M. Bindschedler, a great expert on the steamers of Lake Geneva, supplies the key to the mystery, telling us:
When it was decided to move the "Simplon", now retired, as a floating office to the Jardin Anglais in 1881 (until 1935, when it was replaced by the "France"), it was considered that her bow and bowsprit were taking up too much room and posed a danger to other boats (including the "Mouches" excursion boats) that manoeuvred/moored nearby.
Her bow was therefore cut off and replaced by another one which took up less room...
A Geneve, au Jardin Anglais, vue de l'ariere du "Simplon"... On le traverse pour acheter son billet et embarquer, ou pour debarquer. Le bateau de gauche est le Lausanne (I) de 1900 (*) |
Vue de l'avant du "Simplon"... (tout à gauche) Comme il n'a plus ses roues à aubes il parait minuscule. Ici, en comparant avec les deux autres vapeurs, au milieu le Lausanne (I), a dr le Leman III de 1857(*), on voit que l'etrave a deja ete modifiee. (*) Communica-tions d'un connais-seur : Cl.-F. R. |
