Transporte Madeira - side-wheel steamer built in 1873

[A.Threlfall]

Hello all,
I am an archaeologist working in Brazil. Currently I am employed as the conservator of materials from an underwater project in Rio. The wreck being registered is likely that of the Transporte Madeira. This side-wheel steamer was built in 1873 in England using the plans of the Brazilian naval engineer Napoleon Level. The ship received its commission into the Brazilian Navy on March 30th 1874 and was sunk in 1893 during an internal conflict within the Brazilian navy which has come to be known as the Revolt of the Armada. If conclusively identified the wreck would be of significant national importance.
Records list the Transporte Madeira as being 1040 tons, 82.50 meters long, having a beam of 14,5m and draft of 2.8m (I suspect the numbers have been reversed as 8.2m would be more likely for a ship of more than 1000 tons). She is also listed as having a 250 hp steam engine and side-wheels
The surviving wreck is an iron frame with approximately 1cm thick iron plating which is then overlain on the exterior with at least 10cm thick wooden planking. Some divers reported metal sheeting over some of the timbers but I don’t have samples of it. I assume it is traces of an anti fouling mechanism derived of copper alloy sheeting such as Muntz Metal. She is a steamship with side-wheels.
I would like to ask if anyone here on Paddleducks can suggest who in the UK would be able to build a ship if this size to naval specifications in 1873/74? Better still, has anyone come across references to the Transporte Madeira?
I thank you for any help you can provide!

[Spankbucket]

Although I cant offer any of the information you are seeking I am sure others on here can.

This sounds like a really exciting and important naval archaeology project and I look forward to hearing all about it's progress. As an active web supporter of the Cerberus project in Melbourne and having a keen interest in 19c navies I do hope you can achieve your goals successfully.

Is there an existing or intended website available? How is the project funded? Are there any pictures you could put up here?

I hope you have great success with your project and information search.

Kind Regards...Bernie

[A.Threlfall]

Thank you for the encouraging words Bernie.
While the wreck is under the jurisdiction of the Brazilian Navy it was encountered during commercial survey works for an engineering project and the vessel`s identity was not initially known. During the field season I participated on the wreck was surveyed and parts of the wreck which extended higher in the water column than the harbour modifications allowed were cut away, raised and registered, using three dimensional photographic techniques, and re-deposited in deeper water to one side of the main wreck site. This was a compromise between the time and expense necessary for a full excavation and large scale conservation, and the pressures of a large engineering project which had already received federal approval. The majority of the wreck remains untouched and in situ.
Project funding was the responsibility of the contracting engineering firm and only covered the field work and conservation. The archaeological team is still processing data and currently there is no website detailing our work, or the wreck, but the project forms the basis of a PhD my boss is working towards and a museum exhibit is planned. My ongoing research is a labour of love as I must now work with other projects. However, the wreck needs to be better understood and further researched. I would be delighted if my colleagues and I could create a website as more details are known.
A small number of objects (already detached and vulnerable to loss) and structural samples were recovered during the field season and I have spent a number of months stabilising and treating them. These will be kept in the laboratories of a public federal university and used for future research and analysis.

[Spankbucket]

Very interesting and sounds like a big challenge.

You might have a passing interest, assuming you're not already following it, in the Cerberus website?
http://www.cerberus.com.au/

Although a very different vessel type and situation you might find it interesting.

Please keep us posted on the project.

Best regards...Bernie