World of Ships – May 2018

80 I World of Ships I Paddle Steamers

SGV immediately ordered a sistership,

delivered in 1908 as the now statically

preserved Wilhelm Tell, although the price

increased to SwFr470,000. A wheelhouse

was added to Schiller in 1921, but she did not

receive a major overhaul until 1976-77, the

SGV management having chosen to retain

the vessel over Wilhelm Tell as the role of the

steamers declined following the introduction

of further motor vessels.

Schiller was not overworked in the 1970s,

but after sailing just 45 days in 1974 and 41 in

1975 – when exceeding one million kilometres

of service since completion – she was taken

in hand for an overhaul lasting through 1976

and into the following year. Remarkably, the

original boilers did not need replacement, but

were completely retubed. New masts were

fitted and there was partial replating at the

bow and paddle sponsons. The lounges were

upgraded with upholstery and a new parquet

floor was fitted in the first class saloon to

emphasise décor in the Jugendstil. The boiler

upgrade helped improve performance.

The turn of the century saw Schiller put

through another big refit, with work at the

Lucerne shipyard completed in time for a

return to service on 14 February 2000.

GALLIA

BUILT 1913 by Escher Wyss, Zurich

DIMENSIONS Length 62.09m, width 7.2m (hull), 14.5m

(over paddles)

MACHINERY Compound diagonal by builders, 1,085hp

SPEED 31.44kmh (17.2 knots)

PASSENGERS 850

Built and engined by Escher Wyss, Gallia is

powered by a 1,085hp compound diagonal

engine and credited with a speed of 31.44 kmh,

or more than 17 knots. The SGV directors

decided that increasing passenger traffic in the

opening decade of the 19th century justified the

construction of another large saloon steamer.

Both Sulzer and Escher Wyss were invited to

tender for 1913 delivery, although, with orders

already for Lake Geneva vessels, Sulzer could

Looking immaculate as ever, Schiller sailing into

Lake Lucerne’s main basin. (Russell Plummer)

12 Paddlers_Switzerland_NL.indd 80 17/04/2018 12:21