(C) and Roi des Belges (R) — Leopoldville, 1889 The En Avant (Forward) was a small steam launch used in the early days of European exploration of the Congo River basin.

[6] Henry Morton Stanley wrote in 1885,[7] The En Avant was guilty of extraordinary freaks, and as stubborn as the donkey is generally supposed to be.

At one moment she had over ten atmospheres of steam, and rushed madly on, while we, expectantly watching the first signs of an explosion, were ready to jump overboard, but suddenly the gauge indicated descent, and the paddle-wheels could scarcely revolve, while the rudder never had the slightest control of her movements......

The fourth mechanician was an Italian named Francesco Flamini, a quiet, painstaking man ... he said "I will make this steamer travel as quickly as any other," and—to cut the story short—he did.

She travelled to Vivi, breasted boldly the rapids above Manyanga, pioneered the way to Lake Léopold II, and was the first to cleave the waters of the Biyeré [Aruwimi], and the first to steam up to Stanley Falls.

Oh, an epic poem might now be written of the brave little boat!The En Avant was one of two steamers brought from Europe in 1879 in portable sections, the other being the Royal.

They had to cross rivers, build bridges, level the terrain, clear forests, climb hills and blow up rocks with dynamite.

He charged Charles-Marie de Braconnier with building a road from Manianga to the mouth of the Lufu River, bypassing the Ntombo-Mataka falls.

They left the next day with a contingent of native auxiliaries along the route marked out by Braconnier carrying the En Avant and two whalers they intended to launch at the Stanley Pool.

There they were informed that Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza had signed a treaty with Chief Makoka and claimed possession for France of the whole right shore of the Congo River north of the Pool.

[10] The Belgians established a camp on the right bank of the Djoué, and on 3 August 1881 Stanley asked Valcke to return to the coast and try to catch the boat due on 20 August 1881 from Banana to St-Paul de Loanda, He should bring back trade goods to win the chief Ngaliéma over to the AIA.

[16][b] While the porters were hoisting the equipment in steep terrain, one of the wagons fell violently hitting Braconnier who was thrown into the rocks.

[23] Stanley reached the mouth of the Ruki River on 9 June 1883 and directed Van Gèle and Coquilhat to build a station there.

[20] Hanssens reached Équateurville on 17 April 1884 with the three steamers and six Europeans, Wester, Amelot, Drees, Guérin, Courtois and Nicholls.

[27] Going downstream the steamer skirted the right bank of the Congo River, but was carried by the current into a maze of islands.

[28] Van Gèle managed to persuade them to act as pilots, and after four hours of full steam on 21 April 1884 entered a strong stream of yellow water, the Ubangi, which they ascended to the Bisongo village.

[29] After returning to Equateurville Hanssens left Van Gèle in charge and took Coquihat with him to found the Bangala station, the future Nouvelle Anvers.

[22] On return to Équateur, Hanssens made careful preparation for his expedition to the Bangalas, where he expected to place Coquilhat in command of a new station.

[30] Hanssens left for Équateur on 11 May 1884 to obtain more supplies for his journey to the Falls, and returned to Iboko on 24 May 1884, where Coquilhat was organizing the post.

[20] Hanssens left the next day, and briefly explored the Mongala River, signing a treaty with Chief Mobeka near its mouth.

[31] Casman arrived at Equateur Station on 12 December 1884, where Van Gèle handed over command in a ceremony before the native chiefs.

[32] Soon after the expedition reached the Falls, Tippu Tip visited Van Gèle and assured him he wanted cordial relations with the Europeans and would stop hunting for slaves.

Stanley was charged with leading the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition, which was to travel up the Congo River and overland to Equatoria rather than take the shorter route from the east coast.

On 1 April 1887 Swinburne lent Stanley the Florida for use as a barge, despite knowing his boss Sanford would be furious about the loan.

[34] Later in 1887 Alphonse van Gèle left Léopoldville on the En-Avant towing a large pirogue from the Falls to make his second attempt on the Ubangi, again with Liénart.

[35] During a forced halt to repair the En Avant the expedition was attacked by the Yakomis in a flotilla of pirogues but managed to fight them off.

The expedition reached Zongo on 25 June 1889, where a station was founded as a base of operations with Captain Léon Hanolet in command.

After returning to the Yakoma camp, Van Gèle decided to explore the Bomu river and visit Bangassou, but the steamers were blocked after a day by the Goui falls.

[39] On 27 May 1890 the expedition of Léon Roget and Jules Alexandre Milz reached the Uele River opposite the Djabir village.

[41] Van Gèle heard of the presence of a European in Djabir on 18 November 1890 and set out via a roundabout route up the Uele, reaching the village of Gamanza on 2 December.