The historic sailing vessels Carvalho, Nauta, Maria Sony, and Madalan are part of Cabo Verde´s maritime heritage. Throughout much of the twentieth century, they played a vital role in connecting the islands, at a time when the archipelago depended on commercial sailing vessels – later complemented by auxiliary engines – for the transport of passengers and cargo.

Carvalho (palhabote)

Built in 1937 at the traditional shipyard of Porto da Furna, on Brava island, and launched in 1938, Carvalho is one of the finest surviving examples of traditional Cape Verdean wooden shipbuilding. Regarded as the last large wooden sailing vessel built on Brava – an island where around twenty vessels intended for coastal trade were launched between 1900 and 1950 – it played a fundamental role for several decades in the inter-island transport of passengers and cargo.

Today, it is one of the few surviving vessels from an era when sail-powered navigation provided the principal link between the islands of the archipelago. Its historical significance has also been recognised through the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp issue and a 10-escudo coin.

Nauta (cutter)

The cutter Nauta played an important role in the maritime connections between the islands of Cabo Verde, frequently operating the route between São Vicente and Santo Antão. It became renowned for its long voyages, often dictated by wind conditions, particularly in the São Vicente Channel, where sailing required exceptional skill and experience from its crews.

It transported passengers, fresh water, agricultural produce, and other essential goods, contributing to the economic and social ties between the island communities. The memory of this vessel lives on through a commemorative postage stamp issue and its place in Cape Verdean maritime tradition. It also inspired the celebrated morna Mar de Canal.

Maria Sony (schooner)

Built in Canada in 1911, the two-masted schooner Maria Sony was later acquired by Cape Verdean shipowners and incorporated into the archipelago´s inter-island fleet. In 1959, it was fitted with an engine in the United States, significantly enhancing its operational capabilities and extending its service life.

Throughout its career, it served in a variety of roles, including as a whaling vessel, cargo ship, and passenger vessel. In 1964, it took part in the rescue of survivors from the Frigorífica V, an event that further secured its place in Cabo Verde´s maritime history.

Its career ended when it was wrecked in the archipelago. Nevertheless, its memory lives on through the morna Maria Sony and through a commemorative postage stamp issue.

Madalan (patacho)

Built in Italy in 1920, Madalan was originally designed as a luxury yacht before being converted into a cargo vessel for commercial service. Acquired by Cape Verdean shipowners in 1947, it joined the coastal trading fleet that linked the islands and occasionally undertook voyages to the West African coast.

Equipped with both sails and an auxiliary engine, it played an important role in the archipelago´s maritime transport network, facilitating the movement of goods and strengthening links between island communities. In 1959, it ran aground in the Port of Praia, bringing its career to an end and resulting in its total loss.

Its historical significance has also been recognised through the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp and a 100-escudo coin.

The legacy of these historic sailing vessels

At a time when the sea was the archipelago´s true highway, the captains and crews of these vessels faced unpredictable winds, strong currents, and long voyages to ensure the supply of essential goods and maintain communication between the islands.

The 1987 commemorative stamp issue pays tribute to these historic vessels, recognising the fundamental role they played in the economic, social, and human development of Cabo Verde. Today, their legacy endures through oral tradition, morna music, photographs, archives, and philatelic and numismatic issues, preserving the memory of a time when sailing vessels were the principal means of connecting the islands of the archipelago.

This historical overview was prepared on the basis of reaearch drawn from a range of historical sources, including Brava News, the Praia de Bote blog, the newspaper A Nação, the Esquina do Tempo blog, and the archives of The New York Times.

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