The Neptune is a barque of the Lake Geneva with latin sails. It has been patiently restored and is the pride of the Genevans. It is not only a pretty boat moored at "3 stone's throw" from the famous water jet. It is above all a living heritage. The members of the foundation in charge of its preservation are committed to restore it whenever necessary, to sail on board and especially to train crews to the techniques of navigation of the period.
A beautiful finesse of forms
With its 27-meter high antennas, the Neptune can be spotted from afar. She is moored aft at the quay, a posture that emphasizes her amazing shapes. She is narrow at the waterline, while her steeply sloping sides ensure both a good seat on the water and a great load capacity. The most amazing thing is the footboard, named apousti it forms a sort of gallery that further enhances the silhouette of the boat. It forms a sort of gallery that further enhances the silhouette of the boat.
Crew outings
During the summer season, the Neptune provides sailing and motoring trips. In addition, the volunteer crew members, the bacounis meet every week for a training sail, followed by a picnic on the lake. This is one of these outings that we were given to share.
A position for bacounis
In the crew quarters, a large table occupies the entire central area. It is leaning against the sponges that support the deck bars. A wood stove is next to the monumental bilge pump. The height is measured, but the space is clear and a large poster shows the plans of the boat with the Swiss terminology of the parts that constitute it.
Passers-by of knowledge!
One by one, the bacounis they are coming on board to reinforce the crew. They come to train to reinforce the crew which counts on average about fifty members, of which a third are women. After a quick briefing, everyone is busy rigging the sails and putting on the sheets. The engines were barely audible and the boat was already passing the foot of the water jet to reach the lake. The weather is superb and there are many people on the water!
Under sail to the Mont Blanc
Balancing on the beaupré a crew member ties up the jib. The Tall Ship and the Trinquet, swiss names that would correspond to the mainsail and the foresail, go up the masts and the 300 m² of canvas inflate in the light wind of this end of day. Everything is efficient, in its place and the Neptune traces its way on the waters of the lake, as it has done for 117 years! The glasses are coming out, the victuals too and it is at nightfall that we pass again between the dikes of the port, heading for the lights of the city.
A history engraved in stone!
The boat was built in 1904 in the shipyard of Locum, at a time when there were a good hundred boats on the Laceuros Neptune was carrying 120 tons of stones on deck until it was decommissioned in 1968. Abandoned, the Neptune degraded and ended up sinking in the port. She was refloated and bought by the State of Geneva in 1971. Renovated for the first time, its management was entrusted to the Neptune Foundation.
Reconstructed several times
The first goal was to allow the boat to re-sail and some deviations from the rules of the art were committed during its restoration. Nevertheless, it allowed the boat to stay afloat and to ensure group outings. However, in 2005, the Neptune can't take it anymore and for her centenary, it's a real reconstruction that has to be considered. The keel was replaced as well as 90% of the frames.
Solutions for a sustainable heritage
The Breton carpenters called in as reinforcements initially thought of rebuilding according to the traditional methods, by assembling the wood with carvels these are forged and galvanized nails with a square cross section. These giant nails are virtually impossible to remove. To allow for the inevitable future repairs, the foundation insisted that the joints be made with stainless steel lag bolts, to allow for the dismantling of the parts that would have to be replaced without breakage.
Attention to future generations
This precaution is in line with the vision of the future that the Neptune Foundation defends. Aware that a wooden boat has a limited lifespan and that future generations will still have to intervene, it has chosen to ensure that this can be done in the best conditions. The quality of the work is breathtaking! In 2021, the entire deck has been replaced. For a lover of traditional boats and woodworking, the result is a pure marvel!
Swiss quality
The carpenters have deployed all their know-how and achieved perfect assemblies, especially with regard to the notched parts these woods that connect the coamings and the bancalards of apoustis . These are local names that respectively designate the supports and the outside gallery of the boat. Thus refurbished, the Neptune was able to resume service in June 2021.
The constant efforts of the foundation's members make the Neptune an example of what can be done to preserve and bring to life a boat of heritage interest.
Features:
- Length : 27,30 m
- Width : hull : 7,46 m - overall : 8,62 m
- Draft : 1,60 m
- Displacement: 70 tons
- Canopy: 288 m² ( Tall ship : 125 m² ; Trinquet : 125 m² ; Foc : 38 m2)
