Paddle Steamer Resources by Tramscape
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mainly European Paddle Steamers past and present
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The
River Elbe from Dresden through "Saxon
Switzerland" to Decin (in the Czech Republic)
Sachsische
Dampschiffahrts GmbH & Co, Conti Elbschiffahrts KG
Hertha-Lindner-Strasse 10, 01067 Dresden, Germany.
Tel +44 (0) 351-866-60-90
Fax +44 (0) 351-496-93-50
Official
Website
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Paddle Steamers on the River Elbe, sailing from the
magnificent backdrop of Dresden's Terrassenufer (left),
through "Saxon Switzerland" to Bad Schandau and (from Pirna)
into the Czech Republic at Decin, calling at Loschwitz,
Schloss Pillnitz, Pirna, Stadt Wehlen, Kurort Rathen,
Konigstein, Prossen, Bad Schandau, Krippen, Schmilka,
Hrensko and Decin. One service heads downstream from Dresden
calling at Radebeul, Diesbar, Meissen and
Seusslitz
** The service into the Czech Republic
is being withdrawn from the Summer 2008 timetable, with calls at
Hrensko and Decin now being abandoned
Encouraged by preservation groups, the
decision was taken to retain and recondition the paddle
steamer fleet after the change of ownership following the
demise of the German Democratic Republic. The four more
modern diesel-electric paddlers have been disposed of, two
of which went to the breakers yard. Paddle Steamers Schmilka
(1897) and Junger Pionier (1898) were still in existence at
Dresden-Neustadt harbour, but in poor condition, and their
hulls were later scrapped. Two large new motor vessels have
been introduced.
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OPERATIONAL PADDLE
STEAMERS
All nine current vessels were built in the local
shipyard, originally Blasewitz, later Laubegast, and have
served their life on the Elbe with the exception of Krippen.
She was re-purchased in November 1999, having been sold out
of the fleet in 1979 and led a nomadic existence including
static preservation and latterly service for the KD company
on the River Main at Frankfurt.
Periodic reconditioning throughout their lives, culminating
in major renovation in 1992/3 has ensured that the vessels
remain in top condition. The latest refits involved
returning the vessels as far as possible to their original
form whilst incorporating all the required new safety
features. Vessel lengths are in the 52-70 metre range, with
draughts varying after the various reconditions which have
generally involved adding new superstructure and equipment.
Several of the older existing vessels have been lengthened
during the earlier part of their lives. Inevitably, new
boilers have had to be installed, especially during 1992/3,
but all vessels retain their original engines. Stadt Wehlen
(1915), Meissen (1914) and Pillnitz (1912) had their power
rating increased through the rebuilding of their machinery.
All have oscillating engines, except the two most modern
paddlers, Dresden and Leipzig , which have two-cylinder
compound diagonal machinery. The vessels of the Dresden
fleet have in many cases undergone several name changes
(post World War I all names relating to royalty were dropped
in favour of local place names) and several ships have
carried the same name.
THE PADDLE STEAMER FLEET
PS Stadt
Wehlen (1879)
PS Diesbar (1884)
PS Meissen (1885)
PS Pillnitz (1886)
PS Krippen (1892)
PS Kurort Rathen (1896)
PS Pirna (1898)
PS Dresden (1926)
PS Leipzig (1929)
Thumbnail
photos of the webmaster's visit to Dresden and the Elbe in 2004 are presented
in the Paddle Steamer Magazine on this link
HISTORICAL
PADDLERS
After the
introduction of Konigin Maria in 1837, cruising on the upper Elbe
developed quickly and new vessels were introduced to take advantage
of the growing trade and developing technology. The oldest current
vessel, PS Stadt Wehlen of 1879 is registered as the 34 th vessel,
the current Leipzig, the 69 th.
Click here for more
details
For full details, see "Die Dresdener Raddampfer
Flotte" in bibliography below.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Die
Dresdener Raddampfer Flotte
Frank Muller & Wolfgang Quinger
1995
DSV-Verlag, GmbH, Grundgenstrasse, 18, 22309 Hamburg, Germany
ISBN 3-88412-230-4
History of the Dresden Paddle Steamer fleet, copiously illustrated,
many in colour
Perlen am Rande von
Dresden
Harald Taupitz
1996
Bogenschutzen-Verlag, Rudolfstrasse 30, 01097 Dresden, Germany
ISBN 3-930535-06-8
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