Belem

History of Belem

Launched the June 10th 1896, only 7 months after its order with the Building sites Dubigeon of Nantes by the Crouan house, specialized in the transport of the Cocoa on behalf of the chocolate factories Menier, it is affected with the fleet of the “West-Indians”. This sailing ship of small tonnage, compared with the fleet of the sailing ships Cape-Horner S of the time, will not carry out less than 32 campaigns until its commercial retirement in 1914. These campaigns will be made mainly in direction Belem, port located on southern bank of the southernmost arm of the mouth of the river the Amazon. But Belem will know many other destinations, such as Montevideo in Uruguay, or the Martinique with the the Antilles where he will escape from little from anger from the Peeled Montagne in 1902: the entry of the port is refused to him for lack of place, and it must go to wet with the other end of the island, which will save it. It is besides Belem which will help the three survivors of the catastrophe.

The crew is then composed of only 13 men whose living conditions on board are very hard. Indeed, it is necessary to handle more than 1.000 m ² of veils. Mast S and Vergue S is out of wood, rope S and veils in Chanvre.

The expansion of the steamers, more reliable and more regular, makes Belem obsolete. In 1914, it is repurchased by the Duc of Westminster at ends of yachting. At that time, it is deeply transformed to ensure the comfort of its owners. One equips it in particular with 2 Swedish engines Bollinder of 250 CV whose exhaust is done through the mast of Artimon. But especially it is the interior which is deeply altered. The hold is transformed into comfortable cabins and a glazed living room, decorated in mahogany tree with Cuba is assembled on the bridge. What imposes that the lower sailss are shortened. Belem starts a new life as a luxurious cruising ship.

Repurchased in 1921 by Sir Arthur Ernest Guinness, it is renamed Fantôme II . At that time, Belem will accomplish very long voyages. However, even if it made the round the world tour, it forever last Cape Horn.

In 1939, with the death of Sir Guinness and the beginning of the Second world war, Belem finds refuge with the Île of Wight or it miraculeusement will miraculeusement be saved by the bombardments. It will be used as a basis for a unit of the Naval forces of Free France.

It installs in 1952 for Venice or its new purchaser, the Cini foundation, makes a training ship of it. He is renamed once more: Giorgio Cini . Rearmed with a dormitory in the between-bridge, the Gréement becomes that of a three-masted ship goélette, easier to operate.

In 1972, the police officers repurchase it to read it symbolic system because they wished to have a training ship. It Re-is motorized with 2 engines FIAT of 300CV but its new career was short. The lack of maintenance during the years of war did not leave him proud pace and, quickly, it is judged too decayed to take along juniors at sea. The shipyards of Venice more or less give it in a position to sail, gréement went back as to the origin in the barque (the mainmast takes again its square headlight).

In 1976 and always for a lira symbolic system, the soldiers yield the three masts to the Venetian building site which, after a summary toilet, proposes it with the sale.

It is by chance that one impassioned of old man Gréement S, Doctor Gosse, finds it. Thanks to an association (the ASCANF), a French large bank, the Savings bank, repurchases the sailing ship French steel last in order to bring back it in its country of origin. the September 17th 1979 Belem arrives finally at Brest towed by a building of the National marine, the Elephant.

In 1980, Belem is given to the Belem foundation created the same year (and recognized since public utility).

In 1984, Belem is classified historic building.

Since, Belem started a new career of representative of the navy with veil. It takes on its board trainees of all ages to make them discover traditional navigation for training courses from 2 to 10 days. It makes thus Cabotage along the French and European coasts thanks to the Mécénat of the Group Savings bank through the Belem Foundation. It also takes part in the international gatherings of sailing ships.

Features

External bonds

the foundation Belem
Personal site of one impassioned
the site of Philip Plisson, painter official of the Navy and in love with Belem
Gréements.com (Myriam Villert), accounts of training courses + photographs on board Belem

campaigns of Belem according to the book of Luc Olivier Kid

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