On July 27, 1863 Welsh settlers arrived in Patagonia aboard the ship Mimosa. They immigrated to this corner of Argentina on the hope of founding a Welsh colony far from English influence. And while they didn't expect to find such a dry, barren place they had no choice but make do. They built canals to irrigate the land. The Welsh colonists developed a relationship with the Tehuelche, a South Amiercan Indian tribe. They built a railroad called Ferrocarril Central del Chubut to transport goods between Trelew and the coast. And while the colony was self-governed for just a short period the co-operative society the Welsh settlers established helped make this colony a success.