For the Students of St Ronan's Primary and New Lodge Schools in the UK.

The story of the Lady of the Lake...

Lake Wakatipu is the home of the Lady of the Lake. The Lady is actually a vintage steamship called the TSS Earnslaw and it holds a special place in the hearts of Queenstown people.

One of the last remaining coal fired passenger vessels in the southern hemisphere the ship was built in 1912 and was a vital link for the people of the remote farming communities living around the lake. As a cargo ship she was capable of carrying 1,500 sheep and 30 cattle on her decks. The Lady was both the largest and the grandest ship ever to grace the lake.

However, when road access improved in the 1960's the old Lady was no longer required and the demand for her services declined dramatically. After some unsuccessful private charters she came into service in 1969 as a tourist vessel and was completely refitted to restore her to her original glory.

Today this almost 100 year-old Lady puts in 14 hour days on the lake and works for a full 11 months every year.