World of Ships – May 2018

PADDLE STEAMERS

Paddle Steamers I World of Ships I 79

SCHILLER

BUILT 1906 by Sulzer Brothers, Winterthur.

DIMENSIONS Length 63.0m, width 7.2m (hull), 14.3m (over

paddles)

MACHINERY Compound diagonal by builders, 700hp

SPEED 28kmh (15.4 knots)

PASSENGERS 900

Following the successful introduction of

Uri and Unterwalden, SGV next looked

for a slightly larger vessel to handle 1,000

passengers. A contract worth SwFr420,000

was awarded to Sulzer Brothers, and work

started in 1905. This was the centenary year of

the death of German poet Johann Schiller, and

it was a popular decision to name the vessel in

honour of the man whose writings did much

to immortalise the story of Swiss national

hero Wilhelm Tell. Schiller was launched on

15 February 1906, with builders and owners

delighted when the contract speed of 27

kmh was exceeded by a full kilometre for the

equivalent of 15.4 knots.

ABOVE The 1902-built Unterwalden. Switzerland’s National Day on 1 August each year marks the formation of the original confederation by the cantons of Schwyz, Uri

and Unterwalden in 1291, which was confirmed in 1307 at the Rutli Meadow high above Lake Lucerne. In the evening there is a huge firework display at Brunnen on the

opposite side of the lake and there is a procession from Lucerne headed by the five paddle steamers, with motor vessels joining the parade en route. When the display

is over the ships travel back independently, which gives fleet flier Gallia a chance to show her paces and usually lead the way back to Lucerne. (Dave Booth)

Summer sunshine has not tempted many

ABOVE Schiller’s engine is a magnet for passengers passengers on to Schiller’s foredeck.

both young and old. (Russell Plummer)

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