Lady Of The Lake To Celebrate 95th Birthday

Lady of the Lake to celebrate 95th birthday

The Wakatipu's most visible link with its pioneering past - the elegant coal-fired steamship TSS Earnslaw - will celebrate her 95th birthday in style on Thursday 18 October.

A special locals' cruise around the Frankton Arm will depart at 10am. The Arrowtown Miners Band will play on board and all passengers will receive complimentary birthday cake, tea and coffee to help celebrate the occasion.

Real Journeys Queenstown Operations Manager Tracey Maclaren said she hoped for a very good turnout for the birthday cruise - especially from those who had worked on the TSS Earnslaw over the years. "She's a magnificent historic vessel and a lot of locals have a great deal of affection for her. Indeed, many Queenstowners have been directly associated with her in some way. It would be wonderful to have them on board on October 18."

Residents of the Wakatipu Home for the Elderly and anyone who is the same age or older than the TSS Earnslaw will travel free of charge.

The TSS Earnslaw is considered the grandest vessel ever to grace Lake Wakatipu. When she was launched in 1912, people travelled from Invercargill, Dunedin and Christchurch to cruise on her maiden voyage from Kingston to Queenstown.

Large crowds welcomed her into Queenstown Bay where residents were amazed at her size. A public holiday was declared the following day so everyone could travel on a special trip to Glenorchy.

Today, the TSS Earnslaw is believed to be the last passenger-carrying coal-fired steamship remaining in the southern hemisphere.

"She has carried some special passengers over the years - including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, the King and Queen of Belgium and the Prince of Thailand," Ms Maclaren said.

TSS Earnslaw Birthday Cruise
10am, 18 October 2007
$20 Locals; $10 Seniors (65+)
Children under 14 free

ENDS

BACKGROUNDER

TSS Earnslaw

She's been acclaimed by royalty; her image has graced stamps, postcards and countless posters; and today, on the eve of her 95th birthday, she remains as regal and splendid as ever...

The heritage steamship TSS Earnslaw - Queenstown's most enduring and elegant link with its pioneering past - celebrates her 95th birthday on 18 October 2007.

Affectionately known as the "Lady of the Lake" the TSS Earnslaw is believed to be the only passenger-carrying coal-fired steamship remaining in the southern hemisphere. Over the years, she has provided vital transportation for the remote farming communities dotted around Lake Wakatipu. She has carried millions of passengers and many tonnes of cargo during her long years of service.

The elegant 52m steamship was purpose built by the New Zealand Railways Department as a passenger and freight ship. John McGregor & Co. of Dunedin was awarded the tender to construct the vessel for a cost of £20,850 and in 1911 the keel was laid and they completed her hull. The hull was then dismantled and railed to Kingston for reassembling, including 70,000 rivets in her 78 frames and 140 plates.

The launch of the TSS Earnslaw on October 18, 1912 was a grand occasion. People travelled from Invercargill, Dunedin and Christchurch to cruise on board her maiden voyage from Kingston to Queenstown. Large crowds welcomed her into Queenstown Bay, where residents were amazed at her size.

A public holiday was declared the following day so everyone could travel on a special trip up the lake to Glenorchy. Five hundred people took advantage of this excursion. With her speed, and features such as a first-class dining saloon with a ceiling decorated in gold leaf, Prussian velvet seats, social hall, ladies' cabin and electro-plated cutlery, the TSS Earnslaw was the pride of Lake Wakatipu.

Over the decades, the vessel has carried some very special passengers including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip. Other royalty to have travelled on the TSS Earnslaw are the King and Queen of Belgium and the Prince of Thailand. Throughout the vessel's working life, there have been numerous other dignitaries and celebrities on board.

Named after Mount Earnslaw, the highest mountain in the region, the TSS Earnslaw (Twin Screw Steamer) is the largest vessel ever to ply the lake and is believed to be the only vintage steamer still operating commercially in the southern hemisphere. She cruises at 11 knots and is powered by two locomotive-type boilers that provide steam for her two triple-expansion double-acting, jet-condensing steam engines. She burns one tonne of coal per hour.

In recent times, the "Lady of the Lake" has become such an enduring icon that it's difficult to believe that she once came very close to being scuttled. In the late 1960s, demand for her services declined due to the expansion of the region's roads and she began operating at a loss. Fiordland Travel Ltd (now Real Journeys) took over the lease of the vessel in 1969 - and eventually purchased her - with a view for using her for tourism. After major refurbishment she re-entered service with a new lease of life.

The TSS Earnslaw is still working as hard in 2007 as the day she was launched, cruising up to six times a day to connect with Real Journeys excursions at Walter Peak High Country Farm. Under the watchful eye of Senior Launchmaster Graham Moore-Carter, every cruise is overseen by an engineer, two stokers, a deckhand, catering staff and, of course, a pianist.

Today, the TSS Earnslaw is one of New Zealand's leading tourist attractions and remains the pride of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.

TSS Earnslaw Key Dates

* 1862 - Gold discovered in the Wakatipu area; commercial steamships working on Lake Wakatipu by following year

* 1902 - Government took over the running of ships on Lake Wakatipu from the private companies

* 1910 - Tender to build new steamship awarded to John McGregor &Co, Dunedin for cost of £20,850. It was the biggest vessel built in New Zealand at the time.

* July 4, 1911 - Keel laid at Dunedin, later dismantled and shipped to Kingston for reassembly

* Feb 24, 1912 - Hull launched at Kingston

* Oct 18, 1912 - Maiden voyage from Kingston to Queenstown

* Oct 19, 1912 - Public holiday for special trip to Glenorchy, hundreds turned out

* Oct 21, 1912 -TSS Earnslaw begins regular service on Lake Wakatipu

* 1962 - Road built from Queenstown to Glenorchy means there is less need for steamships

* 1968 - TSS Earnslaw operation reputedly loses £43,000 pounds; the vessel was facing the scrap heap.

* Dec 12, 1969 - Fiordland Travel Ltd (now Real Journeys) takes over the operation of services on the TSS Earnslaw.

* 1984 - Extensive refit - promenade cabin enclosed, bridge stripped and refitted, viewing platform in boiler room added

* March 1990 - Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip sail on the TSS Earnslaw (other royal passengers have included the King & Queen of Belgium and the Prince of Thailand)

* June 1991 - Fiordland Travel (now branded as Real Journeys) takes over Walter Peak High Country Farm and runs this as a tourist attraction in conjunction with the TSS Earnslaw trips

* 1998 - The TSS Earnslaw is given 'Category One Heritage' Protection Order by Queenstown Lakes District Council. The vessel is the first in New Zealand to be protected by a district plan.

* Oct 21, 2002 -TSS Earnslaw celebrates her 90th anniversary on Lake Wakatipu. Guests include 90-year-old Isobel Skipworth (nee McGregor) whose family built the vessel, and who was on the maiden voyage as a baby in 1912.

* Oct 18 2007 - TSS Earnslaw celebrates her 95th anniversary with a special cruise of the Frankton Arm.

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