Story and Updates

1990; 1991; 1992; 1993; 1994; 1995; 1996; 1997; 1998; 1999; 2000; 2001; 2002; 2003; 2004;

"Patria" and "Concordia" are the last paddle-steamers still existing on lake Como, two out of the three existing in Italy. While "Concordia" is still in operation, "Patria" was taken out of service in 1990 for major repairs. Then a crucial period for "Patria"'s future started which saw the antagonism between "Navigazione", the governmental organization that owns "Patria" and want her transformed with a Diesel-Electric engine, and a group of steam enthusiasts that want to preserve her with her original engine. In the following we expose the most relevant facts that occurred during this period, which testify of a typical Italian story.

1990 (^)

The "Navigazione", the governmental organization that owns "Patria", is not concealing plans for a transformation of the ship that include the substitution of the original steam engine with a modern one, as it happened to the last two steamers on the lake Garda by decision of the same administration. The "Navigazione" workers organizations, lead by Franco Pallassini, immediately arise against such a design [90-1]. In Switzerland, the steam boat enthusiasts, lead by Mario Gavazzi, at the end of 1990 collect about 2,200 signed petitions from everywhere in Europe [90-2] . On the Italian side, the "Famiglia Comasca", a local organization lead by Piercesare Bordoli, promotes the rise of a defense committee "Patria" composed of many local organizations, the local political parties of the time, and the local administration. Several meetings take place with the president of "Navigazione", which answers with reassuring attitude . [90-3]

1991 (^)

Many activities for the preservation are undertaken [91-1] . Petitions are submitted to regional and government authorities. Three ministers are interested and petitions are presented in the Senate [91-2], [91-3]. The minister of transportation provides a vague answer by citing the amount of expenses that are requested for the restoration [91-4]. Perhaps Navigazione has decided to scrap the ship? The president of Navigazione, Ing. Santini in its answers to representative Marte Ferrari acknowledges the preservation activities that are occurring on the Swiss lakes [91-5]. He recalls the amount of the expenses needed for restoration, but is confident that "Patria" will be saved. The minister Carlo Bernini answers to a new petition assuring that money exists for preliminary works, but subsequent restoration will not be undertaken before enough funding is found [91-6]. Fund rising is started [91-7]. About 13,000 subscriptions are collected and finally the local administration offers funding for the restoration </[91-7], [91-8].

1992 (^)

Newspapers frequently report of "Patria" [92-1], [92-2]. In the meantime the Swiss group of steam enthusiasts keeps soliciting Navigazione. The president of Navigazione, Ing. Santini answers explaining the reasons that opposes to a prompt restoration, but he's confident that restoration activity will start in 1993 [92-3] .

1993 (^)

The promised works are postponed. "Patria" is still moored inactive in Como, well in view of the caring citizens and taken care by the Navigazione's personnel. The decks are kept wet and the beautiful first class saloon is continuously aired.

1994 (^)

The issue about "Patria"'s future is still debated in newspapers [94-1], [94-2],. During autumn "Patria" is taken back to the Dervio dockyard to be submitted to repairs [94-3]. Return to active service is expected in 1996.

1995 (^)

The hull is completely rebuilt, the funnel and boilers are removed and repeatedly checked by experts from the "Registro Navale", the Italian organization that certifies the vessels' ability to navigate safely. Though checks are positive the boilers are not reinstalled and are left to rust in open space . In the meantime, due to its long inactivity, "Patria"'s official navigation permit expires. Now, even more demanding transformations will be required to get "Patria" sailing again.

1996 (^)

The ship maintenance activities have ceased. The wooden decks, completely rebuilt in the eighties, are no longer maintained wet and the wooden strips begin to get out of place. The beautiful stern saloon, the only one of the twins that is surviving in its original splendor because it was completely rebuilt in 1973 in complete respect of the historical design, is no longer aired and humidity already is attacking the wooden panels on walls and the stucco on the ceiling. The red-leather sofas and chairs lie stacked in the saloon. In December this WWW site is opened. The Navigazione's general manager, Ing. Sposito explains Prof. Borgonovo why the steam plant can no longer be retained aboard of "Patria" [96-1]. Newspapers report the opening of this Internet site [96-2], [96-3]. Support declarations are received in great number and even the Steamship Historical Society of America sends a plea for "Patria" preservation to the Navigazione's president [96-4].

1997 (^)

In January, Mr. Borgonovo visits the Registro Navale of Genova to know the modifications to "Patria'''s structure they require to let "Patria" navigate again. It turns out that these modifications are indeed expensive, but by no means include the deep changes in the vessel propulsion system the "Navigazione" claimed. On the public authority side, Mr. Giorcelli, member of the Regional Council, starts a campaign to have regional authorities take care of "Patria"'s destiny [97-1],[97-2], [97-3]. The member of the regional government, Mr. Giorgio Pozzi answer the petition of Mr. Giorcelli explaining the reasons of Navigazione and states that a complete restoration will cost 5 billions lire. He also indicates that non-government associations have plans to recover "Patria" to cultural activities [97-4], [97-5]. During the spring newspapers report of many proposals from both private and public people that suggest to transform "Patria" in a floating museum, or in Yacht [97-6], [97-7]. A study of NAVIS, a naval architecture firm from Genoa, confirms that "Patria" can be restored maintaining the steam power plant appears on newspapers [97-8], [97-9]. In September Mr. Giorcelli get approved an agenda of the Regional Council that recommend the complete restoration of "Patria" [97-10].

1998 (^)

At the end of January 1998 the member of the regional government, Mr. Giorgio Pozzi makes a public statement in which he reasserts its commitment to have "Patria" navigate again, restored in its original characteristics [98-1]. An official decision on this subject should be taken by the end of the year. The problem turns again under the attention of local authorities. Fondazione CARIPLO, from which depends one of the biggest banking system in Italy, offers a funding of 700 million Lire for "Patria"'s restoration. In June the Societe' General de Navigation, which manages the navigation system on the lake Geneve, presents a plan to get back to steam on all its four paddlesteamers that were transformed from steam to diesel in years from 55 to 77. This will bring to 8 the number of operating paddle steamer on the lake Geneve. In autumn, Navigazione lets know his plan to restore and get Patria back in service. The steam engine will be replaced by a diesel-electric system. So, here we are, back in the same situation as in 1990.

1999 (^)

On January 14, 1999 the president of the "Famiglia Comasca", Piercesare Bordoli presents to the press the new Committee for the preservation of the steamer "Patria", which has the scope of drawing the attention of the public opinion on the issue, raising consensus and keeping pressure on public authorities to get "Patria" and Concordia sailing again for tourists and steam enthusiasts. The new committee collects the support of almost all the local VIPs, starting from all the local representatives to the parliament and ending with almost all the majors of the villages on the lake. The member of the regional government, Mr. Giorgio Pozzi, releases a press declaration in which confirms his support to the new Committee and announces new actions [La Provincia, 25.1.99], [La Provincia, 26.1.99], [Il Corriere, 26.1.99], [Il Giorno, 26.1.99]. Mr. Pozzi loses no time and starts organizing meetings with the different parts involved in the "Patria"'s issue. At last, after a few months of talks, an agreement is reched [La Provincia, 13.7.99] and signed, aboard "Concordia" on Saturday, July 17, 1999 [La Provincia, 18.7.99], [Il Giorno, 18.7.99], [Il Corriere della Sera, 18.7.99]. The agreement involves five parties:

Regione Lombardia , the regional government
Gestione Governativa dei servizi pubblici di navigazione sui laghi Maggiore, di Garda e Como , "Patria"'s owner
Provincia di Como, the provincial government
Fondazione Cariplo, a national wide bank system
Famiglia Comasca, the leading society supporting Patria restoration.

The agreement states that all parties have committed to "Patria" restoration with the original steam engine. Navigazione will prepare a technical and financial restoration plan within 180 days. Works will start after Regione Lombardia's approval of the plan. Regione Lombardia and Fondazione Cariplo will provide funding for the restoration of the steam engine, whereas Gestione Governativa will provide funding for the restoration of the vessel.

2000 (^)

On february 19, 2000, in a meeting aboard of the ferry Plinio in Como, the Navigazione's general manager, Ing. Marcello Sposito, presents the preliminary project for "Patria" restoration, in fulfillment of the agreement signed on July 17, 1999. According to the new project, "Patria" will suffer the changes needed to increase its accommodation capability, both in number and quality. The changes are shown by means of drawings, a small scale model, and pictures that have been artificially modified from old ones to show the "Patria"'s new look. The original steam engine has been preserved, as well as the hull. The most relevant changes are as follows:

the level of the stern saloon is increased to the level of the foredeck to allow room for a new kitchen below the saloon
a further covered deck is added above the saloon, much like the one of Concordia, but broader, as no external gangway is envisaged
the forward covered deck is extended, to balance the bulky changes on the stern
the level of the wheelhouse is increased to improve the appearance.

With these changes, "Patria" will be able to host a restaurant of 180 places, whereas "Concordia" only have 100. The increased weight will increase the draft by 3 cm. Mr. Sposito is confident that restoration works can start in autumn and hopes that "Patria" will be able to sail again by the end of 2001.

On april 16th the five steam ships of the Lake Lucerne fleet sail together to celebrate the return of Schiller after its complete renovation, which lasted one year and a half.

The end of year 2000 has come and the "Patria" rebuilding has not begun yet, nor a starting date has been decided. Again, the Navigazione general manager Sposito talks against the steam propulsion in an interview [La Provincia, 7/10/00]. On the other side, after regional elections have been held in July, Mr. Pozzi, the promoter of the July 17th agreement, has been shifted to a different office.

In the meantime, on lake Geneve, the transformation of the motorship Montreux proceeds at full speed and the building of the new steam engine is almost terminated.

2001 (^)

Year 2001 brings no news for "Patria", which is still moored at the Dervio dockyard patiently waiting works to start. However, the starting date is continuosly delayed. The official reason is that the dry dock, the only one existing in the dockyard, is taken for the rebuilding of a ferry. In the meantime, the national administrative and political life seems to be blocked waiting for the elections, to be held in April.

In the meantime, on the other side of the Swiss border, the restoration of Montrex has been completed and on may 19th 2001 the new steamship sails for the maiden trip, showing off her brand new cranckshaft.

In August, local newpapers report many articles on "Patria". Mr Bordoli, president of the Famiglia Comasca, informs the public attention that the July 17th agreement is not being enforced [Il Corriere, 06.08.01]. In replay, the new general manager of Navigazione, Oscar Calaprice, not caring of the agreement signed by his predecessor Marcello Sposito, says that he has no intentions to start "Patria" restoration because no funding exists to that end. [Il Corriere, 10.08.01]. To make the situation worse, on Augus 24th, the news appear that the regional government has blocked its part of the funding for the "Patria" restoration because the Navigazione has not presented the detailed project and the financial plan, as was stated in the July 17 agreement. [La Provincia, 24.08.01]].

A new meeting, promoted by the Famiglia Comasca on october 13th to clarify the situation, has been deserted by the Navigazione and Regional Government.....

2002 (^)

Year 2002 has passed and no news have come about "Patria"'s restoration. It is still moored at the Dervio's yard where it has received a paint coat just to improve its look.

On the positive side, this year, "Concordia" was subjected to further improvements, which denotes an increased attention toward this vessel by the yard director. More specifically, the iron side walls of the stern saloon have been covered with wood panels, and the leather chairs and sofas have been completely replaced by new ones. The results are good, even though do not equal Patria's sumptuousness.

2003 (^)

Year 2003 brings good news for "Patria". The president of the new local administration, Mr Leonardo Carioni has declared his willingness to save the steamer. On February 11, Mr Carioni went to the Dervio's yard to visit "Patria" and to meet with Navigazione's officials. [La Provincia, 12.2.03], [Il Corriere, 12.2.03], [Il Giorno, 12.2.03].

April brings good news for "Patria". Short time after his vistit to "Patria" the president of the local administration, Mr Leonardo Carioni , has announced that his administration has devoted 800.000 euros for "Patria" restoration. Further 180.000 euros have been devoted in the past by Fondazione Cariplo. This funding will allow the restoration of the hull and the building of new boilers. [La Provincia, 5.4.03], [Il Corriere, 5.4.03].

2004 (^)

In spite of the good news of the beginning of 2003, nothing has happened and "Patria" is still moored in bad conditions at the Dervio's yard.

On the positive side, at the beginning of this year, "Concordia" is being cared of. Its wooden upper deck saloon, in bad shape, is replaced with an entirely new one .

February 28th. The news appear that the transportation ministry, the owner of "Navigazione" has agreed to cede the property of "Patria" to the Provincia, the local administration whose president, Mr. Carioni, has already appropriated 800.000 euros for "Patria" restoration [La Provincia, 28.2.04], [Il Corriere, 28.2.04]. First works for the restoration of the hull are expected to begin very soon.

April 22nd. Once more, political manouvres delay and stop the passage of Patria to the local administration. [La Provincia, 22.4.04]. As hopes for a prompt begining of restoration works fade out, the Famiglia Comasca, alarmed for the bad conditions of Patria, makes public its decision to finance maintenance works for Patria's hull. Following this announcement, Mr. Carioni, the president of Provincia, decides to assume the responsibility and cost for the hull works. On July 15th, Patria is taken out of water and works begin. Rust is removed and the hull is restored and painted so it can last 10 more years [Il Corriere, 27.8.04] [La Provincia, 27.8.04]. After works, Patria has been moored again at the Dervio's yard.

One more stop in November: The council of Provincia rejects the purchase of Patria, which Navigazione had agreed to cede for the symbolic price of one euro [La Provincia, 7.11.04].

to be continued ..

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Created: November 1996. Last update: march 2004