[Culturechat] Swiss secret

[Vance Roy]

Among those landlocked nations of the world, Switzerland ranks second 
in size with its ocean going ships. Most Swiss don't even know that 
such a fleet exists. It began during WW II when CH found itself in dire 
straits because it was landlocked. The lack of availability of neutral 
shipping from other countries to bring in foodstuffs was the main 
instigator in the Swiss establishing their own fleet.

Besides the usual cargoes, three of the CH ships were used by the Red 
Cross to carry mail and other supplies to POWs of both sides. To try to 
insure safe passage, the Swiss authorities made known their ship's 
positions to both warring sides, so this information could be relayed 
to war ships. Al;though there were errors in identification and some 
ships came under hostile fire, most ships were not fired on. The war 
time fleet consisted of fourteen ships, but by 1952, this number had 
risen to thirty six.

Today, there is still about 15% of the nations goods brought by sea to 
a North Sea port, from where it makes a 90 hour journey by barge to 
Basel, the nation's seaport on the Rhine River.

As far as a military navy goes, the only war ships in CH are those 
police boats on the Rhine and in the lakes.


Vance Roy
gigli.saw@dplanet.ch
http://homepage.mac.com/fredch

God loves stupid people. That is why he made so many of them.