User:Suzy1919/Simplon (Paddle Steamer)

For other uses, see Simplon.

The Simplon III is a boat of the Compagnie générale de navigation sur le lac Léman (CGN). It is a steamboat and a water wheel or paddlewheel boat, classified as a historical monument.

 

Historical

Built in 1915, the machine stills daily operating (2011)

The Simplon was built between 1914 and 1919 for the CGN. It was commissioned in 1913 from Sulzer Frères, Winterthur. The machine dates back to 1915. The work was delayed by the mobilization and absence of clients during the First World War. It was put into service in 1920. It is the third of the name on Lake Geneva.

His living room is neoclassical. "The Louis XVI woodwork and furnishings of the first-class white maple living room, in the best taste, and the ladies' lounges come out of the Henri Bobaing workshops in Lausanne. The bridges, panelling of the second class lounges, the smoking room and the non-smokers' lounge and the electrical equipment were carried out in the shipyard of the Compagnie de Navigation, in Ouchy".

Renovations:

• addition of a spotlight in 1924 (for night service), refreshment of the 1st class lounge and metal roof on the upper deck in 1928, front glazing on the same deck in 1932, woodwork and living room furniture in 1938. It was the first boat in Lake Geneva to see its boilers equipped with oil burners in 1959. Modernization of the upper deck in 1963, with replacement of the access staircase.
• in 1966, due to safety standards not met, the ship is dropped out of service . Its renovation started in 1967 until 1968. Conversions made were to be similar to those operated for the Savoy):
  • new oil boilers (built by Wehrle-Werk, Emmendingen),
  • electro-hydraulic steering control,
  • new 220-volt electrical installation (replacing 65-volt DC),
  • new hull and decks.

However, the interior of the first-class lounge is preserved in its original condition..

The recovery of waste water in a cistern was carried out in 1974. Due to its excessive consumption, the boat was put into reserve in 1977 and rarely used for public timetable services. It was equipped with a radar in 1980. The chimney was replaced in 1984, the main staircase was redone again in 1986, then the wheel drum superstructures were replaced in 1988. Installation of new generating units in 2000.
New partial renovation between 2003 and 2005, following a spectacular accident in the Geneva harbour on August 18, 2003: explosion of the chimney flue. The boat was saved by private donations collected by the Association des amis des bateaux à vapeur du Léman (CHF 2 million out of the required CHF 4 million). On November 14, 2007, the Simplon crashed into the quay in Geneva, opposite the Hôtel de la Paix. As a result of a special positioning of the connecting rods, a quite exceptional phenomenon, the steamboat's engine suddenly stopped. Then, under the effect of the kiss, the captain could not avoid the accident. The bow has been damaged. The boat was sailing without passengers, as part of the inauguration of the new Geneva5 speedboat.

» le temps de répondre complètement et clairement, on n’en serait pas à ce doux et joyeux marécage..

Simplon boat at Ouchy being repaired (Dec 2007)

General overhaul of its steam engine, "the most powerful of all European lakes" according to the CGN, between September 2009 and May 2011.

In addition, the boat should be completely refurbished by 2015-2020.

n 2011, it is classified as a historical monument by the canton of Vaud. It is also listed, as are Savoy, Rhône and La Suisse as a Swiss cultural property of national importance..

Compagnie générale de navigation sur le Lac Léman

Engineering

The Simplon is one of the largest "Belle Époque" boats, along with La Suisse. Its dimensions are 78 m long and 15.90 m wide. Its initial capacity was 1,600 passengers. Propulsion is provided by a steam engine with 2 compound cylinders, with a power of 1,400 hp. It is the most powerful steam engine in the "Belle Époque" fleet, and with La Suisse the most powerful model in Europe.

In 1968, its capacity was reduced to 1,000 passengers. The boilers are replaced. Two additional watertight partitions are installed to improve safety. A 27,000-litre tank is placed in a new watertight compartment at the rear of the machine. The manual wheelhouse is replaced by an electro-hydraulic steering gear. In 1981, the Simplon had the most powerful oblique steam engines still in service in Europe. Total weight in 2007: 483 tons.. [[Category:Paddle steamers]] [[Category:Lake Geneva]] [[Category:Cultural property of national significance in Vaud]] [[Category:1920 ships]] [[Category:Ship names]] [[Category:Passenger ships]] [[Category:WikiProject Europe articles]] [[Category:WikiProject France articles]] [[Category:Pages with unreviewed translations]]