Paddle Steamer Resources by Tramscape

PS Unterwalden

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LATEST VERSION OF THIS WEBSITE IS NOW ONLY AVAILABLE AT : http://paddlesteamers.freehostia.com

Unfortunately the website became too large for its original internet location and had to be moved
This mainly text-only version represents the website as it was up until 1st July 2009 and does not include any more recent information or updates.
It includes some photographs which were included in earlier versions of this website. For the latest information and all the photos, click on the link above

PS Unterwalden (1902) at Vitznau in 2008, her last season before yet another life-prolonging major overhaul.
Length 62.00 metres
2 cylinder diagonal engine
Built by Escher Wyss & Cie. at Zurich, Switzerland, re-assembled at Luzern, from March 1901 and launched on November 12th of same year.

Entered service in on May 18th 1902, one year after her Sulzer-built "sister" as her engined had been displayed at the International Exhibition in Paris.
Wheelhouse added in 1920
Converted to oil firing in 1949.
Converted in 1961 to allow the funnel and wheelhouse to be retracted and masts lowered to allow passage under the new Aschereggbrucke into the Alpnachersee
This included a fixed canopy over the after upper deck which radically changed her appearance.
Provisionally retired after the 1975 but retained as cover until the end of 1977 pending final withdrawal
Saved after a high-profile campaign by the Dampferfreunde Vierwaldstattersee and an extensive rebuild was commenced in 1982
Much of the upper deck enclosed aft of the funnel to create comfortable restaurant facilities.
Reentered public service on May 15th, 1985.

SGV's next steamer to be re-fitted is PS Unterwalden, whose boiler was given clearance to sail through the 2008 season only. The total costs are now expected to be around CHF 10 million but include a sum donated by the Friends of the lake Lucerne steamers specifically for alteringher appearance to approximate her pre-1961 form. However, she will continue to be able to sail under the Aschereggbrucke.
On Saturday 27th of September 2008, Unterwalden undertook an "au revoir" cruise prior to going in for her refit. The unusual cruise was a circuit of the lake from Lucerne via Verkehrshaus, Kussnacht, Weggis, Vitznau and Gersau to Brunnen. The return leg was via Treib, Beckenried and Buochs, before calling at Stanstad and after a short diversion under the Aschereggbrucke, Hergiswil and Verkehrshaus.

A close-up of Unterwalden at Luzern in 1988
 

Heading back to Luzern and calling at Buochs in 2001
 

With mast and funnel retracted to pass under the Aschereggbrucke.........

.....Unterwalden is the only paddler now able to reach Alpnachstad

Deep in the "Kajute" there is a display of the SGV fleet
 

There are also interpretative panels about the gleaming engines.

LAKE LUCERNE PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION

Go to the Photograph Collection : Please note that the return link takes you to the SGV company page from where you can follow the link back to this paddle steamer.

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