The Río Seco Freezer Works (1905-1964),
built and operated by the London-based South American Export Syndicate,
was the first of its kind in Southern Patagonia. The principal partners
in this enterprise were the shipping company Houlder Brothers & Co.,
with Mauricio Braun, Bermúdez y Cía. and Juan Blanchard providing
the local capital. This type of plant (frigorífico) was
a major advance advance on predecessor fat-rendering plants (graserías),
since it allowed a complete and more profitable processing of the sheep.
Specialized equipment was brought from Britain, and operated by experienced
British personnel.
The best-known manager was Tom P. Jones:
see the British names
mentioned in his book. Carlos Foresti
(Puerto Bories, 1918) presents a more complete photographic record of this
type of works. This 1911 postcard
records an earlier stage in the plant's existence.
>>> Click on any of the images to popup a
larger copy <<<
Aerial views
from seaward
plant in close-up
from landward
Sea-level views
entire complex
closer-up
Sections and personnel
slaughter-house
butchers
inspectors??
dining room
cold store
machine room
Other installations
employee housing??
hide drying ground
Source (photographs): Thomas S. Boyd (1876-1966) family
album Source (old postcard): Robert Runyard Source (historical background): "Menéndez y
Braun, Prohombres Patagónicos", Mateo Martinic, Punta Arenas
2001 Note: These photographs are presented online for educational
purposes only: commercial use is not authorized. Thanks: Marie Boyd, for authorizing this publication More photos by Thomas Boyd: Shetland,
Glasgow,
Colombia Updated: 16 April 2006
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Orientation; "aerial view from seaward")
; "aerial close-up")
; "aerial view from landward")
; "general view from seaward")
; "view at sea-level")
; "slaughter-house")
; "butchers")
; "inspectors??")
; "dining room")
; "cold store")
; "machine room")
; "employee housing??")
; "hide drying ground")
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