Voyages of the Serpa Pinto

During the Second World War, the Serpa Pinto makes ten voyages between Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro, and ten between Lisbon and Philadelphia. Since it is one of the few ships making transatlantic voyages during the war, many refugees fleeing Nazi Europe reach North America and Brazil on board this ship.

Black-and-white photograph a group of about 16 people walking towards the camera on a train platform. They are wearing jackets and some carrying suitcases. There are four young children in the group.

Refugees from Portugal arriving in Montreal in April 1944. The passengers crossed the Atlantic aboard the Serpa Pinto. (Alex Dworkin Canadian Jewish Archives)