As of: March 18, 2024, 11:05 p.m
By: Felix Herz
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The “Säntis” has been lying at the bottom of Lake Constance for more than 90 years.
Now it has to be recovered – a complicated and expensive undertaking.
Lake Constance – On May 2, 1933, the Swiss Federal Railways sank the “Säntis” on Lake Constance.
The reason was probably that the Swiss railway company did not want to cover the costs of disposing of the ship, writes the BR.
That was more than 90 years ago - now the history of the 126-ton steamer is about to have another chapter.
Salvaging the “Säntis” – a complicated and expensive project
The Romanshorn Ship Salvage Association, founded about a year ago by various enthusiasts and engineers, bought the wreck of the “Säntis” from the SBS for a symbolic franc.
Now they want to recover the paddle wheel steamer from a depth of 210 meters - according to the club, a unique project in the world.
In 1933 the “Säntis” was deliberately sunk into Lake Constance - the owners probably wanted to save themselves the costs of disposal.
Now the steel colossus needs to be recovered.
© Arkivi / IMAGO
And it consumes a lot of resources.
According to BR, the association has now collected more than 200,000 euros in donations. In addition, the engineers and inventors work for free and also receive materials, knowledge and other support donated by various companies and companies.
The work has been underway for a long time - diving robots are regularly sent to the ship, and the recovery technologies are assembled in the Swiss shipyard.
The aim is to bring the “Säntis” to the surface, bring it to the shipyard, preserve it there – and finally make it accessible to the public.
The “Säntis” – almost 50 meters long ship art
The “Säntis” was a paddle wheel steamer owned by the Swiss Railway Company and sailed on Lake Constance for around four decades – according to BR from 1892 to 1933.
There the ship transported passengers and goods between Romanshorn, Friedrichshafen, Lindau and Bregenz.
There was space for around 400 people on the steamer.
It was also the first on Lake Constance to be converted from coal to liquid fuel.
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Important requirements for the rescue – and the final plan
Before the rescue enters the final phase, the clever minds behind it still have to prove that the project is even possible - and that it won't harm the environment.
Above all, the four tanks, which hold up to 6,000 liters of fuel, must under no circumstances be allowed to leak - otherwise that would be an environmental catastrophe of gigantic proportions.
And there are further requirements for the ship salvage association: If the salvage does not work, the disposal costs must be borne.
In addition, an expert will inspect the recovery platform before it is used.
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The club is currently working at full speed because the “Säntis” is due to land in the Swiss shipyard soon.
Only the future can tell whether the plan will ultimately work – but the project is definitely exciting.
(fhz)
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