The Ship “Cabo Formentor” (1960-1991)

In the second half of the 1950s, a large volume of shipbuilding, fishing fleet, merchant vessels, and large motor ships took place in the Nervión estuary. In 1957, at the Tomás Ruíz de Velasco S.A. shipyards in Desierto-Erandio, the motor ships “Concar” (1958-1959), “Ine” (1957-1985), “Valle de Mena” (1957-1962), “Cabo Farruch” (1959-1978) (formerly “Virgen de Fuencisla”), “Cabo Falcó” (1960-1982) (formerly “Virgen de la Fuensanta” and “Elgueta”), and “Cabo Formentor” were being constructed.

The latter was built between 1957-1960, under the name “Virgen de Arrixaca,” owned by Antonio García Poveda, a resident of Madrid. It was registered on folio BI-4-666-2nd list on March 12, 1960. On June 30, 1961, it was transferred to the ownership of Naviera Ybarra y Cía. S.A. based in Seville, and it was registered on folio SE.-2-94-2nd list on August 8, 1962, along with the name change. In 1970, it changed ownership to Rafael Riva Suardiaz, a resident of Madrid. Finally, in 1976, it was acquired by Naviera de Galicia S.A. based in A Coruña and was registered on folio CO.-2-194-2nd list.

Its characteristics were: total tonnage 988.42 t., net tonnage 542.20 t., displacement 2,118 t., deadweight 1,400 t., length 64.90 m., E.p.p 59.40 m., beam 9.80 m., and depth 5.50 m.

It had an Atlas Polar 8-cylinder diesel engine, with 1,480 HP, and a test speed of 12.1 knots.

It underwent modifications such as the removal of hatch closures using wooden quarters, replaced by MacGregor closures, as well as those of the decks, masts, and supports.

It was scrapped in 1991 in San Esteban de Pravia (Asturias).

Photos: archive of Ramón García Filgueira