Industrial Funchal - Bluebell Genealogy

#Madeira #Funchal #Coal #Steamships #Wales #Brazil

In April 2024, whilst on holiday in Madeira, we came across the industrial landmark Cais do Carvão that translates to ‘Coal pier’. Situated on the edge of Funchal near to the Marine Biology Station¹, as shown on the map below², it dates to around 1900.

As it is out of the main tourist area unlikely to be visited by many and only a few fishermen around when we were there. From the information boards at the site it seems funding was given in 2020 in order to preserve the remains of the wharf and associated buildings in order to maintain the history of the area.

All photos were taken on my mobile so not the best quality for detail. The following are the transcriptions of the English portion of these notices dotted around the place. This first one, found below, is titled ‘Wilson & Sons Company Limited’, which I have subsequently established is still in existence under the guise Wilson Sons³.

Funchal, as an important part of the translantic [sic] route, felt the need to create ways to support the Industrial Revolution that was growing during the 19th century.

The island developed new docks, supporting the trades and restocking of ships during the whole century. Coal trade was fundamental to the refueling [sic] of steam boats, so that they could be able to cross the Atlantic ocean; these docks stored all stock necessary items for ships passing by, essencially [sic] food and mineral coal.

The “Cais do Carvão” is built to attend these needs, previously called house Wilson, from the Wilson & Sons Company Limited, dated from nearly 1901.

These docks had a system of loading and unloading cargo through pulleys and tracks wich [sic] which facilitated transportation of goods, as well as a warehouse.

Development of new fossil fuels meant that in the following years use of mineral coal would plummet, along with its industry.

The start of Wilson Sons dates back to 1837 when set up by brothers Edward and Fleetwood Pellew Wilson⁴. Having originated from Scotland they began the company in Bahia, Brazil. It is still headquartered there today and one of the oldest private enterprises in the country.

From the London Metropolitan Archives Collections Catalogue⁵ we find out that there was a London office from 1845 and they hold documents from 1877 for part of the business group. It also gives addresses that they were based at and more detail about their commercial interests.

The coal was from Wales and there were contracts to supply the Royal Navy and many steamship lines. All the connected companies traded profitably until the early 1950s when a South American trade recession (and changes from coal to oil) led the group to withdraw from all countries except Brazil.

There are some features of the warehouse still in existence including what appears to be a pulley system as shown below. It is sat on a pillar which was taller than me and think there may have been a floor at that height. From the remaining walls it is plausible that it was a three-storey building and taking up a sizeable area.

The next board we found is designated ‘Rebuilding Project’ and this also shows some historic images of the pier and warehouse. It looks like there was a double building with rounded roofs and the remains are only two of the four outer walls. There is also part of a storage shed as shown in my later images.

The rehabilitation of “Cais do Carvão” comes from a need to preserve, rebuild and maintain Funchal’s historical and cultural legacy by the local council, trying to find the best way to put our legacy to new use.

This facility that once was a coal warehouse helps promote cultural and marine legacy nowadays.

Rebuilding the memory of this space allows us to host various cultural activities, such as theatre plays, concerts, outdoor cinema, conferences and lectures.

This project comes from applying for financial backing in “Madeira 14-20”, Região Autónoma da Madeira, “Portugal 2020” and Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional initatives.

From Funchal heading south the next location you arrive at are the Canary Islands, which are about 500km (310 miles) away, and so it is very exposed. The wind can cause problems even now for flights to Madeira and keeping parasols up so amazing that any of the buildings remain over 100 years on.

Perhaps due to the width of the walls that were built and it being slightly sheltered, as indicated above⁶, this is why there are still some of the fixtures⁷ as well. There is clear evidence of corrosion from the elements but overall in a fairly good state considering location.

The next board relates to ‘Support Building and Crane’ and talks about the photos they have included. Of course when I have copied their use of the term ‘above’ it is regarding the upper image on the panel as the English language translation is the bottom section.

Previously built as a support building to the main warehouse of Wilsons & Sons Company Ltd., this building had a crane wich [sic] helped with the loading and unloading of goods between the ships and the docks, with the help of a railway system.

In the photograph above you can see the crane in its original place, loading and unloading goods onto a boat. The steamships were kept off the coast, meanwhile, other smaller boats would sail to the coast for trading.

My last photo is of the Gorgulho islet, approximately 130 metres off the coastline, and I would imagine was quite a danger to ships coming in to load up with coal. Found a Madeiran geocaching blog⁸ that has a copy of an image of the initial board described along with some other pictures as well.

Although we did not spend that much time at the coal wharf by photographing the details provided regarding the places’ history it has enabled me to come home and learn much more about it. From the Wilson Sons timeline and other resources used have been able to get an understanding of how this small space was actually connected to many other locations all around the globe.

My final note is to advise that Madeira is definitely worth a visit even if just to overindulge at Beerhouse⁹ (on both food and drink) as well as consume many pastel de nata¹⁰. This was our second trip and planning to go back again very soon. The only negative is the steepness of the hills all around the island but knowing there is a pool when you reach the hotel we stay at is a very welcome thought.