In 1861, the
Peruvian Government of Ramon Castilla,
ordered two small cargo-passenger
"gunboats" for Lake Titicaca. Already
enjoying the wealth from the guano
industry on the coast, the Government
looked to exploit the natural resources
of the southern highlands or altiplano
region around Lake Titicaca. Here lay
the potential for trading Peruvian
copper, silver, minerals and wool and
timber and riches of the rainforest from
Bolivia with manufactured goods from
Europe. Through the agency of Anthony
Gibbs & Sons, the Government
commissioned the James Watt Foundry in
Birmingham, England (where steam was
first harnessed for industrial use) to
build the ships that would collect goods
from around the lake. Without a rail
link to the lake at that time, all cargo
had to be carried up on mule back.
Therefore, the ships were built in kit
form, with no piece weighing more than 3
½ cwts, the maximum carrying capacity of
a mule.
On 15th October 1862, the "Mayola",
bearing the two ships and eight British
engineers from London, having rounded
the Cape Horn, docked at Arica - a Peruvian
port be fore the War of the Pacific -
and discharged the packing cases and
pieces of the Yavari and the Yapura,
from where moved by train to Tacna,
before incredibly being hauled by mule
over the Andes to Puno, that took 6
years to complete. The
Peruvian Navy then faced the daunting
task of getting 2,766 pieces and two
crankshafts transported to Lake
Titicaca, 12,500 ft. (3,810ms) above sea
level.
The Yavari, as a State Registered
Museum, is now berthed in Puno Bay,
outside the
Hotel Sonesta Posada del
Inca Puno. A 40 m. pontoon gives access
to the vessel either by land or by boat,
and visitors are warmly welcomed.
Open daily: 8:00 AM - 5.00 PM - Entry
free - donations gratefully received. |
Steamship Yavari
on Lake Titicaca |
Steamship Yavari
on Lake Titicaca |
Steamship Yavari
on Lake Titicaca |
Steamship Yavari
on Lake Titicaca |
Steamship Yavari
on Lake Titicaca |
Steamship Yavari
on Lake Titicaca |
Steamship Yavari
on Lake Titicaca |
Steamship Yavari
on Lake Titicaca |
Steamship Yavari
on Lake Titicaca |
Steamship Yavari
on Lake Titicaca |
Steamship Yavari
on Lake Titicaca |
Steamship Yavari
on Lake Titicaca |
Steamship Yavari
Engine room |
Steamship Yavari
Engine room |
Steamship Yavari
Engine room |