Viana do Castelo - Hospital Ship "Gil Eannes"
23/06/07 11:59 Filed in: Portugal
This was a real trip down memory lane. When I first went to sea I sailed on several ships of this vintage.
The "Gil Eannes" was designed and built in Viana do Castelo in 1955 as a hospital/supply ship for the Portuguese fishing fleet operating on the grand banks and off the coast of Greenland.
She was a very versatile ship. Refrigerated cargo holds to take bait outwards and frozen catch back as well as general stores and supplies outwards, a strengthened hull for ice navigation, a dental surgery, fully equipped operating theatres, X-Ray room, a patient lift between theatres and wards, extensive accommodation for doctors, nurses and patients in addition to her regular crew and some serious towing kit which enabled here to act as an ocean going tug if required.
She made her last trip to the fishing grounds in 1973 and after a trip to Brazil was laid up in Lisbon. In 1997 she was saved from the scrapyard by the "Gil Eannes Foundation" and returned to Viana do Castello for restoration. She opened to the public in 1998.
Much of her original equipment remains on board so during the tour one sees not only period navigation and engineering equipment but that of catering, medical/surgery, and dentistry.
Bridge and number two of 4 hatches. She is a very attractive looking ship with lovely lines and curves. Think 1950's cars. There are numerous examples of plating whose sole purpose is to make the ship look good.
Foredeck number two cargo hatch and with 2 1/2" wooden decking finally showing its age after more than 50 years.
Aft boat deck and number three hatch.
The beautiful funnel. It did not need to look like this but it looks a lot better than just a collection of exhaust pipes.
The bakery...
....and the galley
Engine room switch panel.
One of two Fairbanks Morse main diesel engines.
Engine room sounding board. Every ship has one of these to record the levels of fuel and ballast tanks.
The point of the exercise. Atlantic Cod. The one in the photo weighed 70kg. Of course there are none left now. The Grand Banks were fished beyond the point of sustainability.
North Atlantic currents in June.
"Gil Eames" returning to Viana do Castelo in 1997....
....and as she looks today.
The "Gil Eannes" was designed and built in Viana do Castelo in 1955 as a hospital/supply ship for the Portuguese fishing fleet operating on the grand banks and off the coast of Greenland.
She was a very versatile ship. Refrigerated cargo holds to take bait outwards and frozen catch back as well as general stores and supplies outwards, a strengthened hull for ice navigation, a dental surgery, fully equipped operating theatres, X-Ray room, a patient lift between theatres and wards, extensive accommodation for doctors, nurses and patients in addition to her regular crew and some serious towing kit which enabled here to act as an ocean going tug if required.
She made her last trip to the fishing grounds in 1973 and after a trip to Brazil was laid up in Lisbon. In 1997 she was saved from the scrapyard by the "Gil Eannes Foundation" and returned to Viana do Castello for restoration. She opened to the public in 1998.
Much of her original equipment remains on board so during the tour one sees not only period navigation and engineering equipment but that of catering, medical/surgery, and dentistry.
Bridge and number two of 4 hatches. She is a very attractive looking ship with lovely lines and curves. Think 1950's cars. There are numerous examples of plating whose sole purpose is to make the ship look good.
Foredeck number two cargo hatch and with 2 1/2" wooden decking finally showing its age after more than 50 years.
Aft boat deck and number three hatch.
The beautiful funnel. It did not need to look like this but it looks a lot better than just a collection of exhaust pipes.
The bakery...
....and the galley
Engine room switch panel.
One of two Fairbanks Morse main diesel engines.
Engine room sounding board. Every ship has one of these to record the levels of fuel and ballast tanks.
The point of the exercise. Atlantic Cod. The one in the photo weighed 70kg. Of course there are none left now. The Grand Banks were fished beyond the point of sustainability.
North Atlantic currents in June.
"Gil Eames" returning to Viana do Castelo in 1997....
....and as she looks today.