Thanks to the fact that nowadays more and more books are digitized we are
able to read books that are some times for decades no longer available for the
public for several reasons. That’s quite a pity while these books contains
useful information while the archives are destroyed, incomplete or nor
accessible.
P. 292: “The advances made of late years by the Brazilian Empire, under the enlightened Government of Don Pedro II., well deserves the attention of the mechanics and men of science in this country. The steady improvement of the Imperial navy, in particular, is worthy of their consideration, and may be observed, not only in the increased number of vessels built for that navy in England and France, but also in the extension of the resources of the Government at Bio Janeiro, Bahia, and other ports. Before referring to a few facts which have come under our own notice, it may not be amiss to allude to those mentioned in an excellent work upon Brazil, recently published by two American missionaries, who have long been resident in that magnificent country. Not far from Praia Grande, they tell us, is the foundry, engine manufactory, and shipyard of Ponta d'Area, where four or five hundred mechanics and labourers, under European and Brazilian supervision, are turning out works of importance and magnitude. In the year 1851, besides boilers, kettles, stills, and other like articles, this establishment constructed four steamers with their engines; and two steamers and a bark, in addition, were laid down upon the stocks. From the same source we learn that in the city of Bahia a Company has just been formed for the provision of a patent slip, a jetty capable of coaling the largest steamers, bonded warehouses, and stores for the deposit of coal. Lieut. Robert Grundy, C.E., has been nominated by the Board of Directors to act as Manager, and the works are to be commenced forthwith and carried on with activity.
From the Jornal de Commercio, published at Rio de Janeiro, on the 3d of January last, we learn that a splendid steam yacht, for the service of the Emperor, has just been completed. This yacht was designed by Mr. Level, the chief constructor of the Government works, and built at the establishment at Ponta d’Area, under the supervision of Sr. Correa de Aguiar. She is fitted with a pair of Penn's oscillating engines, and appears to be in all respects an efficient and elegant vessel.
At the present time there are building in England eight, and in France two, gunboats for the Brazilian service. Of these, four are at Mr. Pitcher's yard, Northfleet; four at Messrs. Green's, Blackwall; and the remaining two at the yard of Mr. Norman, of Havre. Those at Northfleet we have lately inspected, and could not fail to observe that, while the Brazilian Admiral in charge of them has not been slow to avail himself of the good features of the gunboats built by the British Government, he has not, on the other hand, failed to introduce novel improvements of his own or others which have recommended themselves to his adoption. The most noticeable change which we remarked was the apparently enormous space appropriated to the shot, shell, and powder magazines. These in the Ibicuy and Itajahy - the two most forward vessels - certainly seem to indicate that the chief object has by no means been lost sight of; and as these craft are very likely to be on active service for long periods on the vast rivers of Brazil, far from their resources, their designer has, doubtless, displayed proper foresight in this arrangement. Each of these gunboats is of 400 tons burden, builder's measurement, is fitted with 80 h.p. trunk engines by Penn, and carries 2 pivot 68-pounders, and 4 broadside 32-pounders. The rudders are worked by a patent steering apparatus, the invention of Mr. John Graham, of London.
We cannot conclude this short paper without remarking that the time is probably drawing near when the Brazilian Government will be in a position to supply all the demands of its navy from its own dockyards. Timber is plentiful in Brazil, and skilled labour is yearly becoming more easily obtainable. For several years past there have been a few young native officers studying the science and practice of naval architecture in this country, and although our Government steadily refuses their applications for the same facilities of study in our Royal Dockyards as are constantly accorded to the officers of the tyrannical Governments of Europe - Russia, Austria, &c., - yet we are able from our own knowledge to state that some, at least, of these young Brazilian gentlemen have gained a careful and comprehensive knowledge of the art of ship-building, and have fully succeeded in fitting themselves to conduct
p. 293: the business of their own dockyards. Of course English ship-builders will hare ultimately to bear the loss resulting from the withdrawal of Brazilian order?; but we cannot on that account refrain from wishing every success to the enterprises of a Government so just, so intelligent, and so progressive as that which now guides the destinies of the Brazilian Empire.”
Source
The Mechanic’s Magazine, Saturday 27 March 1858.
P. 292: “The advances made of late years by the Brazilian Empire, under the enlightened Government of Don Pedro II., well deserves the attention of the mechanics and men of science in this country. The steady improvement of the Imperial navy, in particular, is worthy of their consideration, and may be observed, not only in the increased number of vessels built for that navy in England and France, but also in the extension of the resources of the Government at Bio Janeiro, Bahia, and other ports. Before referring to a few facts which have come under our own notice, it may not be amiss to allude to those mentioned in an excellent work upon Brazil, recently published by two American missionaries, who have long been resident in that magnificent country. Not far from Praia Grande, they tell us, is the foundry, engine manufactory, and shipyard of Ponta d'Area, where four or five hundred mechanics and labourers, under European and Brazilian supervision, are turning out works of importance and magnitude. In the year 1851, besides boilers, kettles, stills, and other like articles, this establishment constructed four steamers with their engines; and two steamers and a bark, in addition, were laid down upon the stocks. From the same source we learn that in the city of Bahia a Company has just been formed for the provision of a patent slip, a jetty capable of coaling the largest steamers, bonded warehouses, and stores for the deposit of coal. Lieut. Robert Grundy, C.E., has been nominated by the Board of Directors to act as Manager, and the works are to be commenced forthwith and carried on with activity.
From the Jornal de Commercio, published at Rio de Janeiro, on the 3d of January last, we learn that a splendid steam yacht, for the service of the Emperor, has just been completed. This yacht was designed by Mr. Level, the chief constructor of the Government works, and built at the establishment at Ponta d’Area, under the supervision of Sr. Correa de Aguiar. She is fitted with a pair of Penn's oscillating engines, and appears to be in all respects an efficient and elegant vessel.
At the present time there are building in England eight, and in France two, gunboats for the Brazilian service. Of these, four are at Mr. Pitcher's yard, Northfleet; four at Messrs. Green's, Blackwall; and the remaining two at the yard of Mr. Norman, of Havre. Those at Northfleet we have lately inspected, and could not fail to observe that, while the Brazilian Admiral in charge of them has not been slow to avail himself of the good features of the gunboats built by the British Government, he has not, on the other hand, failed to introduce novel improvements of his own or others which have recommended themselves to his adoption. The most noticeable change which we remarked was the apparently enormous space appropriated to the shot, shell, and powder magazines. These in the Ibicuy and Itajahy - the two most forward vessels - certainly seem to indicate that the chief object has by no means been lost sight of; and as these craft are very likely to be on active service for long periods on the vast rivers of Brazil, far from their resources, their designer has, doubtless, displayed proper foresight in this arrangement. Each of these gunboats is of 400 tons burden, builder's measurement, is fitted with 80 h.p. trunk engines by Penn, and carries 2 pivot 68-pounders, and 4 broadside 32-pounders. The rudders are worked by a patent steering apparatus, the invention of Mr. John Graham, of London.
We cannot conclude this short paper without remarking that the time is probably drawing near when the Brazilian Government will be in a position to supply all the demands of its navy from its own dockyards. Timber is plentiful in Brazil, and skilled labour is yearly becoming more easily obtainable. For several years past there have been a few young native officers studying the science and practice of naval architecture in this country, and although our Government steadily refuses their applications for the same facilities of study in our Royal Dockyards as are constantly accorded to the officers of the tyrannical Governments of Europe - Russia, Austria, &c., - yet we are able from our own knowledge to state that some, at least, of these young Brazilian gentlemen have gained a careful and comprehensive knowledge of the art of ship-building, and have fully succeeded in fitting themselves to conduct
p. 293: the business of their own dockyards. Of course English ship-builders will hare ultimately to bear the loss resulting from the withdrawal of Brazilian order?; but we cannot on that account refrain from wishing every success to the enterprises of a Government so just, so intelligent, and so progressive as that which now guides the destinies of the Brazilian Empire.”
Source
The Mechanic’s Magazine, Saturday 27 March 1858.
