DS Unterwalden-Back in Service

Saturday, 6 August 2011

DS Unterwalden-Back in Service

Approaching Vitznau on Swiss National Day (1st August 2011)

The Lake Lucerne paddle steamer Unterwalden returned to service in May this year after an overhaul lasting over 30 months and costing more than 10 million Swiss francs (£8 million).

Unterwalden was built by the renowned Swiss company Escher Wyss and entered service on 18^th May 1902. Since then she has had 4 general overhauls, including a period from 1978 to 1985 when she was out of service. Substantial rebuilding in 1961 allowed her to sail under the then new Acheregg motorway bridge. Her appearance after that overhaul was less in keeping with her original build and this recent overhaul has ensured that she looks more like she appeared in 1902 while incorporating the latest technology. The masts, funnel and wheelhouse can still be lowered to allow her to reach Alpnachstad, she is the only paddler able to do this. The outside steering stand and tent structure on the upper foredeck have been remodelled and the Stubli has been created once again under the wheelhouse. The restoration of the First Class saloon is of the highest standard complete with hand-painted ceiling decorations.

This year during the peak season Unterwalden is on the 1045 departure from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, she is then on the 1400 Lucerne to Kussnacht and also the 1545 Lucerne to Stansstad. This gives her a slightly different roster from that which she operated prior to her recent overhaul. She is also being used on the sunset cruises (the 1912 to Vitznau) on a Tuesday and Wednesday through July and August. Previously these cruises had been operated by Uri during the peak season. It is thought from next year the daily sunset cruise will be operated by a paddle steamer everyday in the peak season. I can certainly recommend any sailing on Lake Lucerne by a paddler but dining in the First Class saloon aboard Unterwalden while experiencing a sunset is a memory which will last a lifetime.

The following pictures should give some idea of the standard of the work which has been carried out on Unterwalden and her current appearance. Reference can be made to the blog given on this site dated 29^th December 2010.

One of the orginal boiler plates

Steam Engine

Upper Foredeck

Stubli

Upper deck looking aft

First Class Saloon looking forward
(Note the wood carving and ceiling)

Note the attention to detail in the wood carving, chairs and ceiling in the First Class Saloon

Lower deck looking forward

Pursers' Office

On route to Brunnen for the fireworks to mark Swiss National Day

Paul Semple

No comments:

Post a Comment

The Society

The Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS) is Britain's longest established, largest and most successful steamship preservation group.
A registered charity founded in 1959, we have over 3000 members and through our associated charitable companies we operate the only two working paddle steamers in Great Britain.
Without the PSPS there would no longer be the opportunity to sail on a Paddle Steamer in Great Britain.

Our aims
i) to preserve paddle steamers in sailing condition
ii) to educate the public in the historic significance of paddle steamers in the Nation's maritime and industrial heritage
iii) to acquire, preserve and exhibit a collection of equipment and material associated with paddle steamers.

Our Ships

Flagship of our fleet is Waverley the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world. Built in 1947 Waverley was gifted to the Society for just £1. As well as operating on her native Clyde each summer she visits other coastal areas around the UK during the spring and autumn each year.

Kingswear Castle is Britain's only operational coal-fired paddle steamer. Built in 1924 to sail on the River Dart she was purchased by the Society in 1967. From 1985 until 2012 she sailed the Thames and Medway. In 2013 Kingswear Castle returned to the Dart where she now operates public sailings during the summer season.

The society is composed of five branches: Scottish, London & Home Counties, Bristol Channel, Wessex & Dart and North England - all of which help raise money to keep our paddle steamers sailing.

The Scottish Branch

The Scottish Branch was formed in 1969 by Douglas McGowan, now our Honorary Branch President. In November 1973 Douglas was invited to attend a meeting with CalMac which resulted in Paddle Steamer Waverley being gifted to the PSPS for £1! It was then on 8th August 1974 that the PSPS took ownership of the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world and her second career in preservation had begun. Since 1974 the Scottish Branch has been directly linked to supporting Waverley.

The Scottish Branch is proud of its achievements. We are an active and forward thinking branch with a thriving membership of over 800 - we are proud to be the branch which secured an operational future for Waverley. Our members are regularly involved with voluntary work which helps ensure Waverley continues to sail. During the summer sailing season we help raise funds through the Society's Grand Draw and our annual fundraising cruise on Waverley. The Branch meets in Glasgow each month during the non-sailing season (October - April) and we extend an invitation to join the Society and indeed join the Scottish Branch.

Saturday, 6 August 2011