As soon as the transport service was working properly, Mr. Grenfell, of the Baptist Mission, came to this country to superintend the construction of a steamer for the Upper Congo. The whole expense was generously met by Mr. Arthington. The Peace was built by Messrs. Thornycroft and Co., of Chiswick; she ran her trial trip on the Thames. The vessel is built of galvanised steel, is seventy feet in length, and propelled by twin screws. After her trial trip she was taken to pieces, and sent out to the Congo in that state.
Arrived at Underhill, she was transported over the 225 miles to the Pool, on men’s heads, and everything reached there safely; of the thousand and one parts that go to make up a steamer, nothing was missing. Two engineers were sent out to reconstruct her, but they died of fever before they arrived at the Pool. When the news reached this country, another engineer was sent out. He, too, died on the road up.
Mr. Grenfell had then to build the steamer himself, and, having great engineering ability, he was able to instruct his native assistants in the art of riveting. Having placed a part in position, they drove the rivets, and did their work so carefully and skilfully that, when the time came to launch the Peace, she was found to be a perfect success—no leaks—as nicely riveted as if European workmen had put her together.
The Livingstone Mission has also a stern wheel steamer, the Henry Reed, built by Messrs. Forrest. She, too, was transported in the same manner, was reconstructed after the Peace was launched, on the same stocks, by Mr. Billington, of that Mission.