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This page is devoted to postcards and photographs of
the Compagnie Générale de Navigation sur le lac Léman (CGN) paddle steamer
Bonivard of 1869. There is a table of all CGN individual ship
histories on the CGN Header Page
Bonivard was ordered by La Compagnie de l'Helvétie
in 1867 from Escher Wyss of Zurich. When delivered in 1868 she was the
largest steamer on Lac Léman (Lake Geneva/Genfersee), carrying 900
passengers, and the first to be fitted with high pressure diagonal engines
(of 450hp). Bonivard was reportedly very fast and was a great
success. In 1873 she passed to CGN.
In 1885 Bonivard was substantially rebuilt as a half-saloon steamer
with new boilers and her engines adapted for superheated steam. However as
one of the major units in the fleet, she accumulated a very high number of
kilometres. Her machinery became worn out and she received a major overhaul
in 1899. The superstructure was partially replaced, the 1st class saloon was
refurnished, and her bridge and paddlewheels were modified. Despite this,
further work was required in 1901 and her high pressure cylinder was
replaced in 1907, along with further changes to the bridge. Power was
recorded as 700hp in later years. Smaller paddlewheels were fitted before
the 1912 season and the paddlebox design changed. Bonivard was
still considered a valuable member of the fleet even though many newer and
larger vessels where available by then. In 1921 the rear awning was replaced
with a fixed aluminium canopy. Unfortunately she suffered a major fire on
17th March 1925 and it was decided not to restore her. Her rudder was
switched to the Major Davel, which had lost hers off Yvoire.
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