Porto Flavia, Sardinia
Porto Flavia is a sea harbour located near Nebida in the Iglesias comune of South Sardinia in Italy. Built in the year 1923–24, it served as the mineral production hub of Masua in the west coast of the Sardinian Iglesiente area. It is named after Flavia Vecelli, the daughter of the harbour's engineer and designer Cesare Vecelli. The harbour’s characteristics make it unique in the world, and at the time of its construction it was an outstanding engineering feat.
When Porto Flavia became operative in 1924, it slashed ore production costs by up to 70 percent, allowing Vieille Montagne to gain a strong market share in a short time. The construction of Porto Flavia paid for itself in under two years, and was considered a technical marvel in the mining business. Other mine operators were not allowed to use the tunnel and harbour, still relying on manual labor or on longer railway routes. The opening of Porto Flavia left many sailors from Carloforte without a job, damaging the nearby island economy.
Working conditions in Porto Flavia were better than in the mines because of a functional powder removal system, good venting, natural light, top-class machinery and better wages. But there were lethal accidents: one of the more risky jobs was done by the Squadra della Morte (Death Squad), a special group of workers who had to enter the reservoirs by hanging from above and removing with poles and picks the ore that got stuck on the rocky walls.
Under normal conditions, the plant was able to deliver over 500 metric tons (550 short tons) of ore per hour to a waiting ship.
Enough history, we shall be mooring here at first for the duration of our stay. At the moment the yacht is at Cagliari.
When Porto Flavia became operative in 1924, it slashed ore production costs by up to 70 percent, allowing Vieille Montagne to gain a strong market share in a short time. The construction of Porto Flavia paid for itself in under two years, and was considered a technical marvel in the mining business. Other mine operators were not allowed to use the tunnel and harbour, still relying on manual labor or on longer railway routes. The opening of Porto Flavia left many sailors from Carloforte without a job, damaging the nearby island economy.
Working conditions in Porto Flavia were better than in the mines because of a functional powder removal system, good venting, natural light, top-class machinery and better wages. But there were lethal accidents: one of the more risky jobs was done by the Squadra della Morte (Death Squad), a special group of workers who had to enter the reservoirs by hanging from above and removing with poles and picks the ore that got stuck on the rocky walls.
Under normal conditions, the plant was able to deliver over 500 metric tons (550 short tons) of ore per hour to a waiting ship.
Enough history, we shall be mooring here at first for the duration of our stay. At the moment the yacht is at Cagliari.
26-30, F
