Page 10 - HOH

Monday 17 october 2022 locAl
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Don’t forget to visit Aruba’s famous Red Anchor

At the south east coast of Depending on where you
the island, standing alone are staying on the island,
on a windswept and bar- follow the signs that in-
ren land stands a popular dicate the way to Baby
Aruba landmark – a large Beach. Once you reach
anchor. It overlooks the the T-junction, it will be right
sea just beyond, watching in front of you.
over the shipping lanes. It
stands there in memory About the Anchor
and in honor of all seamen Size
who have lost their life at It will be hard to miss the
sea. anchor, it’s huge! The an-
chor that weighs 21,772 ki-
Where to Find the Anchor? los, is approximately 10 feet
The anchor is a “must see” 6 inches wide and 15 feet,
landmark when you visit 6 inches tall.
Aruba. It is among the most On the anchor there are
photographed historical some numbers. The 4112
landmarks for the island. and 4115, which are be-
You want to make sure you lieved to be the serial num-
add this stop on your itiner- bers that refer to the “fluke”
ary when your visiting the or horizontal and vertical the mystery has never been because they could not from people’s memories.
south coast of Aruba. The parts of the anchor, re- solved, so your imagination untangle them. ”
bright red anchor against spectively. The number can pick which one you After Charles Brouns Jr died
the backdrop of the deep 21772K refers to the weight think it might be!) How Did The Anchor Be- on September 15, 2004, his
blue Caribbean sea and of the anchor in kilos. come a Landmark? friend Mr. Sam Speziale,
the azure blue skies, make This type of anchor was Story 1: Sometime between 1980 requested assistance from
a great backdrop for your manufactured by Hoesch “According to Mr. Man- and 1985, three gentlemen the management of Vale-
vacation pictures. Dortmund Horde, at a uel M. Curiel, an ex-Lago (Mr. Wim Martinus – the ro Aruba Refinery to help
foundry located in Germa- Tug Captain, a fully laden Harbormaster of Aruba; maintain the monument.
The anchor is located at ny. VLCC (Very Large Crude Mr. August Genser – the The Valero Aruba Refinery,
the entrance to Gate 6 to Carrier) was seeking a ex-Division Superintendent graciously sandblasted
the former Lago Colony. It Where did the Anchor mooring at the 15-mile an- of Lago’s Laboratory; and and painted the anchor
is on the outskirts of Seroe Come From? chorage, known as Bara, Mr. Willie Davis – Owner and poured a concrete
Colorado, on the south There are a number of sto- on the southern part of the of Filtec at Zeewijk in San pad around it. On April 17,
east point of the island at ries as to the origins of the island. This is the usual shal- Nicolas), were having a 2005, the anchor monu-
the “T” junction to Baby anchor, which one do you low mooring location for conversation with Mr. Char- ment was rededicated “To
Beach. think it was? (Unfortunately ships awaiting orders, etc. lie Brouns Jr. at his famous All Seamen” in a formal
The weather was rough Charlie’s Bar and Restau- ceremony in memory of
with strong current. The rant in San Nicolas. Charlie, Charles Brouns Jr.
normal procedure is that who was a visionary and
they would walk out three had dreams for develop- Today, the anchor stands
shackles (about 90 feet) ing the San Nicolas area, both as memorial to all
until the anchor touches told these gentlemen that seaman who have lost their
the bottom while the chain he would like to come up lives at sea, but also as a
must rest on the bottom. with something innovative silent reminder that Seroe
Subsequently, they will for the San Nicolas area to Colorado is part of San
walk out some extra shack- draw tourism to the area. Nicolas and that San Nico-
les and when the ship starts las is still a vibrant and im-
to swing or lean on one The “anchor”, which at that portant part of the island of
side, the anchor is properly time was being stored at Aruba.
set. Because of the rough the Oranjestad harbor, was
weather, unfortunately suggested as an option. The Best Time to Visit
they did not get the time to Charlie liked the idea! He When your planning your
walk out the extra tackles then contacted the Presi- visit to the south end of the
and because of the ten- dent of Lago for permission island, you will want to in-
sion exerted on the winch, to acquire the anchor. He clude in your itinerary the
it broke, and they lost the was granted permission many things to see and
anchor and its chain.“ and the anchor was then do there. The anchor will
relocated to its present lo- be just one of these stops,
Story 2: cation and dedicated “To (keep an eye out for our
“Mr. Curiel also said that All Seamen” on the occa- future editions, we publish
at one time a small tanker sion of the closing of the our recommendations!).
with a Korean crew, while Lago Oil Refinery on March
lifting their anchor also lift- 31, 1985. With that being said, I have
ed another anchor near to say, if you enjoy catch-
the inner harbor. When the Through the Years ing a sunrise, the anchor is
ship asked for assistance, Through the years the An- one of the best places on
he went with his tugboat chor was slowly weather- the island to catch the sun-
along with a barge, to help. ing from the wind and salt. rise. But in reality, anytime
But eventually they had to As time passed, sadly the is a good time to visit, de-
cut the chain and let the origin and purpose of the pending on your personal
anchor go to the bottom anchor slowly faded away schedule.q