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Sociétié de Navigation sur les Lacs de Neuchâtel et
Morat - LNM
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copies which will open in a new window/tab
This page is under construction
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This page is devoted to postcards and photographs of
the Swiss lake vessels of the Sociétié de Navigation sur les
Lacs de Neuchâtel et Morat (LNM) in the cantons of Neuchâtel and
Fribourg. There are three interconnected lakes in the area, the
Lac de Neuchâtel (Neuenburgersee) in the canton of Neuchâtel,
Lac de Morat (Murtensee) in the canton of Fribourg and Bielersee
(Lac de Bienne) on the canton of Bern. Bielersee has its own
fleet of lake vessels running out of Biel/Bienne - a separate
web page will be created for this company.
This map shows the lakes of Neuchâtel and
Morat with the services of LNM in dark blue
This map shows the three lakes with
services of both LNM and BSG
The first steamer on Lake Neuchâtel ran
in 1826 when a company was established in Yverdon to operate the
paddle steamer Union, a 26.5 metre long wooden hulled
steamer. She operated until 1828 when she was seriously damaged
by fire. Philippe Suchard of Neuchâtel brought L'Industriel
to the lake in 1834 and paddle steam navigation continued
on the lake until 1969, when the Neuchâtel was withdrawn from
service after a 57-year life. The first really successful vessel
at Neuchâtel was the
Cygne (1) built in 1852, which survived
until 1921, having been renamed
Jura (2) in 1896. She was followed by the
steamers Jura (1) (1854-1861) and Fleche
(1856-1865), neither of which lasted 10 years. Subsequent
steamers were the
Gaspard Escher (rendered
G.Escher on the paddlebox) and
Hallwyl
(1870-1955)
Current operator Société de Navigation
sur les Lacs de Neuchâtel et de Morat was established in 1872 by
combining separate Fribourg and Morat companies which had been
founded by the local Canton of Fribourg in 1862 and 1869
respectively. The new company began operations with the paddle
steamers
Cygne (1),
Gaspard Escher (renamed
Helvétie (2)
in 1913) and
Hallwyl,
joined in 1881 by the
Helvétie (1)
(renamed
Yverdon
in 1912). The final two very similar paddle steamers were the
Neuchâtel
and
Fribourg (1)
of 1911 and 1913.
The first large motor vessels delivered were the
Cygne (2)
and
Mouette of 1938. These were joined in the war
years (when visitors to Switzerland were low) by four small
motor launches from Geneva. Further motor vessels arrived after
the war as the paddle steamers were withdrawn (Hallwyl
in 1955,
Yverdon
in 1960,
Fribourg (1)
and
Neuchâtel
in 1968).
Fribourg (1)
and
Neuchâtel
survived as floating restaurants and
Neuchâtel
was beautifully restored to steam in late 2013.
Of the earlier motorships,
Mouette has been withdrawn and is used as a
houseboat on the Thames at Chelsea, happily with few
modifications. Her sister
Cygne (2)
has been modernized.
We first visited Neuchâtel in 1988 to see the remains of the
DS Neuchâtel,
which was in use as a floating cafe/bar in Neuchâtel harbour.
Happily after a long restoration,
DS Neuchâtel was
completely rebuilt with a donor steam engine. We visited in 2014
to travel on her, which was a wonderful experience despite
horrendous weather. The larger Swiss lakes can become quite
sea-like during storms. A further visit in 2017 was in perfect
weather.
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Die Geschichte der Schiffahrt auf den Juragewaessern
by Erich Liechti, Juerg Meister &
Josef Gwerder
The vessel numbers allocated to each steamer relate back
to this book
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Sociétié de Navigation sur les Lacs de Neuchâtel et
Morat
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copies which will open in a new window/tab
Steamships
1: Union (1) - (1824-1829)
2: Industriel - (1833-1855)
3: Cygne (1)
- (1852-1896)
Jura (2)
- (1896-1921)
Original Owner: Société des Bateaux a Vapeur du Lac
de Neuchâtel
Builders: Escher, Wyss (Zurich)
Length Overall: 34.35m,
later 37.35m
Passengers: 300, later 250
Ownership passed to the Société Centrale de
Navigation in 1856 and to the Soc. Fribourgeoise de Navigation in 1858. She
was incorporated into the fleet of the Société de Navigation sur les Lacs de
Neuchâtel et de Morat in 1872 and was renamed Jura (2) in 1896 when
given a major overhaul. She had been re-engined and re-boilered four times
with original single cylinder oscillating engines replaced by two different
2-cylinder engines, the last revision in 1888/89.
Postcard of Jura (2), ex-Cygne (1)
at Neuchâtel
Postcard 2998 of Jura (2), ex-Cygne (1)
at Morat/Murten
Plus enlarged view from the card above
Postcard a588 of Jura (2), ex-Cygne (1)
at Morat/Murten, with screw steamer Morat
Postcard of
Jura (2) leaving Neuchâtel
E.Ciffelle postcard of
Jura (2) (left) and
Hallwyl at Neuchâtel
4: Jura (1) - (1854-1861)
5: J.J.Rouseau -
(1855-1858)
6: Hirondelle - (1856-1858)
7: Pelican - (1856-1858)
8: Fleche - (1856-1865)
9: Mercure - (1857-1865)
No images available of these early steamers
10: Gaspard
Escher - (1858-1913)
Helvétie (2) -
(1913-1924)
Original Owner: Société
Centrale de Navigation
Builders: Escher, Wyss (Zurich)
Length Overall: 42.20m, later 45.2m
Passengers: 400
Ownership of Gaspard Escher (displayed as
G.Escher on the paddlebox), passed to the Soc. Fribourgeoise de
Navigation in 1858 and was incorporated into the fleet of the Société de
Navigation sur les Lacs de Neuchâtel et de Morat in 1872. She was
re-boilered in 1870, 1886 and 1897, and her original oscillating machinery
was replaced 1886, after which she was capable of 22kmph. Gaspard Escher
was renamed Helvétie in 1913 and withdrawn in 1923, followed by
scrapping.
Postcard 131 of G.Escher,
later Helvétie (2) at the port of Cudrefin
Postcard of G.Escher,
later Helvétie (2)
Phototypie Co (Neuchâtel) postcard of G.Escher,
later Helvétie (2) on the Lac de Morat (Murtensee)
Phototypie Co (Neuchâtel) postcard of Helvétie (2),
ex-G.Escher at Morat/Murten
Aqua Photo (Paris) postcard of Helvétie (2),
ex-G.Escher on the Lac de Neuchâtel
Photographic postcard of Helvétie (2), ex-G.Escher
on the right, at Neuchâtel
Fribourg
in the foreground and Yverdon reversing out of the port
11: Hallwyl
- (1869-1955)
Original Owner: Société
Moratoise de Navigation
Builders: Sulzer (Winterthur)
Length Overall: 34.7m, later 39.2m
Passengers: 250
Ownership of Hallwyl was incorporated into
the fleet of the Société de Navigation sur les Lacs de Neuchâtel et de Morat
in 1872. She was totally rebuilt in 1905 when lengthened by 3.6m. She had
three different sets of engines during her long career which ended in 1955.
E.Ciffelle postcard of
Hallwyl (right) and
Jura (2) at Neuchâtel
Postcard No.4851 of
Hallwyl at Estavayer
Postcard No.4996 of
Hallwyl at Estavayer
Postcard No.1039 of
Hallwyl at Estavayer
Société Graphique (Neuchâtel) postcard No.628 of
Yverdon (left), ex-Helvétie (1),and Hallwyl (right)
at Neuchâtel
Card posted 02/10/24
Edition Perrochet (Lausanne) postcard No.9616 of Neuchâtel,
with Hallwyl behind Fribourg
on the left
13: Helvétie (1) -
(1881-1912)
Yverdon
- (1912-1960)
Owner: Société de Navigation sur les Lacs de
Neuchâtel et de Morat
Builders: Escher, Wyss (Zurich)
Length Overall: 25m
Passengers: 90
The small screw steamer Morat was built for
the Untersee & Rhein company as the Rhein. She was sold for work on
the Jura lakes in 1911 and renamed Morat. She was withdrawn in
1922.
Ideal postcard No.19 of Helvétie (1), later
Yverdon, on the Lac de Neuchâtel.
Card posted 13/061911
Ideal postcard No.19 of Helvétie (1), later
Yverdon, on the Lac de Neuchâtel.
Monochrome version of the card above
J.Cavo postcard (Neuchâtel) of Helvétie (1),
later Yverdon, on the Lac de Neuchâtel
Card posted 10/08/1917
Postcard of Helvétie
(1) at Neuchâtel
Timophee Jacot (Neuchâtel) postcard of Helvétie
(1), on the Lac de Neuchâtel
Phototypie (Neuchâtel) postcard 2595 of Helvétie
(1), on the canal connecting Lac de Neuchâtel and Bielersee
Plus enlarged view
Phototypie (Neuchâtel) postcard 162 of Helvétie
(1), on the Canal de la Broye connecting Lac de Neuchâtel and Lac de
Morat
Phototypie (Neuchâtel) postcard 162 of Helvétie
(1), on the Canal de la Broye connecting Lac de Neuchâtel and Lac de
Morat
Alternative copy of the card above
Phototypie (Neuchâtel) postcard 8502 of Helvétie
(1), card re-titled to later name Yverdon, on the Lac de
Neuchâtel
Card posted 29/01/1917
Postcard 964 of Yverdon on the Lac de
Neuchâtel
Société Graphique (Neuchâtel) postcard No.628 of
Yverdon (left) and Hallwyl
(right) at Neuchâtel.
Card posted 02/10/24
Société Graphique (Neuchâtel) postcard No.628 of
Yverdon, ex-Helvétie (1), at Neuchâtel.
Enlarged view from the card above - Card posted
02/10/24
Phototypie (Neuchâtel) postcard No.322 of Yverdon,
ex-Helvétie (1), at Neuchâtel.
Card posted 26/09/1919
Phototypie (Neuchâtel) postcard No.322 of Yverdon,
ex-Helvétie (1), at Neuchâtel.
Enlarged view from the card above - Card posted
26/09/1919
Société Graphique (Neuchâtel) postcard No.2745 of
Yverdon, ex-Helvétie (1), at Morat/Murten
Société Graphique (Neuchâtel) postcard No.2745 of
Yverdon, ex-Helvétie (1), at Morat/Murten
Enlarged view from the card above
Société Graphique (Neuchâtel) postcard No.2745 of
Yverdon, ex-Helvétie (1), at Neuchâtel
Vessels are (front to back):- Foulque, Yverdon,
Cygne, Fribourg &
Neuchâtel
Société Graphique (Neuchâtel) postcard No.2745 of
Yverdon, ex-Helvétie (1), at Neuchâtel
Enlarged view from the card above
14:
Morat - (1898-1922, built: 1891)
Owner: Société de Navigation sur les Lacs de
Neuchâtel et de Morat
Builders: Sulzer (Winterthur)
Length Overall: 48.5m
Passengers: 550
The small screw steamer Morat was built for
the Untersee & Rhein company as the Rhein. She was sold for work on
the Jura lakes in 1911 and renamed Morat. She was withdrawn in
1922.
Postcard 611 of screw steamer Morat at
Morat/Murten
Postcard 611 of screw steamer Morat at
Morat/Murten
Variation on the card above
Postcard a588 of Jura (2), ex-Cygne (1)
at Morat/Murten, with screw steamer Morat on the right
15:
Neuchâtel - (1911-1968, 201?- )
Owner: Société de Navigation sur les Lacs de
Neuchâtel et de Morat
Builders: Escher, Wyss (Zurich)
Length Overall: 48.5m
Passengers: 550
Neuchâtel was the first of two similar
steamers built in 1911/1913 and was the last steamer in service when
withdrawn in 1968. After withdrawal, she was re-sold and established as a
floating restaurant at Neuchâtel in 1972. When, in 1999, it was put up for
sale, the enthusiast group Trivapor was formed to purchase her - but she was
sold on to a different restaurateur.
In early 2007, agreement was reached between the owners of Neuchâtel
and Trivapor for the transfer of ownership at a price of SFR 600,000
.Trivapor, which had already purchased suitable steam engines, intend to
return Neuchâtel to operational service, probably under contract to
local operators LNM.
2010 ; Trivapor received the appropriate technical and legal approvals
for their plans, but some changes required by modern legislation are leading
to greater costs. However, the ship was moved to Sugiez during 2010 for work
on the hull and the new aluminium superstructure to commence. Current
legislation will limit the capacity of the ship to 300, rather than the
original 550. She was lifted out of the water by crane on 16th October 2010.
Her hull will be cleaned by pressure wash and she will then be surrounded by
scaffolding so that work can begin 2011.
Neuchâtel
was restored to steam in late 2013.
Phototypie (Neuchâtel) postcard No.8503 of
Neuchâtel on the Lac de Neuchâtel
Posted 05/09/1921
Phototypie (Neuchâtel) postcard No.283 of
Neuchâtel on the Lac de Neuchâtel
Variation on the card above
Phototypie (Neuchâtel) postcard No.283 of
Neuchâtel on the Lac de Neuchâtel
Variation on the card above with added swans
Postcard No.4283 of Neuchâtel
Monochrome variation on the cards above
Postcard No.2589 of Neuchâtel
Postcard No.3665 of Neuchâtel
Postcard No.203 of Neuchâtel
at Estavayer le Lac
Posted 05/09/1921
Official 1960s LNM postcard of Neuchâtel
on the Lac de Neuchâtel
Posted 05/09/1921
Edition Trivapor postcard No.5 of Neuchâtel
and Fribourg
at Estavayer-le-Lac
Photo: Rene le Roy -
www.trivapor.ch
Edition Trivapor postcard No.2 of Neuchâtel
Photo: Sebastien Jacobi -
www.trivapor.ch
Photos of Neuchâtel in use as a restaurant as
Vieux Vapeur
at
Neuchâtel in 1988
Photos: ©1988 Ian Boyle
Neuchâtel arriving
at
Murten
Photo: © Michael Tedstone 26th
June 2014
Neuchâtel arriving
at
Neuchâtel in 2014 in very unpleasant weather
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 10th
July 2014
On board Neuchâtel
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 10th July
2014
16:
Fribourg (1) - (1913-1965)
Owner: Société de Navigation sur les Lacs de
Neuchâtel et de Morat
Builders: Escher, Wyss (Zurich)
Length Overall: 48.5m
Passengers: 550
Fribourg was the last paddle steamer built
for use on the Jura lakes and was a sister to
Neuchâtel. She was withdrawn
in 1965 and lifted from the water for use as a restaurant at the Hotel St
Louis at Portalban and remains in this role.
Phototypie (Neuchâtel) postcard No.284 of Fribourg
on the Lac de Neuchâtel
Posted 10/07/1950
Phototypie (Neuchâtel) postcard No.284 of Fribourg
on the Lac de Neuchâtel
Enlarged view from the card above - Posted 10/07/1950
JJ postcard No.3651 of Fribourg
at Neuchâtel
Phototypie (Neuchâtel) postcard No.14 of Fribourg, at Neuchâtel
Phototypie (Neuchâtel) postcard No.610 of Fribourg, at Neuchâtel
Enlarged view from the card above
Phototypie (Neuchâtel) postcard No.610 of Fribourg, at Neuchâtel
Enlarged view from the card above - Posted 10/07/1950
Edition Perrochet (Lausanne) postcard No.9616 of Fribourg, at Neuchâtel
Hallwyl
on left and Yverdon behind Fribourg
Plus enlarged view
Photoglob Wehrli (Zurich) postcard No.9052 of Fribourg, at Neuchâtel
Plus enlarged view
Edition Perrochet (Lausanne) postcard No.4138 of Fribourg, at Neuchâtel
Plus enlarged view
Edition Perrochet (Lausanne) postcard No.4138 of Fribourg, at Neuchâtel
Variation on the card above - plus enlarged view
Photographic postcard of
Fribourg at
Neuchâtel
Helvétie (2)
on the right and Yverdon
reversing out of the port - Posted 10/07/1950
C.Sartori (Versoix-Genève) postcard No.20313 of Fribourg, at Neuchâtel
Neuchâtel, Cygne/Mouette, Vile de Morat
and Yverdon behind
Photoglob Wehrli (Zurich) postcard No.3915 of Fribourg
at Neuchâtel, with Neuchâtel behind
Plus enlarged view
Edition Trivapor postcard No.3 of Fribourg
at Estavayer-le-Lac
Photo: Sebastien Jacobi -
www.trivapor.ch
Edition Trivapor postcard No.5 of Neuchâtel
and Fribourg
at Estavayer-le-Lac
Photo: Rene le Roy -
www.trivapor.ch
17: Cygne
(2) - (1939-19??)
The motor vessel Cygne (2) was built in
1938 and is the oldest vessel in the 2011 fleet. She has a MAN diesel engine of
340bhp at 1800rpm. She is 34m
in length and 6m wide. Cygne (2) carries 200 passengers, with
restaurant places for 70 in two saloons.
O.Sartori (Lausanne) postcard No.4800 of Cygne (2)
at Murten/Morat
O.Sartori (Lausanne) postcard No.4800 of Cygne (2)
at Murten/Morat
Enlarged view from the card above
Société Graphique (Neuchâtel) postcard No.2745 of Cygne (2)
(centre) at Neuchâtel
Official LNM postcard (Rene Leroy No.4090) of Cygne (2)
18: Mouette - (1939-19??)
The motor vessel Mouette was built in
1938 and is the sister of Cygne (2).
She had a MAN diesel engine of 340bhp at 1800rpm. She is 34m
in length and 6m wide. Mouette carried 200 passengers and remains
in existence on the Thames in Chelsea, London.
Postcard No.2355 of Mouette
at Neuchâtel
Editions R.Jeanneret-Danner (La Chaux-de-Fonds)
postcard No.4096 of Mouette
at Neuchâtel, issued in 2000
Photo of
Mouette
at Neuchâtel in 1988
Photo: ©1988 Ian Boyle
Photo of
Mouette
on the Thames at Chelsea in 2006
Photo: ©2006 Ian Boyle, 14th Jun2 2006
Photo of
Mouette
on the Thames at Chelsea in 2007
Photo: ©2007 Ian Boyle, 3rd May 2007
Photo of
Mouette
on the Thames at Chelsea in 2008
Photo: ©2008 Ian Boyle, 10rd May 2008
19: Sarcelle - (1939-19??)
20:
Bécassine - (1940-19??)
Edition Photoglob (Zurich) postcard 11196 of
Bécassine
or Sarcelle,
and Ville d'Estavayer
(behind) at Neuchâtel
Edition Photoglob (Zurich) postcard 11196 of
Bécassine
or Sarcelle,
and Ville d'Estavayer
(behind) at Neuchâtel
Enlarged view from the card above
Photo of
Bécassine
at Geneva in July 2004
Photo: ©2004 Ian Boyle
Photo of Sarcelle at Geneva in July 2005
Photo: ©2005 Ian Boyle
Photo of
Bécassine
(right) and Sarcelle at Geneva in July 2005
Photo: ©2005 Ian Boyle
21: Grèbe - (1943-19??)
22: Foulque - (1943-19??)
Société Graphique (Neuchâtel) postcard No.2745 of
Foulque (in the foreground)
Vessels are (front to back):- Foulque, Yverdon,
Cygne, Fribourg &
Neuchâtel
Société Graphique (Neuchâtel) postcard No.2745 of
Foulque
Enlarged view from the card above
23:
Ville-de-Morat - (1955- )
The motor vessel Ville de Morat was built in
1955. She has a GM diesel engine 320bhp at 1800rpm. She is 32m
in length and 6.6m wide. Ville de Morat carries 260 passengers,
with restaurant places for 70 in two saloons.
Edition Perrochet (Lausanne) postcard No.8268 of
Ville de Morat
Edition Perrochet (Lausanne) postcard No.8268 of
Ville de Morat
Enlarged view from the card above
Official postcard (Photo Charlet - Neuchâtel) of
Ville de Morat
in the Canal de la Broye
Photo of
Ville de Morat
in the Canal de la Broye in 1988
Photo: ©1988 Ian Boyle
The motor vessel Vully was built in
1960. She has two GM diesel engines, each of 220bhp at 1600rpm. She is 25.6m
in length and 5.8m wide. Vully carries 130 passengers.
Editions R.Jeanneret-Danner (La Chaux-de-Fonds)
postcard No.6055 of Vully
at Murten/Morat
Editions R.Jeanneret-Danner (La Chaux-de-Fonds)
postcard No.6055 of Vully
at Murten/Morat
Enlarged view from the card above
Verlag Photoglob (Zurich) postcard No.7361 of
Vully
and Ville de Neuchâtel
at Murten/Morat
25:
Ville d'Estavayer - (1961- )
The motor vessel Ville d'Estavayer was built in
1961. She has two GM diesel engines, each of 320bhp at 1800rpm. She is 32m
in length and 7.5m wide. Ville d'Estavayer carries 240 passengers,
including restaurant places for 70 in two saloons. She generally runs a
circular route from Neuchâtel to Portalban and Cudrefin, including a lunch
cruise at 12h10.
Official LNM postcard of Ville d'Estavayer
in the Canal de la Broye
Official LNM postcard of Ville d'Estavayer
in the Canal de la Broye
Enlarged view from the card above
Edition Photoglob (Zurich) postcard 11196 of Ville
d'Estavayer
at Neuchâtel
Edition Photoglob (Zurich) postcard 11196 of Ville
d'Estavayer
at Neuchâtel
Enlarged view from the card above
26: Ville
d'Yverdon - (1965- )
The motor vessel Ville d'Yverdon was built in
1965. She has two GM diesel engines, each of 440bhp at 1800rpm. She is 49.6m
in length and 9m wide. Ville d'Yverdon carries 550 passengers,
including restaurant places for 105 in two saloons.
Editions R.Jeanneret-Danner (La Chaux-de-Fonds)
postcard No.6055 of Ville d'Yverdon
at Murten/Morat
27: Ville de Neuchâtel - (1972-
)
The motor vessel Ville de Neuchâtel was built in
1972. She has two GM diesel engines, each of 400bhp at 1800rpm. She is 48m
in length and 9m wide. Ville de Neuchâtel carries 520 passengers, including
restaurant places for 170 in three saloons.
Official LNM postcard of Ville de Neuchâtel
in the Canal de la Broye
Edition Perrochet (Lausanne) postcard No.8289 of
Ville de Neuchâtel at Neuchâtel
Verlag Photoglob (Zurich) postcard No.7361 of
Vully
(left) and Ville de Neuchâtel
at Murten/Morat
Photos of Ville de Neuchâtel
arriving at Morat/Murten in 1988
Photos: ©1988 Ian Boyle
28: La
Béroche - (1977- )
The motor vessel La Béroche was built in
1981. She has two GM diesel engines, each of 345bhp at 1800rpm. She is 44.30m
in length and 8.5m wide. La Béroche carries 400 passengers, including
restaurant places for 175 in three saloons. She is also used as the «Bateau
Bien-être» where it is possible to take part in various workshops such as
Tai Chi Chuan and for therapeutic massages.
Official LNM postcard of La Béroche
Official LNM postcard (Editions R.Jeanneret - La
Chaux-de-Fonds) of La Béroche
29:
Fribourg (2) - (1995- )
The motor vessel Fribourg (2) was built in
1995. She has two MAN diesel engines, each of 600 bhp at 2100 rpm. She is
53.3m length and 9m wide. Fribourg carries 560 passengers,
including restaurant seating for 210.
LNM image of Fribourg (2)
LNM Photo
LNM Fribourg (2)
at Neuchâtel in appalling weather in 2014
Photos: © Ian Boyle, 10tht July 2014
LNM Fribourg (2)
at Neuchâtel with LNM Ville de Neuchâtel
in appalling weather in 2014
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 10th July 2014
LNM Fribourg (2)
at Neuchâtel in better weather in 2017
Photos: © Ian Boyle, 1st August 2017
30: Idée
Suisse - (2002- )
The motor vessel Idée Suisse is the most
recent boat of the fleet. She was built in 2002 and has two MAN engines each
of 340 CV at 180rpm. She is 30.85m long and 6.8m wide. Idée Suisse
can carry up to 250 passengers, including restaurant places for 88 in two
rooms.
LNM image of
Idée Suisse
