Dom Afonso (Frigate, 1847)

Dom Afonso was a frigate (fragata) that served in the Armada Imperial Brasileira (Brazilian Imperial Navy), being the first steamship in this navy.

The frigate was built by Thomas Royden and Co. in Liverpool, based on the design of HMS Fury. The construction of the ship was under the supervision of John Pascoe Grenfell.

The first commander was Frigate Captain Joaquim Marques Lisboa. The frigate participated in the rescue of the North American vessel Ocean Monarch and the Portuguese vessel Vasco da Gama. It also took part in the repression of republican revolutionaries and clandestine slave traders. The ship formed the squadron that successfully forced the Tonelero Passage, Argentina, in 1851. On January 9, 1853, during a storm, she sank northwest of Cabo Frio.

The Wikipedia entry is an interesting read. English translation here, original here.

1848 'THE BRAZILIAN FRIGATE AFFONSO.
This fine war-ship, which, some months ago, was launched from the building-yard of Mr. Thomas Royden, Liverpool, was constructed for the Emperor of the Brazils, and it is intended for his majesty’s own use, to navigate the coasts, creeks, and rivers of that country, as well as for purposes of defence in time of need. She is built of the choicest timber, and certainly one of the strongest vessels ever turned out of this or any other port. She is about 900 tons burthen, and, though calculated to carry heavy metal and munitions of war, upon a light draught of water, and is, therefore, full below, she has a fine appearance as she now lies in the Coburg Dock. She was constructed under the superintendence Admiral Grenfell, of the Brazilian service, who will we presume, take the command. The vessel has flush decks, of great strength, and on the upper or gun-deck carries two long 64-pounders, on carriages working circles,—one forward and the other aft; also, four 62-pounders in the waist, working through side-ports. These are ponderous, yet elegant, pieces of artillery. There are also a number of small arms of various kinds. There is a large armoury and gun-room between decks; and the ship is fitted up in every way an efficient vessel of war. On Saturday, through the kindness of Mr. Bawden, who has superintended erection of the engines, we were favoured with a view of these fine pieces of mechanism. They were built Messrs. Benjamin Hick and Son, Bolton, and are, together, of 350-horse power, but will work more with perfect safety. They are on a new principle, and with direct action. All the beams and all the framework are of wrought iron, and the appearance of the whole (including the brass, &c.,) is like a huge and beautiful specimen of the finest polished clock-work. Cast iron would be double the weight, and not so secure. A variety of brass-work is introduced, including motion-wheels to speed, or to reverse the engine with great ease and alacrity. The diameter of each cylinder sixty-eight inches, the stroke of the piston five feet. The immense cranks are also of wrought iron, and weigh each eighteen cwt. They were bored, turned, and planed. A great deal of the usual cast-iron is substituted by copper and brass, and the whole is exceedingly compact, finished, and beautifully bright. The condensing apparatus is novel in principle. The air-pumps, and the mode of admitting the injection water ore also quite new. The same may be said of the gearings, especially the eccentrics, which are curious and beautiful. Compared with another vessel of 350-horse power, on the usual principle, (where cast-iron is employed,) the saving will be at least one-third in weight, and the security will be one-half more. This, with general compactness, will more than compensate for the additional cost, which is considerable. The boilers are the flue principle, with fires at both ends. In the lower after engine-room there is “a donkey,” of one horse power, for pumping, &c. There is, also, in another part, a tank for the distilled water from the tubes or steam pipes. On the whole, these are the finest and most compact engines of the size have yet seen.— Liverpool Standard.
The Affonso made her trial trip on Tuesday, the 8th instant. She was got out of the dock about five o’clock in the morning. At that time Admiral Grenfell, and the officers and crew, together with the splendid brass band belonging to Mr. Hick, were on board. She sailed out as far as the Black Rock and back, .....'

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