works at the railway bridge) PS Stadt Zürich operated
an evening cruise from Zurich at 2015 on Thursday 1st August
Lake Konstanz
Last visit of 2002 to Switzerland (advised to me)
PS Hohentwiel operated a Swiss coast cruise from Romanshorn at 1315 on Thursday 1st August
26th July 2002
Lake Geneva
PS Simplon operated the first of a short series
of evening Disco Cruises from Geneva commencing on Friday 26th July
23rd July 2002
Lake Luzern
PS Unterwalden operated the regular special evening cruise from Brunnen at 2000 on Tuesday 23rd July instead of the usual motor vessel
19th July 2002
Lake Thun
PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Jazz
Cruise
from Thun at 2000 on Friday 19th July
16th July 2002
Lake Luzern
PS Uri operated an evening cruise from
Flüelen at 1930 on Tuesday 16th July
In consequence PS Unterwalden operated
the regular 1915 'Sunset Cruise' from Luzern to Vitznau
11th July 2002
Lake Geneva
PS Montreux broke down with generator
trouble off Rolle on the return evening cruise sailing 218 on Thursday 11th July 2002
MPV Vevey (which was on a Private Charter)
was diverted and passengers off PS Montreux were transferred and conveyed to Rolle pier to complete their journey by bus
This was the first time PS Montreux had failed to complete any public sailing since returning
to steam propulsion in 2001
Lake Garda
MPV Italia made a rare timetabled sailing and unusually operated the 'full-length' sailing 10 from Desenzano to Riva vice the regular car-ferry on Thursday 11th July (the day of the Italian National 'Strike')
Do you have any further information ?
9th July 2002
Lake Geneva
MPV Vevey operated an afternoon Dance Cruise from Geneva at 1430 on Tuesday 9th July
7th July 2002
Lake Brienz
The 'bow-rudder' of the PS Lotschberg
jammed at right-angles after leaving Brienz at 1604 whilst operating sailing 70 on Sunday 7th July
The captain managed to steer the ship, with about 600 passengers on board, using just the 'stern-rudder' to counter the 'bow-rudder' problems as far as Bönigen where it was decided not to attempt to sail the usual 'stern-first' along the River Aare
Passengers were conveyed forward to Interlaken by bus and the following motor vessel
Repairs to the damaged 'bow-rudder' were undertaken over the next three days (with timetabled services opareated by a motor vessel) and the paddle steamer was back in service on Thursday 11th July
Initially the paddle steamer acted as a "temporary" extension to Bönigen pier with passengers joining and alighting the motor vessels by walking through PS Lötschberg
5th July 2002
Lake Geneva
MPV Italie operated the first of a series of new Friday evening Dance Cruises from the Upper Lake piers on Friday 5th July
28th June 2002
Lake Luzern
In conection with the Annual General Meeting
of the SGV the previous day, PS Unterwalden operated a relief morning cruise from Luzern to Flüelen on Friday 28th June
The return sailing was unusually shown to return non-stop and was scheduled to take a
leisurely 105 minutes !

Can YOU confirm how long it actually took ?
22nd June 2002
Lake Brienz
PS Lötschberg operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Interlaken at 1930 on Saturday 22nd June
Lake Luzern
Festival and Fireworks at Bouchs
To complete the weekend celebrations for 100 years of PS Unterwalden there was a special evening cruise on Saturday 22nd June from Luzern at 1815 by a motor vessel
Lake Konstanz
PS Hohentwiel operated an international cruise from Rorschach at 1200 on Saturday 22nd June
Lake Como
PS Concordia operated a Fireworks cruise from Como to Isola Comacina on Saturday 22nd June
21st June 2002
Lake Luzern
Festival at Bouchs
PS Unterwalden operated a special evening cruise from Luzern at 1815 on Friday 21st June
Whilst at Bouchs, the paddle steamer also operated two short free non-landing cruises
16th June 2002
All Lakes
Sunday 16th June (again later than in recent years) marked the official start of Summer Schedules for all Swiss Railways and Lake Steamers (including calls at most of the "Summer Only" piers)
There were minor timing alterations to many services  -  for full details see the individual Timetable Index for each lake:-
Brienz
Geneva - exception (started Sunday 19th May)
Luzern - exception (started Sunday 19th May)
Thun
Zurich

5th June 2002
Lake Geneva
PS Rhône made a rare appearance on the morning Lausanne to Evian-les-Bains ferry
service on Wednesday 5th June instead of the regular mv Léman
Relief is normally provided by another motor vessel or occasionally by one of the two smaller motor paddle vessels during the winter period
29th May 2002
Lake Geneva
MPV Vevey took part in an "Exercise - Fire on the Vevey" between 0800 and 1015 in the bay of Geneva before normal timetabled sailings
22nd May 2002

1992-2002
Lake Thun
Ten years since the re-introduction of paddle steamers on Lake Thun
PS Blümlisalp returned to service ten years ago (after being laid-up for the previous twenty years) and to celebrate operated public sailings 15-16 (1327 from Thun to Interlaken and 1555 return) on Wednesday 22nd May instead of one of the motor vessels
20th May 2002
Lake Brienz
PS Lötschberg operated sailings 63-64-69-70
(1131 and 1431 Interlaken to Brienz and
return) on Whit Monday 20th May instead of one of the motor vessels
Lake Thun
PS Blümlisalp operated sailings 15-16 (1327
from Thun to Interlaken and 1555 return)
on Whit Monday 20th May instead of one of the motor vessels
Lake Zurich
PS Stadt Rapperswil was the first paddle steamer of 2002 to visit Schmerikon and operated sailings 209-210 (1230 from Zurich
and 1610 return) on Whit Monday 20th May instead of one of the motor vessels
15th May 2002

1902-2002
Lake Luzern
PS Unterwalden was 100 years old on
Wednesday 15th May
The paddle steamer first operated timetabled sailings 7-18 (0915 Luzern to Flüelen and 1200 return) .......
....... before a special Evening Cruise from Luzern at 1800 to Alpnachstad
12th May 2002
All lakes
Swiss Mothers Day
usually results in additional or special sailings on most of the Swiss Lakes, some of which are by paddle steamers
Lake Brienz
This year PS Lötschberg was in service again
(last year she was in the middle of a re-build)
and operated the usual two round trips from
Interlaken to Brienz and return at 1131 and
1431
Lake Geneva
Six paddle steamers met at Rolle at 1445 for a
90 minute Naval Parade which included sailing
round the island of La Harpe on Sunday 12th May
In addition, the remaining motor paddle vessel operated timetabled sailings 80a-91b
Lake Luzern
As well as the usual sailings by PS Uri and
PS Stadt Luzern on Sunday 12th May the virtually 100 year old PS Unterwalden operated the 1020 breakfast sailing to Küssnacht am Rigi before the afternoon sailing to Flüelen vice a motor vessel
Lake Thun
PS Blümlisalp operated just the regular sailings 15-16 from Thun on Sunday 12th May
Lake Zurich
No paddle steamers were advertised to be in service on Swiss Mothers Day - Sunday 12th
May
and in view of the inclement weather it is understood neither paddle steamer left dock

Can you confirm ?
Lake Konstanz
PS Hohentwiel operated an afternoon Swiss coast cruise commencing at Romanshorn at 1615 on Sunday 12th May
9th May 2002
Lake Brienz
PS Lötschberg operated sailings 63-64-69-70 (1131 and 1431 Interlaken to Brienz and
return) on Ascension Thursday 9th May instead of one of the motor vessels
Lake Luzern
Three paddle steamers were on timetabled service including PS Uri operating the normal spring Sunday sailings also PS Unterwalden which operated the 1020 breakfast sailing to Küssnacht am Rigi before the afternoon sailing to Flüelen vice a motor vessel on Ascension Thursday 9th May
Lake Thun
PS Blümlisalp operated a special morning jazz cruise from Thun at 1000 before operating sailings 15-16 (1327 from Thun to Interlaken
and 1555 return) instead of one of the motor vessels on Ascension Thursday 9th May
5th May 2002
Lake Geneva
The large PS La Suisse operated three short 45 minute afternoon crusies from Geneva on Sunday 5th May
4th May 2002
Lake Konstanz
First visit of 2002 to Switzerland
PS Hohentwiel operated a short non-landing Swiss coast cruise from Rorschach on Saturday 4th May
2nd May 2002
Lake Luzern
PS Unterwalden operated an evening steam
and dream cruise
from Luzern at 1800 on Thursday 2nd May
28th April 2002
All lakes
Swiss Navigation Day
traditionally marks the start of excursion sailings (as opposed to ferry runs) on most of
the main Swiss Lakes
Lake Brienz
This year PS Lötschberg was back in service again (last year she was in the middle of a re-build) and operated the usual two round
trips from Interlaken to Brienz and return at
1131 and 1431
Lake Geneva
Three paddle steamers were in service this
year on Sunday 28th April
Unfortunately the large MPV Helvétie was no
longer available to make another rare public appearance on the Geneva based sailings 80
-110 -134-91
to Yvoire so her place was taken
by PS La Suisse
PS Simplon also operated sailings 33-50-64-155 from Lausanne to Evian-les-Bains then to
St-Gingolph whilst MPV Italie operated her usual sailings 43-172-179-206 from Lausanne
to Geneva then to Evian-les-Bains
Lake Luzern
Although the official timetable only advertised
two paddle steamers to be in service on Sunday
28th April
 PS Unterwalden was also be in
service and operated sailings 59-66-17-28 vice
a motor vessel
Lake Thun
PS Blümlisalp commenced operation for the
2002 season on Sunday 28th April with the usual sailings 15-16 from Thun at 1327
Lake Zurich
PS Stadt Zürich operated five special "one hour trips" from Zurich at 1030, 1200, 1330, 1500 and 1630
In addition PS Stadt Rapperswil operated sailings 101-102-115-116 vice a motor vessel
- 0930 and 1430 Zurich to Rapperswil and return
25th April 2002
Lake Como
Italian National Holiday
PS Concordia operated sailings 12-31 from
Como at 1000 on Thursday 25th April vice a motor vessel followed by a short late-afternoon relief sailing to Torno
21st April 2002
Lake Geneva
The large PS Simplon made a third
appearance on timetabled services and
operated sailings 33-50-64-155 on Sunday 21st April as a consequence of the damage to MPV Vevey on Friday 12th April
Lake Como
PS Concordia was partially re-furbished over the winter and operated sailings 12-31 on
Sunday 21st April vice the advertised motor vessel followed by a short relief sailing to Torno
14th April 2002
Lake Geneva
The large PS Simplon made a second
appearance on timetabled services and
operated sailings 30-91-80-191 on Sunday 14th
April
vice PS Rhône which had broken down a
second time the previous Sunday
13th April 2002
Lake Geneva
The large PS Simplon made a rare appearance
on timetabled services and operated sailings
80-191
on Saturday 13th April as a
consequence of the damage to MPV Vevey the
previous evening
12th April 2002

Lake Geneva
Whilst returning from Yvoire on Friday 12th April operating sailing 99 with approx 25 passengers on board, MPV Vevey collided with Mont Blanc bridge at approx 1810 whilst swinging round to Mont Blanc pier
It appears that there were problems with the
rudder, which failed to respond and the flow of the water entering the River Rhône swept the motor paddle vessel violently onto the bridge before the anchor could be dropped - all passengers were safely landed direct onto the bridge using one of its parapets which was the same height as the upper deck
One of the motor paddle vessel's windows was broken by the base of a flag pole on the bridge
- however a full examination was required to ascertain if any serious damage has occured to the motor paddle vessel below the water line
The lock gate on the river was subsequently closed to stem the flow of the water and the motor paddle vessel was able to move away from the bridge with assistance from the local police launches
MPV Vevey returned to Ouchy works for repairs and remained out of service until Thursday 9th May
(see also library picture of Mont Blanc bridge with the former PS Valais moored in the
background)
7th April 2002
Lake Geneva
PS Rhône broke down for the second week running at approx 1400 on Sunday 7th April on arrival at Lausanne after operating sailing 91
The afternoon sailings 80-191 were operated instead by mv Chablais following its Sunday lunch cruise to Evian-les-Bains
PS Rhône returned to Ouchy works for repairs
1st April 2002
Lake Geneva
The large 'flagship' mv Lausanne made a rare appearance on longer distance timetabled services by operating sailings 30-91-80-191 on Easter Monday vice PS Rhône which had broken down the previous afternoon
31st March 2002
Lake Geneva
PS Rhône broke down at Villeneuve at approx 1545 on Easter Sunday
Passengers were transferred to mv Grèbe (operating sailing 372 which was diverted and called specially) to continue their journey direct to St-Gingolph - its delayed return sailing 381 then called at all the Upper Lake piers to Montreux where passengers again transferred to mv Ville-de-Genève (which had returned light from Ouchy after operating sailing 155) for a much delayed sailing 191 arriving back at Lausanne at approx 2000 - one hour late
PS Rhône limped back under her own steam to Ouchy works (arrive approx 1800) for repairs
Lake Zurich
PS Stadt Rapperswil entered service early and operated sailings 111-112 (1330 Zurich to Rapperswil and 1525 return) on Easter Sunday,
vice a motor vessel
29th March 2002
Lake Luzern
PS Uri and PS Stadt Luzern opened the 2002 season on Good Friday 29th March departing Luzern for Flüelen at 0915 and 1120 respectively
24th March 2002
Lake Geneva
 C A N C E L L E D 
MPV Vevey was planned to operate the Winter sailings 82-43-96-71-118-87 from Geneva on Sunday 24th March instead of the regular mv Général-Guisan but this arrangement was cancelled last minute due to delays to the ships winter overhaul programme
This would have been the first time a paddle steamer had operated a Winter Timetabled service from Geneva for many years
11th March 2002
Lake Geneva
PS Montreux commenced her longest season yet with her charter sailings expected to keep her in service until the end of 2002
Public sailings included the special Naval Parade on Sunday 12th May and timetabled
sailings between Sunday 30th June and Sunday 1st September
24th February 2002
Lake Geneva
MPV Vevey took over from MPV Italie as the only paddle steamer in service and operated
the 1230 Lausanne to St-Gingolph Sunday afternoon sailing from Sunday 24th February until the end of the Winter timetable
12th January 2002
Lake Geneva
MPV Italie took over the Lausanne to Evian-les-Bains ferry service on Saturdays between 12th and 26th January ( 6 return ferry crossings) also 2nd February ( 7 return ferry crossings)
6th January 2002
Lake Geneva
MPV Italie opened the 2002 season and operated sailings 64-173 on Sunday 6th January
2nd January 2002
Lake Luzern
PS Uri operated a breakfast cruise from Luzern
at 1015 before timetabled sailings 17-26 on Wednesday 2nd January
1st January 2002
Lake Luzern
PS Uri opened the 2002 season and operated sailings 17-26 on New Year's Day
 
Earlier News


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Lake Brienz Lake Como Lake Garda Lake Geneva Lake Konstanz Lake Luzern Lake Maggiore Lake Thun Lake Zurich PS Fleets Restore Frames

Updated - Lakes Brienz, Geneva, Luzern, Thun, Zurich, Konstanz, Maggiore, Como, Garda 9th March 2004   e-mail:john@rhos.screaming.net   (c)1999-2004 John B Bird