Honouring the Men of the “White Fleet” in Newfoundland

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Every year in St. John’s, Newfoundland, a ceremony takes place that ties the Portuguese to the heart of Newfoundland. It is a ritual of respect and gratitude, where the Portuguese Navy, local community members, and the Catholic Church gather to remember the fishermen of the legendary “White Fleet” — the majestic sailing vessels with white sails that for centuries crossed the Atlantic in search of cod on the Grand Banks.

The Story of Dionísio Esteves

The annual tradition began in 2012, when the Portuguese Navy set out to find the long-lost grave of Dionísio Esteves, a 26-year-old fisherman and crewman of the Santa Maria Manuela. Newly married, Esteves lost his life in 1966 in a tragic accident at sea. Buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery in St. John’s, his grave remained unmarked for decades, as cemetery records had been destroyed in a fire.

The rediscovery of his resting place became a powerful symbol. Since then, Portuguese naval officers have returned each year to lay a wreath in his memory — a simple but deeply moving gesture of remembrance.

A Monument for All Who Were Lost

In 2015, the commemoration reached a new milestone with the unveiling of a permanent monument. While it honours Esteves, it also serves as a collective tribute to all the men of the White Fleet who lost their lives in the unforgiving waters of the North Atlantic.

A Bond Forged in Cod and Friendship

The memorial is more than stone; it represents a deep human connection between Portugal and Newfoundland. For centuries, St. John’s was a safe harbour for Portuguese crews, a place to rest, resupply, and form friendships that endured.

One of Esteves’s shipmates, Celestino Ribeiro, traveled from Portugal to attend the unveiling. With tears in his eyes, he recalled the tragedy of 1966:

“It was a horrific tragedy… but today I feel joy in knowing that whenever a Portuguese comes to this cemetery, he will be represented.”

Memory that Lives Beyond the Sea

The White Fleet may no longer sail, but the memory of its men remains alive — engraved in stone, honoured with flowers year after year, and carried in the shared heart of two peoples united by the ocean and a history that spans over centuries.

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Article based on CBC News reports: “Portuguese Navy honours fishermen lost at sea” (August 14, 2015) and “Monument marks grave of Portuguese sailor” (October 7, 2015).

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If you know of anyone – or the story of anyone – who was part of the White Fleet, please contact us.