ABOVE Lake Geneva veteran Vevey has been
part of the scenery on Switzland’s largest lake
since 1904 and became the third paddler to
receive diesel-electric power in 1956.
RIGHT Skibladner first stirred up the waters
of Norway’s Lake Mjosa in 1856, and was
lengtnened and fitted with the present triple
diagonal engine in 1888.
FAR LEFT A historic first meeting between
Waverley and Kingswear Castle took place
on the Medway in September 1984 when
photograhed by the late John Goss.
LEFT The resort of St Wolfgang provides
the background as Kaiser Franz Josef heads
for St Gilgen on one of four daily return trips
between the Wolfgangsee resorts.
FAR RIGHT Lake Zurich veteran Stadt
Rapperswil, built in 1914, sees high summer
service together with 1909-built elder sister
Stadt Zurich.PADDLER CONTRASTS
Steam and diesel-powered paddle vessels carry thousands of
people each summer. Here are examples of both propulsion types,
including the world’s oldest side-wheeler, Skibladner, as well as
Waverley, the only vessel with seagoing certification, along with
smaller but equally attractive contemporary Kingswear Castle.
Completing the line-up is Lake Lucerne’s Vevey and Austrian
veteran Kaiser Franz Josef 1, both with diesel electric propulaion.50 I World of Ships I Paddle Steamers
Waverley in the English
Channel. (FotoFlite)07 Paddlers_Germany_NL.indd 50 17/04/2018 12:09