PS Stadt Rapperswil

Lake Zurich
Date entered service -- 1914
Length -- 59.1m
Breadth -- 13.1m
Passenger capacity -- 850
Alternates with sister PS Stadt Zürich and
normally operates or one/two round trip/s between Zurich and Rapperswil
 
2nd April 2023 First sailings of the season
Planned to operate the first advertised sailings 111-112 of the 2023 season on Sunday 2nd April
 
2022 Spent the entire 2022 season at the dock undertaking a major re-build
 
24th October 2021 Last sailings of the season
Operated the final advertised sailings 111-112 of the 2021 season on Sunday 24th October
1st August 2021 Swiss National Day
Operated an Evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich instead of the advertised sailings 105-106-117-118 on Sunday 1st August which were covered by mv Linth
15th July 2021 50 years of "Raddampfer Ahoi! Zurichsee (1970-2020)"
Due to the rapidly rising level of the lake her planned sailings 111-112 had to be covered by the small mv Albis on Thursday 15th July before all Rapperswil sailings had to be SUSPENDED for the next week
19th June 2021 50 years of "Raddampfer Ahoi! Zurichsee (1970-2020)"
Originally planned to operate in 2020,  the paddle steamer along with sister PS Stadt Zürich was planned to operate a delayed special Parade to the Upper Lake on Saturday 19th June in timings similar to those originally planned for Saturday 20th June to celebrate 50 years of preservation of the paddle steamers - but this also had to be abandoned due to the ongoing Coronavirus restrictions
2nd April 2021 First sailings of the season
Operated the retimed 1420 afternoon sailings 111-112 from Zurich to Rapperswil and back on Good Friday 2nd April
 
3rd October 2020 Last sailings of the season
Operated the 1415 lunch-time sailings 111-112 from Zurich to Rapperswil and back vice a motor vessel on Saturday 3rd October
 20th June 2020  50 years of "Raddampfer Ahoi! Zurichsee (1970-2020)"
The paddle steamer along with sister PS Stadt Zürich was planned to operate a special Parade to the Upper Lake on Saturday 20th June to celebrate 50 years of preservation of the paddle steamers,  BUT this has had to be postponed until 2021 due to the Coronavirus precautions
17th June 2020 Both paddle steamers unusually operated timetabled sailings on the same day
Whilst PS Stadt Zürich covered the advertised sailings 111-112 - she operated sailings 105-106-117-118 on Wednesday 17th June - the second round trip being the evening 1715 cruise from Zurich which is normally a motor vessel
15th June 2020 First sailings of the season
The paddle steamer eventually entered service and operated sailings 111-112 instead of PS Stadt Zurich on Monday 15th June
8th June 2020 A temporary post-coronavirus timetable started on Monday 8th June with sister PS Stadt Zurich operating just one round trip - sailings 111-112 whilst PS Stadt Rapperswil remained "on standby" at the dock
 5th April 2020   First sailings of the season 
The paddle steamer was originally planned to return to service for the 2020 season with the first timetabled sailing either by "her" or sister PS Stadt Zürich operating the "new" sailings 111-112 from Zurich to Rapperswil and back on Sunday 5th April,
BUT this was CANCELLED due to the Coronavirus restrictions
 
20th October 2019 Last sailings of the season
Operated the 1230 lunch-time sailings 109-110 from Zurich to Rapperswil and back vice a motor vessel on Sunday 20th October
29th September 2019 Last advertised sailings of the season
Operated the full-length sailings 107-108 from Zurich to Schmerikon and back on Sunday 29th September
With only a once-a-day "shuttle" service advertised for 2020,  this was likely to have been the last sailing by a paddle steamer to the Upper lake for a considerable time
23rd July 2019 Despite being shown "spare" the advertised sailings were cover by a motor vessel on the Tuesday 23rd July - the first of several occasions throughout the remainder of the seasonl - no reason was given as to why the paddle steamer was not used
6th July 2019 Zurich Festival
Operated an Evening Fireworks Cruise from Zurich at 1950 on Saturday 7th July
A similar cruise was also advertised for the previous Friday but as there was also a private charter booked and only one paddle steamer was operational,   the public cruise was covered by a motor vessel
7th April 2019 First timetabled sailing of the season
The paddle steamer returned to service on Sunday 7th April and operated the lunchtime sailings 109-110 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return at 1230
4th April 2017 First outing of the season
The paddle steamer operated a pre-season charter sailing for the "Aktion pro Raddampfer" supporters on Thursday 4th April
 
21st October 2018 Last sailings of the season
Operated the 1230 lunch-time sailings 109-110 from Zurich to Rapperswil and back vice a motor vessel on Sunday 21st October
1st August 2018 Swiss National Day
Operated an Evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2015 on Wednesday 1st August
28th June 2018 Operated the first of several special Thursday evening "BBQ cruises from Zurich on Thursday 28th June
30th April 2018 First sailings of the season
Operated the full-length sailings 111-112 from Zurich to Rapperswil and back on Monday 30th April vice a motor vessel
 
15th October 2017 Last actual sailings of the season
Operated the 1230 lunch-time sailings 109-110 from Zurich to Rapperswil and back vice a motor vessel on Sunday 15th October
7th October 2017 Operated as evening Fondue cruise from Zurich at 2000 on Sunday 7th October
30th September 2017 Last advertised sailings of the season
Operated the full-length sailings 107-108 from Zurich to Schmerikon and back on Saturday 30th September
26th August 2017 The paddle steamer set off from Zurich as planned at 0930 for Rapperswil on Saturday 26th August operating sailing 103 but 'appanently' failed to return
Later sister PS Stadt Zürich arrived light from the dock at 1415 and covered the 1430 sailing 113 to Rapperswil

Do YOU have any further information ?
19th July 2017 Following operating her normal timetabled sailings the previous day, the paddle steamer remained in dock from Wednesday 19th July whilst repairs were made to her port paddle wheel
It is understood this involved re-welding part of her new paddle wheel which had been built to replace the one which was damaged when she grounded in strong winds on Friday 17th July 2015
She ran a public "test" day as far as Rapperswil only on Thursday 17th August..........
..........and subsequently re-started her regualar timetabled sailings alternating with sister PS Stadt Zürich the following Wednesday
6th May 2017 "Swiss Navigation Weekend"
The paddle steamer operated the annual Evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2000 on Saturday 6th May
2nd April 2017 First timetabled sailing of the season
The paddle steamer operated the lunchtime sailings 109-110 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return at 1230 on Sunday 2nd April
28th March 2017 First outing of the season
The paddle steamer operated a pre-season AGM charter sailing for the "Aktion pro Raddampfer" supporters on Tuesday 28th March
 
8th May 2016 Last sailings of the season
Swiss Mothers Day

Operated the lunchtime Mothers Day Lunch Cruise from Zurich at 1130 on Sunday 8th May..........
..........but instead of then operating her rostered afternoon sailing to Rapperswil, she limped back to dock for repairs - which turned out to be more serious than initially thought, so after discovering the piston rings of the high pressure cylinder were broken the ZSG subsequently announced the paddle steamer would be taken out of service for the rest of the 2016 season
24th April 2016 First timetabled sailing of the season
"Swiss Navigation Day"
The paddle steamer operated the lunchtime sailings 109-110 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return at 1230 on Sunday 24th April
These turned out to be her only timetabled sailings of 2016
23rd April 2016 First public sailing of the season
"Swiss Navigation Weekend"
The paddle steamer operated an Evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2000 on Saturday 23rd April
13th April 2016 First outing of the season
The paddle steamer operated a pre-season charter sailing
 
17th July 2015 Last sailings of the season
The paddle steamer was blown aground whilst operating sailing 108 from Schmerikon and damaged her port paddle wheel on Friday 17th July
She was towed back to dock by mv Phanta Rhei for repairs
She remained out of service for the rest of the 2015 season
25th April 2015 "Swiss Navigation Weekend"
The paddle steamer operated an Evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2000 on Saturday 25th April
3rd April 2015 First sailings of the season
The paddle steamer operated lunch time sailings 109-110 at 1230 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return on Good Friday 3rd April
 
19th October 2014 Last sailings of the season
Operated sailings 107-108 (1130 from Zurich) on Sunday 19th October vice a motor vessel
1st August 2014 Swiss National Day
Operated an Evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2000 on Friday 1st August
2nd June 2014 The paddle steamer operated the regular Lunch-time Cruise from Zurich at 1210 on Monday 2nd June
24th May 2014 The paddle steamer operated an Evening Dinner Cruise from Rapperswil at 2000 on Saturday 24th May
26th April 2014 "Swiss Navigation Weekend"
The paddle steamer operated an Evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2000 on Saturday 26th April
6th April 2014 First public sailings of the season
The paddle steamer operated the lunch time sailings 109-110 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return on Sunday 6th April
5th April 2014 First outing of the season
The paddle steamer operated a pre-season charter sailing
 
20th October 2013 Last sailings of the season
Operated sailings 109-110 (1230 from Zurich) on Sunday 20th October vice a motor vessel
1st August 2013 Swiss National Day
Operated an Evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2000 on Thursday 1st August
12th May 2013 Owing to technical problems the paddle steamer had to terminate her morning sailing at Insel Ufenau and subsequently transferred her passengers to the following sailing
After about an hour she returned under her own steam direct to dock for repairs
The afternoon sailings 117-118 on Sunday 12th May were coved by the much smaller mv Säntis
28th April 2013 First timetabled sailings of the season
The paddle steamer operated lunch time sailings 107-108 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return on Sunday 28th April
27th April 2013 First sailing of the season - "Swiss Navigation Weekend"
The paddle steamer operated an Evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2000 on Saturday 27th April
 
21st October 2012 Last sailings of the season
Operated sailings 101-102-115-116 (0930 and 1430 from Zurich) on Sunday 21st October vice a motor vessel
31st August 2012 On the approch to Richterswil on sailing 118 on the return leg of her secound round trip of the day from Zurich to Rapperswil on Friday 31st August the paddle steamer struck floating driftwood which damaged her port paddle
Passengers were transferred to mv Säntis and subsequenlly mv Limatt arrived to tow the imobolised paddle steamer to Wollishofen dock for repairs
She returned to service on Saturday 15th for a private charter and resumed public sailings the following day
1st August 2012 Swiss National Day
Operated an Evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2000 on Wednesday 1st August
28th April 2012 Swiss Navigation Weekend
Operated an Evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 1900 on Saturday 28th April
1st April 2012 First sailings of the season
The paddle steamer returned to service on Sunday 1st April operating lunch time sailings 109-110 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return
 
23rd October 2011 Last sailings of the season
Operated sailings 109-110 (1230 from Zurich) on Sunday 23rd October vice a motor vessel
1st August 2011 Swiss National Day
Operated an Evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2000 on Monday 1st August
1st May 2011 First sailings of the season
The paddle steamer returned to service on Sunday 1st May operating sailings 105-106-117-118 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return
 
24th October 2010 Last sailings of the season
Operated sailings 101-102-115-116 (0930 and 1430 from Zurich) on Sunday 24th October vice a motor vessel
25th April 2010 First sailings of the season
The paddle steamer entered service on Swiss Navigation Sunday 25th April operating sailings 107-108
 
18th October 2009 Last sailings of the season
Operated sailings 101-102-115-116 (0930 and 1430 from Zurich) on Sunday 18th October vice a motor vessel
8th September 2009 The paddle steamer broke down approaching Schmerikon on Tuesday 8th September on her outward sailing 103 and she had to be assisted to the pier where she remained until she "cooled down" - see also news item
8th July 2009 The paddle steamer broke down at Küsnact on Wednesday 8th July on her outward afternoon sailing 119 where she remained until mv Limmat arrived to tow her back to Wollishofen dock for repairs - see also news item
5th April 2009 First sailings of the season
Owing to the shortage of operational motor veseels at the start of the summer timetable, the paddle steamer was pressed into service early and operated sailings 101-102-115-116 on Sunday 5th April on a non-advertised baasis
 
19th October 2008 Last planned sailings of the season
The paddle steamer set off from dock as planned on Sunday 19th October but failed to reach Zurich pier - see also the news item
Repairs were undertaken in time for her to sail to Zurich for the annual static Wine Festival at the end of the month

Do you have any further information ?
12th October 2008 Last public sailing of the season
The paddle steamer's season was cut short a week early due to a subsequent breakdown so the final public sailings were a round trip from Zurich to Rapperswil at 1130 on Sunday 12th October
1st August 2008 Swiss National Day
Operated an Evening Cruise from Zurich at 2015 on Friday 1st August
8th July 2008 Shortly after the departure from Bürkliplatz on Tuesday 8th July the paddle steamer reduced speed due to the breakdown of a packing box on the high pressure cylinder but continued as far as Thalwil where she broke down and was taken out of service - see also the news item
The paddle steamer was observed back in service on Friday 18th July operating to Rapperswil but may have return to service earlier in the week
Do you have any further information ?
12th June 2008 The paddle steamer broke down at Insel Ufenau with a defective steam valve on Thursday 12th June on sailing 105 - approximately 50 passengers were transferred to other services and the paddle steamer returned direct to the dock at Zurich Wollishofen for repairs
27th April 2008 First sailings of the season
The paddle steamer operated sailings 107-108 from Zurich on Swiss Navigation Day Sunday 27th April
The 1130 departure from Zurich Bürkliplatz pier left in "parallel" with her sister
 
4th August 2007 Unusually operated the morning 0955 full length departure from Zurich to Schmerikon and return (sailings 103-104) vice the regular motor vessel on Saturday 4th August
See news item for further information about the breakdown of mv Helvetia
1st August 2007 Swiss National Day
Operated an Evening Cruise from Zurich at 2015 on Wednesday 1st August
6th and 7th July 2007 Zurich Festival
Operated Evening Dinner Cruises from Zurich at 1920 on Friday 6th July and Saturday 7th July
29th June  2006
Blues and Jazz Festival at Rapperswil
Operated an evening Jazz cruise to Rapperswil on Friday 29th June
29th April 2007 The paddle steamer broke down at Insel Ufenau with boiler problems on Sunday 29th April and passengers were subsequently transferred to other services - the paddle steamer was subsequently towed back to the dock at Zurich Wollishofen by a motor vessel
She was back in service on May Day Tuesday 1st May
15th April 2007 First sailings of the season
Returned to service early and operated sailings 111-112 (1330 from Zurich) on Sunday 15th April vice the "withdrawn" mv Panta Rhei
 
22nd October 2006 Last sailings of the season
Operated sailings 101-102-111-112 (0930 and 1330 from Zurich) on Sunday 22nd October vice a motor vessel
1st August 2006 Swiss National Day
Operated an Evening Cruise from Zurich at 2020 on Tuesday 1st August
15th July 2006 The paddle steamer broke down shortly after 1000 on Saturday 15th July and stopped for half-an-hour because of a defect with the control appliance for the steam boiler
1st July  2006
Operated an evening Jazz cruise to Rapperswil on Saturday 1st July
18th June 2005 The paddle steamer ran aground at Thalwil on Sunday 18th June when the bridge control failed to respond
15th June 2005 The paddle steamer broke down shortly after leaving Zurich after losing her anchor due to a hydraulic fault on Thursday 15th June
30th May  2006
First Sailings of the season
The paddle steamer returnet to service on Tuesday 30th May and operated a special inaugeration sailing
 
Autumn 2005 Withdrawn from service for a major re-build over the winter
23rd October 2005 Last sailings of the season
Operated sailings 101-102-111-112 (0930 and 1330 from Zurich) on Sunday 23rd October vice a motor vessel
28th August 2005 The paddle steamer broke down on arrival at Zurich just before operating her morning Breakfast Cruise on Sunday 28th August
Her rostered sailings were covered by the small mv Glärnisch
1st August 2005 Swiss National Day
Operated an Evening Cruise from Zurich at 2015 on Monday 1st August
19th June 2005 The paddle steamer terminated her morning Breakfast Cruise (sailing 101) at Thalwil due to electrical problems on Sunday 19th June and was taken out of service for repairs
- she re-entered service on Wednesday 22nd June
24th April 2005 First Sailings of the season
Swiss Navigation Day
Operated five special one hour non-landing cruises on Sunday 24th April
The paddle steamer was originally rostered to sail on Easter Sunday but that arrangement was cancelled due to poor weather with mv Linth operating instead
 
17th October 2004 Last sailings of the season
Operated sailings 101-102-111-112 (0930 and 1330 from Zurich) on Sunday 17th October vice a motor vessel
1st August 2004 Swiss National Day
Operated an Evening Cruise from Zurich at 2015 on Sunday 1st August
2nd and 3rd July 2004 Operated an evening Fireworks Cruise from Zurich at 1920 on Friday 2nd July and again on Saturday 3rd July in connection with the Zürich Festival
28th June 2004 ZSG AGM at Zürich-Wollishofen
Made a rare additional call at Zürich-Wollishofen pier whilst operating sailing 102 from Rapperswil on Monday 28th June
4th May 2004 First Timetabled Sailings of the season
Operated sailings 107-108 - 1130 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return - on Tuesday 4th May
This was after several earlier planned sailings were cancelled due to bad weather
25th April 2004 First Sailings of the season
Swiss Navigation Day
Operated five special one hour non-landing cruises on Sunday 25th April
 
19th October 2003 Final sailings of the season
Operated sailings 101-102-111-112 (0930 and 1330 from Zurich) on Sunday 19th October
28th June 2003 Operated a special evening 'Jazz Cruise' from Zurich at 1800 to the Rapperswil Blues and Jazz Festival on Saturday 28th June
27th April 2003 First sailings of the season
Operated sailings 111-112 on Swiss Navigation Sunday 27th April departing Zurich at 1330
 
20th October 2002 Final sailings of the season
Operated sailings 101-102-111-112 (0930 and 1330 from Zurich) on Sunday 20th October
5th October 2002 Made a rare Autumn Saturday appearance and operated lunchtime sailings 107-108 on Saturday 5th October
22nd September 2002 Final advertised timetabled sailings of the season
were on Sunday 22nd September
6th September 2002 Operated the annual Evening Steamboat 'Jazz Cruise' from Zurich at 2000 on Friday 6th September
30th June 2002 Final sailing of 2002 (reported to me) into the Obersee was on Sunday 30th June
can YOU confirm or advise otherwise ?
16th June 2002 Unusually operated the mid-morning 'Brunch Cruise' sailings 231-232 to Wädenswil followed by an afternoon sailing to Rappperswil instead of the traditional sailings 209-210 to Schmerikon on Sunday 16th June as a consequence of engineering work on the railway bridge leading into the Obersee
20th May 2002 Whit Monday
First visit of 2002 by a paddle steamer to Schmerikon instead of a motor vessel on Whit Monday 20th May
28th April 2002 Swiss Navigation Day
Operated two round trips from Zurich to Rapperswil instead of a motor vessel on Sunday 28th April
31st March 2002 First sailings of the season
Operated sailings 111-112 (1330 from Zurich) on Easter Sunday 31st March
 
21st October 2001 Final sailings of the season
Operated sailings 101-102-111-112 (0930 and 1330 from Zurich) on Sunday 21st October
30th September 2001 Operated sailings 209-210 (1230 from Zurich) on Sunday 30th September - this was the last visit to Schmerikonon by a paddle steamer in 2001
7th September 2001 Operated an Evening Jazz Cruise from Zurich at 2000 on Friday 7th September
6th and 7th July 2001 Operated special fireworks cruises for the Zurich Festival on Friday 6th July and Saturday 7th July
29th April 2001 First public sailings of 2001 - five special one hour non-landing cruises on Swiss Navigation Sunday 29th April
 
24th September 2000 Last timetabled sailings of 2000 on Sunday 24th September
28th May 2000 First timetabled sailing of 2000 on Sunday 28th May
30th April 2000 First public sailing of 2000 on Sunday 30th April (Swiss Navigation Day)
1330 "special four hour trip" from Zurich


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Updated - Lakes Brienz, Geneva, Luzern, Thun, Zurich, Konstanz, Maggiore, Como, Garda 30th December 2022   e-mail   (c)1999-2022 John B Bird