The 50c. blue of the Argentine definitives was issued on March 19th 1956, bearing a view of the port of Buenos Aires taken from a dock on the East side looking West. There is an unidentified tug in the river, while the liner shown is obviously one of the two sisters, Vera Cruz or Santa Maria, of the Compania Colonial de Navegacao, of Lisbon. The Vera Cruz was launched on June 2, 1951 and was delivered in the spring of 1952 from the yards of John Cockerill, at Hoboken; her sister followed a year later. They were the largest Portuguese-owned vessels and the biggest Belgian-built ships. Aluminium was largely used in their construction and the bridge, funnel, two upper decks and mast are of light alloy. The ships are on the company's service between Lisbon, Brazil and the River Plate alternating on the Central America route. Vessels of 21,765 gross tons on dimensions 609ft. x 75ft. x 52ft., their twin screws are driven by double reduction geared turbines developing 22,000 s.h.p., for a speed of 20 knots. Accommodation is provided for 1,200 passengers in four classes.
SG868. Sea Breezes 6/56