 |
|
|
 |
Unloading excavation supplies at Tromelin Island ©GRAN / J. Mouret |
|
L’Utile was a store ship owned by the French East India Company to conduct trade in the Mascarene islands. Leaving from Bayonne on 17th November 1760, the slave ship became shipwrecked on 31st July, 1761 on the island de Sable (today known as Tromelin) whilst it was transporting slaves procured at Madagascar destined for Mauritius. Following the accident the crew built a makeshift vessel and promptly departed, leaving 60 slaves on the island with a three-month supply of food and the promise that they would later return form them. This promise was never kept and it was only 15 years later, the 29th November 1776, that the Knight of Tromelin, commander of La Dauphine, returned to rescue the eight surving slaves: seven women and an infant of only 8 months. For a number of years GRAN has – in co-operation with UNESCO – pursued research on slavery through the study of slave vessels. It was on this basis that submarine archeological research group formulated the project “L’Utile...1761 : Forgotten Slaves.” This operation will take place from 9th October to 8th November 2006 under the authority of the prefect of TAAF (Terres Australes et Arctiques Française).
The “L’Utile: Esclaves Oubliés,” project; begun in 2004, operates under the patronage of UNESCO, which emerged within the framework of the 2004 International Year for the Commemoration of the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition. The project aims to:
- conduct historical and archeological research to further eludicate aspects of this tragedy
- create outreach to the media, school children, and the public at large in order to raise awareness on slavery and its consequences
- develop skills within Réunion for both submarine archeological and architectural conservation activities in liaison with local museums on the island
The initial phase of the “L’Utile … 1761 : Forgotten slaves ” project has centred upon the development of its historical foundation and the creation of its network of associated partners and scholars. The 2006 launch of the operational phase of submarine investigation is the culmination of the project’s endeavors. The excavation team will broadcast their research activities in real time on the "L'Utile...1761: Esclaves Oubliés" internet site (French). Their daily journal, (which is also linked to the websites of UNESCO, the Minister of Culture, and the TAAF), will allow website users to follow the operation’s progress. Moreover,thanks to a modified application, students in Reunion Island and elsewhere will be able to take part in the operation, communicate with researchers and post their own writings online. The three week archeological excavation will be carried out in partnership with UNESCO and the Slave Route Project, with financial support the Groupe Banque Populaire, as well as collectivités territoriales of Reunion Island (Conseil Régional and Conseil Général) and Direction Régionale des Affaires Culturelles de La Réunion. Attention schools and students:
Take part in the adventure by visiting the site of the project "L'Utile : Esclaves Oubliés" (in French) where you will find the codes and pass words to communicate with the excavation team.
|
