PS Concordia

Lake Como
PS Concordia
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Date entered service -- 1926
Date re-built -- 1973-77
Length -- 53.77m
Breadth -- 6.42m
Passenger capacity -- 600
Have YOU any further information about PS Concordia ?
normally "on standby" at Como to operate private charter sailings or cover a motor vessel when required
as well as the occaasional 'special sailing' in her own right
 
11th December 2022 Last sailings of the year
Operated a special limited-stop sailing from Como to Lecco in connection with a special historic train from Milan on Sunday 11th December
4th December 2022 Returned to service and was planned to operate a special non-stop sailing from Como to Menaggio on Sunday 4th December in connection with a special historic train from Milan
After departing she suffered a technical problem off-Cernobbio and her passengers had to be landed before she had to return to dock for repairs
2nd October 2022 Last sailings of the main season
Operated timetabled sailings 10-31-342-343 from Como to Menaggio,  then Torno on Sunday 2nd October
17th April 2022 First public sailings of the season
Following completion of major repairs,  the paddle steamer returned to public service on Easter Sunday 17th April and operate sailings 12-31-342-343 - the 0950 sailing from Como to Menaggio and 1310 return followed by a short working to Torno
 
2021 As a result of the damage to her engine at the end of the 2020 season..........
..........she spend the entire year 'out of service' undertaking major repairs
The odd sailing from Como to Lecco had to be covered by her smaller sister ex-PS mv Milano
 
13th September 2020 Last sailings of the season
She set out to operate timetabled sailings 216-217-287-288-289-290-249 to Lecco in connection with a special "historical" train from Milan on Sunday 13th September
On the approach to Lecco pier there was damage to her engine resulting in her season coming to an abrupt end
 
13th September 2020 Last sailings of the season
She set out to operate timetabled sailings 216-217-287-288-289-290-249 to Lecco in connection with a special "historical" train from Milan on Sunday 13th September
On the approach to Lecco pier there was damage to her engine resulting in her season coming to an abrupt end
5th September 2020 Operated a second special evening Classical Music Cruise from Como on Saturday 5th September
2nd August 2020 Timetabled sailings 10-31-342-343-348-349 were eventually allocated to the paddle steamer similar to previous years on all Sundays throughout August
26th July 2020 First timetabled sailings of the delayed season
She covered the 0950 sailings 12-31 from Como to Menaggio vice the regular motor vessel on Sunday 26th July - the last weekend of the temporary post-Coronavirus timetable
25th July 2020 First sailing of the delayed season
Once the Coronavirus precautions were eased,   the paddle steamer operated a special evening Classical Music Cruise from Como on Saturday 25th July
 
6th October 2019 Last sailings of the season
As if three visits to Lecco was in one season was not enough,  the paddle steamer was again brought back into October timetabled service to cover a motor vessel and ended up making a fourth visit to Lecco on Sunday 6th October
6th October 2019 The paddle steamer was again unusually rostered to operate sailings 216-217-281- sp1-sp2 (in lieu 282-283-284-285) -288-249 from Como to Lecco on Sunday 8th September although strong winds caused suspension of he sailings between 1200 and 1440
After an extended lunch break with the paddle steamer crossing the lake to shelter from the worst of the weather,  the wind eased and she carried on to Lecco as planned
8th September 2019 The paddle steamer was again unusually rostered to operate sailings 216-217-281- sp1-sp2 (in lieu 282-283-284-285) -288-249 from Como to Lecco on Sunday 8th September lthough strong winds caused suspension of he sailings between 1200 and 1440
After an extended lunch break with the paddle steamer crossing the lake to shelter from the worst of the weather,  the wind eased and she carried on to Lecco as planned
Summer 2019 Unlike previous years when she ran a regular Sunday 'special' sailing from Como to the mid-lake,  this did not apply in 2019 and she remianed "on standby" to operate private charter sailings or provide cover for one of the motor vessels when they were otherwise engaged or broken down
As it turned out,  there were numerous occasions when she was called out to cover and details of all 'known' dates can be found here
22nd June 2019 Annual St John's Feast - fireworks at Isola Comacina
After a break of several years during which the Fireworks cruises were operated by motor vessels,  the paddle steamer again operated the special sailing on on Saturday 22nd June
2nd June 2019 First visit to Lecco this century
The paddle steamer was unusually rostered to operate the 1020 sailings 216-217 departure from Como to Bellagio on Sunday 2nd June - it is understood it is 30 years since she last sailed down that leg of the lake in public service
After a lunch break,  she carried on to Lecco covering sailings 281-288-249 at 1410
During her layover at Lecco,  she operated a short special sailings 'S1-S2' at 1600 to Onno and back
This arrangement ws repeated four weeks later on Sunday 30th June
5th May 2019 Strong winds prevented her and the motor vessels from sailing all day
The paddle steamer had been rostered to operate the 1030 full-length sailings 14-45 departure from Como to Colico on Sunday 5th May
31st March 2019 First sailings of the season
Once again keeping the paddle steamer "on standby" proved to be a wise move as owing to a shortage of operational motor vessels she was pressed into service much earlier and actually sailed in public service during March !
On Sunday 31st March she covered the 0950 sailings 11-31-342-343-348-349departure from Como to Menaggio and return followed by a couple of short afternoon trips from Come
 
24th October 2018 Last sailings of the season
Whilst operating the same sailings 14-45 on Wednesday 24th October,  mv Manzoni completed her repairs - so was able to take over from the paddle steamer commencing on the Thursday
This was the latest date she had been in service for very many years - proving her ongoing value to be able to step-in and cover the younger members of the fleet as well as sailings in her own right !
20th October 2018 Keeping the paddle steamer "on standby" proved to be a wise move as owing to a shortage of operational motor vessesl she was pressed into autumn service on Saturday 20th October to cover the full-length 1030 departure (sailings 14-45) from Como to Colico and return
This was repeated for several days
3rd June 2018 First special public sailings of the season
Operated a special 1130 lunch cruise sailing from Como to Varenna followed by three short teatime and evening cruises from Como on Sunday 3rd June
These were repeated most Sundays and local holidays until 2nd September
1st April 2018 First timetabled sailings of the season
Operated timetabled sailings 11-31-340-341-348-349 vice a motor vesssel on Easter Sunday 1st April and again on Easter Monday 2nd April
3rd March 2018 First sailing of the season
Following a warm up of the boiler in wintery conditions the previous day, the paddle steamer operated a very rare winter charter sailing on Saturday 3rd March
Do you have any further details ?
 
17th September 2017 Last public sailings of the season
Operated special sailings from Como at 1130 and 1830 also Bellagio at 1415 on Sunday 17th September
6th July 2017 The three regular Sunday special sailings from Como and Bellagio also operaterd on peak-summer Thursdays during July and August
4th June 2017 Operated an additional evening cruise from Como at 1830 on Sunday 4th June
These special sailings were repeated most subsequent Sundays throughout the summer
16th April 2017 First public sailings of the season
Operated special sailings from Como at 1130 also Bellagio at 1415 on Sunday 16th April
These special sailings were repeated most subsequent Sundays throughout the early-summer
 
17th September 2016 Last public sailings of the season
Operated her usual special sailings from Como and Bellagio on Sunday 18th September
5th June 2016 Oerate special sailings from Como at 1030 and 1815 also Bellagio at 1230 and 1430 on Sunday 5th June
These special sailings were repeated most subsequent weekends
30th May 2016 First timetabled sailings of the season
Despite the NLC announcing the paddle steamer would only operate 'special sailings' she actually operated timetabled sailings 14-15-16-45 vice a motor vesssel on Monday 30th May
20th May 2016 Operated a special pre-season VIP sailing from Como prior to being open to the public at Como (Funicolare) Pier on Friday 20th May
 
2012/2013/2014
/2015
No sailings during the 2012/13/14/15 seasons
After initially spending some time laid-up, the paddle steamer commenced work on a new boiler and a major overhaul by an outside contractor who unfortunately went "bust" before the work was complete
The NLC have subsequently announced they would complete the work "in house" with the aim of a delayed return to service in 2016
 
2nd October 2011 Last sailings of the season
The paddle steamer operated her traditional non-advertised "last sailings of the year" on Sunday 2nd October before laying-up - pending a major re-build
2nd July 2011 First advertised sailings of the season
Instead of the traditional Thursday advertised sailings, in 2011 the paddle steamer operates sailings14-15-16-45 vice mv Orione on Saturday 2nd July and subsequent weekends throughout July and August
17th April 2011 First public sailings of the season
The paddle steamer re-enterd public service on Sunday 17th April and operated the full length sailings 14-235 - the 1030 sailing from Como to Colico and return
 
3rd October 2010 Last sailings of the season
After a couple of weeks "on standby," the paddle steamer operated her traditional non-advertised "last sailings of the year" on Sunday 3rd October
4th April 2010 First public sailings of the season
The paddle steamer re-enterd public service on Easter Sunday 4th April and operated sailings 12-31-340-341 - the 1000 sailing from Como to Menaggio and 1310 return followed by a short working to Torno in very wet and windy weather
 
4th October 2009 Last timetabled sailings of the season
The paddle steamer operated her traditional non-advertised "last sailings of the year" on Sunday 4th October
1st August 2009 As a result of a serious accident to mv Orione on Sunday 26th July - causing her to be out of service for the remainder of the season - all NLC sailing rosters were "juggled" to cover including the regular use of the slow car ferry mv Plinio
Rather than operating her normal 0910 Sunday sailing to the "middle lake" the paddle steamer covered the 1030 and 1430 sailings 14-15-16-45 from Como most weekends from Saturday 1st August and Sunday 2nd August except when there was a private charter
27th June 2009 Fireworks at Isola Comacina
Took part in the annual evening parade from Como at 2000 along with two of the motor vessels on Saturday 27th June
Peak Summer 2009 Operated the curtailed 1200 Como to Bellano sailings 20-19 on Thursdays commencing Thursday 18th June
- this is a welcome extension of the "advertised" season which traditionally had been restricted to July and August only in the past
12th April 2009 First public sailings of the season
The paddle steamer re-enterd public service on Easter Sunday 12th April and operated sailings 12-31-340-341 - the 1000 sailing from Como to Menaggio and 1310 return followed by a short working to Torno
 
5th October 2008 Last timetabled sailings of the season
The paddle steamer operated her traditional non-advertised sailings 10-47 on Sunday 5th October from Como to Colico......
......but remained operational for some late season private charters
Peak Summer 2008 Operated the advertised 1200 Como to Colico service on Thursdays throughout July and August
21st June 2008 Fireworks at Isola Comacina
Took part in a special evening parade from Como at 2000 along with two of the motor vessels on Saturday 21st June
Summer 2008 Operated her traditional" sailing at 0910 from Como to Colico and return every Sunday on a non-advertised basis from Sunday 8th June to Sunday 5th October except when there was a private charter
2nd June 2008 First public sailings of the season
The paddle steamer re-entered public service much later than usual on Monday 2nd June and operated the full-length sailings 10-47 to Colico and back vice a motor vessel
30th May 2008 First sailings of the season
The paddle steamer re-entered service on Friday 30th May with a private charter following an extended winter overhaul
 
2nd October 2007 Last public sailings of the season
The paddle steamer was unusually reported operating sailings 20-45 on Tuesday 2nd October vice the regular motor vessel departing from Como at 1200 for Gravedona and return
30th September 2007 Last regular sailings of the season
The paddle steamer operated sailings 10-47 on Sunday 30th September departing from Como at 0920 - as she had done on most Sundays throughout the season on a non-advertised basis
Summer 2007 Operated the advertised 1200 Como to Colico service on an Thursdays throughout July and August
1st April 2007 First sailings of the season
The paddle steamer entered service early on Sunday 1st April and unusually operated sailings 220-245 to Colico and back for three weekends as a result of mv A Volta still being in dry-dock for her winter overhaul
 
1st October 2006 Last sailings of the season
The paddle steamer operated sailings 10-47 on Sunday 1st October departing from Como at 0920
Summer 2006 Operated the advertised 1200 Como to Colico service on an Thursdays throughout July and August
1st  July 2006 Fireworks at Isola Comacina
Took part in a special evening parade from Como at 1930 along with several of the motor vessels on Saturday 1st July
This replaced the original arrangements for Saturday 24th June which, as a result of a thunderstorm caused cancellation of the fireworks and saw the paddle steamer return to Como early
2nd April 2006 First sailings of the season
The paddle steamer entered service early on Sunday 2nd April and unusually operated sailings 14-235 to Colico and back as a result of mv A Manzoni still being in dry-dock
PS Concordia continued to cover the motor vessel on Sundays for most of the Spring timetable
 
2nd October 2005 Last sailings of the season
The paddle steamer operated sailings 10-47 on Sunday 2nd October departing from Como at 0920 vice ex-PS mv Milano
4th September 2005 Unusally operated sailings 20-45 on Sunday 4th September departing from Como at 1200 vice mv A Volta which had a private charter
25th June 2005 Fireworks at Isola Comacina
Took part in a special evening parade from Como at 2000 along with several of the motor vessels on Saturday 25th June
27th March 2005 First sailings of the season
The paddle steamer operated the 'traditional' spring sailings 12-66-31 on Easter Sunday 27th March despite very poor weather
 
3rd October 2004 Last sailings of the season
The paddle steamer operated in public service on Sunday 3rd October departing from Como at 0920 vice a motor vessel
2nd October 2004 The paddle steamer made a rare public weekday October sailing on Saturday 2nd October to mark the retirement of her Chief Engineer Luigi Quarenghi
14th August 2004 The paddle steamer made a rare Saturday appearance on timetabled sailings on Saturday 14th August to enable ex-PS mv Milano to operate a special sailing from Colico
1st July 2004 Operated the advertised full-length sailings 20-45 from Como to Colico on summer Thursdays commencing 1st July
26th June 2004 Fireworks at Isola Comacina
Took part in a special evening parade from Como at 2000 along with nine of the motor vessels on Saturday 26th June
9th May 2004 First timetabled sailings of the season
Operated the full-day sailings 14-235 from Como to Colico on Sunday 9th May vice the regular mv A Volta which had a private charter sailing
17th April 2004
  PS Concordia
Back to the water
The re-launching from Tavernola dry dock took place during the afternoon of Saturday 17th April, afterwhich the paddle steamer was observed operating some private charter sailings
Early
2004





 
Major re-build
The paddle steamer moved into the covered dock early-2004 and work started on the re-build
Work underway inside the covered dock as seen from the lake on Sunday 15th February
 
Winter 2003
 
Major re-build
Tenders were invited by the NLI for a major re-build
This was to involve the engine, boilers, paddle wheels, rudder, hull and superstructure (including the installation of a new aluminium roof over the stern saloon)

The existing roof was dismantled shortly after the end of the season and by Sunday 2nd November was temporarily covered to keep out the weather
5th October 2003
 
Last sailings of the season
The last public outing was sailings 10-47 - 0920 Como to Colico - on Sunday 5th October after the paddle steamer had sailed on record eight consecutive months
27th July 2003 Operated a special lunch-time jazz cruise from Como at 1100 on Sunday 27th July
13th July 2003 Reverted to operate the full-day stopping sailings 10-47 from Como to Colico on Sunday 13th July
Until, 2001, these sailings were normally operated on Sundays by mv Milano - the former paddle steamer which was converted back in 1926
This arrangement continued each Sunday until the end of the season, except for two dates when there were charter sailings
28th June 2003 Fireworks at Isola Comacina
Operated a special evening cruise from Como at 2000, along with several of the motor vessels, on Saturday 28th June
27th June 2003 Unusually operated the first evening spaghettello cruise of 2003 from Como at 2045 and 2230 instead of the regular motor vessel on Friday 27th June
20th April 2003 Completion of maintenance of the motor vessels
In consequence, the paddle steamer reverted to her "traditional" non-advertised sailings 12-66-31 from Como at 1000 instead of a motor vessel on Easter Sunday 20th April
The paddle steamer is repeated this arrangement every Sunday and Italian Holiday for the remainder of the Spring timetable
30th March 2003 On-going maintenance of the motor vessels
In consequence, the paddle steamer operated the first Spring sailings 220-245 from Como at 1200 instead of a motor vessel on Sunday 30th March
16th March 2003 First Sailings of the season
Commenced very much earlier than usual on Winter Sunday 16th March and operated additional sailings 20-45 from Como at 1200
 
29th September 2002 Last sailings of the season
The last sailing to Colico on Sunday 29th September (one week earlier than expected) concluded one of the most intensively used extended summer season by the paddle steamer for many years
7th September 2002 Book Exhibition at Lenno
Operated a special 'free' cruise from Como at 1000 on Saturday 7th September
29th August 2002 Last advertised timetabled sailing of 2002 was on Thursday 29th August
14th August 2002 Italian Holiday Week
Operated the full-day stopping sailings 10-47 from Como to Colico between Wednesday 14th and Saturday 17th August
instead of the smaller mv Milano
7th July 2002 Unusually operated the full-day stopping sailings 10-47 from Como to Colico on Sunday 7th July
These sailings were normally operated on Sundays by mv Milano - the former paddle steamer which was converted back in 1936
However, surprisingly this arrangement continued on subsequent weekends until 29th September
4th July 2002 First advertised timetabled sailing of 2002 was on Thursday 4th July - this was also the first public visit of the season to the northern port of Colico
22nd June 2002 Fireworks at Isola Comacina
Operated a special evening cruise from Como at 2000, along with several of the motor vessels on Saturday 22nd June
1st May 2002 Operated sailings 12-31 - 1000 Como to Menaggio and 1340 Bellano to Como on May Day Wednesday 1st May vice a motor vessel despite the dismal weather
see also photo feature
25th April 2002 Operated sailings 12-31 - 1000 Como to Menaggio and 1340 Bellano to Como on the Italian National holiday - 25th April vice a motor vessel followed by a late afternoon 'relief' sailing to and from Torno
21st April 2002 First Sailings of the season
Operated sailings 12-31 - 1000 Como to Menaggio and 1340 Bellano to Como on Sunday 21st April vice a motor vessel followed by a late afternoon 'relief' sailing to and from Torno
 
30th August 2001 Last timetabled sailing of 2001 on Thursday 30th August
5th July 2001 First timetabled sailing of 2001 on Thursday 5th July
 
31st August 2000 Last timetabled sailing of 2000 on Thursday 31st August
6th July 2000 First timetabled sailing of 2000 on Thursday 6th July
 
1977 to 1999 I have no details of any sailings during this period
It is understood most public sailings were non-advertised reliefs at busy periods
Can you help with any details ?
 
1977 Re-entered service after a major re-build following which the passenger capacity was reduced from 900 to 600
 
1943 Renamed PS Concordia
 
1926 Entered service as PS  XXVIII Ottobre
 


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Updated - Lakes Brienz, Geneva, Luzern, Thun, Zurich, Konstanz, Maggiore, Como, Garda 13th January 2023   e-mail   (c)1999-2023 John B Bird