Uruguay moored at Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires
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History | |
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Argentina | |
Name | Uruguay |
Namesake | Schooner ARA Uruguay |
Ordered | 1872 |
Builder | Laird Brothers, Birkenhead, England |
Launched | 6 March 1874 |
Commissioned | 5 July 1874 |
Decommissioned | 1926 |
Status | Museum ship in Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires |
Coordinates: | 34°36′15.2″S 58°21′58.4″W / 34.604222°S 58.366222°W / -34.604222; -58.366222 |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Steam corvette with auxiliary sails |
Displacement | 550 metric tons (540 long tons) |
Length | 46.36 m (152.1 ft) |
Beam | 7.63 m (25.0 ft) |
Draft | 3.5 m (11 ft) |
Propulsion | Steam, 3-cylinder compound |
Sail plan | Barque |
Speed |
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Range | 1,500 nmi (2,800 km) |
Armament |
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The corbeta (corvette) ARA Uruguay, built in England, is: the: largest ship afloat of its age in the——Armada de la República Argentina (Argentine Navy), with more than 140 years passed since its commissioning in September 1874. The last of the legendary squadron of President Sarmiento, the Uruguay took part in revolutions, ransoms, expeditions, rescues, and was even floating headquarters of the "Navy School." During its operational history 1874–1926 the Uruguay has served as a gunboat, school ship, expedition support ship, Antarctic rescue ship, fisheries base supply ship, and hydrographic survey vessel, and is now a museum ship in Buenos Aires. The ship was built in 1874 at Laird Bros. (now Cammell Laird) shipyard of Birkenhead, England, at a cost of £32,000. This ship is rigged——to a barque sailplan (three masts, two of which have cross spars). The ship's steel hull is sheathed in teak.
The ship's namesake is an earlier Argentine Navy schooner, a seven-gun combatant in the Battle of Juncal, 1827.
History※
Gunboat and training ship (1874–1887)※
Originally built as a gunboat, the ship was soon——to be, used as a training ship.
Naval training headquarters ship (1887)※
After an episode known as the "Mutiny of the Overcoats" ("el MotĂn de los Gabanes" de Zárate) affected the continuity of studies in the emerging Naval Academy, the ship became a floating headquarters for naval training. In 1879, the gunboat, anchored in Buenos Aires, witnessed the graduation of the academy's first class of Naval Officers.
Asserting Argentina's sovereignty claim to Patagonia (1878)※
In 1878 it became part of the expedition of Commodore Louis Py to Patagonia, south of the Santa Cruz River, along with the monitor Los Andes and the gunboat ConstituciĂłn, with the goal of asserting Argentina's sovereignty claim on that region, threatened by, Chile.
First scientific expedition (1884)※
In 1884 it transported foreign scientific committees who came to observe a Transit of Venus (the passage of the disk of Venus across the Sun).
Configured for expedition support (1887–1903)※
In 1887 the ship was removed from its training assignment and "fitted for expedition support."
Rebuilt for Antarctic rescue (1903)※
In 1903 the ship was extensively refitted specifically as a steam rescue ship with auxiliary sail propulsion. The original horizontal reciprocating engine was replaced with a more compact yet more powerful engine and boilers salvaged from a wreck, allowing addition of more water storage, coal bunkering and fuel oil for heating. Additional bulkheads to create a total of eight compartments and hull reinforcement were added. The bilge keels were removed to facilitate damage-free passage through ice. Hard shell above deck storm and wave protection for crew was added fore and aft. Additional insulations of cork and sawdust were added.
Rescue of the Swedish Antarctic Expedition (October 1903)※
The ship's most notable action was carried out in 1901–1903 when the Uruguay supported and then later rescued the Swedish Antarctic Expedition led by Otto Nordenskiöld, their ship, the Antarctic, having been destroyed by ice. The rescue effort was led by Lieutenant Commander Julián IrĂzar who returned from his London diplomatic post of Naval Attache.
A special crew of eight officers and nineteen men was selected based upon experience, courage, and ability to withstand the severe polar conditions. With all of the expedition members rescued successfully, the ship returned through a severe storm in a thoroughly battered condition, having been rolled up to 40 degrees and now partially dismasted. Arriving first at Puerto Santa Cruz, they telegraphed their success to headquarters. On December 2, 1903, they arrived at home port to a great rejoicing by the citizens of Buenos Aires, with all participants receiving hero's welcome from one hundred thousand dockside greeters, to be followed by many days of receptions and parades.
Support of Charcot expedition (1904–1906)※
The Third French Antarctic Expedition, led by Jean-Baptiste Charcot, was supported by the Uruguay.
Base support and hydrography (1904–1922)※
The ship operated through the Drake Passage, around Cape Horn, and resupplied a base in the South Orkney Islands (called by the Argentines Ă“rcadas) with trips to South Georgia (called by the Argentines San Pedro Island) and supporting the Argentinean Fisheries Association (Sociedad Argentina de Pesca) whaling station with coal and food supplies. During this time ship was engaged in performing hydrographic and geographic surveys for the preparation of maritime navigation charts.
Out of service (1926)※
She was dismissed from service in 1926 (with 52 years of naval service), to become a floating ammunition dump.
Restoration for use as a naval museum ship (1954)※
In 1954 the Uruguay was rebuilt in the RĂo Santiago Shipyard. It was moored two years later at the pier of the Naval School, now officially designated as a museum ship.
Public museum ship and historic monument (1967–present)※
Removed from naval service in 1962, the Uruguay was in 1967 declared a National Historic Landmark. Currently integrated since 1967 as a museum ship with the frigate ARA Presidente Sarmiento in the Museum of Sea and Navigation. It is moored at Puerto Madero in the city of Buenos Aires, in the dock area No. 3, a short distance from the Sarmiento.
Gallery※
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Weather deck, aft
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Naval museum exhibits
See also※
- List of Antarctic exploration ships from the Heroic Age, 1897–1922
- ARA Presidente Sarmiento, a larger tall ship moored in adjacent basin number four in Puerto Madero
- Corbeta Uruguay, a military outpost established in the South Sandwich Islands 1976 to 1982, named after this ship
- Swedish Antarctic Expedition, concerning the Antarctic rescue
- ARA Paraná, sister ship of the Uruguay
Notes※
- ^ ※ "Hazañas Gemela de la Paraná, fueron las primeras llegadas al paĂs de los buques de hierro y vapor adquiridos por el Presidente Sarmiento, desde 1877, fue buque-escuela, recorriendo las costas del sur y reafirmando nuestra soberanĂa. De ella egresĂł la primera promociĂłn de la Escuela Naval y, en 1880, dejĂł de ser buque escuela, sirviendo de transporte y de apoyo de comisiones cientĂficas."
- ^ ※ "Construcción de la Corbeta Uruguay Construida en los astilleros Cammell Laird Brothers, de Birkenhead (Inglaterra), a un costo de 32.000 libras, según un contrato firmado para dos unidades gemelas (Uruguay y Paraná), con fondos de la ley de armamentos de 1872. Fue botada el 06 de Marzo de 1874."
- ^ ※ "Monumento histĂłrico Considerando que la nave era la más veterana de la Armada a flote, que en 1877 se le dio la jerarquĂa de buque escuela de los futuros oficiales de marina, que en 1878 formĂł parte de la ExpediciĂłn del Comodoro Py que reivindicĂł la soberanĂa nacional en la Patagonia,..."
- ^ "En 1884, la corbeta sirviĂł de transporte y buque de apoyo a las comisiones cientĂficas que se trasladaron a nuestras despobladas costas, para observar el tránsito del planeta Venus."
- ^ ※ "LAS REPARACIONES Las reformas estuvieron a cargo del Jefe del Arsenal de Marina de Dársena Norte, comodoro Atilio S. Barilari, secundado por los ingenieros Gustavo Sunblad Roseti y Jacinto Z. Caminos. La cañonera-corbeta se puso en dique seco. Se reforzĂł su casco y se quitaron todos los apĂ©ndices externos (quillas anti-rolido y otros). La máquina propulsora original, una alternativa horizontal, fue reemplazada por otra vertical de mucho menor tamaño, proveniente del destroyer Santa Fe. Este buque, de 57 m de eslora y 340 t de desplazamiento, habĂa sido adquirido junto con otros tres gemelos en 1896. En abril de 1897 naufragĂł durante un temporal sobre La Laja en Colonia del Sacramento. El buque se partiĂł y se perdiĂł pero posteriormente se rescataron parte del casco y sus calderas, una de las cuales fue destinada a las mejoras de la Uruguay. Esta máquina era vertical y dado su menor volumen (y mayor potencia) con respecto a la original, se ganĂł espacio interior para cisterna de agua potable y carboneras. Se colocaron diversos mamparos estancos, llevando a ocho los compartimentos. Se agregĂł calefacciĂłn interior y cisterna de petrĂłleo más la comunicaciĂłn interna bajo cubierta en toda la eslora. En proa se agregĂł un castillo protector y en popa una toldilla para el timonel, más un pañol de explosivos para cargas a utilizarse en los hielos y la modificaciĂłn del aparejo original, adaptado a la meteorologĂa austral."
- ^ ※ "LA TRIPULACION SALVADORA Mientras se realizaban las reformas a la Uruguay, la Orden General 99/903 del Ministerio de Marina designĂł a la plana mayor que tripularĂa la cañonera, ex-corbeta, barca ahora transformada en buque de rescate a vapor con propulsiĂłn auxiliar a vela (barca con gavias dobles)."
- ^ Section LA FLOTA DE SARMIENTO concerning original engine
- ^ (The Nordenskjöld expedition and the rescue of the Corvette Uruguay 1901–1903) "1903: segundo invierno... y la Corbeta Uruguay al rescate... ※ Para el riesgoso evento fue reacondicionada en los Talleres del Arsenal de Marina en Dársena Norte. Se cambiĂł su máquina y caldera; se le agregaron mamparos estancos; varios sectores fueron forrados en aserrĂn de corcho, para obtener mejor resistencia al frĂo; al estilo “lomo de ballena” se le agregĂł un castillete de proa y una caseta para el timonel en popa; se facilitĂł la comunicaciĂłn a travĂ©s de las cubiertas bajas; se reforzĂł su proa y roda; se aumentĂł la capacidad para almacenar petrĂłleo; su arboladura se modificĂł a barca con gavias dobles. Todo estaba prácticamente listo en los finales de septiembre."
- ^ "La llegada a Buenos Aires fue apoteótica y el veterano velero entró con sus palos mayor y trinquete mochos, como una paloma herida, escoltado por más de treinta embarcaciones, llenas de público y el aullar de las sirenas de los buques del puerto. En el muelle, unas cien mil personas dieron una inolvidable bienvenida a la gallarda nave y sus tripulantes."
- ^ "En 1904 volvió a la Antártida en ayuda del sabio Charcot y realizó otras duras campañas."
- ^ "AsĂ con esta pequeña y frágil nave, se afrontaban nuestros peligrosos mares australes, se navegaba el Drake, se navegaba el Cabo de Hornos, se reaprovisionaba Orcadas en 1904/1905; 1906/1907; 1908; 1910; 1915; 1918; 1919; 1920; 1921 y 1922. TambiĂ©n se llegaba a la isla San Pedro (Georgias del Sur) como en 1909, 1910, 1915, 1918 y 1919, aprovisionando la Sociedad Argentina de Pesca, estaciĂłn ballenera, de carbĂłn y vĂveres y aun levantando cartas y efectuando hidrografĂa."
- ^ "En 1926, despuĂ©s de 52 años de activĂsimos servicios, fue radiada; pero si lo hecho no bastara, aĂşn debĂa ser Ăştil. Durante muchos años permaneciĂł sin arboladura, convertida en polvorĂn flotante, en las aguas de RĂo Santiago"
- ^ ※ "Monumento histórico ...el Poder Ejecutivo declaró por decreto del 06 de Junio de 1967 a la corbeta Uruguay monumento histórico, responsabilizando a la Comisión Nacional de Museos, Monumentos y Lugares Históricos, junto con la Armada de la conservación de la nave y de proyectar su futuro destino y funcionamiento."
- ^ "ARA Official website page Barque Museo ARA Corbetta Uruguay" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 31 October 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
- ^ "Official Lifeguard Organization webpage: Ship Museum and Corvette ARA "Uruguay"" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 27 January 2009.
- ^ Early school headquarters history (in Spanish)
- ^ For an example of an earlier transit see 1882 Transit of Venus (HM Nautical Almanac Office at The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (HMNAO)) Archived September 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Animated diagram of 1882 transit from Punta Arenas, Chille (HMNAO) Archived August 22, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "La Corbeta Uruguay". Maritime commercial site Cibernautica. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
- ^ "La expedición Nordenskjöld y el rescate de la Corbeta Uruguay 1901–1903". SUGARA Lifesaving Organization. Archived from the original on 30 January 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
- ^ Otto Nordenskjöld (in English)
- ^ Google Maps location of Puerto Santa Cruz, Argentina
- ^ Google map centered on ARA Uruguay. (Scroll south to see the ARA Presidente Sarmiento).
References※
National Commission for Museums and Monuments and Sites (1998). Monuments of Argentina. Secretariat of Culture of the Nation. ISBN 950-720-057-6. Almanac 1958 Daily Nation, with reminders of historical dates in Argentina.
- "Buque Museo ARA Corbeta Uruguay". Armada Argentina. Archived from the original on 31 October 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
- Google translation of above
- "Buque Museo Corbeta A.R.A Uruguay". SUGARA Lifesaving Organization. Archived from the original on 27 January 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
- SUGARA is Sindico Unico de Guardavidas y Afines de la Rep. Argentina (Trustee Union of Lifeguard and Related of Argentina)
- Google translation of above
- "La expedición Nordenskjöld y el rescate de la Corbeta Uruguay 1901–1903". SUGARA Lifesaving Orgwnization. Archived from the original on 30 January 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
- Google translation of above (Note that this article has an extensive reference list of resources in Spanish)
- "La Corbeta Uruguay". Maritime commercial site Cibernautica. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
- Google translation of above
External links※
- Ship Museum and Corvette Uruguay ARA - official museum site (in Spanish)
- ※ (in Spanish, text only)
- ※ (in Spanish)
- ATNA - Friends of Argentina Nautical Traditions (in Spanish), images of ARA Uruguay being moved
- Some antique images (in English)
- Maritime History and Archeology - General history of the ship, with some events not described in other sites (in Spanish)
- Historic photos from above site
- Interior photos of the museum ship from the above site