Thursday 24 June 2010

Lake of Lucerne paddle steamer introductions

If you have not visited the website of SGV  (Schiffartgeselschafft des Vierwaldstattersee or the Lake of Lucerne Navigation Company) for a while you might find some interest in a relatively new addition to their website - movies introducing the services and ships operated by the company. Of particular interest to paddle steamer enthusiasts will be the individual films introducing the paddle steamers Stadt Luzern, Uri, Schiller and Gallia, all four vessels being introduced by one of the SGV captains. The film on DS (Dampfschiff) Uri has some excellent views of the vessel's stunning First Class (Dining) Saloon, famed for its elaborately decorated wood panelling and its unique deckhead, adorned with delicately painted Alpine flowers. The Uri is introduced by Captain Beat Kallenbach who has been closely associated with Switzerland's oldest operational paddle steamer for a number of years and many Scottish Branch members will remember meeting Capt Kallenbach during his visit to Waverley during her Diamond Jubilee celebrations on the Clyde in 2007 when Waverley flew the flag of Uri (the paddler and he Swiss Canton after which she is named) to mark Capt Kallenbach's visit and recognising that he flew Waverley's name pennant and the houseflag of the Waverley Steam Navigation Company on the 'jackstaff' and mainmast of DS Uri during a visit of several of the Scottish paddler's crew to Lucerne some years earlier. This is the link to the SGV movies gallery - once you get there you can select the movies indiviually:

http://www.lakelucerne.ch/en/company/movie-gallery.html

The flagship of the SGV steamer fleet is DS Stadt Luzern, the largest and newest of the five vintage steamers on the lake. Senior master Captain Kuno Stein, for many years associated with DS Schiller, introduces Stadt Luzern as her master. Capt Stein is also remenbered by many PSPS members for his visits to Waverley and Kingswear Castle on the Clyde and the Western Isles and on the Thames and Medway.

Captain Kuno Stein on paddle steamer Schiller
Captain Stein enjoying a sail on paddle steamer Waverley from Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland.
A close encounter with paddle steamer Stadt Luzern near Treib on Lake of Lucerne
Paddle steamer Stadt Luzern passing under the spectacular rock structures where the scars of geological turmoil that happened much earlier in plant Earth's life are laid bare for all to see. The incredible Axenstrasse roadway between Brunnen and Fluelen was blasted and cut through the mountains in recent times. Motor ship Rigi can be seen ahead of the paddler, heading to Fluelen from Tellesplatte. Part of the Alpinr resort of Seelisburg can be seen in the mountains above MS Rigi .
Paddle Steamer Uri on the Vierwaldstattersee
Captain Beat Kallenbach on Uri on Lake of Lucerne
Paddle Steamer Schiller sailing between Rutli and Bauen in 2007
Paddle Steamer Schiller's builders plate
Paddle Steamer Gallia sailing between Vitznau and Beckenreid in 2008
All pictures are my own more at :


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