 Genève in 1896 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Switzerland | |
| Name | Genève |
| Namesake | Geneva |
| Owner | Association pour le BateauGenève |
| Operator | Compagnie Générale de Navigation sur le lac Léman |
| Builder | Sulzer |
| Launched | 1896 |
| Recommissioned | 1934 |
| Decommissioned | 1973 |
| Fate | Docked since 1973 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 334 tonnes |
| Length | 63.40 m |
| Beam | 13.95 m |
| Draft | 1.60 m (1.84 loaded) |
| Installed power | 1 890 shp |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 14 knots (26 km/h) |
| Capacity | 1 000 |
MSGenève is the oldestpaddle ship ofLake Geneva. Originally a steamship, she became diesel powered in the 1930s.
Genève was built in 1896 bySulzer for theCompagnie Générale de Navigation sur le lac Léman (CGN). She was launched for the Swiss national exhibition in Geneva.
Genève was the scene of the assassination ofElisabeth of Bavaria on 10 September 1898. Elizabeth was stabbed just before boarding the vessel in Geneva to travel toMontreux. The wounded Empress, came on board and the boat departed. But her condition was soon seen to be life-threatening, andGenève turned around to return her to theHôtel Beau-Rivage, where she died shortly afterwards.
On 3 May 1928, nearPully,Genève collided with theRhône. The left anchor ofGenève became entangled in the rigging of theRhône, breaking herbowsprit and figurehead, and snapping the top of the foremast. A passenger was killed by a falling piece of the foremast.
In 1934,Genève went under a refit, where her steam machinery was replaced with diesel engines. She was the first CGN ship to be converted to diesel.
In 1973,Genève was taken out of commission and sold for scrap. The next year, she was purchased by an "Association pour le BateauGenève" for 75 000 CHF, and moored at Eaux-Vives dock. She is now unserviceable, but still afloat. During the summer months, the vessel is used as a restaurant, theBuvette du Bateau.[1]
The nameGenève was taken by a CGN swift boat on 31 October 2007.
46°12′17″N6°09′15″E / 46.204838°N 6.154291°E /46.204838; 6.154291