82 I World of Ships I Paddle Steamers
enclosed wheelhouse was added in 1925, but
otherwise changes in profile have been few,
and Gallia has always stood out for having
just three large paddle box vents instead of the
fan-shaped arrangement of other steamers.
The steamer was out of service for a refit in- After a final trip on 23 September 2001,
there was another major refit.
S TADT LUZERN
BUILT 1928 by Sachsenberg Brothers, Rosslau, Germany.
DIMENSIONS Length 63.5m, width 7.8m (hull), 15.2m (over
paddles)
MACHINERY Original two-cylinder machinery (by builders)
replaced 1929 by triple diagonal uniflow engine from Sulzer
Brothers (1,120hp)
SPEED 26.3kmh (14.2 knots). Passengers 1,200.SGV broke new ground in the mid-1920s,
ordering what would be the largest vessel
in the Lake Lucerne fleet from German
builders Sachsenburg Brothers on the river
Elbe at Rosslau. Assembly of the sections,
which were moved to Lucerne by rail,
started in September 1927, but trials proved
unsatisfactory, with the vessel failing to
achieve her contract speed, and she was
found to use excessive amounts of coal. After
entering public service on 24 June 1928
there was a breakdown at Weggis when the
low pressure piston rod warped and caused
damage to the twin-cylinder engine.
Sulzer Brothers were brought in to re-
engine Stadt Luzern in 1929, providing a
uniflow engine with three cylinders of equal
size, taking steam from either end alternatelyABOVE The Lake Lucerne flagship Stadt Luzern with flags flying for Swiss National Day. (Russell Plummer)BELOW Stadt Luzern approaching Vitznau on the return leg of her daily Lucerne-Fluelen round trip. (R Plummer)ABOVE The flags of the four forest Cantons bring
an added splash of colour to Gallia’s main engine.
(Russell Plummer)12 Paddlers_Switzerland_NL.indd 82 17/04/2018 12:21