Commemorating Tromelin’s “Forgotten”

Description : On Tromelin Island today, the prefect of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands brought together the prefect of Réunion, Réunion’s rector and others to commemorate the sinking of the Utile and the slaves who were abandoned there for 15 years. 250 years ago, a ship ran aground on Tromelin Island carrying French sailors and 160 slaves, all from Madagascar. The French crew quickly managed to build a new boat to return to Madagascar, while promising the slaves that they would come back to fetch them shortly afterward. A promise that was not kept, since it took 15 years before the “forgotten” were rescued. The castaways survived on fish and turtles, and used what remained of the ship to build makeshift shelters. A long wait then began and, according to archaeological excavations, an entire society developed on the island during those years. It was not until November 29, 1776, that Jacques-Marie Lanuguy de Tromelin, the commander, managed to land a longboat on the island and rescue the eight remaining survivors: seven women and an eight-month-old child. Between 2006 and 2013, a mission composed in particular of archaeologists visited the island four times in an effort to better understand the slaves’ lives during those 15 years. Today, the prefect of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, the prefect of Réunion and other figures have gathered there to pay tribute to these “forgotten.”

Source : CLPRESS

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