Way back on 13 Jan 2011 Ron Mapplebeck wrote: I've been reflecting on what we collectively dug up earlier today. It turns out the SOPHIA was the first vessel built by T.A. Walker, completed in December 1888, with the next two being the CARLOTTA and ISOBEL, both completed April 1989, according to Lloyd's Register. There were then quite a few more in the series, but all completed after the SOPHIA was lost in August 1889. Piers commented on their 50hp engines which would seem to be sufficient only for their intended role "for river purposes only". It is probably correct to assume they, nevertheless, made their way across the Atlantic under their own steam - the alternative would be that they were towed there. Whatever, it would be quite an arduous journey! No doubt, the masters engaged were experienced - maybe "between jobs" or even retired?? If anyone ever digs out the crew agreement it might be of interest to see how many hands were on board. The mention of rigging makes one wonder if temporary sails were somehow added? It's a matter of conjecture whether, even though the SOPHIA was completed five months ahead of the next two, the risk of a mid-winter passage for at least the first part of the journey was probably regarded as too great, and I speculate the three ultimately set off in convoy soon after the third barge was completed the following April. (It could be the SOPHIA was built on spec and it was a few more months before any buyer came forward for her and the others then building?) Might it then be three/four months before they reached the vicinity of Buenos Aires (we don't seem to know their eventual destination?). If so, the SOPHIA was lost near the end of her delivery voyage which seems to make some sense as one suspects after entering river service they would never again return to the deep sea? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sorry to have been catching up with this only now. Behind all this - and the family tragedy that began this thread - was a major overseas port contracting project creating modern facilities at Buenos Aires involving contractors T A Walker (construction works) and Sir W G Armstrong Mitchell & Co (hydraulic works). The first stage was completed in January 1889, so it looks as this was the second part of the project which continued until at least WW1. http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/displayRepro.cfm?reproID=E4730%2D1 The nearest quarries to Buenos Aires were more than 300km distant and Thomas Walker concluded that it would be more economical to source and prepare the stone in Uruguay, less than 60km away. He built a five-mile railway from the quarry to a new jetty at Conchillas and a fleet of steam barges to bring the stone across the River Plate. There seem to have been at least 17 built 1889-1891 at Walker's own new yard at Sudbrook. The certainly steamed out to the River Plate, apparently as they were ready, typically taking a couple of months - sometimes longer - and apparently sailed out with a cargo of South Wales coke and/or coal (perhaps also drawing from that for their own needs). SOPHIA seems to have departed the Bristol Channel in Dec 1888 under Capt A Wyon; on 15/1/1889 she arrived St Vincent, Cape Verde Islands and about 27/2 reached Buenos Aires. CARLOTTA was next under Capt Baker, though putting in to Hayle with a leak on 7/4/1889 and not reaching St Vincent until 2/6; she put in to Desterro (now Florianópolis) 18/6 also to repair damage from a four-day storm on the Brazilian coast and to replenish provisions that had been washed away. She only arrived at Montevideo on 4/7. ISOBEL was next, sailing Cardiff for Argentina under Capt R Ellis on 4/5/1899, was at St Vincent 23/5 with no report of arrival at Buenos Aires - possibly before CARLOTTA. Lloyd's List of 28/8/1889 reports a major hurricane at Buenos Aires and that British steamer PARA, Government steamers JENNER and AUTER and steam lighter SOPHIA had sunk in the river. It does not give any information about the crew and the rescue, but with a full load of stone blocks the SOPHIA lay in an exposed position, with very challenging salvage. By late September she was sinking into the clay bottom, though the hull was undamaged; C A Walker had to settle to pay 60% of the total value of ship and cargo for the salvage - it was still progressing in mid-November (I have not found whether the salvage was eventially successful - I suspect not as she was deleted from Lloyd's Register). David