There seems to be a bit of Viking rivalry here between Norway amd
Denmark with each claiming the "oldest operating paddler in the world"
(an important tourist "hook").

The very pretty Norwegian side paddler "Skibladner" is claimed to be
the oldest operating paddle steamer in the world. (neat little slide
show applet!).

http://www.norway.com/lillehammer/virtualsightseeing/slide_paddle_stea
mer.asp

Elsewhere she is claimed to be "the world's oldest paddle steamer in
scheduled service" In any case she was launched in 1856 and almost
145 years later is STILL going strong!! Pretty, miraculous I'd say
and surely a candidate for a 1:48 operating model.

Another picture
http://www.skibladner.no/images/SKIBL_06iii.jpg

Equally miraculous is the Danish "Hjelejn", also claimed to be "the
oldest operative paddle steamer in the world." A lovely vessel which,
I believe was once (is) the subject of a Billings Boats kit. (Anybody
built or even seen one as I can't find any refs on the net to a
model?)

It seems she was launched in 1861, 5 years after "PS Skibladner" and
consequently touted elsewhere "the world's oldest COALBURNING paddle
steamer"

Here is a page for her along with an interesting perspective from
"Guinness" which puts the subject of these two vessels into a little
more perspective.

http://www.silkeborg.com/english/descriptions/attractions/hjejlen/Defa
ult.html

Both highly worthy prototypes to model!

PJ