Tuesday 13 January 1914. Yesterday was at the yard Gusto of the firm A.F. Smulders the first of the two coal transports for the Brazilian navy launched. Both ships were to serve as supply ships for the squadrons. A cargo capacity of 1.000 tons automatically unloaded 500 tons in a hour. Dimensions 167,2 x 40,4 x 18,4m (hold). Fitted out with 2 screws driven by 2 compound steam engines each of 500 ihp. Each engine was powerful enough to drive the automatically unloading installation. A 120 ihp engine was used to drive the mechanical loading of the conveyor. The ship was fitted out with the necessary winches for instance for the anchors while the she had an electric lightening. The steam was provided by a boiler with a heating surface of 1.260 square meters with a working pressure pf 120 pound. Surveyor during the building was the Bureau Veritas.
Saturday 8 August 1914. Yesterday was the second similar coal transport launched.
Tuesday 13 October 1914. The council of Schiedam gave the exemption of the port dues for two coal transports which couldn’t be exported due to the circumstances at hat moment [First World War].I presume that these were the transports built for Brazil. I haven’t been able to trace yet in the newspapers the fate of both ships.
The floating cranes Puerto de la Capital No. 2 and No. 3 built at the yard Gusto at Schiedam, Netherlands for the Argentinean government in 1908 according to the newspaper Schiedamsche Courant
The yard Gusto at Schiedam owned by F. Smulders was well known for her floating cranes which were build for countries all over the world. There were at least 3 build for Argentina, 2 of these in 1908. In the local newspaper Schiedamsche Courant were the following news items published dealing with both cranes.
Saturday 23 May 1908. Yesterday [=Friday 22 May] was with success the steel built hull of a floating crane with 2 screws and a lifting capacity of 100 tons launched. This crane and a second one with a lifting capacity of 60 tons were built for the Argentinean government. The dimensions of the crane were 47 x 17 x 4m. Fitted out with 2 compound engines with totally 540 ihp. To drive on each a air-, supply and dry pump. The circulation water for both engines was supplied by a centrifugal electric pump engine. The crane was driven by a 150 ihp compound engine fitted out with a air- and circulation pump. There were also 2 steam transport winches, 1 steam anchor winch, 1 centrifugal salvage pump and steam pumps for several purposes. The steam was delivered by 2 boilers each with a heating surface of 100 square meters and 8 atmosphere pressure. After completion both cranes were to depart on their own resources for Buenos Aires
Friday 26 May 1908. Yesterday (Thursday 25 May] was the 60-ton crane launched. Dimensions 40 x 17 x 3,60m.
Sunday 20 September 1908. Yesterday [Saturday 19 September] departed the 100 tons crane Puerto de la Capital No. 2 towards Buenos Aires. With a speed of 7,5 knots she was to expected to arrive early November at her destination. She started the voyage completely built up. The 60 tons crane was to follow within 14 days.
Thursday 8 October 1908. According to a yesterday received telegram arrived she that day without any problems at Funchal (Madeira). The 60 tons crane the Puerto de la capital No. 3 departed 7 October to her destination. She was able to lift 60 tons turn around without listing of the vessel. With a speed of 8 knots she was expected to arrive mid November. She resembled completely the 100 tons crane.
Saturday 17 October. The No. 2 arrived safely at St. Vincent (Cape Verde islands) and departed Wednesday to her destination.
Sunday, 25 October 1908. The 60 tons crane (the No. 3) arrived the day before yesterday at St. Vincent.
Saturday 14 November 1908. According to a yesterday received telegram arrived the No. 2 Tuesday 10 November at Buenos Aires after a voyage of 50 day. The newspaper reported that she left the yard 28 September in contrary to the earlier item dated 20 September.
Tuesday, 24 November. The No. 3 arrived 20 November at her destination after a voyage of 45 days.
