Oldest Operating Steamship & Boats, Redux

Posted on by November 19, 2016
oldeststeam1

Tudor Vladimirescu,

We recently posted, “Which is the Oldest Operating Steamship?” We thought that “the oldest steamer may be the Norwegian PS Skibladner, which began service in August 1856 on Lake Mjøsa. We also asked, “So, which vessels have we missed? Any older steamships still in service?” We got some very interesting responses.

The Oldest of the Oldest?

William Worden pointed out that “Romania’s Tudor Vladimirescu, stationed at Galati, is older than Skibladner by two years, having been built in Hungary as a Danube towboat and later converted to passenger service. Her oscillating engine was originally a two-cylinder simple, but was later converted to a compound. She has received a new superstructure at least three times, the most recent being ultra-modern. She does not regularly operate; nonetheless, it does appear that she is the oldest operable steamer in the world.”

The paddle steamer Tudor Vladimirescu, was built in Budapest in 1854 as the tug Croatia.  Later named Grigore Manu, and Sarmisegetuza, she does appear to be the oldest operating steamer.  This takes nothing away from PS Skibladner, which is billed as the “world’s oldest preserved paddle steamer in timetabled service.” The Towlines.com blog has a great summary of the Tudor Vladimirescu’s history along with information about her steam plant.

Honorable Mention

Charles Payton and Roger Marsh mentioned the 1861 built steam tug Mayflower of Bristol. While not necessarily, the oldest, she is interesting for having a very early screw propeller of cast iron with bolted on blades. She was in service until 1964 and is now a museum ship.

Mayflower Steam Tug
Captain D. Peter Boucher, Kt. SMOM, also suggested “another interesting collection of active paddle steamers are those of the Swiss lakes. Ranging in age from 1895 to 1927 they are a wonderful way to see the towns and villages around the various lakes. Those of the Vierwaldstattersee (Lake Lucerne), which sail all year round, I have sailed in them several times and they handle beautifully under side paddles.”

PS Uri Photo : Malcolm Oliver

PS Uri Photo : Malcolm Oliver

Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees (SGV) operates a fleet of 21 passenger ships, including five historical paddle steamers and 16 motor vessels of various ages and sizes.  SGV’s flagship is the paddle steamer Stadt Luzern.  The oldest of these steamers date from shortly after the turn of the 20th century. The PS Uri, built in 1901, and the PS Unterwalden, built in 1902, are both still in service on Lake Luzerne.  

Thanks to everyone for all the comments and suggestions.

Comments

Oldest Operating Steamship & Boats, Redux — 4 Comments

  1. Let me recommend Alistair Deayton’s “Directory of the World’s Steamships,” published in 2007 by Tempus. It lists all the passenger-carrying steamers known to the author as of that date and is, in a way, the final version of “The World of Steam” by Deayton and myself, published every five years or so for some years in Steamboat Bill. I understand from Alistair that a new edition of the book can be expected, but no date has been set. There are some amazing survivors out there and the book is the best way to discover them.

  2. Well it was thoughtful of you to mention my comment. One should have mentioned the other paddle steamers on Lake Geneva which are operated by the Compagnie de Navigation the vessels range from 1896. If you look at their website there is some European history connected to these vessels.
    Subtle difference exist between the two operations though they are both Swiss. Lake Geneva follows a more French nautical style while Lake Luzerne follows a more German style. One more of the many interesting things about Switzerland.

    Good Watch.

  4. By no means the oldest, but Matson Navigation still runs steam ships, currently the S.S. Matsonia is the oldest (1973) but the Navigator, The Kauai and the the Maui are all running, and the Lihue is laid up at Howard Terminal in Oakland as a reserve ship.

    While none of these are near as old as the ships mentioned above, they are still notable due to the fact tat they are U.S. Flag and are in liner service.

    However barring any changes all will be scrapped by 2020