2019-04-24 Wed

The Federal Mint Swissmint released a 20-franc silver commemorative collector coin celebrating the iconic steamship Blumlisalp that was commissioned on 31st July 1906. Designed by marine painter Ueli Colombi from Merligen, the coin features the steamship from the front right. Outlines of a paddle wheel can also be seen on the upper part of the coin.

Blumlisalp is 63.4 meters long and 13.3 meters wide. It can carry 750 passengers and can reach a top speed of 25 km / h using a sloping two-cylinder, 650 horsepower hot vapour composite engine with condensation. It was bigger and more efficient than all other ships on Thuner and Brienzersee. Due to tough competition, the ship was decommissioned on 1st August 1971. Vaporama acquired the ship in 1989. It was repaired by private investors and it hit the waters again on 22nd May 1992 as the flagship of the BLS fleet. The steamer’s 100th anniversary was celebrated in 2005. Vaporama handed over the “Blümlisalp” for one franc to the operating company BLS AG in 2012.

Image Courtesy: The Federal Mint Swissmint