OCEAN POST

"PONT-AVEN" is seen here arriving Saint-Malo. The ship arrived from Portsmouth early morning, but had to release the berth for the CONDOR, "COMMODORE GOODWILL". "PONT-AVEN" spent most of the day circling the Saint-Malo breakwater, when these photos were taken at about 5 pm, local time, the ship was docking, soon to start loading to her sea-voyage to Portsmouth. It was my fifth crossing this year on the "PONT-AVEN", she looked rather smart with all the Christmas decorations. The ship has been replacing the "BRETAGNE" for a few weeks on the route due maintenance that took place on the "BRETAGNE" in Poland, soon will be the turn of the "PONT-AVEN" to head on to Poland for her refit and installation of a new engine, works that will take over two months. Photos Vitor Francisco 7.12.2019

Less than two weeks ago I was in Lisbon, when the opportunity came to go back on board "EVORA", I didn't hesitate and think twice. My friend Luis Miguel Correia, was supposed to go on this trip, celebrating 132 years of the Port of Lisbon. At about 10.30 am, I got a call from him saying that he was not going to be able to make the trip, so, he suggested for me to take his place..... Can I do that ? I asked........... the answer was, why not, so needless to say that I was the first passenger ready to step on board a couple of hours later. I was born in Lisbon, but for 16 years I lived in Barreiro, which is about 20 minutes crossing on a catamaran from Lisbon today. During the years I lived at Barreiro, I was working in Lisbon, for six years, the only way for me to get there was taking the Ferry, known by locals mainly, as the "Barcos do Barreiro", "Barreiro Boats". I got my first car at the age of 18, but money was not much, so...

We are back on board "DOM FERNANDO II E GLORIA" for some interior photos, all photos taken 1.11.2019 Vitor Francisco

Today "OCEAN POST" visits the Portuguese wooden-hulled frigate, "DOM FERNANDO II E GLORIA", built in the former Portuguese Indian colony of Daman, she was the last sailing warship to be built for Portugal between 1843 and 1845, the last of the known "India Run". The ship remained in service until 1878. In 1940 the ship became the headquarters of the "Fragata Dom Fernando Welfare Institute", providing education for underpriviledged  youth. In 1963 she caught fire and was partially sunk on the south bank of the river Tagus, she remained there until 1990. Then, between 1992 and 1998 she was totally rebuilt and went on to join the "Expo 98" World fair that took place in Lisbon, to coincide with the 500th Anniversary of Vasco da gama epic voyage of the discovery of the sea route to India. The works of restoration can only be described as epic, the "World Ship Trust" was awarded to the ship. Today she is permanen...

We continue the visit to the S.S. "GREAT BRITAIN" museum at Bristol, I hope the photos make justice to this splendid "must see" attraction, May 2015 Vitor Francisco

Life on board the S.S. "GREAT BRITAIN", second instalment, photos May 2015 Vitor Francisco