Can you feel the sea breeze? It whips around us here at the Titã do Molhe Norte do Porto de Leixões. This isn’t just any crane. It’s a symbol of Leça da Palmeira.
The Titã do Molhe Norte do Porto de Leixões has a twin. There used to be two Titãs. One stood on the north jetty. The other was on the south jetty. The Matosinhos side Titã was dismantled after an accident. A gas leak caused explosions and a fire in April 2012.
These Titãs are enormous cranes. “Gigantic” and “colossal” are fitting adjectives. They justify the name Titã. They came from Lille. They were built in the famous “Fives” workshops. These steam-powered cranes moved on rails. They were essential for building the Porto de Leixões.
Construction started on July 13 1884. Engineer Nogueira Soares designed the port. The Portuguese State appointed him to oversee the works. A French engineer named Wiriot directed the project.
The plan included two large breakwaters. The north breakwater extended 1579 meters. The south breakwater reached 1147 meters. A breakwater was built on the north side. It extended the wall by a few hundred meters. It ended with a platform and a beacon.
The rocks in the sea were used for the foundations. These rocks were already a natural harbor. They were called Leixões. They gave the new port its name. Stones came from quarries nearby. S. Gens quarry was about 7 km away. A railway was built to transport the stones.
The Titãs did the most important work. They placed tons of stones. This was needed to construct the breakwaters. They advanced meter by meter into the sea.
Later, they maintained the breakwaters. The sea often attacked them. The Titã do Molhe Norte do Porto de Leixões is waiting for maintenance work. There aren’t many Titãs like this in the world. The others are smaller.
The main arm measures 68.75 meters. It is divided into 46 meters forward and 22.75 meters aft. The counterweight is a massive masonry block.
The Titã do Molhe Norte do Porto de Leixões was crucial for the port’s construction. It’s imposing. It symbolizes strength. It has gained symbolic value over the years.
One Titã fell into the sea. It happened during a storm on December 22 and 23, 1892. It was the colossus on the north jetty. It was recovered in April 1896. Powerful mechanical jacks on barges were used. The giant crane quickly returned to work.
The Leixões Railway Terminal marked a milestone. The first freight train left for the Port of Sines. APDL managed this infrastructure. IP previously oversaw it.
The Port of Leixões has grown since its construction. It now features many quays and terminals. These include conventional quays liquid bulk terminals and container terminals. There are also specialized terminals. These include roll-on/roll-off and multi-purpose facilities. The port also boasts cruise terminals.
The Titã do Molhe Norte do Porto de Leixões stands as a reminder. It recalls the port’s origins. It highlights the ingenuity and effort. It ensured Leixões became a major maritime hub.