The Fleets
This page covers Empreza Nacional de Navegação / Companhia Nacional de Navegação
Founded 1881 in Lisbon by Bensaude & Cia, Lima, Mayer & Cia and Ernst George to operate services to Africa. Between 1951 and 1972 voyages to Portuguese Asia were also made. In 1918 the company was reconstituted as Companhia Nacional de Navegação. In 1972 Sociedade Geral de Comercio amalgamated with the company. The company went into liquidation in 1985 and the remaining fleet was sold.
Many thanks to Ted Finch for his assistance in collecting this data. The following list was extracted from various sources. This is not an all inclusive list but should only be used as a guide.
Ships
| Name | Built | Additional Information | GRT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acoranio | 1880 | ex- Benalla , 1885 purchased renamed Acoranio, in service until 1897. | 1,229 |
| Africa | 1905 | 1918 to Cia. Nacional, 1932 scrapped. | 5,515 |
| Alcobaca | 1948 | 1972 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, 1980 scrapped. | 5,289 |
| Alcoutim (1) | 1943 | 1972 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, 1972 scrapped. | 7,141 |
| Alcoutim (2) | 1968 | 1986 sold to Portline, Lisbon renamed Rui de Pina. | 8,999 |
| Alenquer | 1949 | 1972 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, 1978 sold to Panama renamed Isperos IV. | 5,289 |
| Alexandre Silva | 1943 | 1972 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, 1972 scrapped. | 1,699 |
| Alfredo da Silva | 1950 | 1972 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, 1973 scrapped. | 3,374 |
| Almeirim | 1948 | 1972 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, 1980 scrapped | 5,289 |
| Amarante | 1969 | 1986 sold to Liberia renamed Spyvag II. | 8,999 |
| Ambaca | 1889 | Lisbon to Portuguese Africa service. 23rd Dec.1917 torpedoed and sunk by unknown submarine while 3 miles North from Cabo Torinana in position 43.02N 09.22W on voyage Lisbon to Bordeaux. | 2,868 |
| Ambriz | 1907 | 1918 to Cia. Nacional, 1925 out of service. | 858 |
| Ambrizete | 1949 | 1972 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, 1973 scrapped. | 5,471 |
| Amelia de Mello | 1956 | 1972 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, 1972 sold to Greece renamed Ithaca. | 9,855 |
| Ana Mafalda | 1951 | 1972 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, no later info. | 3,318 |
| Angoche (1) | 1944 | in service until 1953. | 1,256 |
| Angoche (2) | 1958 | 1972 sold to Cia. Mocambicana. | 1,689 |
| Angola (1) | 1881 | in service until 1909. | 1,966 |
| Angola (2) | 1906 | ex- Drumcairne, 1910 purchased from Chadwick & Son, Liverpool renamed Angola, 1917 torpedoed and sunk by U-Boat off Bishops Rock. | 4,297 |
| Angola (3) | 1912 | ex- Albertville, 1930 purchased from Cie. Maritime Belge renamed Angola, 1946 renamed Nova Lisboa. 1950 sold to British Iron & Steel Corporation and towed to Blyth where she was scrapped. | 8,305 |
| Angola (4) | 1948 | 1947 scrapped. | 13,016 |
| Antonio Carlos | 1947 | 1972 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, 1981 scrapped | 1,736 |
| Arraiolos | 1948 | 1972 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, 1976 sold to Greece renamed Fos I. | 5,289 |
| Beira (1) | 1896 | ex- Herzog , 1911 purchased from German East Africa Line renamed Beira, 1918 to Cia. Nacional, 1925 scrapped. | 4,977 |
| Beira (2) | 1965 | 1983 scrapped. | 8,666 |
| Belas | 1949 | 1972 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, 1978 sold to Panama renamed Isperos V. | 4,448 |
| Benguella | 1879 | ex- Vega , 1899 purchased from Empreza Insulana renamed Benguella, 1907 wrecked near Mocamedes. | 2,893 |
| Bissau | 1882 | ex- Lottie Kershaw , 1883 purchased renamed Bissau, in service until 1907. | 458 |
| Bolama (1) | 1883 | in service until 1894. | 589 |
| Bolama (2) | 1899 | 1930 burned out at Lourenco Marques and scrapped. | 985 |
| Borba | 1948 | 1872 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, 1973 scrapped. | 4,457 |
| Bovuma | 1946 | 1973 scrapped. | 5,500 |
| Braga | 1948 | 1972 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, 1977 total loss after explosion and fire at sea. | 4,455 |
| Braganca | 1948 | 1972 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, 1975 scrapped. | 4,455 |
| Cabinda | 1959 | 1972 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, no later info. | 4,902 |
| Cabo Bojador | 1962 | ex- Haukefjell, 1971 purchased from Norway renamed Cabo Bojador, 1986 scrapped | 4,156 |
| Cabo Verde (1) | 1883 | war loss WWI. | 2,220 |
| Cabo Verde (2) | 1908 | ex- Santa Barbara (Hamburg South America Line), 1916 seized by Portuguese Gov't renamed Sao Thiago, 1924 purchased from Gov't renamed Cabo Verde, 1950 scrapped. | 3,780 |
| Cabo Verde (3) | 1961 | ex- Sirefjell , 1971 purchased from Norway renamed Cabo Verde, 1987 sold to Portuguese Navy. | 4,108 |
| Cartaxo | 1948 | 1972 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, 1972 sold to Cia Mocambicana. | 1,157 |
| Cassinga | 1971 | 1986 sold to Portline Transportes Maritimos, Portugal renamed Joao de Barros. | 19,681 |
| Cazengo | 1889 | war loss WWI. | 3,009 |
| Chinde (1) | 1911 | 1918 to Cia. Nacional, 1952 scrapped. | 1,382 |
| Chinde (2) | 1958 | 1971 sold to Cia. Mocambicana. | 1,676 |
| Cidade da Praia | 1883 | 1885 purchased from Empreza Nacional de Nav. a Vap.a Guine, in service until 1891. | 645 |
| Congo | 1905 | ex- Ingraban (Hamburg Bremer Afika Line), 1916 seized by Portuguese Gov't renamed Congo, 1925 purchased from Gov't, 1950 scrapped. | 3,110 |
| Cubango | 1903 | ex- Lichtenfels (Hansa Line), 1916 seized by Portuguese Gov't renamed Goa, 1924 purchased from Gov't renamed Cubango, 1950 scrapped. | 5,605 |
| Cunene | 1969 | 1972 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, 1986 sold to Cyprus renamed Spyvag I. | 10,552 |
| Dondo | 1908 | 1918 to Cia. Nacional, 1926 out of service. | 3,978 |
| Frigomar | 1966 | ex- Oyonnax, 1971 purchased renamed Frigomar, 1975 sold to Singapore renamed Harvest Gold. | 4,555 |
| Guine | 1877 | ex- Acor , 1906 purchased from Empreza Nacional renamed Guine, no later info. | 1,211 |
| Ibo | 1907 | 1918 to Cia. Nacional, 1940 out of service. | 835 |
| Incomati | 1912 | ex- Leutnant, 1930 purchased from German East Africa Line renamed Incomati, 1936 rebuilt as barge. | 340 |
| India | 1951 | 1973 sold to Singapore renamed Kim Hogh. | 7,631 |
| Inharrime | 1939 | 1949 wrecked off Inharrime. | 1,645 |
| Leixoes | 1963 | ex- Eastern Ume, 1969 purchased from Hong Kong renamed Leixoes, 1983 scrapped. | 9,785 |
| Lisboa | 1910 | 1911 wrecked off Cape of Good Hope. | 7,700 |
| Loanda | 1889 | 1898 purchased from Mala Real Porugueza, 1918 to Cia. Nacional, 1923 scrapped. | 3,199 |
| Lobito | 1876 | ex- Gomes VI , 1905 purchased renamed Lobito, 1907 scrapped. | 575 |
| Lourenco Marques | 1905 | ex- Admiral (German East Africa Line), 1916 seized by Portuguese Gov't renamed Lourenco Marques, 1925 purchased from Gov't, 1950 scrapped. | 6,298 |
| Luabo | 1909 | 1918 to Cia. Nacional, 1956 wrecked off Mozambique. | 1,385 |
| Lurio | 1950 | 1968 sold to Empreza Insulana renamed Faial. | 2,639 |
| Lusitania | 1906 | 1911 wrecked near Cape of Good Hope. | 5,557 |
| Malange | 1890 | 1903 purchased from Mala Real Portugueza, 1916 to Portuguese Navy renamed Pedro Nunes. | 3,574 |
| Manica (1) | 1907 | 1918 to Cia. Nacional, 1926 out of service. | 1,081 |
| Manica (2) | 1961 | ex- Kulmerland, 1971 purchased from HAPAG renamed Manica, 1984 laid up, 1987 scrapped. | 9,248 |
| Manuel Alfredo | 1954 | 1972 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, 1973 scrapped. | 3,468 |
| Mindello | 1903 | 1929 sold to Maritime Department of Angola. | 316 |
| Moçambique (1) | 1908 | ex- Bruxellesville, 1912 purchased from Cie. Belge Maritime renamed Moçambique, 1918 to Cia. Nacional, 1939 scrapped. | 5,771 |
| Moçambique (2) | 1949 | 1972 scrapped. | 12,976 |
| Mocamedes | 1947 | 1973 scrapped. | 5,508 |
| Mossamedes | 1895 | ex- Sumatra , 1916 purchased from P & O Line renamed Mossamedes, 1918 to Cia. Nacional, 1923 wrecked off Cape Frio. | 4,615 |
| Nacala (1) | 1886 | (sailing ship until 1944), 1944 purchased and engined, in service until 1966. | 2,390 |
| Nacala (2) | 1966 | ex- Hunan, 1968 purchased renamed Nacala, 1985 scrapped. | 9,059 |
| Niassa | 1955 | 1979 scrapped. | 10,742 |
| Nova Lisboa | see Angola (3) | ||
| Novo Redondo | 1963 | ex- Ferncape, 1970 purchased from Norway renamed Novo Redondo, 1983 sold to Greece renamed Eleni. | 11,131 |
| Nyassa | 1906 | ex- Bulow (North German Lloyd), 1916 seized by Portuguese Gov't renamed Tras Os Montes, 1925 purchased from Gov't renamed Nyassa, 1951 scrapped. | 8,980 |
| Pedro Gomes | 1899 | ex- Sindoro, 1925 purchased from Rotterdam Lloyd renamed Pedro Gomes, 1932 scrapped. | 5,798 |
| Peninsular | 1887 | 1910 purchased from Empreza Nacional, 1923 scrapped. | 2,744 |
| Porto Amelia | 1961 | ex- Tenos, 1970 purchased from Sweden renamed Porto Amelia, 1972 sold to Cia. Mocambicana. | 5,090 |
| Portugal (1) | 1881 | in service until 1896. 5th Feb.1897 wrecked on Sal Island on voyage Bolama to Lisbon. | 1,966 |
| Portugal (2) | 1899 | 1925 scrapped. | 3,998 |
| Portugal (3) | 1929 | 1929 renamed Quanza, 1968 scrapped. | 6,636 |
| Principe | 1899 | no later info. | 214 |
| Principe Perfeito | 1961 | 1976 sold to Saudia Arabia as accommodation ship in Persian Gulf, renamed Al Hasa. | 19,393 |
| Quanza | see Portugal (3) | ||
| Quelimane | 1963 | ex- Evina, 1968 purchased renamed Quelimane, 1985 sold to Lusonautis Cia de Navegaceo, Lisbon renamed Luso Ana. | 8,719 |
| Rita Maria | 1953 | 1972 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, 1981 sold to Areias do Tejo, Lisbon. | 3,749 |
| S. Thome | 1905 | ex- Heimburg (Hansa Line), 1916 seized by Portuguese Gov't renamed Santo Antao, 1924 purchased from Gov't renamed S. Thome, 1932 scrapped. | 4,196 |
| Sao Macario | 1944 | 1972 taken over with Soc. Geral de Comercio, 1974 sold to Componave, Lisbon renamed Silmar. | 1,039 |
| Sao Thome (1) | 1883 | 1904 lost in Red Sea. | 2,255 |
| Sao Thome (2) | 1938 | 1971 scrapped. | 5,213 |
| Sao Thome (3) | 1972 | 1982 sold to Israel renamed Hadar. | 10,067 |
| Save (1) | 1912 | ex- Granja, 1945 purchased renamed Save, in service until 1951. | 782 |
| Save (2) | 1951 | 1961 caught fire and destroyed when cargo exploded near Quelimane; loss of 259 lives. | 2,037 |
| Sofala (1) | 1927 | ex- Aller, 1943 purchased from North German Lloyd renamed Sofala, 1968 scrapped. | 7,821 |
| Sofala (2) | 1973 | 1982 sold to Israel renamed Tapuz. | 11,669 |
| Tagus | 1938 | ex- Thixendale , 1939 purchased renamed Tagus, 1963 sank off Mozambique. | 1,107 |
| Tejo | 1901 | 1918 to Cia. Nacional, 1936 scrapped. | 161 |
| Timor | 1951 | 1973 sold to Singapore renamed Kim Ann. | 7,656 |
| Zaire (1) | 1893 | 1918 to Cia Nacional, 1922 scrapped. | 3,156 |
| Zaire (2) | 1904 | ex- Infante de Sagres , 1927 purchased from Cia.do Assucar de Angola, Lisbon renamed Zaire, 1929 wrecked on Sao Thome Island. | 5,235 |
| Zambezia (1) | 1903 | 1917 burnt out at Lourenco Marques, salved and 1920 sold to Thesen & Co., Cape Town. | 1,174 |
| Zambezia (2) | 1949 | sold 1970 sold to Leeves Nav.S.A, Panama renamed LEEWAY ; 1974 Seven Seas Trading Co., Panama renamed AWURA AMA, 1977 renamed CAPE COAST. 1979 Capsized and sank off Lome. | 2,625 |