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PS
Skibladner Operating Area : Lake
Mjosa, Norway
Above : Skibladner at Hamar on 13th August 2006
Skibladner is based at Gjovik, at approximately the
mid-point of the lake and, in the high summer season only, visits the northern part of the lake on
three weekdays (calling at Hamar, Moelv and Lillehammer) and
the southern part on three days (calling at Kapp, Hamar and Eidsvoll,
with additional calls at Nes and Totenvika on Sundays). She is not normally
in service on Mondays.
Built in 1856
by Motala Shipyard, Sweden, assembled at Minnesund, near Eidsvoll
Engines : Triple diagonal by Akers mech. Verksted, fitted in 1888,
replacing original double diagonal set
Length : 165 feet
Ordered in 1852 and finally
delivered by her Swedish builders (by rail to Eidsvoll and onward by horse and
cart) in 1856 for assembly at
Minnesund
Owners were the Oplandske Dampskibsselkap, set up to rival railway
company which had bought out the private owner of the two existing Lake Mjosa
steamers.
Maiden voyage was August 2nd 1856, shortly after her fleetmate
PS Faerdesmanden
In service up to 9 months a year whilst the lake remained
ice free. Passenger numbers fell after the railway was extended from Eidsvoll
to Hamar in 1894.
Reengined with a triple diagonal unit built by Aker in 1888 for greater power, and
the hull lengthened by 20 feet
Reboilered at the same time, reemerging with one funnel instead of
the original two
Converted to oil fuel in 1921
A major restoration took place in 1967 after a public campaign to
save her after she sank at her berth at Minnesund
In the heavy winter snows, sinking becomes a major risk - and
Skibladner had suffered the same fate in 1937
Since 1974, she has been substantially supported by a local
preservationist society and has become increasingly popular
Reboilered in
1983
Missed the 1984 season with a broken crankshaft suffered near the end
of the 1983 season.
Significant work was undertaken between 1992 and 1995 to restore her to near her
1888
condition
In 2005 she was adopted by the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural
Heritage for preservation
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From the paddlesteamers.info archive
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At Eidsvoll on 13th August 2006
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Calling at Totenvika
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At Hamar
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On Deck
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Undercover
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"Firing one of the Cannons"
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