Paddle Steamers - Giving Pleasure around the World.
When you think of a paddle steamer, you mind probably goes to a
might steamboat on the Mississippi, complete with swarthy types,
upper class ladies and gentlemen and a huge saloon complete with
floating casino.
And why not indeed! This is exactly the role paddle steamers
played in the American south in the 19th century. Along with
vital passenger transport, swift reliable cargo delivery, there
are the memories of rollicking music and a froth of excitement
and intrigue as gamblers rich and poor played poker, craps and
roulette in the plush smoke filled onboard casino.
However did you know that paddle steamers plied the waters of a
number of continents, including Australia, South America and
Europe? In fact, plans are currently underway to raise one of
Switzerland's first passenger steamboats from its watery grave
at the bottom of Lake Thun. The vintage paddle steamer, the
Bellevue, has lain undisturbed on the lakebed since sinking in a
storm in 1864. Its exact location had remained a mystery until
an underwater search team found the vessel last summer. The boat
was laying a few hundred metres from the landing at Oberhofen,
100 metres below the surface and almost entirely covered by
sediment.
As a matter of fact, as
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the first passenger boat on Lake Thun
when it made its maiden voyage in 1835, the Bellevue was
credited with launching the tourist industry in this region of
Switzerland.
Blue Water Search, which found the paddle steamer, is now
discussing how to raise the necessary funds in order to bring
the boat back to the surface and into the spotlight once again.
Using underwater cameras, sonar and magnetic detectors, the team
deployed the latest technology to locate the vessel. They also
required a lot of patience and luck. Hidden treasure "The main
problem really was that 90 per cent of the vessel was covered
with sediment," explained Tommy Peck, one of the team leaders.
"It may well have been that it was once fully covered by
sediment and eventually uncovered partially by underwater
currents."
The oxygen poor sediment may prove to be a blessing in disguise
now that the boat has been located. Peck hopes that it has
helped preserve the vessel, or rather what is left of it.
When it went down in the spring storm, the boat was carrying a
load of salt and one sailor, whose body has never been found.
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