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Captain E. G. da Costa Duarte was born in Angra do Heroismo, Terceira Island, Azores. Initially called the Island of Brasil before the discovery of Brasil, then, Jesus Cristo da Terceira and finally named Terceira. The Island was discovered, perhaps closer to the truth, one should say "recognized" by Prince Henry's navigators around 1427. Its settlement started in 1450 when Prince Henry the Navigator, administrator of the Order of Christ granted the Island's captaincy to the Flemish Conte Jacome de Burges and to Captain Duarte's ancestral grandfather, Captain Alvaro Martins Homem on his return from the New World (1450), today known as the continent of North America. The Republic of Angra 1595
In 1474, following the death of Conte Jacome de Burges the Island was divided into two captaincies where the city of Angra, also known as the Republic of Angra, was given to Captain João Vaz Corte Real and the city of Praia da Vitoria to Captain Alvaro Martins Homem. This territorial division involved a pay settlement favoring Captain Alvaro Martins Homem for his contribution to the city of Angra. The Republic of Angra began to play an important part in Portugal's oceanic exploits in the 15th and 16th centuries as a port of call for the caravels and galleons pioneering the formation of today's global society. A vital port of call, supplying the fleets that initiated the Era of the Discoveries. The Republic of Angra became an emporium for gold, silver, diamonds and spices brought from the world's continents. Its popularity attracted the covetousness French, English and Flemish corsairs who constantly attacked its coast for several centuries. When Philip II of Spain took the Portuguese throne in 1580, the Republic of Angra supported the claims of the pretender, Dom Antonio, Prior do Crato, who came to reside on the Island and coin currency there, which led to Spanish attempts to conquer it. The first landing by Spanish troops in 1581 resulted in a defeat for the Spanish in the famous Battle of Salga. Famous writers: Cervantes (Don Quixote) and Lopo de Vega took part in this battle. In 1583 much larger Spanish forces, commanded by Don Alvaro de Bazan, managed to dominate the Island after violent fighting. During Spanish rule the Island of Terceira was a port of call for Spanish galleons filled with fabulous wealth from Peru and Mexico. With the restoration of Portugal's independence in 1640, the Spanish were expelled and life returned to normal. The Island kept its position as the economic, administrative and religious center for the Azores until early 19th century. The birthplace of Gaspar Corte-Real, credited with the discoveries of Greenland and Terra Nova (Newfoundland) it was also the city that Vasco da Gama's brother was buried during the return from the first voyage to India.
The straight lines of its streets, in accordance with the planning rules of the Renaissance Era, being one of its finest examples. The splendor of its palaces and churches and an artistic legacy that makes it a monument in itself. This fact has been recognized by UNESCO, which has included it in the World Heritage List. In other words, today, the city of Angra do Heroismo is a museum.
Following on the foot-steps of his ancestral grandfather, Captain Alvaro Martins Homem (1411 - 1483), a pioneer navigator setting foot on the North America continent approximately 45 years before the fictitious name, Christopher Columbus. Captain Duarte served onboard tankers as well as passenger and cargo ships. Addressing the issue of the fictitious Christopher Columbus and satisfying the minds of individuals seeking historical truth. The Portuguese name, Christovão Colón , possibly the bastard son of a Portuguese king, served the wishes of the King and Queen of Spain. A well documented fact manipulated to suit the wishes of an historian wanting fame by creating lies. Unfortunately, this lie has satisfied society for numerous decades. Captain E. G. da Costa Duarte is an accomplished Naval Architect and a Certified Marine Chemist. His professional maritime career began at the young age of seventeen onboard the M/S Steinberg owned by August Bolten Company of Hamburg, Germany. Before to joining the Merchant Navy, Captain Duarte served in the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, HMCS Vanguard.
Acquiring a Canadian Marine Chemist Certificate in the late 1970's, by spending five years supervising loading and unloading of chemical tankers in the Great Lakes Region of Ontario. Meanwhile, developing his skills in Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture, again building on his practical sea-going experience.
In addition to holding a diploma in Nautical Science (Naval Architecture), he has undertaken numerous training courses on diesel engines, marine generators, electrical and electronic systems, even Marketing and International Law. Recognizing the need to become computer literate, he become involved in the development of software programs for marine applications.
Captain Duarte began working as a marine consulting Naval Architect and Marine Engineer in 1981 as president and principal Naval Architect of Tedley Marine Inc., offering a range of services to the East Coast and Great Lakes shipping community that included supervision of machinery installations, the rebuilding of diesel engines, structural repairs to vessels, new vessel construction, preparation of drawings and stability books to Canadian Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping standards, as well as providing gas free certification to a variety of vessel types. During this time he also participated in a number of design projects and feasibility studies, and taught a course on the two and four-stroke marine diesels.
In 1989, Captain Duarte moved to the West Coast where he re-established his company E. G. Duarte & Associates to offer similar services. In addition to gas free certification, field services included: project management, new construction, condition surveys (hull, mechanical and electrical), underwater inspections, and ultra-sonic thickness testing. Other services available were: hydrostatics and stability calculations, design and development of mechanical systems, feasibility studies through detail design, alteration and conversion design and systems engineering. His company further expanded into the area of onboard microcomputers, providing and developing software programs to address the problems of general equipment monitoring, maintenance scheduling, spare parts control, and onboard stability analysis. Among his associates are experts in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Computer Programming and Maritime Law. Captain Duarte is a member of the following organizations:
Capt. Duarte is a Canadian Merchant Navy Veteran: Cold War, Vietnam War 1972 - 1975 Today, Captain Duarte's Firm maintains an "International Presence". Having successfully completed marine-related projects in a variety of countries: Canada, United States, Brazil, Portugal, Costa Rica, Republica Dominicana, Turks and Caicos, Greece, Venezuela, Honduras, to name a few. ÓCopyright 2001 - 2007 Capt. E. G. da Costa Duarte, all rights reserved. |
