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Paddle Steamers past and present
NEW PADDLE STEAMERS PROPOSED or UNDER CONSTRUCTIONProposals
for new paddle steamers appear from time to time, generally as the
brainchild of enthusiasts hoping to exploit a perceived gap in the
market for a "heritage" vessel. Under Construction with a view to future service
This
is a replica of the 1924-built Medway and Thames paddle steamer whose
construction started in Bristol in 2009 and was completed in 2013. Fitting
out continues at Gillingham, Kent as funds allow. The original vessel's engine is in
situ. The
vessel is open as a historical attraction and themed museum covering
especially the wartime role of the original Medway Queen and her
exploits in rescuing British Army soldiers from Dunkirk in 1940. There
remains some doubt as to whether the vessel will be able to sail again
under her own power. Finance to complete her fitting out is not secured
and there is no immediate prospect of the regulatory authorities
issuing her with a passenger-carrying certificate.
Australian Star : Murray River (Echuca, Australia)
In
2022 it was announced that a new paddle steamer would be built at
Mildura for cruises of three and four days and, in combination, up to a
week long in five-star luxury. It will be owned by Murray River Paddle
Steamers, the owners of paddlers Emmylou and Canberra. The paddler was reported to be
costing $ 6.75 (Australian). 20 cabins will accommodate 40 passengers.
Propulsion will be hybrid but include a refurbished steam engine dating
for 1907 originally from a traction engine, to be fired with wood. Around half
of the construction costs will be supplied by the Government of the
state of Victoria through its Regional Tourism Investment Fund. The vessel is due to enter service in mid-2025
Australian Sky : Murray River (Mildura, Australia)
A sister
ship to Australian Star is scheduled to be launched in late 2027.
Nineteen staterooms will be available for thirty eight guests on
this five star luxury vessel which will be based in Mildura and offer a
wide range of cruise durations up to 11 days and sailing as far as
Adelaide. Supported again by the state of Victoria and under long term
charter to the luxury tour operator APT from Murray River
Paddlesteamers. Construction is due to start in October 2025. The
propulsion will mirror Australian Star : a refurbished wood-fired steam
engine assisted by a diesel-electric motor
Reconstruction of a historial vessel as a static exhibit (to include saved parts from the original vessel)
In January 2024 a contract was awarded to the SAM shipyard at
Komarom to build a replica vessel incorporating certain parts of
the original ship. The replica is planned to be a static floating museum and attraction in central Budapest
Proposals for new operational paddle steamers
Untersee and Rhein, Switzerland
Enthusiasts
have long proposed a new paddle steamer for the commercial fleet
operating on the Rhine and the Untersee in north-eastern Switzerland.
The last paddle steamer in operation there was SCHAFFHAUSEN
(1913-1967). One of the major elements of the proposal has been to
design a vessel with very low carbon emissions but still be a genuine
steamship. The proposal has gained a lot of support and is subject to
consideration by the local Thurgau canton administration because public
funds will be required over and above the general spending of the local
vessel operator.