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Re-built -- 1966 and again commencing 2004 Length -- 53.66m Breadth -- 12.30m Passenger capacity -- 900 (originally) Passenger seating -- 180 (proposed) Withdrawn for re-build -- 1991 Dry docked -- 2004 Present status -- returned to public service from Saturday 21st June 2014 | |||
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previous aborted plans for a major re-build included a new large dining saloon at the rear of the upper deck (similar to PS Concordia) (now considered by many to be essential for modern charter and tourist cruises) However she was eventually re-built to her origin "half-saloon" design 
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| 5th June 2023 | The paddle steamer was towed from Villa Olmo pier to Tavernola dock at Como by mv Bisbino prior to the commencement of a major re-build | ||
| 2015 to 2022 | Remained static at the Villa Olmo pier at Como whilst various schemes to return her to "some form of" service wete evaluated | ||
| 3rd August 2014 | Owing to very heavy thunderstorms all round the late earlier in the day, the "Party Cruise" from Como on Sunday 3rd August was cancelled | ||
| 12th July 2014 | Operate the first of two special "Party Cruises" from Colico on Saturday 12th July | ||
| 21st June 2014 | First public sailing of the
season Operated the first of several "Party Cruises" from Como on Saturday 21st June | ||
27th February 2014 |
Operated a special charter sailing from Como for Italian TV on Monday 27th February | ||
19th July 2013 |
The paddle steamer finally reached Como for the
first time in 23 years where the formal 'return to service' speaches and celebrations took place Thereafter she was opern for public viewing at weekends Any further information would be welcome | ||
8th May 2013 |
The paddle steamer succesfully under took her first
steam-powered test sailing on and passed with flying colours Any further information would be welcome | ||
9th October 2012 |
The paddle steamer was re-launched into the lake
complete with scaffolding round her funnel on Tuesday 9th October following completion of
work to her shell She will now undertake internal work with a target to re-enter service sometime in 2013 Any further information would be welcome | ||
| May 2009 | The paddle steamer was finally moved
into Dervio Dry Dock
so work could commence on her major re-build | ||
| 26th August 2008 | The local newspaper "La Provincia di Como" announced
that a grant of Euro 1,300,000 has been allocated to enable the
paddle steamer to be brought into full working order complete with new boilers Work is due to start in December this year ! Ths target is to re-enter service in 2012 Any further information would be welcome | ||
22nd September 2006 |
The paddle steamer featured prominently
in the publicity for the lake "Centobarche" as
announced by the official committee Unfortunately plans to tow the ship for exhibition at Como between 22nd and 24th September had to be cancelled last minute on safety grounds and she remained at Dervio dock all weekend Nnever-the-less it is understood plans to start her restoration work next year still exist with an optimistic 'return to service' target of 2009 Any further information would be welcome | ||
| August 2005 | The local newspaper "La Provincia di Como" announced the paddle steamer was transfered to the Provincia di Como for one euro | ||
7th November 2004 |
According to local newspaper reports,
Provincia di Como has officially rejected the offer to
purchase the paddle steamer leaving here future back up 'in
the air' It is understood all restoration work has ceased, leaving the wonderful original 1926 sofas abandoned in a corner of Dervio dock | ||
15th July 2004 |
The paddle steamer was moved
into Dervio dry-dock The Provincia di Como formed a new company registered as AVE Navigazione to initially manage the restoration work and ultimately the use of the paddle steamer Rust was removed and the hull restored and painted so it can last another 10 years She subsequently returned to Dervio dock | ||
| June 2004 | Ownership of the paddle steamer was officially offered to the Provincia di Como (the local government) for one euro | ||
| February 2004 | Click here for further local newspaper reports during February | ||
| 2003 | Local newspaper reports 11th February The president of Como County, the president of Lecco County, the director of NLC and the president of the private associaton "Famiglia comasca" visited 5th April An initial E980,000 (of the estimated E3,500,000) has been secured from last April (pending an executive project - estimated to take bewteen 6 and 12 months) but this is sufficient for the first step of restoration (the one regarding hull and other structural works and the project of the new boilers) In any case it will be necessary to wait for the completion of the new car ferry
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| 2001 | Unfortunately, previously secured funding for a major
re-build has been withdrawn due to the delay in providing detailed plans for the work Visit the supporters website for details of the latest delay and proposed action | ||
| 1992 | Laid-up at at Dervio dock (near Como) awating
finance for a major | ||
| October 1991 | Last sailing of the season
took place in October | ||
| 1990 | Last Summer season in service | ||
| 1953 | Re-boilered and converted from coal to oil | ||
| 1943 | Renamed PS Patria | ||
| 1926 | Entered service on 31st July 1926 as PS Savoia | ||
9th June 2023
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(c)1999-2023
John B Bird
