Ernest François Cambier

Ernest François Cambier (Ath, June 21st 1844 - Schaerbeek, July 23rd 1909) is a Belgian explorer of the Congo where it created the first Railroad. Cambier made initially a military career in the topographic services of the army.

He was one of the first to answer the call of Léopold II for the colonization of the Congo.

In 1887, it accompanied the first forwarding by the African International association directed by the Crespel captain like astronomer and geographer. With died with Crespel, on January 24th, 1878, Cambier gave the responsability itself to conclude forwarding.

At the beginning of Bagomojo it explored the interior of the Bagamojo country, accompanied by two Belgian agents. July 4th, after great difficulties, he managed to reach Unjmawesi where one of the guides died of diphthery.

In September 1879, Cambier went to Karema on Eastern bank of the Lac Tanganyka where it founded the first station scientists of the African International association. For that it had bought a territory of approximately 20 km ² with local princes. This territory can be regarded as the starting point of what will be the State independent of Congo.

Between 1880 and 1881, it occupied this station. He undertook actions against the trade of the slaves by the Arabs.

It was known that without a railroad which would avoid the falls of the river Congo, economic development would be impossible. The State independent of Congo was responsible for this task. The first estimates for the construction of the railroad were evaluated by Cambier to 25 Belgian franc million. It cost the double of it. The railroad connecting Matadi to Léopoldville (Today: Kinshasa) was built between 1890 and 1898. The course was held in approximately 24 hours under difficult conditions.

In 1882, Ernest Cambier returned to Europe and is established in Schaerbeek or he died on July 23rd, 1909.

The common of Schaerbeek named one of its arteries Avenue Ernest Cambier, and the town of Ath Rue Ernest Cambier.

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