Solvay 69

Solvay 69, registration NY3051F, was built at Villeneuve le Garenne in 1930 with a 30 hp Deutz engine.  All information on this page was taken from Vagus-Vagrant.fr unless otherwise specified.

When Solvay sold her in 1979 upon Henry CRETEAU's retirement, she was was purchased by Mr. François MILLION to be used as a theatre, often based in Nancy under the name "THÉATRE de BASILE". She was then resold again in 1980 and became Balthazar, re-registered as LY1803F, and has been in Lyon ever since.

Solvay 69 in the winter of 1963 at Vanne-Alcorps on the Meuse:

Here is Solvay 69 in its original state on a postcard from Chevregny (02), at the northern exit of the Braye-en-Laonnois tunnel (Oise to Aisne canal):

A group of Solvays in Strasbourg, from left to right: 124, 98,79, 77 and 69:

Solvay 67 and 69 caught in the ice at Charenton, late 1940s, with colours not very usual for this fleet (even if the photo is in black and white):

During a flood at Givet with Solvay 110:

An undated photo with no location provided and I'm not sure where I found it either:

Solvay 69 is with these other Solvays on this postcard from Dombasle she is on the far left - see closeup:

When Solvay 69 was first sold she was renamed Basile and turned into a theatre boat:

 

The Théâtre de Basile moored in Strasbourg (67), Quai des Pêcheurs:

Basile was sold in 1980 and renamed Balthazar and used as a residential boat based in Lyon. Geneviève Brichet made it her haven of peace, giving it the name Balthazar (Black Magi, the black of the boat's hull!). It was the first barge converted into an apartment facing Lyon. Geneviève is Co-President of the "Collectif Les péniches de Lyon" (Lyon Barge Collective), where she still lives with her family on the Balthazar.  Here is a letter written by her:

Yes, yes, I've been the proud owner for 25 years now of this Solvay 69, which became Balthazar after having been a traveling theatre boat under the name Basile (listed by Mrs. Parent, of course). It's my home and that of my little family in Lyon, on the Rhône.  And while I'm here, I had a breakdown while sailing in Lyon and lost (!) my propulsion system (raising and lowering mechanism) and propeller to the bottom! Not very comfortable.  I'm looking for the same one (so a 1930 Solvay base ), to keep Balthazar in its original condition (35 hp Deutz twin-cylinder two-stroke engine) a museum piece, but one that works perfectly. If you hear of anything like that (it's very rare, I know, but I haven't given up hope), send me a message quickly and I'll be eternally grateful!

River greetings to all! Geneviève.

Some more images of Balthazar:

Here she is during flooding at Lyon:

And more photos from various dates: