Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

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.-