PS Stadt Zürich

Lake Zurich
Date entered service -- 1909
Major re-build -- 2004
Length -- 59.1m
Breadth -- 13.1m
Passenger capacity -- 750 (850 prior to re-build)
Normally operates one (two on summer Sundays) round trip/s between Zurich and Rapperswil
 
2023 Planned to spend the entire 2023 season at the dock undertaking a major re-build
 
9th October 2022 Last sailings of the season
Operated the regular 1420 afternoone sailings 111-112 from Zurich to Rapperswil and back on Sunday 9th October
1st August 2022 Swiss National Day
Operated the annual evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich on Monday 1st August
3rd April 2022 First sailings of the season
Operate the 1420 afternoon sailings 111-112 from Zurich to Rapperswil and back on Sunday 3rd April
As sister PS Stadt Rapperswil was undertaking a major re-build,  she had to operate all the 2022 paddle steamer sailings single handed
 
30th September 2021 Last sailings of the season
Operated the regular 1420 afternoone sailings 111-112 from Zurich to Rapperswil and back on Thursday 30th September
19th June 2021 50 years of "Raddampfer Ahoi! Zurichsee (1970-2020)"
Originally planned to operate in 2020,  the paddle steamer along with sister PS Stadt Rapperswil was re-scheduled to operate a much delayed special Parade to the Upper Lake on Saturday 19th June in similar times to those originally planned for Saturday 20th June to celebrate 50 years of preservation of the paddle steamers
Unfortunately due to further Covid restrictions,   the Parade eventually had to be cancelled
Instead she ended up operating the normal timetabled 1420 afternoon sailings 111-112 from Zurich to Rapperswil and back on Saturday 19th June
17th May 2021 First sailings of the season
As a result of the delayed start to the season due to further Covid restrictions,  she eventually returned to service operating the retimed 1420 afternoon sailings 111-112 from Zurich to Rapperswil and back on Monday 17th May
 
18th October 2020 Last sailings of the season
Operated the 1415 lunch-time sailings 111-112 from Zurich to Rapperswil and back on Sunday 18th October
 20th June 2020  50 years of "Raddampfer Ahoi! Zurichsee (1970-2020)"
The paddle steamer along with sister PS Stadt Rapperswil was planned to operate a special Parade to the Upper Lake on Saturday 20th June to celebrate 50 years of preservation of the paddle steamers,  BUT this had to be postponed until 2021 due to the Coronavirus precautions
8th June 2020 First sailings of the season
The paddle steamer is NOW expected to return to service for the 2020 season with the first actual timetabled sailing either by "her" or sister PS Stadt Rapperswil operating the "new" sailings 111-112 from Zurich to Rapperswil and back on Monday 8th June
The second paddle steamer is NOW expected to re-enter service shortly after
 5th April 2020  Planned first sailings of the season
The paddle steamer was planned to return to service for the 2020 season with the first timetabled sailing either by "her" or sister PS Stadt Rapperswil operating the "new" sailings 111-112 from Zurich to Rapperswil and back on Sunday 5th April,  BUT this was CANCELLED due to the Coronavirus restrictions
The second paddle steamer is expected to re-enter service shortly after
Unusually - after several years - both paddle steamers are now advertised to be in service on Sundays throughout July and August
 
2019 In late April the ZSG announced that the paddle steamer will not sail during the 2019 season
Instead she will remain on dock whlst replacement parts are maunfactured and replaced
 
30th September 2018 Last outing of the season
The paddle steamer operated the full-length sailings 107-108 from Zurich to Schmerikon and return at 1130 on Sunday 30th September
30th March 2018 First timetabled sailing of the season
The paddle steamer operated the lunchtime sailings 109-110 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return at 1230 on Good Friday 30th March
26th March 2018 First outing of the season
The paddle steamer operated a pre-season AGM charter sailing for the "Aktion pro Raddampfer" supporters on Monday 26th March
 
1st October 2017 Despite initially being rostered to work the first Late Summer extra lunchtime sailing to Rapperswil on Sunday 1st October,  she remained at the dock and sailings 109-110 were covered by sister PS Stadt Rapperswil
24th September 2017 Last sailings of the season
Operated sailings 107-108 (1130 from Zurich to Schmerikon and return) on Sunday 24th September
16th September 2017 The paddle steamer set off from Zurich as planned at 1130 for Schmerikon on operating sailing 107 on Saturday 16th September but had rudder problems off-Schmerikon where it then took over 40 minutes before the passengers were able to get ashore
1st August 2017 Swiss National Day
Operated the annual Evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2015 vice her sister PS Stadt Rapperswil which was broken down in dock on Tuesday 1st August
21st May 2017 First sailings of the season
The paddle steamer was eventually entered service and operated the full-length sailings 107-108 (1130 from Zurich to Schmerikon on Sunday 21st May
27th April 2017 First planned sailings of the season
The paddle steamer was originally planned to operate sailings 107s-102s (1130 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return) on Thursday 27th April
However, in view of the wet weather on the day, the ZSG turned out the much smaller mv Limmat instead
 
9th October 2016 Last sailings of the season
Operated sailings 109-110 (1230 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return) on Sunday 9th October vice a motor vessel
6th October 2016 Operate an evening Fondue Cruise from Zurich at 2000 on Thursday 6th October
1st August 2016 Swiss National Day
Operated an Evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2000 on Monday 1st August
6th June 2016 The paddle steamer operated the regular Lunch-time Cruise from Zurich at 1210 on Monday 6th June
8th May 2016 Swiss Mothers Day
Operated a lunchtime Mothers Day Lunch Cruise from Zurich at 1130 on Sunday 8th May
25th March 2016 First sailings of the season
Opened the 2016 season and operated the lunchtime timetabled sailings 109-110 (1230 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return) on Good Friday 25th March vice a motor vessel
 
4th October 2015 Last sailings of the season
Operated sailings 109-110 (1230 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return) on Sunday 4th October vice a motor vessel
19th April 2015 First timetabled sailings of the season
Operated sailings 109-110 (1230 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return) on Sunday 19th April vice a motor vessel
29th March 2015 First public sailings of the season
Following major repairs to her new boiler the paddle steamer returned to service on Sunday 29th March and took part in the special " Navel Review" starting from Zurich at 1420 along with the majority of the ZSG fleet to mark "175 Years of the Company"
 
9th August 2014 Last sailing of the season
The paddle steamer operated sailings 107 from Zurich as far as Altendorf where she broke down on Saturday 9th August
After the passengers had alighted, she limped slowely back to dock where she was immediately laid-up for the rest of the season pending repairs
23rd May 2014 10tth Birthday of PS Stadt Rapperswil
The paddle steamer took part in a special evening Jubilee Parade from Zurich to mark the 100th birthday of her sister on Friday 23rd May
27th April 2014 First public sailings of the season
After a pre-season charter on Wednesday 9th April, operated the first full-length 1130 sailings 107-108 of 2014 to Schmerikon on Swiss Navigation Sunday 27th April
 
30th September 2013 Last sailing of the season
The paddle steamer operated the last advertised sailings 105-106-117-118 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return on Monday 30th September
29th March 2013 First sailings of the season
Returned to public service on Good Friday 29th March and operated the 1230 lunch-time sailings 109-110 from Zurich to Rapperswil and back
 
13th August 2012 The ZSG made a press statement that the paddle steamer would not be used any more in public service during 2012 leaving her sister PS Stadt Rapperswil to carry on alone, leaving all the Schmerikon sailings in the hands of motor vessels
She may be seen on the lake again undertaking further "test sailings"
1st August 2012 Second (and possibly the last ?) sailings of the season
Operated the 0930 breakfast cruise sailings 103-104-117-118 on Swiss National Day Wednesday 1st August
Unfortunately further technical problems arose includng a loud 'knocking noise' from teh engine and it was decided further investigations were required

31st July 2012 First sailings of the season
Eventually returned to service very much later than planned due to ongoing technical problems following her re-build and operated sailings 105-106-117-118 commencing with the 1030 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return on Tuesday 31st July
1st July 2012 Despite being planned to make a much later start in 2021 following a major re-build over teh winter, ongoing technical problems saw the start date come and go without the paddle steamer operating any services
 
9th October 2011 Last sailing of the season
The paddle steamer operated sailings 105-106-117-118 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return vice a motor vessel on Sunday 9th October
15th May 2011 First sailings of the season
The paddle steamer returned to service after major repairs to her paddle wheel on Swiss Navigation Sunday 15th May and operated sailings 103-104-115-116 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return
 
15th August 2010 Last sailing of the season
Suffered a failure of her starboard paddlewheel between Küsnacht and Erlenbach on sailing 105 on Sunday 15th August and had to be taken out of service for the remainder of the 2010 season - "Fatigue" is the most likely cause on the original wheel
The 90 passengers were brought ashore by the police and the vessel was towed back to the shipyard for repairs by three vessels of the "lake police"
1st August 2010 Operated a special evening dinner cruise from Zurich at 2000 on Sunday 1st August
19th July 2010 175 Years of Iron Ships on Lake Zurich
Operated the lunch cruise to mark the 175th anniversary on Monday 19th July
4th April 2010 First sailings of the season
The paddle steamer is expected to operate sailings 103-104 from Zurich to Schmerikon and return on Easter Sunday - 4th April
 
4th October 2009 Last sailing of the season
Operated sailings 115-116 from Zurich depart 1430 to Rapperswil and return on Sunday 4th October
Summer 2009 In additional to the normal timetables sailings, the paddle steamer operated several special sailings throughout the summer of 2009
12th June 2009 100th Birthday
Operated a special evening parade along with her younger sister PS Stadt Rapperswil from Zurich at 1800 on Friday 12th June
26th April 2009 First sailings of the season
The paddle steamer was 100 years old in 2009 and made her first public sailing of her centenary year on Swiss Navigation Sunday 26th April
 
5th October 2008 Last sailings of the season
The paddle steamer was originally planned by the ZSG to make her final sailings of 2008 on Sunday 28th September despite the fact the advertised timetable requires both paddle steamers to remain in service until the end of the month
However as a result of the breakdown on mv Helvétia the paddle steamer remained in service to cover sailings 101-102-115-116 on Sunday 5th October - this being the first time both paddle steamers have been on timetabled sailings in October for many years

Do you know when that last happened ?
27th April 2008 Swiss Navigation Sunday
Operate a special 90 minute morning cruise from Zurich at 1130 prior to operating the 1330 round trip to Rapperswil on Sunday 27th April
21st March 2008 First sailings of the season
The paddle steamer entered service earlier than normal on Good Friday 21st March and unusually operated sailings 107-108 (1130 Zurich to Rapperswil and return) owing to the shortage of motor vessels for the start of the season
 
24th September 2007 Last sailing of the season
Operated the full-length sailings 109-210 to the Obersee - 1230 Zurich to Schmerikon and return on Sunday 30th September
6th and 7th July 2007 Zurich Festival
Unusually operated the 1130 departure from Zurich to Rapperswil and return before an evening fireworks cruise on both Friday 6th July and Saturday 7th July
29th April 2007 Swiss Navigation Sunday
The paddle steamer replaced the 'traditional' five special one-hour' sailings with a 90 minute morning cruise from Zurich at 1130 prior to operating the 1330 round trip to Rapperswil on Sunday 29th April
1st April 2007 First sailings of the season
Commenced earlier than normal on Sunday 1st April and unusually operated sailings 107-108 (1130 Zurich to Rapperswil and return) owing to the shortage of motor vessels for the start of the season
 
24th September 2006 Last sailing of the season
Operated the full-length sailings 109-210 to the Obersee - 1230 Zurich to Schmerikon and return on Sunday 24th September
7th May 2006 First advertised timetabled sailings of the season
The first advertised timetabled sailings was on Sunday 7th May and she operated all the services until joined by her sister at the end of the month
30th April 2006 Swiss Navigation Sunday
The paddle steamer operated the 'traditional' five special hourly sailings on Sunday 30th April similar to those operated by PS Stadt Rapperswil last year
16th April 2006 First sailings of the season
Operated sailings 111-112 (1330 Zurich to Rapperswil and return) on a non-advertised basis vice a smaller motor vessel on Easter Sunday 16th April
 
2nd October 2005 Last sailing of the season
Operated sailings 111-112 - 1330 Zurich to Rapperswil and return on Sunday 2nd October vice the advertised motor vessel
17th September 2005 Operated an evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2000 on Saturday 17th September
22nd May 2005 The paddle steamer ran aground on Sunday 22nd May at Rapperswil avoiding a "Pedalo" - see News Page for further details
The paddle steamer entered dry-dock the following day for repairs which were estimated at SF50,000 - she returned to public service on Sunday 12th June
24th April 2005 First sailings of the season
Operated sailings 111-112 (1330 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return) on Sunday 24th April - Swiss Navigation Day
 
26th September 2004 Last sailing of the season
Operate full-length sailings 109-210 to Schmerikon on Sunday 26th September arriving back in the dark
early-September 2004 It is understood that the paddle steamer has made some unadvertised mid-week timetabled sailings vice the normal motor vessel during early-September
Can you confirm any dates and sailings ?
2nd and 3rd July 2004 Operated an evening Fireworks Cruise from Zurich at 1920 on Friday 2nd July and again on Saturday 3rd July in connection with the Zürich Festival
26th June 2004 Operated a special evening 'Jazz Cruise' from Zurich at 1800 to the Rapperswil Blues and Jazz Festival on Saturday 26th June
Spring 2004 First public sailings of the season
Operated sailings 101-102-115-116 (0930 and 1430 from Zurich) on Whit Sunday 30th May
25th May 2004
Maiden Voyage
The paddle steamer made her "maiden voyage" for invited VIPs only on Tuesday 25th May leaving Zurich just before 1115 for a cruise round the lake
13th April  2004
The paddle steamer was re-launched on Tuesday 13th April
 
Autumn 2003 Sufficient funds (1,100,100SF) were raised to enable the paddle steamer to undertake a major re-build over the Winter
Click here for a picture prior to her rebuild
28th September 2002 Final sailings of the season
Operated sailings 109-210 (1230 from Zurich to Schmerikon and 1610 return) on Sunday 28th September
6th September 2003 Operated an evening Jazz cruise on Saturday 6th September after sailings 111-112
1st August 2003 Operated a special evening cruise on Thursday 1st August for Swiss National Day after the normal Sunday timetabled sailings
27th April 2003 Swiss Navigation Day
Operated five special one hour non-landing cruises on Sunday 27th April
6th April 2003 First Sailings of the season
Commenced very much earlier than usual on Sunday 6th April and operated sailings 111-112 from Zurich at 1330 instead of a motor vessel
 
29th September 2002 Final sailings of the season
Operated sailings 105-106-115-116 (1030 and 1430
from Zurich) on Sunday 29th September
1st August 2002 Operated a Special evening cruise on Thursday 1st
August
for Swiss National Day after the normal
timetabled sailings
28th April 2002 First sailings of the season
Operated five special one hour non-landing cruises
on Swiss Navigation Sunday 28th April
 
30th September 2001 Final sailings of the season
Operated sailings 101-102-115-116 (0930 and 1430
from Zurich) on Sunday 30th September
14th September 2001 Operated an Evening Jazz Cruise from Zurich at 2000
on Friday 14th September
1st August 2001 Special evening cruise on Wednesday 1st August for
Swiss National Day after normal timetabled sailings
to Schmerikon
1st April 2001 First timetabled sailing of 2001 on Sunday 1st April
 
24th September 2000 Last timetabled sailings of 2000 on Sunday 24th
September
15th September 2000 Operated an Evening Jazz Cruise from Zurich at 2000
on Friday 15th September
8th September 2000 Operated an Evening Jazz Cruise from Zurich at 2000
on Friday 8th September
1st August 2000 Special evening cruise on Tuesday 1st August for
Swiss National Day after normal timetabled sailings
28th May 2000 First timetabled sailing of 2000 on Sunday 28th May
30th April 2000 First public sailing of 2000 on Sunday 30th April
(Swiss Navigation Day)
1030 "special one hour trip" from Zurich


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Updated - Lakes Brienz, Geneva, Luzern, Thun, Zurich, Konstanz, Maggiore, Como, Garda 3rd March 2023   e-mail   (c)1999-2023 John B Bird