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CGN
Compagnie Générale de Navigation sur le lac Léman
 
CGN Page 4: The 2004 Fleet
 
 
This page is one of a series devoted to postcards and photographs of the Compagnie Générale de Navigation sur le lac Léman (CGN). This page shows the operational 2004 fleet in photographs taken during July/August 2004 by Ian Boyle. An alphabetical list of ships shown on this page is shown below. Below this is the 2004 Fleet List in chronological order. A new page has also now been added on the 2005 Fleet. There is a table of individual ship histories on the CGN Header Page.
 
 
Ships on this Page in Alphabetical Order:-
Bécassine (1961-1985)
Chablais (1974- )
Col-Vert (1960- )
Général Guisan (1963- )
Grèbe (1960- )
Helvétie (2) (1926- )
Henry Dunant (1962- )
Italie (1908- )
La Suisse (2) (1910- )
Lausanne (2) (1991- )
Léman (5) (1990- )
Montreux (1904- )
Rhône (3) (1927- )
Savoie (1914- )
Simplon (3) (1920- )
Venoge (1905- ) - non-passenger vessel
Vevey (1907- )
Ville de Genève (1978- )
 
Ships on this Page in Chronological Order:-
34: Montreux (1904- )
36: Vevey (1907- )
37: Italie (1908- )
38: La Suisse (2) (1910- )
40: Savoie (1914- )
41: Simplon (3) (1920- )
42: Helvétie (2) (1926- )
43: Rhône (3) (1927- )
44: Col-Vert (1960- )
45: Grèbe (1960- )
46: Bécassine (1961-19-- )
47: Henry Dunant (1962- )
48: Général Guisan (1963- )
50: Chablais (1974- )
51: Ville de Genève (1978- )
52: Léman (5) (1990- )
53: Lausanne (2) (1991- )
 
Venoge (1905- ) - non-passenger vessel
 
Other CGN Pages:-
CGN Header Page
CGN - Page 1 - Paddle Steamers 1822-1886
CGN - Page 2 - Paddle Vessels 1887-2004
CGN - Page 3 - Screw Motor Vessels
CGN - Page 4 - The 2004 Fleet - this page!
CGN - Page 5 - The 2005 Fleet
CGN - Page 6 - The 2006 Fleet
 
Associated Pages:-
Société des Mouettes Genevoises - Geneva local ferries
2004 Holiday on Lake Geneva
2005 Weekend in Geneva
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page
 
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CGN 2004 Fleet List
 
 
34: Montreux (1904- )
 
Montreux are was built in 1904 by Sulzer Brothers of Winterthur. She is 60 metres long and was fitted with a 2-cylinder compound engine of 1000hp, built by Sulzer. In 1962 she was fitted with an 8-cylinder diesel-electric installation of 1100hp, following boiler problems from 1958. She returned to service with a small white motorship funnel. In the winter of 1978-79, Montreux received major hull and superstructure repairs. In 1986, she reverted to a more traditional funnel, although it remained white. The diesel engine and generator equipment received a major service in 1989. In 2001 Montreux received a new 2-cylinder simple engine, and her accommodation was substantially rebuilt, incorporating the dining saloon panelling of the Valais, which had acted as a restaurant ship at Geneva since 1966 (Valais was then scrapped in 2003). The rebuilt accommodation is to a luxurious standard, and Montreux initially ran fairly limited "gastronomic cruises" in association with the Beau-Rivage Palace Hotel in Ouchy. However, the unavailability of two major units of the fleet in 2004 (Savoie being rebuilt, and Simplon (3) receiving repairs following her boiler explosion), required that Montreux also took the afternoon Tour du Haut-Lac in the peak season, which leaves Ouchy at 14:15hrs for Evian, St Gingolph, Montreux and Vevey, returning to Ouchy at 18:10hrs. This is preceded by a lunch cruise to Evian between 12:30hrs and 13:55hrs. In the evenings she operates an evening dinner cruise to Yvoire via Morges and Rolle at 18:35hrs, returning at 22:07hrs. Additional staff and food are brought from the Beau-Rivage Palace Hotel, which is of a very high standard, albeit pretty expensive at 68CHF for the buffet, and 90 CHF for the complete meal (the cruise costing another 37 CHF). The evening sailings were all well patronised during my visit in July/August 2004. Her itinerary (but with less frequent evening cruises) had previously been carried out for many years by the amazing La Suisse (2), the only operational 70 metre Swiss paddle steamer in 2004.
 
Additional 2004 images of Montreux are available on this link.
 
 
Montreux arriving at Pully on her afternoon Tour du Haut-Lac.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2004
 
 
Montreux arriving at Lausanne-Ouchy after her afternoon Tour du Haut-Lac.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2004
 
 
Montreux arriving at Ouchy at 18:10hrs.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2004
 
 
1st Class dining saloon on Montreux.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2004
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Venoge (1905- )
 
Venoge was built for CGN in 1905 for cargo services on the lake. She is of historic interest as being the first ship to be built powered by a Sulzer diesel engine. Her engine was recently replaced with a General Motors unit. Venoge is now based at Ouchy, and is used (mainly in the winter) on pier repair work.
 
 
Venoge at Ouchy.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2004
 
 
Venoge at Ouchy.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2004
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
36: Vevey (1907- )
 
Vevey and sistership Italie were built in 1907 and 1908. They are 60 metre steamers which were fitted with diesel-electric installations in 1955 and 1958, subsequently proving to be very economical units in the fleet. Vevey ran the Ouchy-Evian ferry service for much of the year until replaced by Léman (5) in 1991. On this service she maintained two crews and operated for about 20 hours each day. In the peak season of 2004 (mid-July to mid-August only), Vevey worked one of the two-day rosters with Rhône (3). This requires alternate overnight stops in Ouchy and Geneva running either Geneva-Ouchy-St Gingolph-Ouchy, or Ouchy-St Gingolph-Ouchy-Geneva. Outside of peak season, this work was taken by Henry Dunant, and Vevey ran short cruises from Geneva (taken by Lausanne (2) during the peak).
 
Additional 2004 images of Vevey are available on this link.
 
 
Vevey arriving at Lausanne-Ouchy.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th July 2004
 
 
Vevey reversing out of the CGN yard at Lausanne-Ouchy, prior to the day's services.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th July 2004
 
 
Vevey leaving Villeneuve at 12:23hrs for Lausanne-Ouchy and Geneva.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th July 2004
 
 
Vevey arriving at Lausanne-Ouchy at 14:00hrs, dressed overall for the Swiss National Day.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2004
 
 
The 1st Class dining saloon on Vevey.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th July 2004
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
37: Italie (1908- )
 
Vevey and sistership Italie were built in 1907 and 1908. They are 60 metre steamers which were fitted with diesel-electric installations in 1955 and 1958, subsequently proving to be very economical units in the fleet. Italie has long been associated with the daily return from Le Bouveret to Geneva and back, taking almost 12 hours. This is now called the "Rhone Express".
 
Additional 2004 images of Italie are available on this link.
 
 
Italie leaving Rivaz.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th July 2004
 
 
Passing Italie leaving Rolle at 12:22hrs, dressed for the Swiss National Day.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2004
 
 
Italie arriving at Ouchy from Geneva at 18:00hrs.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2004
 
 
Italie - 1st Class dining saloon.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2004
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38: La Suisse (2) (1910- )
 
La Suisse (2) was the first of the trio of 70 metre steamers built for Lake Geneva. She was delivered in 1910, and carries 1200 passengers. She was always easily identifiable from the later giants, Simplon (3) and Helvétie (2), by having her boiler ahead of the paddlewheels. Adjusting the boiler's position on the later steamers provided a more spacious internal layout, allowing more passengers to be carried. In recent years, La Suisse (2) has been back on the early morning departure from Geneva to St Gingolph and back, a round trip of nearly 12 hours. This is now called the "Rhone Express". For many years she had been used on the Ouchy-based lunchtime cruise to Evian and the afternoon Tour du Haut-Lac, both taken by the Montreux in 2004.
 
Additional 2004 images of La Suisse (2) are available on this link.
 
 
La Suisse (2) arriving at Villeneuve at 15:50hrs.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th July 2004
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th July 2004
 
 
La Suisse (2) leaving Nyon at 19:35hrs.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th July 2004
 
 
La Suisse (2) arriving at Vevey at 16:10hrs from St Gingolph, dressed overall for the Swiss National Day.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2004
 
 
La Suisse (2) at her overnight berth in Geneva.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2004
 
 
La Suisse (2) - 1st Class dining saloon.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2004
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
40: Savoie (1914- )
 
Savoie did not sail in 2004, since she is undergoing major reconstruction work. Photos were not possible see she is being worked on in the enclosed CGN dock, shown on the left in the image below. She is due to re-enter service in 2006.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Ouchy, 1st August 2004.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
41: Simplon (3) (1920- )
 
Simplon, the largest working paddle steamer on the Swiss lakes. Completed in 1920, although started before the First War, she is 70m long and can carry 1500 passengers. A 1400hp 2-Cylinder compound steam engine can drive her at 29.5kph. In recent years she has mainly been used as reserve ship, based at Lausanne-Ouchy, but saw greater use whilst the diesel paddler Montreux was rebuilt with new steam engines. In August 2003, she suffered a boiler explosion, but returned to service in July 2005.
 
Additional 2004 images of Simplon (3) are available on this link.
 
 
Simplon (3) under repair at Lausanne-Ouchy.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 26th July 2004
 
 
Simplon and Vevey in the CGN yard at Lausanne-Ouchy.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2004
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42: Helvétie (2) (1926- )
 
Helvétie (2) was built in 1926, the last of Lake Geneva's trio of 70 metre steamers. In 2004, Helvétie (2) was laid up at Lausanne-Ouchy awaiting a decision on replacement of her twin diesel engines, which had been removed from the Danube paddle tug Goliath. Unlike the other diesel-electric conversions by CGN, this arrangement was not a success. Initially used after conversion on the daily Geneva-St Gingolph-Geneva run, she was soon consigned to use on evening dinner cruises from Geneva to Yvoire a couple of times a week. Unlike the other conversions, noise and vibration are considerable at speed, although she did seem to be extremely fast when required to make up for delays. Her original steam engines are located in a museum at Nyon, and there were suggestions that they might be restored to her, although this now seems most unlikely.
 
Additional 2004 images of Helvétie (2) are available on this link.
 
 
Helvétie (2) in the CGN yard at Lausanne-Ouchy.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th August 2004
 
 
Helvétie (2) laid up at Lausanne-Ouchy.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 31st July 2004
 
 
Helvétie (2) laid up at Lausanne-Ouchy.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 26th July 2004
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
43: Rhône (3) (1927- )
 
Rhone was built in 1927, the last paddle steamer built for CGN. Her 2-cylinder compound engine has hydraulically-driven valves and an automatic lubrication system which requires enclosed cranks. She previously worked the daily Geneva-St Gingolph-Geneva service opposite Italie, but now works one of the two-day rosters with Henry Dunant or, in peak season, with Vevey. This requires overnight stops in either Ouchy and Geneva, running alternately Geneva-Ouchy-St Gingolph-Ouchy, then Ouchy-St Gingolph-Ouchy-Geneva.
 
Additional 2004 images of Rhone are available on this link.
 
 
Rhone approaching Château de Chillon, viewed from La Suisse (2).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th July 2004
 
 
Rhone leaving Montreux.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th July 2004
 
 
Rhone returning to CGN's yard at Ouchy at the end of her day's services.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2004
 
 
Rhone reversing out of the CGN yard at Lausanne-Ouchy, prior to the day's services.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th August 2004
 
 
Rhone's 1st Class dining saloon.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th July 2004
 
 
Rhone's 1st Class dining saloon.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2004
 
 
 

 

44: Col-Vert (1960- )
 
In 2004, Col-Vert operated short cruises out of Geneva.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Geneva, 2nd August 2004.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
45: Grèbe (1960- )
 
In 2004, Grèbe operated short ferry trips around Yvoire and Nyon.
 
 
Grèbe arriving at Thonon.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th July 2004
 
 
Grèbe arriving at Yvoire.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th July 2004
 
 
Grèbe arriving at Yvoire.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2004
 
 
Grèbe at Yvoire.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2004
 
 
Grèbe at Yvoire.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2004
 
 
Grèbe at Yvoire.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2004
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
46: Bécassine (1961-1985)
 
Bécassine is no longer part of the CGN fleet, but was owned by them between 1961-85. Since she remains active working out of Geneva, I have included her her for completeness. Bécassine MG No.18 was built in 1931 for the Société des Mouettes Genevoises. Between 1941-61 she worked on the Société des Lacs de Neuchâtel et Morat. She was brought back to Lake Geneva to carry diplomats between Signal-de-Bougy to Evian during negotiations on the Algerian war of independence. She was managed by CGN, although owned by the French state, and given the name Bécassine. After the conference, she was bought by CGN. She was used as a company work boat, and occasionally on services out of Ouchy. In 1985 she was sold back to her original owners, Société des Mouettes Genevoises, and now carries the name Bécassine MG No.18. She is maintained in beautiful condition for circular trips from Geneva.
 
 
Bécassine MG No.18 at Pâquis, Geneva.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Geneva, 4th August 2004.
 
 
Bécassine MG No.18 at Pâquis, Geneva.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Geneva, 4th August 2004.
 
 
Bécassine MG No.18 at Pâquis, Geneva.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Geneva, 4th August 2004.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
47: Henry Dunant (1962- )
 
During the peak summer of 2004 (mid-July to Mid-August), Henry Dunant was kept as the spare and charter boat at Geneva. Outside this period, she operated one of the two-day rosters with the Rhône (3) , but is displaced by the Vevey during the short height of the season.
 
Additional images of Henry Dunant are available on this link.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Geneva, 2nd August 2004.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Geneva, 2nd August 2004.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Geneva, 4th August 2004.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
48: Général Guisan (1963- )
 
In 2004, Général Guisan operated a morning return trip to Geneva from Ouchy, followed by three evening returns to Evian, Evian/Thonon and Evian. The Thonon trip is marketed as a dinner cruise.
 
Additional 2004 images of Général Guisan are available on this link.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Yvoire, 30th July 2004.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Nyon, 30th July 2004.
 
 
Général Guisan (left) and Léman (5) at Ouchy.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th July 2004
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
50: Chablais (1974- )
 
For many years, Chablais has operated on a circular route around the Haut-Lac Supérieur, between Le Bouveret-St Gingolph-Vevey-Montreux-Villeneuve-Le Bouveret and intermediate piers. She completed 5 circuits each day in 2004. Her blue livery is sponsored by an ice-cream company.
 
Additional 2004 images of Chablais are available on this link.
 
 
Chablais leaving Montreux on her circuit of the Haut-Lac Supérieur.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2004
 
 
Chablais leaving Montreux on her circuit of the Haut-Lac Supérieur.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th July 2004
 
 
Chablais leaving Montreux on her circuit of the Haut-Lac Supérieur.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th July 2004
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
51: Ville de Genève (1978- )
 
During the summer of 2004, Ville de Genève was kept as the spare and charter boat at Ouchy.
 
A complete history of Ville de Genève is available on this link.
Additional 2004 images of Ville de Genève are available on this link.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Ouchy, 26th July 2004.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Ouchy, 1st August 2004.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Ouchy, 1st August 2004.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
52: Léman (5) (1990- )
 
Léman (5) operates most of the ferry services between Evian and Ouchy. Many French people commute to Lausanne for work, and there is busy return traffic on market days in Evian. Léman (5) is easily the easily attractive CGN vessel to travel on, with functional plastic seating, little open deck space, and no difference between classes. Whilst accepting the need for a warm enclosed ferry in winter, surely some of the side panels could have been made removable during the hot summer months.
 
Additional 2004 images of Léman (5) are available on this link.
 
 
Léman (5) arriving at Ouchy from Evian.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 30th July 2004
 
 
Léman (5) arriving at Evian from Ouchy.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2004
 
 
Léman (5) arriving at Evian from Ouchy.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2004
 
 
Léman (5) arriving at Evian from Ouchy.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2004
 
 
Léman (5) (right) and Général Guisan at Ouchy.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 27th July 2004
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
53: Lausanne (2) (1991- )
 
Lausanne (2) is an impressively large ship with three full decks. In peak summer she runs three cruises out of Geneva each day, those at lunchtime and the evening being marketed as gastronomic cruises with excellent food served on the top deck. When first built, she was tried on the Geneva-St Gingolph-Geneva "Rhone Express", but now seems to see little regular use outside of the peak season, when her cruises are taken by the Vevey.
 
Additional 2004 images of Lausanne (2) are available on this link.
 
 
Lausanne (2) arriving at Nyon on her evening cruise from Geneva to Yvoire.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th July 2004
 
 
Lausanne (2) at her overnight berth in Geneva.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2004
 
 
Lausanne (2) at her overnight berth in Geneva.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd August 2004
 
 
Lausanne (2) in Geneva.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th August 2004
 
 
 
 
 
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