Stadt Rapperswil (ship, 1914)

Stadt Rapperswil in 2009
History
Switzerland
NameStadt Rapperswil
NamesakeRapperswil (SG)
OperatorZürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft
RouteZürich-Rapperswil-Zürich
BuilderEscher, Wyss & Cie.
LaunchedMay 29, 1914
HomeportZürich-Wollishofen
Statusin service
General characteristics
Class & typeSteamboat
TypePaddle steamer
Displacement260 tonnes
Length59.10 m
Beam13.50 m
Draught7.00 m
Installed power365 kW (500 PS)
Propulsion
  • compound steam engine,
  • 2 cylinders
  • 57 rpm at max. 13 bar
Speed27 km/h (15 kn)
Boats & landing
craft carried
2
Capacity750
Crew6
Sensors &
processing systems
Radar, Echo sounding, GPS

The Paddle steamship Stadt Rapperswil is the younger of the two remaining steam paddle ships on Lake Zürich. Stadt Rapperswil was built in 1914 by Escher, Wyss & Cie. in Zürich for the Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft. In contrast to most other Swiss paddle steamers, the most striking features of this vessel and its sister ship Stadt Zürich (1909) are a short smoke stack, and a spacious 1st class upper deck. The sister ships differ externally only minimally: In front, Stadt Rapperswil has a crossed flag mast. Her 1st class is more luxurious than her sister ship's, recognizable by mahogany and pear tree panelling, and an elaborate staircase to the upper 1st class deck.