Lake Lucerne Shipping Company (SGV) AG
The former steamship company of Lake Lucerne (DGV) ordered the salon steamer Uri from Sulzer in Winterthur in 1899. The construction decision was made at the same time as the one for the paddle steamer Unterwalden, which was, however, ordered from Escher Wyss. The launch took place on January 19, 1901, and on May 8, 1901, after the official handover on May 4, the ship began regular service.
As a machine, the Uri is equipped with an inclined Sulzer two-cylinder hot steam compound engine with condensation. It has a power output of 650 horsepower.
Already in the winter of 1903/04, the defective paddle wheels had to be replaced. Around 1920, a closed wheelhouse was installed, and at the same time, the masts were shortened. In 1949, the ship was converted from coal to heavy oil firing, and in 1952, a major overhaul took place. After another major overhaul in 1959, the Uri underwent extensive modifications between 1960 and 1961 to enable it to pass under the new Acheregg Bridge in Stansstad. Like the Unterwalden, the ship was equipped with a new retractable wheelhouse, a telescopic chimney, and telescopic masts. A protective aluminum roof was also installed on the upper deck. After a general overhaul from 1979 to 1981, during which the Uri remained in operation during the summer months, these modifications were undone during the general overhaul from 1991 to 1994. The Uri regained its appearance from before 1960, which also meant it lost the ability to pass under the Acheregg Bridge. At the same time, the steam boilers and the low-pressure cylinder had to be replaced.
Like the other four active steamships on Lake Lucerne – Unterwalden, Schiller, Gallia, and Stadt Luzern – the Uri is classified as a cultural asset of national importance (category A).
