LEIXÕES SHIPPING

Post card showing the main dock at Leixões, the harbour in the mouth of river Leça that serves Oporto. By analysing the ships in port, I would say the photograph was taken about 1970-1971. The cargo liner with cream uperworks is one of the four sisters of Sociedade Geral "B" class, either BELAS, BORBA, BRAGA or BRAGANÇA. The company used to have the the ship's names and port of registry painted in large letters on the hull at mid ships a practice droped in about 1970 just before the fleet was taken over by Companhia Nacional de Navegação on 1 January 1972. Berthed alongside the warehouse is the passenger liner UIGE (1954-1978) of Companhia Colonial de Navegação (mostly employed on the Portugal - Angola service and on trooping duties) and on the south bank of the dock the Cia Colonial liner PÁTRIA (1947-1973) can be seen eclipsed by the B ship.
Leixões is still a very busy port but shipping has changed a lot since this image was recorded. Thanks to Nuno Bartolomeu who kindly sent the image.
Texto e imagens /Text and images copyright L.M.Correia. For other posts and images, check our archive at the right column of the main page. Click on the photos to see them enlarged. Thanks for your visit and comments. Luís Miguel Correia