Life on the Congo

by W. Holman Bentley

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.

PUTTING SECTIONS TOGETHER.

Mr. Stanley has also three steamers on the Upper Congo, and a fourth had by the last mail nearly reached the Pool. The International Association had by this time acquired sovereign rights over large districts in the cataract region of the Congo, and in the valley of the Niadi Kwilu. It had also established itself at the Equator, beyond which Mr. Stanley had continued the work, over the whole length of the navigable river, to the Stanley Falls, 1060 miles, exploring several affluents, upon which he found two new lakes. Treaties were made with chiefs over the whole length, stations and military posts were placed among friendly people, and a station was established at the Stanley Falls.

While this was going on, various circumstances were bringing Africa very prominently before the eye of Europe. Germany was annexing freely along the coast. Complications arose in consequence of this. There were difficulties in reference to Angra Pequena, the south-east coast, the Niger; troubles between the French Government and the International Association. Portugal proposed to annex the mouth of the Congo. An annexation fever was in the air. To prevent the breaking out of serious trouble, a Conference of the Great Powers of Europe was called.

It was now time for the International Association to explain its position, and to seek a recognition of its acquired rights.

When the news of Mr. Stanley’s great journey ‘across the Dark Continent’ reached Europe, King Leopold of the Belgians conceived the idea of opening up the vast newly-discovered regions to the benefits of civilisation and commerce. It was felt that such a work could not be accomplished unless the whole region could become a Free State. It was rightly feared that, as soon as the importance of the Basin became known, France or Portugal might annex the mouth of the river, and thus destroy all hope of future development. In their colonies near the mouth of the Congo, both France and Portugal so hampered trade with heavy dues and restrictions that comparatively little could be done. Then, again, there could be no future for the Free State without a railway to convey the produce from Stanley Pool to the coast. With such a means of transport, the whole country, with its vast resources, would be placed within easy reach of Europe. Were a simple company to attempt this, it would soon be ruined by the greed or false economy of France or Portugal. Quietly, but energetically, therefore, the Association acquired sovereign rights, until France and Portugal threatened to annex. When the Conference commenced to sit, these two Powers each made large demands.