The Gil Eannes Hospital Ship was built in Viana do Castelo shipyard in 1955 to aid the cod-fishing fleet off the banks of Newfoundland and Greenland.
Its main purpose was to render medical assistance to the fishermen and crew of this fleet. However, it also served as a flagship, a mail ship, a tugboat, an icebreaker and a supply ship as it guaranteed the supply of provisions, nets, bait and fuel to the fishing vessels. There was also a chaplain on board to provide spiritual and religious guidance.
It completed its last voyage to assist the fishing fleet in 1973 and two years later in 1975, it made its final journey as a hospital ship, providing medical-hospital aid during the withdrawal of troops when Angola became independent.
It was decommissioned in 1984 and docked on the Lisbon port only to be moved from pier to pier until it was sold to a scrap dealer in 1997. In a deplorable state of degradation and most of its equipment ransacked, it was scheduled to be dismantled.
In the face of this inglorious fate, the Vianense community united to bring the ship back home, to where it was built, being rescued from the scrapyard. It returned to Viana on January 31st, 1998. After major restoration works at the Viana do Castelo shipyard, it was docked on the city's old commercial port for people to visit.
Since then, visitor has “navigated” through the various restored museum spaces which include: the bridge, galley, bakery, engine room, operating theatre, doctor's surgery room, treatment room, radiology room, various cabins, chapel, temporary exhibit rooms and other spaces.
Now serving as a museum ship under the custody of the Gil Eannes Foundation, a non-profit organisation who owns the ship, an array of services and products are available to tourist which provides memorable experiences and a glimpse into the country and city's maritime heritage.