PADDLE STEAMERS
Paddle Steamers I World of Ships I 75
Helvetie completing an impressive trio of
high-capacity vessels from 1926.
Two years later, Simplon’s after upper deck
was fitted with an aluminium canopy, but in
common with other steamers the forward
upper level was left clear of fixed seating,
with passengers able to hire deck chairs.
Conversion to oil-firing took place in 1950,
and the steamer sailed on until boiler defects
forced her lay-up in 1968. Two new boilers
replaced the original pair as part of a general
overhaul, from which Simplon returned in- The new boilers did not prove entirely
satisfactory, and were more costly to run
than the replacement single boiler fitted to
La Suisse, and from 1977 Simplon was used
mainly as a relief vessel, for charters and a
Saturday evening dance cruise from Geneva.
Money was spent in the winter of 1991-92
on repainting from stem to stern and rudder
repairs. But an explosion in the funnel when
she was at Geneva on 18 August 2003 ended
another season prematurely, with repair
work beginning in November 2003 supported
heavily by donations, and with a return to
operations in July 2005. 7
Simplon had another overhaul in 2010-11,
funded entirely by private donations, which
included a complete overhaul of the engines
and the installation of two bow thrusters. The
first class restaurant was also returned to be as
close as possible to its 1920 condition. Other
work included the creation of a buffet servery
in the main deck rotunda forward, prior to a
return to service in May 2011.
ABOVE Vevey, seen close to Chateau Chillon, near Montreux, remained a coal burner until losing her
original 800hp steam engine in 1964.ABOVE Italie’s steam engine gave way to diesel-electric in 1955 and she now runs with new units, which
were brought in during 2016.ABOVE Diesel-electric pioneer Geneve at her namesake city, where she has been in static use since
her withdrawal by CGN in 1974. (Russell Plummer)ABOVE Black replaced red for the frames of
Simplon’s 1,400hp main engine after her latest refit.12 Paddlers_Switzerland_NL.indd 75 17/04/2018 12:21