Lake Titicaca's historic gunboat, Yavari

Following the successful outcome of a test carried out on the engine by injecting it with compressed air (a part of the normal start-up procedure), when we came to dismantle it we were disappointed to find unexpected damage to the crankshaft and throw bearings. Experts advised us that it was out of the question to repair either in situ or even in Puno. All would need to be transported down to Lima. However, sponsorship from Volvo Peru S.A. and Atlas Copco plus the ingenuity of Consultant Engineer John Kusner, Engineer Maximo Flores and the dedicated Crew combined to prove them wrong - though not without frustrations! Much of the equipment and machinery for recasting the bearings and regrinding the crankshaft had to be invented, Babett metal, rare as Inca gold, found and many hours of painstaking measurement and tedious grinding endured but eventually all was ready for the arrival of volunteer Per Fonser from Stockholm. With just three weeks to spare, Per Fonser, a Bolinder expert, had come to help fine tune the engine. He was shocked to find it had yet to be rebuilt!

Thereafter, inspired by him, all parts were cleaned and reassembled, and all records broken so that with blow torches a-flame, bulbs hot and flywheel spinning, the mighty Bolinder ignited and the roar and hiss of the giant beast gave way to that wonderful chugging sound we had all been waiting for. Engine trials took place on the morning of the day of his flight home!

On 9th December 1999 the YAVARI sailed out of Puno port. It was the first time in over 40 years! Onlookers watched amazed as, with dignity befitting her 137 years, she slipped her moorings and glided out into Puno Bay and , with water vapour exuding from her funnel, headed off towards the channel and Lake Titicaca beyond. The historic event marked the culmination of months of strenuous and exacting repair work on the 1914 Bolinder 4-cylinder hot bulb semi-diesel engine, which is the oldest and largest of its kind extant today. With the success of these trials, we believe the YAVARI now qualifies as being the oldest active single screw iron passenger ship in the world.

Between 2000 and 2003 extensive repairs were carried out to the slipway, cradle and 19th century steam boiler (Swindon 1893) and winch (Leith 1893) prior to the YAVARI being winched our of the water (2001) for the first time in 40+ years. The iron hull was sandblasted, ultrasonically surveyed and repaired in three weak spots. External valves, glands and propeller were overhauled. The hull was inspected and approved by Peru’s Maritime Authority.

The Victorian capstan was disassembled, repaired and restored to working order. Likewise the steering gear and a new steering chain, donated by the British Embassy, were installed from the wheelhouse to the rudder. In 2003, the YAVARI received over 10,000 visitors which increased the following year to 12,000 from 50 different countries.

2004 Our British Consultant Naval Architect, Tim Parr, (Advisor to the National Historic Ships Committee), paid a site visit to meet Peruvian Naval Engineers contracted to prepare architectural drawings detailing the modifications.

2005 Recently recruited Project Manager, Adrian Chapman (a retired Lloyds’ Surveyor) paid his first site visit to the YAVARI to assess works needing to be done, local facilities, available materials & equipment and to liaise with a new firm of Peruvian Naval Engineers. Preparations continued of a complete set of 50 architectural drawings.

2006 Drawings approved by Peru’s Maritime Authorities. H.E. Mr. Richard Ralph unveiled a plaque to mark the tomb of George Blaxland on Isla Esteves. Blaxland, from the Medway was a member of the team contracted to accompany and re-assemble the YAVARI. He died in 1864 shortly after arriving in Puno.