WRECK OF SWITZELANDS EARLIEST PADDLE STEAMER FOUND.

[Walter Snowdon]

Plans are underway to raise the wreck of one of Swizerlands earliest paddle steamers from Lake THUN.
 The P.S. BELLEVUE sank in a storm in 1864 and its exact location has remained a mystery until a diving team found the wreck in 2004.
 She lies a few hundred metres from OBERHAFEN, 100 metres below the surface, 90% covered in sediment in water low in oxygen, so there should be very little deterioration of the structure.
 BELLEVUE was a sidewheeler launched as a passenger ship in 1835. In 1859 she was converted into a cargo carrier and she sank carrying a cargo of salt. One crew member was killed, his body was never recovered.
 Salvage and restoration has been estmated at 440,000 dollars. I hope they are successful.  Walter.