Model of steel stern wheel steamer SUHAIL of India General Navigation & Railway Company, Calcutta

Information required on steam tug HELVECIA 11 which sank in Lago Nahuel Huapi, Argentina in 1906

Email 31 March 2023

Hello!

My name is Pablo Sigüenza. I’m from Bariloche, Argentina. As an amateur historian I’m searching for one steam tug which wrecked here, in lago Nahuel Huapi, Patagonia Argentina, in December 31th, 1906. Her name was –at her sinking- “Helvecia II” but I don´t know if she got other name before.-

I attach an old picture of her. How she looked when she was afloat. A pretty old steam tug.-

But many things about this ship remained as a mistery.-

She came here in 1903, from Neuquén, Argentina. But I don´t know when or from where she arrived at Neuquén…

Searching in some records at Tigre, Buenos Aires, I founded what I send to you in the picture below: Helvecia Segunda (Helvecia II), vapor (steam), Matricula 7874 (tuition 7874), Año de Matrícula 1903 (tuition year 1903… it don´t mean the year of launching, or building…), Puerto de construcción Glasgow (shipbuilding place Glasgow), año de construcción 1903 (building year 1903 butI insist… maybe it was the tuition inscription year in Argentina…), material del casco madera (ship’s hull of wood… but I think it was iron), Dimensiones: Eslora 15m, Manga 3m, puntal 1,5m (measures: 15 metres length, 3 metres sleeve, 1,5 metres strut), tonelaje 20 ton (tonnage 20 tns) propietario Compañía de Maderas del Neuquén Ltda. (owner Compañía de Maderas del Nequén Ltd., which ir right).-

So, we now know that the ship was built in Glasgow, so I wonder if you can help me: At which shipyard? At what year? Is there any construction plan or scheme aviable? How and when she came to Argentina?

I hope you can help me… and I’m very grateful for your attention and disposition.-

Sincerely.-

Pablo Sigüenza.-

Construction commences of harbour at Ardeer Ironworks.

From "The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald"

At noon on New Year's day the construction of the Glengarnock Iron and Steel Company's harbour at Ardeer Ironworks was commenced, the foundation stone consisting of a slag block which was tipped into the sea.

Miss Thomson formally opens the new slipway at Ardrossan Shipyard

From "The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 25th January 1907

Last Saturday afternoon the new slipway of Ardrossan Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company was formally opened by Miss Thomson, Arran Place, Ardrossan.
On the same afternoon the company launched from their yard the twin screw steamer "Carmelo."

Steamer "Carmelo" launched at Ardrossan Shipyard

From "The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 25th January 1907

Last Saturday afternoon the new slipway of Ardrossan Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company was formally opened by Miss Thomson, Arran Place, Ardrossan.
On the same afternoon the company launched from their yard the twin screw steamer "Carmelo."

Harbour Company brings men from Grimsby to break harbour strike

From "The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 1st February 1907

The coal trimmers in the employ of the Ardrossan Harbour Company made an application this week for an increase in their wages of 1/4d per ton.
When the Company refused to grant it the men decided to strike and stopped work on Tuesday. The Company met the occasion by importing 30 coal trimmers from Grimsby.

Model of steel stern wheel steamer ROHINI of India General Navigation & Railway Company, Calcutta

QUEEN OF THE LAKE about to be launched at Ailsa Shipyard, Ayr

QUEEN OF THE LAKE was engaged in ferrying passengers on Loch Tay (Scotland)

Cunard's IVERNIA at Queenstown brings news that a barque with 75 persons has been given up as lost

The Cunard mail steamer IVERNIA from New York arrived in Queenstown (now known as Cork, Ireland) with news that a large fishing barque, which had left Saint Pierre (an overseas collectivity of France in the north-western Atlantic Ocean near Newfoundland and Labrador) and bound for Saint-Malo in Brittany, France with a crew and passengers totalling 75 persons has been given up as lost with all aboard.

Map of Irvine Harbour (Firth of Clyde, Scotland) in 1908

1910 Advertisment for Royal Mail's liner OROTAVA service between New York and Bermuda

Hamburg-American Liner PENNSYLVANIA leaves Boston (USA) direct to Hamburg

United Fruit Company's METAPAN leaves New York for Panama via Jamaica

Hamburg-American Liner GRAF WALDERSEE leaves Boston (USA) direct to Hamburg

MAIANBAR Ship aground

Maianbar, Steel screw
Aground/Dismantled 1940