Capt Jorg Andrist takes the Lake Lucerne paddle steamer Gallia away from the pier at Brunnen on Wednesday the 19th September 2001, five days before the steamer’s withdrawal from service for a major rebuild which will be carried out in the company’s own shipyard at Lucerne. Built in 1913 for the expanding European tourist industry which came to an abrupt halt the following year with the outbreak of World War 1, Gallia is 62.85m long, 14.50m in the beam and generally runs with a core operational crew of just six, captain, mate, two engineers, a purser and seaman plus the additional catering staff.
A shot looking aft along the promenade deck.
Gallia and her engines were built by the Swiss company Escher Wyss and, with a recorded speed of 31.45 km/hr (almost 17 knots) on her trials on 4th July 1913, she is Switzerland’s fastest paddle steamer. We all eagerly await her return to service in 2004 after the rebuild.
Kingswear Castle returned to service in 2023 after the first part of a major rebuild which is designed to set her up for the next 25 years running on the River Dart. The Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle Trust is now fund raising for the second phase of the rebuild. You can read more about the rebuilds and how you can help if you can here.
John Megoran
