New attempt to salvage the steamship “Säntis” in Lake Constance
Published: Saturday, May 25th 2024, 05:40
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After a first failed attempt, a new attempt to salvage the historic steamship "Säntis" in Lake Constance is planned for this weekend. Preparations have been completed so far, said Silvan Paganini, President of the ship salvage association, in Romanshorn TG.
If nothing goes wrong, the wreck will be lifted from 210 meters to a depth of twelve meters between Saturday and Sunday. The last lifting lines have been pulled in. Exactly when the "Säntis" will be brought to the surface remains to be seen.
In May 1933, the steamboat was no longer fit to sail and was sunk in the middle of the lake between Romanshorn on the Swiss side and Langenargen on the German side. Scrapping it was rejected as too expensive at the time. The 48-metre-long ship had been sailing on Lake Constance since 1892 and could carry 400 passengers.
First attempt failed
An initial attempt to salvage the sunken passenger ship failed in mid-April due to technical problems. The Thurgau Office for the Environment subsequently extended the permit for salvaging the wreck of the steamship in Lake Constance. However, according to the association, the work on the wreck was successfully completed this time.
The steamboat is to rise in a controlled manner using suspension ropes with lifting bags and then be towed away under the direction of the association. It will initially be set down off Romanshorn at a depth of twelve meters. It will later be brought to the surface with the help of the lifting bags. The ship will then be preserved and possibly put on display.
The ship salvage association was founded in 2023. Since the successful crowdfunding for the salvage of the steamboat, preparations for the operation have been in full swing. The association is a non-profit organization and has over 40 members. A total of over 250,000 francs has been raised for the salvage operation so far.
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