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Patria (ex - Savoia)
Lake Como, Italy : Currently laid-up awaiting a decision on her future
Above : Patria at Villa Olmo, Como, on July 30th 2022. Photo by kind courtesy of Stuart Cameron
Out
of service since 1990 but substantially restored in the period
2009-2013, she made a number of public sailings but was not accepted
back into the fleet of local operators NLC and has been moored at Villa
Olmo since 2016. A decision about her future is awaited as it would
appear
that she will soon be required to vacate this pier. A major refit is
also now required.
For more photos by Stuart Cameron, click here
Builders : N Odero at Genoa
Engines : Triple Expansion by the builders : Cylinders 460, 700 and 1080 mm x 1120 mm
: 600 HP
Length : 53.77 metres Breadth : 12.3 m
Entered service in 1926 as Savoia
Renamed Patria in 1943
Reboilered in 1953 and converted to oil
Refitted 1972-73
Made her last cruise in October 1990
Slipped at Dervio for inspection as enthusiasts pressed for her
preservation
Substantial replating took place to ensure the vessel could remain
afloat
In 1999 a plan to save her was agreed by her owners (NLC), local
authorities, a local bank and a local historical society.
Whilst funds remain available, the NLC have not fulfilled their
promises and no work has been done.
The sale to the local authority at Como (Provincia di Como) was completed at
the end of 2005 for the nominal sum of 1 Euro.
Plans to move the ship temporarily in order to visit the Centobarche
exhibition at Como (Sept 22-24, 2006) were abandoned
Work commenced
in 2009 on her refurbishment at Dervio
The work was financed by state, provincial
and regional authorities with help from the private Cariplo Foundation
First trial run under her own steam
took place on May 8th 2013 - to the approval of the certifying body RINA
Subsequent
developments have not been good for Patria. She visited several piers
on Lake Como but spent much time tied up at Como, still under ownership
of the province and deemed unsuitable for most of the roles in the NLC
timetable. NLC have not accepted her back into their fleet and she has been moored and out of service since 2016
Click here for photos
of Patria during restoration
Above photo from 2010 by kind courtesy of Olivier Bachmann
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