Brazilian packet-boat built in 1913, owned by Lloyd Brasileiro Navigation Company.
On July 31st 1934, around 5.00pm, this ship was sailing to Leixões harbour when a dense fog made her turn course and run aground 200m of Marreco beach.
"Ruy Barbosa" was homeward bound from Hamburg and Antwerp where near 100 German Jews went onboard heading to Brazil. These persons were one of the first refugees to escape from Nazi Germany. Her crew was composed by 125 members. There was no casualties due the sea was flat.
She had in her cargo hull around 2000 tons of goods, of which most was recover. She was 11.780 tons gross and 149m long. This ship had capacity for 650 persons.
The sea claimed the ship and broke her apart. Nowadays divers can find the ship's boilers, the anchor and some metal debris on the sea bottom, at a maximum depth of 12m.
Like all wrecks in this area, this site is full of marine life.
Source: www.mergulhomania.com
(Reproduced with permission of the author)
