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 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. Interested in this subject? Try this link for more of the same