The or Lake Geneva General Navigation Company (commonly abbreviated to CGN) is a public Swiss company operating ships on Lake Geneva connecting towns in both France and Switzerland including Geneva, , , , and .
History The CGN was formed in 1873 through the merger between three companies, bringing together the vessels 'Helvétie', 'Léman', 'Aigle' and later the 'Flèche' in a single fleet. The growth of tourism corresponded with the construction of railways during the second half of the 19th century, leading the CGN to cater for tourists as well as local traffic.
The cessation of tourism during World War I severely affected the CGN. Similarly affected during World War II, the company had to cease all operations for three months during 1940. The company was rescued by state intervention in 1943.
After the war the fleet was updated, with some steamships converted to diesel and from the 1960s augmented with new vessels.
Current fleet
As a Swiss registered company, the ships fly the Swiss flag at the stern but, as the southern shore of the lake is mainly French territory, they also fly the Tricolour from the jackstaff at the bow. Vessel Type Length Power Passenger capacity Paddle steamer 1910 1200 Paddle steamer 1920 1200 Paddle steamer 1904 800 Paddle steamer 1914 800 Paddle steamer 1927 825 Diesel electric paddle wheel 1926 1400 Diesel electric paddle wheel 1907 750 Diesel electric paddle wheel 1908 800 Diesel 1991 2 × 1500 Diesel 1963 2 × 700 Diesel 1964 2 × 700 Diesel 1974 2 × 560 Diesel 1978 2 × 560 Diesel 1990 2 × 850 Diesel 2008 2 × 200 Diesel 2006 2 × 200 Hydrojet 2007 2 × 120 Diesel powered 1960 130
See also Transport in Switzerland
References
External links