PADDLE WHEELS

STEAM ENGINES

the distinguishing features of Paddle Steamers

The method of propulsion used by the first steamships and still ideal for calm and shallow waters. Many paddlers have viewing port-holes on the main deck so the turning wheels and splashing waters can be seen to good effect.
 

Paddle Steamer engines are a testament to a magnificent history of engineering in the age of steam. They generally have their engines visible from a public gallery and are a major on-board attraction. Here the engineer adds lubrication oil to the machinery of lake Lucerne's PS Schiller as she pauses at a pier.

Whilst the propulsion method defines a paddle steamer, traditional styling remains an essential part of their attraction. Many paddlers such as Uri (above) are now over 100 years old.
Heritage afloat - and in practical use
 

The aim of the Foundation for Paddle Steamers Worldwide is to raise awareness of and interest in Paddle Steamers through a presence on the internet where enthusiasts and the general public alike can, through the the regularly updated Paddle Steamer Resources by Tramscape database, learn about Paddle Steamers and their operations, past and present.

It is hoped that increased interest will lead to increased patronage of existing Paddle Steamers and growing support for the organisations which are now closely involved in ensuring that they will continue to sail on long into the future and which are working towards restoring decommissioned ships for future service.

Passengers queue up for a trip on PS Blumlisalp on lake Thun (right). This paddler was derelict before being saved by enthusiasts. The Foundation believes that Paddle Steamers add something extra to a boat trip, generate a lot of public interest   and inspire enthusiasts to support them in other ways also. Click here to find out why.

A commercial ship has little future unless it is doing what it was built to do - sail in revenue service. Paddle Steamers can have good long-term prospects because they are significant revenue earners for their operators and are also recognised as having exceptional tourism-generating potential by public authorities in the areas in which they operate.

However, steamships generally do have higher operating costs than modern motor vessels and it is accepted that operators do need some external support in maintaining their paddle steamer fleets.
The organisations through which enthusiasts can make a real difference in helping to ensure the continued operation of these classic vessels are already there and have been extremely successful in their efforts. This makes Paddle Steamers ideal vessels for the wider marine enthusiast community to support.

Paddle Steamers became very successful on rivers, lakes and in estuarine waters, but just when their final demise was anticipated, a remarkable renaissance began. Rather than heading to the scrap yard, "life-expired" paddlers such as "Savoie" on Lake Geneva, seen here in dry dock in 2005 are now being totally refurbished for many more years' service. Click here for more.  

ENTHUSIASTS
Please support operational paddle steamers by sailing on these vessels as often as possible
Would you like to help either financially or practically - or join groups of like-minded people trying to do the same ? Paddle Steamer Waverley (right) is one such paddle steamer supported successfully by enthusiasts.
Click here for Paddle Steamer Support Organisations

ENTHUSIASTIC ENTREPRENEURS and PHILANTHROPISTS
Do you have the resources available to buy, refurbish, operate and maintain a paddle steamer ?
Could you buy a derelict steamer and at least refurbish it and operate it in a static role ?
Here are paddle steamers out of service which may be for sale to the right buyer and which could be brought back into revenue service
Contact the Webmaster for initial basic advice about possibilities 

DATABASE MAIN MENU 

USE THIS MENU OR ANY APPROPRIATE UNDERLINED HYPERLINK TO MOVE AROUND THE DATABASE

Homepage

The Foundation for Paddle Steamers Worldwide.
Main menu for the Paddle Steamer Resources by Tramscape Database
How to contact the webmaster - acknowledgements - about this site

Operational Paddle Steamers
Statically Preserved Paddle Steamers
Lost Paddle Steamers
Paddle Steamer Engines
Historical Database
Clyde Steamers
British Paddle Steamer Index
Paddle Steamer Support Organisations
Paddle Steamer News
Photograph Archive
External website links
Stern-wheelers

In public service, their operating companies and website links (includes motor paddlers)
With new roles as restaurants, museums etc (with website links) or laid up awaiting their fate
Vessels scrapped in recent years
Operational and preserved paddle steamer engines
By country and area : Paddle Steamers and service operators of the past
The ultimate fleet of coastal cruising steamers
Search here for British Paddle Steamers
Organisations you can join or channel financial assistance through
Latest news about paddle steamers and other excursion steamships
The webmaster's photograph collection in thumbnail form
Sites listed in the database plus other sites of interest (European ships)
Steamships or diesel conversions propelled by a stern wheel (Mississippi-style)

In Greater Depth
Webmaster's Blog

Articles and photographs : current issues and vessel profiles
Personal comments on matters of steamer preservation interest - your comments welcomed !

In the database, you can research Europe's remaining Operational Paddle Steamers and Statically Preserved Steamers including decommissioned steamers whose survival remains in danger and paddle tugs. Coverage of other world areas is also expanding. As well as Tramscape's data, in most cases you will find a website link where you can find official information, timetables and fares. You can look at and compare many Steam Engines which are particularly characteristic of paddle steamers. Stern-wheel Paddle Steamers, original examples of which are manly to be found outside Europe, are listed separately.
You can browse the Historical Database to research paddle steamers of the past and their operators and read reviews of steamer operations of the past and you can also search for British Paddle Steamers by name in the British Paddle Steamer Index. One topic presented in particular detail relates to Clyde Steamers. You can also go In Greater Depth where numerous topics are discussed in a bit more detail and additional photography presented. Tramscape has an extensive collection of photographs of paddle steamers (and some other passenger vessels) which are presented in thumbnail format in the Photograph Archive. Full-sized photos (webmaster's own work only) are available for purchase in aid of Paddle Steamer preservation. If you would like to help Paddle steamers, there is a summary of appropriate support organisations through which to channel funds or meet other enthusiasts and actively participate in paddle steamer preservation. The Paddle Steamer News page keeps you up to date with relevent issues regarding paddlers and other steamships.
The webmaster also gives his personal and sometimes provocative views on important matters relating to steamer preservation issues in the Webmaster's Blog.
Turbine Steamers formed an important part of the steamer fleet on the Clyde and these are featured in a separate but associated database. Screw steamships with reciprocating engines which feature in the Tramscape photograph collection are also in a separate website.
The blue Main Menu below leads you to all major sections of the database.

Turbine-powered excusion steamers became popular on the Clyde sailing alongside paddle steamers. It is here where they found their first ever commercial application and retained their importance longest. TS Queen Mary (1933, left) was possibly the finest of these vessels, the last to survive in operation, and was the last in operation, serving until 1977. From 1988 to early 2009 she served as a restaurant on the Thames in central London but has now been sold to an uncertain future.
The site also reviews the history of turbine steamers in coastal excursion roles in the UK and lists remaining passenger turbine steamers, including news updates on the last turbine powered ocan liners, most of which are now likely to be withdrawn and scrapped as the cost of upgrading them to meet new marine safety rules (SOLAS 2010) is prohibitive.

Click here to go to the Clyde Turbine Steamer Foundation website

This site includes photographs of passenger steamships which do not fit into the two main websites. Included are such vessels as SS Sir Walter Scott, Bohuslan at Gothenburg, the four still in steam in Stockholm (plus the numerous diesel conversions), steamers in Berlin and Potsdam and the Fairfield-built steamers at Istanbul (photo, left)


Click here to go to the Screw Steamships website