There’s certainly something romantic about the notion of a river cruise. Perhaps it’s the knowledge that in most cases, if you book one, you’ll be following in the wake of millions of other people throughout history, whether they were working a long-established trade route, making the long journey to the coast, or travelling from one city to the next, taking inspiration and going on to create a legendary piece of music or a classic work of art.
Though some of the routes may be similar, the vessels which follow them have changed a lot. These days, river cruisers travel on state-of-the art vessels boasting the latest green technology, floor to ceiling windows and luxurious accommodations. There’s one form of vintage river cruise vessel however, that though it may have changes somewhat from its original form, is still going strong all around the world; the paddle steamer.
Driven by a steam engine which powers paddle wheels which propel the vessel through the water, the paddle steamer was the precursor to the propeller-driven vessel and the first major advancement from the use of sails in maritime history. Paddle wheels operate on much the same principle as the water wheels which were used to power mills, where the wheel’s blades move the water, but in this case instead of to generate power, they create thrust to move the vehicle through the water.
The first paddle steamer ever built was built in France in 1774 and sailed on the Doubs River. Other attempts followed to build successful paddle steamers, including Scottish engineer William Symington’s efforts, but it was Captain Henry Shreve’s first Mississippi paddle steamer, which sailed in 1812, which provided us with the most enduring image and setting for paddle steamer travel. Though marine propulsion technology has moved on a lot since then, to this day, paddle steamers still sail the iconic American river, though admittedly for the purposes of tourism rather than industry.
The Delta Queen, in service since 1927, is one of the longest-serving paddle steamers on the river, while The Queen of the Mississippi, operated by American Cruise Lines is one of the most popular contemporary vessels. With a diesel-powered, stern-mounted paddle wheel helped along by a more modern marine propulsion unit, it aims to offer river cruisers the efficiency of modern technology combined with the brass and wood ambience of the classic vessels of yore.
Some paddle steamer facts
Skibladner which sails on lake Mjoska in Norway, is the oldest paddle steamer still in operation, taking her maiden voyage in 1856.
A number of paddle steamers also operated on the ocean and the oldest ocean-going paddle steamer still in existence is the British-based PS Waverley (pictured left), which was built in 1947.
Launched in 1914, the oldest operating Mississippi paddle steamer is the Belle of Louiseville.
PS Washington Irving was the biggest passenger-carrying riverboat ever built, with a 6,000-passenger capacity.
Built in 1866, the PS Adelaide, which sails the Murray River in Australia, is home to the world’s oldest wooden-hulled paddle steamer in the world.
By Simon Brotherton
Google