Compagnie Générale de Navigation sur le lac Léman
 | |
 The Genève launched in 1896 for the national exhibition in the city | |
| Company type | S.A. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transport |
| Founded | 1873 |
| Headquarters | Lausanne, Switzerland |
Area served | Lake Geneva |
| Website | www |
The Compagnie générale de navigation sur le Lac Léman or Lake Geneva General Navigation Company (commonly abbreviated to CGN) is a public Swiss company operating ships on Lake Geneva connecting towns in both France and Switzerland including Geneva, Vevey, Montreux, Évian-les-Bains, and Lausanne.
History
[edit]The CGN was formed in 1873 through the merger between three companies, bringing together the vessels 'Helvétie', 'Léman', 'Aigle' and later the 'Flèche' in a single fleet. The growth of tourism corresponded with the construction of railways during the second half of the 19th century, leading the CGN to cater for tourists as well as local traffic.
The cessation of tourism during World War I severely affected the CGN. Similarly affected during World War II, the company had to cease all operations for three months during 1940. The company was rescued by state intervention in 1943.
After the war the fleet was updated, with some steamships converted to diesel and from the 1960s augmented with new vessels.[1]
Current fleet
[edit]
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As a Swiss registered company, the ships fly the Swiss flag at the stern but, as the southern shore of the lake is mainly French territory, they also fly the Tricolour from the jackstaff at the bow.[1]
| Vessel | Type | Year | Length | Power | Passenger capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Suisse | Paddle steamer | 1910 | 78.5 m (258 ft) | 1,030 kW (1,380 hp) | 1200 |
| Simplon | Paddle steamer | 1920 | 78.5 m (258 ft) | 1,030 kW (1,380 hp) | 1200 |
| Montreux | Paddle steamer | 1904 | 68.3 m (224 ft) | 650 kW (870 hp) | 800 |
| Savoie | Paddle steamer | 1914 | 68 m (223 ft) | 660 kW (890 hp) | 800 |
| Rhône | Paddle steamer | 1927 | 68 m (223 ft) | 625 kW (838 hp) | 825 |
| Helvétie | Diesel electric paddle wheel | 1926 | 78.5 m (258 ft) | 1400 | |
| Vevey | Diesel electric paddle wheel | 1907 | 66 m (217 ft) | 515 kW (691 hp) | 750 |
| Italie | Diesel electric paddle wheel | 1908 | 65.5 m (215 ft) | 515 kW (691 hp) | 800 |
| Lausanne | Diesel | 1991 | 78.8 m (259 ft) | 2 × 870 kW (1,170 hp) | 1500 |
| Henry-Dunant | Diesel | 1963 | 50.2 m (165 ft) | 2 × 365 kW (489 hp) | 700 |
| Général-Guisan | Diesel | 1964 | 50.2 m (165 ft) | 2 × 365 kW (489 hp) | 700 |
| Chablais | Diesel | 1974 | 46.1 m (151 ft) | 2 × 325 kW (436 hp) | 560 |
| Ville-de-Genève | Diesel | 1978 | 47.2 m (155 ft) | 2 × 400 kW (540 hp) | 560 |
| Léman | Diesel | 1990 | 49.6 m (163 ft) | 2 × 520 kW (700 hp) | 850 |
| Valais | Diesel | 2008 | 30.8 m (101 ft) | 2 × 720 kW (970 hp) | 200 |
| Morges Lavaux |
Diesel | 2006 | 30.8 m (101 ft) | 2 × 720 kW (970 hp) | 200 |
| Coppet Genève |
Hydrojet | 2007 | 24.8 m (81 ft) | 2 × 1,045 kW (1,401 hp) | 120 |
| Col-Vert | Diesel powered | 1960 | 28.3 m (93 ft) | 294 kW (394 hp) | 130 |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Brown, Leslie; McKendrick, Joe (1994). Paddle Steamers of the Alps. Warsash: Warsash Nautical Books. p. 6. ISBN 1-871947-19-7.
External links
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