Name: Legendary Paddle Steamers
Uploaded: 2011
Description: A documentary series about five of the most beautiful and oldest paddle steamers of the world.

A documentary series about five of the most beautiful and oldest paddle steamers of the world.

Rugged coasts, untouched nature, and the rough climate of the Atlantic characterize the landscape along the West Coast of Scotland. In the sounds and loughs of the Scottish West, once a year the “Waverly” appears, being the last seaworthy paddle steamer for passengers of the world.

embedded

The impressive ship was sold to the “Paddle Steamer Preservation Society” for a symbolic price of one pound sterling in 1974.

Along the Scottish West Coast on the Waverley

The side-wheeler paddle steamer “Skibladner” is the oldest passenger paddle steamer in the world on regular service. Since 1856 it has sailed on Norway’s largest inland lake named Mjøsa.

The side-wheeler paddle steamer “Skibladner” is the oldest passenger paddle steamer in the world on regular service.

Across Lake Mjøsa on the Skibladner

Of all paddle steamers in American history, the “Belle” has traveled most. During its exiting lifetime, the boat visited 130 towns in 19 states.

Along the Ohio River on the Belle of Louisville

One of its most beautiful stretches – in Saxony in the Southeast of Germany – is being navigated by the Sächsische Dampfschifffahrt since 1836. The “Diesbar” counts as one of its most beautiful boats.

The engine of the “Diesbar” is the oldest paddle steamer engine in the world; the steamer is the only one of the whole fleet which is still fired by coal.

Along the River Elbe on the Diesbar

The lake Vierwaldstättersee in the center of Switzerland reaches from the foothills of the Alps up to the first 3000 meter peaks of the high mountains. This is the home region of the paddle steamer “Unterwalden”.

After the biggest renovation in its history, the “Unterwalden” now returns with a fleet parade to the lake.