Clutching a worn leather-bound journal, imagine a young port worker named Mateo in 1897. He stood on the newly constructed Muelle Dársena E Norte. He watched the first ships enter this section of Puerto Madero. Muelle Dársena E Norte, part of the grand vision of Eduardo Madero, was not without its critics. Mateo recorded the rumbles of discontent in his journal. Many questioned the long-term viability of the dock, citing the rapidly increasing size of cargo ships.
Muelle Dársena E Norte is a quadrilateral-shaped dock. It measures approximately 1,100 meters by 1,400 meters. Its inauguration marked a significant moment in Buenos Aires’ history. The northern side was initially bustling with passenger activity. The southern, eastern, and western wharves housed storehouses, vital for the burgeoning port’s operations. Over time, the original purpose of Muelle Dársena E Norte shifted. The passenger terminal on the northern side eventually gave way to the Apostadero Naval, the Argentine Navy’s docking area. The storehouses, once symbols of trade, have largely disappeared. Only the southern storehouse remains, now serving a different purpose as the Buquebus ferry terminal.
Mateo’s journal entries tell tales of the dock’s evolution. He described the arrival of the ARA “Almirante Irizar,” the icebreaker that docked at Muelle Dársena E Norte for unloading railway materials and oil cargo. He also noted the presence of storage sheds nearby. These sheds housed everything from railway equipment to oil cargo, highlighting the dock’s diverse functionality. Mateo documented the growth of the port around Dársena Norte. He watched as Puerto Nuevo, with its six dock-like structures, arose between 1911 and 1919. He observed the bustling activity, and the eventual move of the Argentine Navy’s main operations to Puerto Belgrano. Mateo’s words provide a glimpse into the past. They capture the transformation of Muelle Dársena E Norte.
Today, as you stand on the Muelle Dársena E Norte, you can almost hear the echoes of Mateo’s pen scratching against the pages of his journal. The dock remains an integral part of the port. It is a place of constant movement and activity. The ferries to Uruguay depart from here, and naval vessels dock alongside. Yachts glide elegantly past. You can still feel the historical weight of the Muelle Dársena E Norte. It serves as a reminder of Buenos Aires’ vibrant maritime past.