Inscription: Velez Collection
These were docked at the wharf near the present Compania Maritima Building. It was not constucted then when this picture was taken. But the old Pacific Commercial Company building is visible to the right. These ships plied from Cebu to nearby provinces and islands. They were topped by canvass [canvas] unlike modernships today which are equipped with fire-proof roffing and wallings. Coal-burning, these ships were not big ones but still managed in those days to "chug-chug" a few miles per hour to their destination. Notice the tall smokestacks. These were built tall to prevent coal soots from spewing the passengers of setting fire to the tinder canvass [canvas] tops. Old timers will remember some of these old ships - "Calliao", "Rover", "Ebro", "Rudicindo Melliza", "Delta", Butuan" and others. These boats used to dock at this portion of the wharf, there being no piers nor marginal wharfs then.Description taken from: "Cebu City-Then and Now" The Republic News.
Mounted on photographic mounting card, 285 X 222 cm.