On January 23, 1961, the 609-foot long, 20,900-ton Santa Maria, owned by Companhia Colonial of Lisbon, Portugal , was the second largest ship in the Portuguese merchant navy when she was seized by Portugese rebels who had infiltrated the luxury cruise ship.
The ship sailed a trans-atlantic course including Lisbon, Madeira, La Guaira, Curacao, Havana, Cuba and Port Everglades, Florida.
Santa Maria had 600 passengers and 300 crew members aboard at the time of the incident, which took place over a period of 11 days and has been referred to as Operation Dulcinea. Among the passengers were men, women, children, and 24 Iberian leftists led by Portuguese military officer and politician Henrique Galvão.
The rebels boarded the ship in La Guaira in Venezuela and in Curaçao, disguised as passengers, bringing aboard suitcases. The suitcases had secret compartments to hide their weapons.
The terrorists, along with Henrique Galvao, seized the ship, ceased all communication, and killed one officer and wounded several others in the process of taking complete command over the ship.
The rebels forced crew members, along with the captain of the ship, Mario Simoes Maia, to take the ship on a different course.
On February 2, 1961 the hijackers were met by Brazilian officials off the coast of Recife. Galvao released the passengers in negotiation with Brazilian officials in exchange for political asylum.
Terrorist Attack On Cruise Ship
Santa Maria Held By Portuguese Rebels
January 23, 1961
Archives: Pirate & Terrorist Attacks
