• Dive Data & Advisory:

  • Max depth: -27 msw
  • Min. Certification:
       Advanced Sports Diver

  • Mix: EAN 21 or 32
  • Type: Wreck & Anchor Diving
  • Difficulty ratting (1-5): 3/4*
  • Possible hazzards: ghost-nets
       *4: cases of night dives with strong current

Note:
 this shipwreck is not found in marine charts.
Sometimes  freighters (although 2 miles offshore)
pass by or anchor within a certain range area.
__________________________________

  • Historical Review:
The Ship:
 
Dimensions: data unavailable
Aprox Length 30m

Crew: 17 men
Activity: Cargo (Barge)
 

"Cantanhede AKA Batelão":

This ship was part of a set of barges, bringing a cargo of cement from lisbon to Porto.

At the time of the accident, the barges where beying towed in by "Marialva" (tugboat, 1937). Stormy weather made the two barges sink as well the tugboat itself. 17 men lost their lives on December 7th, 1959.

One of the barges wodden buit named "Madeirense"; the later ended up on the shore at S. Jacinto.The "Cantanhede", is an iron cargo vessel, and remains inbound Porto at a depth of 27msw.
 

"Marialva" and its barges where steaming steadily passing Aveiro, as comunicated to a fishing trawler nearby. Soon after, the wind gained strenght turning to Northeast making it a rough ride. Around midnight the Captain Parracho got in contact with his wife and daugher not giving any signs of distress besides a coment on the bad weather.

The Leixões harbor got a distress signal and sent out a rescue crew, but the "God Fearing Rough Waves" didn´t allow the boat to get out of port.

What happened afterwards, nobody knows. Some statements say that a large wave destroyed to wheel house, but, considering the time past and from what we know from Sea tales, precision on what really happened is mere speculation.

The wodden barge that showed up by the beach at S. Jacinto still had it´s wheels on their place.

Where exactly "Marialva" ended up, still remains inconclusive; some say they know where it is, some have been at "Cantanhede" thinking it was "Marialva", but the fact is that is not still accurate to state that the location of the tugboat is know; only it´s barge, "Cantanhede" also know as "Batelão".


Since the incident was a couple of miles off Rio Douro, this shipwreck is higly influenced by tidal movements and sometimes strong current can be found there.

The ship is quite deteriorated,although filled with marine life; quite recently and fortunally for safety sake, the upper deck over the cargo colapsed, representing no danger now for Divers.

However, considering it´s location, there are ghosts nets within and around it.

Nothing to be affraid of, but something to be aware off. Don´t forget, nets around it also, stuck on the sandy bottom and waltzing with the current.

This Diver of yours once got his fin caught up in one of those; just relax, don´t forget your knive and/or cable cutter and you will be fine. That applies to all wrecks where ever you may go, here or elsewhere.