PS Piemonte

Lake Maggiore
Date entered service -- 1904
Date re-built -- 1961-65
Length -- 51.2m
Breadth -- 6.22m
Passenger capacity -- 500
normally only operates private Charter Sailings
Do YOU know of any dates NOT shown on this website when PS Piemonte has sailed in Swiss Waters ?
 
11th July 2021 The paddle steamer is planned to operate three non-landing special sailings from Stresa in connection with the Stresa Liberty event on Sunday 11th July
2nd October 2021 The paddle steamer operated the postponed 2020 special charter sailing from Arona to Lacarno and return on Saturday 5th June,  but this was further delayed until Saturday 2nd October due to the uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus precautions
This sailing was again be "open to the public"
11th July 2021 The paddle steamer operated three non-landing special sailings from Stresa in connection with the Stresa Liberty event on Sunday 11th July
6th June 2021 The paddle steamer operated a special sailing from Laveno to Isola Superiore and Isola Bella on Sunday 6th June in connection with a special steam hauled train from Milan
In view of the large number of pre-bookings,  the special sailing was repeated later in the season on Sunday 19th Sseptember also Sundays 11th and 25th October
15th May 2021 First public sailings of the season
The paddle steamer operated three weekends of special timetabled sailing from Arona and Stresa commencing Saturday 15th May to Sunday 30th May
 
11th October 2020 The paddle steamer operated a special sailing from Laveno to Isola Superiore and Isola Bella on Sunday 11th October in connection with a special steam hauled train from Milan
In view of the large number of pre-bookings,  the special sailingwas repeated two weeks later on Sunday 25th October
 27th June 2020  The paddle steamer was planned to operate a special charter sailing from Arona to Locarno and return  ("open to the public") on Saturday 27th June  but this had to be CANCELLED due to the Coronavirus precautions
30th May 2020 First public sailing for over a decade
The paddle steamer made four rare 'one hour' cruises from Stresa round the Borromean Islands on Whit Saturday 30th May also repeated on both Whit Sunday 31st May and again on Tuesday 2nd June
This was the first time the paddle steamer had operated any daytime public cruises since 2006 - since then having only operated one late-night cruise on New Year's Eve in 2010 due to the non-availability of the usual car ferry !!!
 
2019 The paddle steamer did not operate any public sailing throughout the whole of summer 2019
Neither have any reports of any other private charter reached the webmaster - do you know otherwise ?
 
30th September 2018 The paddle steamer operated a charter from Stresa to Ascona (opern to the public) on Sunday 30th September
 
21st October 2017 The paddle steamer operated a charter from Arona to Locarno (open to the public) on Saturday 21st October
 
29th May 2016 The paddle steamer operated a charter from Arona to Ascona (open to the public) on Sunday 29th May
 
2015 The paddle steamer did not operate any charter sailings (open to the public)
 
29th March 2014 The paddle steamer operated a charter from Luino (open to the public) on Saturday 29th March
 
13th April 2013 The paddle steamer operated a charter from Luino to Stresa (open to the public) on Saturday 13th April
 
2012 The paddle steamer spent the entire season laid-up at Arona as an economy merasure
In consequence, even a pre-planned charter had to be cancelled
 
17th March 2011 The paddle steamer hosted a static exhibition - 150 Years of the Italian State - at Laveno from Thursday 17th March to Sunday 27th March
 
31st December 2010 The paddle steamer operated a rare public sailing from Arona on New Year's Eve - Friday 31st December
13th September 2010 The paddle steamer operated a rare private charter from Arona (Italy) to Locarno (Switzerland) on Saturday 13th September
11th September 2010 The paddle steamer operated a private charter from Stresa on Saturday 11th September
4th September 2010 The paddle steamer operated two private charters from Verbania Intra at 1445 and 1800 on Saturday 4th September
 
26th September 2009 The paddle steamer operated a private charter to Isola Bella on Saturday 26th September
25th July 2009 The paddle steamer operated a private charter from Laveno at 1330 on Saturday 25th July
3rd July 2009 The paddle steamer operated a private charter from Arona on Friday 3rd July
Summer 2009 Once again there were no public sailings by the paddle steamer this year
However she was seen in dry dock on Wednesday 22nd April being prepared for the limited number of charter sailings
Please e-mail me if you have any further information or see her in action anytime
 
11th May 2008 Operated a rare public music charter from Stresa at 1600 on Whit Sunday 11th May along the Borromeo Gulf as part of the Stresa Festival
Summer 2008 There were be NO public sailings by the paddle steamer during 2008 - only a limited number of charter sailings were operated
 
26th August 2007 Last advertised sailing of the season
Operated two "three-hour" non-landing cruises to the Borromee islands from Arona depart 1230 and 1600 on Sunday 26th August
1st July 2007 First advertised sailing of the season
Operated two "three-hour" non-landing cruises to the Borromee islands from Arona depart 1230 and 1600 each Sunday commencing Sunday 1st July
 
27th August 2006 Last advertised sailing of the season
Operated two "three-hour" non-landing cruises to the Borromee islands from Arona depart 1230 and 1600 on Sunday 27th August
2nd July 2006 Public sailings
The paddle steamer operated two "three-hour" non-landing cruises to the Borromee islands from Arona depart 1230 and 1600 each Sunday commencing Sunday 2nd July
13th May 2006 Inauguration Cruise
The paddle steamer eventully returned to service after a four year absence on Saturday 13th May and operated a special Inauguration Cruise - not open to the general public
Do you have any further details ?
 
Summers 2004 and 2005
Tenders were invited by the NLM for the complete overhaul of her two boilers during the Summer of 2004
Work started in July 2004 and was initially expected to take approximately three months, covering her 100th birthday period
 
2003
The paddle steamer remained in dock for extended "major maintenance" throughout 2003, which included at least of 75 square metres of the hull being replated
 
2002
The paddle steamer remained in dock for extended "major maintenance" throughout 2002, following electrical problems
In consequence, the annual public evening cruise from Arona to Laveno fireworks on Thursday 15th August was operated by a motor vessel
 
15th August 2001 The annual public evening cruise operated from Arona to Laveno fireworks on Wednesday 15th August
1st April 2001 to
23rd September 2001
New for 2001
For the first time in many years, the paddle steamer was normally rostered to opertate the Sunday Lunch Cruise - sailing 500 at 1235 from Arona to the Borromee islands and Stresa
note - this was covered by the smaller motor vessel mv Italia when there was a private charter sailing
2001 So far, I am unaware of any planned public or charter sailings to any Swiss piers during 2001, but an inclusive package was advertised on Sundays from Locarno, Ascona and Brissago using a connecting hydrofoil
 
15th August 2000 The annual public evening cruise operated from Arona to Laveno fireworks on Tuesday 15th August
2000 So far, I am unaware of any planned public or charter sailings to any Swiss ports during 2000
 
15th August 1999 The annual public evening cruise operated from Arona to Laveno fireworks on Sunday 15th August
7th August 1999 The paddle steamer was observed returning light to Arona works during the afternoon of Saturday 7th August
1999 So far, I am unaware of any planned public or charter sailings to any Swiss ports during 1999
 
1991 - 1996 Last reported visit to Switzerland
The paddle steamer was again chartered each autumn for the following six years, usually on the first weekend of October similar to 1990
Can you confirm the actual dates or detailed sailing times ?
Unfortunately due to poor weather resulting in only a few passengers travelling on some occasions this was stopped
Are you aware of any later visit to Swiss waters at the northern end of the lake ?
 
8th September 1990
The paddle steamer was chartered by the 'Dampferfreunde Vierwaldstättersee' for a special sailing from Locarno on Saturday 8th September
 
1948 The paddle steamer was re-named PS Piemonte
 
1904 The paddle steamer was originally launched as PS Regina Madre
 
Any further information would be welcome
Until 2000, there had usually only been one regular annual public evening fireworks cruise each year (from Arona to Laveno at the Italian end of the lake)
The paddle steamer was normally on standby at Arona when not operating private charter sailings - these have in the past included occasional visits to Locarno at the Northern (Swiss) end of the lake
Any further details of dates, times, etc., would be welcome


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