Photo credit:Peruvian Navy.
During European colonization, the Spanishintroducedwooden sailing boats and in the 19th century came iron steamship.
One of these boats, theYapura, now calledBAP Puno, is still used by the Peruvian Navy.
Yapuraand her sister shipYavariwas commissioned by the Peruvian government in 1861.
From there pack mules carried the remaining 220 miles to Puno on the lake.
Outside events brought further delays.
There was an earthquake, a peasants revolt, and the Spanish threatened a second invasion of Peru.
Eight years later, in 1869, enough pieces arrived for the keel of theYavarito be laid.
On Christmas Day 1870, the first ship was launched.Yapurawas launched fifteen months later, in 1872.
Its hull was enlarged and it was fitted with a new engine.
In 1987,Yavariwas bought by a non-profit organization and turned into a museum.
She is now moored at Puno Bay.
Photo credit:Ghislain Cottat/Wikimedia
The Yavari.
Photo credit:paula soler-moya/Flickr
