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LOCAL Monday 17 July 2023

Don’t forget to visit Aruba’s famous Red Anchor

At the south east coast of the island, nately the mystery has never been
standing alone on a windswept solved, so your imagination can
and barren land stands a popular pick which one you think it might
Aruba landmark – a large anchor. be!)

It overlooks the sea just beyond,

watching over the shipping lanes. Story 1:
It stands there in memory and in “According to Mr. Manuel M. Cu-
honor of all seamen who have lost riel, an ex-Lago Tug Captain, a fully
their life at sea. laden VLCC (Very Large Crude
Carrier) was seeking a mooring
Where to Find the Anchor? at the 15-mile anchorage, known
The anchor is a “must see” land- as Bara, on the southern part of
mark when you visit Aruba. It is the island. This is the usual shallow
among the most photographed mooring location for ships await-
historical landmarks for the island. ing orders, etc. The weather was
You want to make sure you add rough with strong current. The nor-
this stop on your itinerary when mal procedure is that they would
your visiting the south coast of Aru- walk out three shackles (about 90
ba. The bright red anchor against feet) until the anchor touches the
the backdrop of the deep blue bottom while the chain must rest
Caribbean sea and the azure blue on the bottom. Subsequently, they
skies, make a great backdrop for will walk out some extra shackles
your vacation pictures. and when the ship starts to swing
or lean on one side, the anchor is
The anchor is located at the en- properly set. Because of the rough
trance to Gate 6 to the former weather, unfortunately they did The Red Anchor situated at the entrance of former Lago Colony in San Nicolas
Lago Colony. It is on the outskirts of not get the time to walk out the
Seroe Colorado, on the south east extra tackles and because of the these gentlemen that he would painted the anchor and poured a
point of the island at the “T” junc- tension exerted on the winch, it like to come up with something in- concrete pad around it. On April
tion to Baby Beach. broke, and they lost the anchor novative for the San Nicolas area 17, 2005, the anchor monument
Depending on where you are stay- and its chain.“ to draw tourism to the area. was rededicated “To All Seamen”
ing on the island, follow the signs in a formal ceremony in memory of
that indicate the way to Baby Story 2: The “anchor”, which at that time Charles Brouns Jr.
Beach. Once you reach the T-junc- “Mr. Curiel also said that at one was being stored at the Oranjes-
tion, it will be right in front of you. time a small tanker with a Korean tad harbor, was suggested as an Today, the anchor stands both as
crew, while lifting their anchor also option. Charlie liked the idea! He memorial to all seaman who have
About the Anchor lifted another anchor near the in- then contacted the President of lost their lives at sea, but also as a
Size ner harbor. When the ship asked Lago for permission to acquire the silent reminder that Seroe Colora-
It will be hard to miss the anchor, for assistance, he went with his tug- anchor. He was granted permis- do is part of San Nicolas and that
it’s huge! The anchor that weighs boat along with a barge, to help. sion and the anchor was then re- San Nicolas is still a vibrant and im-
21,772 kilos, is approximately 10 But eventually they had to cut the located to its present location and portant part of the island of Aruba.
feet 6 inches wide and 15 feet, 6 chain and let the anchor go to the dedicated “To All Seamen” on the
inches tall. bottom because they could not occasion of the closing of the Lago The Best Time to Visit
On the anchor there are some untangle them. ” Oil Refinery on March 31, 1985. When your planning your visit to
numbers. The 4112 and 4115, the south end of the island, you will
which are believed to be the serial How Did The Anchor Become a Through the Years want to include in your itinerary the
numbers that refer to the “fluke” or Landmark? Through the years the Anchor was many things to see and do there.
horizontal and vertical parts of the Sometime between 1980 and 1985, slowly weathering from the wind The anchor will be just one of these
anchor, respectively. The number three gentlemen (Mr. Wim Marti- and salt. As time passed, sadly the stops, (keep an eye out for our fu-
21772K refers to the weight of the nus – the Harbormaster of Aruba; origin and purpose of the anchor ture editions, we publish our rec-
anchor in kilos. Mr. August Genser – the ex-Division slowly faded away from people’s ommendations!).
This type of anchor was manufac- Superintendent of Lago’s Labora- memories.
tured by Hoesch Dortmund Horde, tory; and Mr. Willie Davis – Owner With that being said, I have to say,
at a foundry located in Germany. of Filtec at Zeewijk in San Nicolas), After Charles Brouns Jr died on Sep- if you enjoy catching a sunrise, the
were having a conversation with tember 15, 2004, his friend Mr. Sam anchor is one of the best places on
Where did the Anchor Come Mr. Charlie Brouns Jr. at his famous Speziale, requested assistance the island to catch the sunrise. But
From? Charlie’s Bar and Restaurant in from the management of Valero in reality, anytime is a good time to
There are a number of stories as San Nicolas. Charlie, who was a Aruba Refinery to help maintain the visit, depending on your personal
to the origins of the anchor, which visionary and had dreams for de- monument. The Valero Aruba Re- schedule.
one do you think it was? (Unfortu- veloping the San Nicolas area, told finery, graciously sandblasted and