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Saturday 23 July 2022 locAl
A10

At the south east
coast of the island,
standing alone
on a windswept

and barren land
stands a popular
Aruba landmark
– a large anchor.

It overlooks the
sea just beyond,
watching over the
shipping lanes.

It stands there in
memory and in
honor of all seamen
who have lost their

life at sea.

Where to Find the Anchor?

The anchor is a “must see” land- at a foundry located in Germany. ner harbor. When the ship asked Through the years the Anchor was
mark when you visit Aruba. It is Where did the Anchor Come From? for assistance, he went with his tug- slowly weathering from the wind
among the most photographed There are a number of stories as boat along with a barge, to help. and salt. As time passed, sadly the
historical landmarks for the island. to the origins of the anchor, which But eventually they had to cut the origin and purpose of the anchor
You want to make sure you add one do you think it was? (Unfortu- chain and let the anchor go to the slowly faded away from people’s
this stop on your itinerary when nately the mystery has never been bottom because they could not memories.
your visiting the south coast of Aru- solved, so your imagination can untangle them. ” After Chralies Brouns Jr died on Sep-
ba. The bright red anchor against pick which one you think it might tember 15, 2004, his friend Mr. Sam
the backdrop of the deep blue be!) How Did The Anchor Become a Speziale, requested assistance
Caribbean sea and the azure blue Landmark? from the management of Valero
skies, make a great backdrop for Story 1: Sometime between 1980 and 1985, Aruba Refinery to help maintain the
your vacation pictures. “According to Mr. Manuel M. Cu- three gentlemen (Mr. Wim Marti- monument. The Valero Aruba Re-
riel, an ex-Lago Tug Captain, a fully nus – the Harbormaster of Aruba; finery, graciously sandblasted and
The anchor is located at the en- laden VLCC (Very Large Crude Mr. August Genser – the ex-Division painted the anchor and poured a
trance to Gate 6 to the former Carrier) was seeking a mooring Superintendent of Lago’s Labora- concrete pad around it. On April
Lago Colony. It is on the outskirts of at the 15-mile anchorage, known tory; and Mr. Willie Davis – Owner 17, 2005, the anchor monument
Seroe Colorado, on the south east as Bara, on the southern part of of Filtec at Zeewijk in San Nicolas), was rededicated “To All Seamen”
point of the island at the “T” junc- the island. This is the usual shallow were having a conversation with in a formal ceremony in memory of
tion to Baby Beach. mooring location for ships await- Mr. Charlie Brouns Jr. at his famous Charlaes Brouns Jr.
Depending on where you are stay- ing orders, etc. The weather was Charlie’s Bar and Restaurant in Today, the anchor stands both as
ing on the island, follow the signs rough with strong current. The nor- San Nicolas. Charlie, who was a memorial to all seaman who have
that indicate the way to Baby mal procedure is that they would visionary and had dreams for de- lost their lives at sea, but also as a
Beach. Once you reach the T-junc- walk out three shackles (about 90 veloping the San Nicolas area, told silent reminder that Seroe Colora-
tion, it will be right in front of you. feet) until the anchor touches the these gentlemen that he would do is part of San Nicolas and that
bottom while the chain must rest like to come up with something in- San Nicolas is still a vibrant and im-
About the Anchor on the bottom. Subsequently, they novative for the San Nicolas area portant part of the island of Aruba.
Size will walk out some extra shackles to draw tourism to the area.
It will be hard to miss the anchor, and when the ship starts to swing The Best Time to Visit
it’s huge! The anchor that weighs or lean on one side, the anchor is The “anchor”, which at that time When your planning your visit to
21,772 kilos, is approximately 10 properly set. Because of the rough was being stored at the Oranjes- the south end of the island, you
feet 6 inches wide and 15 feet, 6 weather, unfortunately they did tad harbor, was suggested as an will want to include in your itiner-
inches tall. not get the time to walk out the option. Charlie liked the idea! He ary the many things to see and do
On the anchor there are some extra tackles and because of the then contacted the President of there. The anchor will be just one
numbers. The 4112 and 4115, tension exerted on the winch, it Lago for permission to acquire the of these stops, (I will recommend
which are believed to be the serial broke, and they lost the anchor anchor. He was granted permis- other places below). With that be-
numbers that refer to the “fluke” or and its chain.“ sion and the anchor was then re- ing said, I have to say, if you enjoy
horizontal and vertical parts of the located to its present location and catching a sunrise, the anchor is
anchor, respectively. The number Story 2: dedicated “To All Seamen” on the one of the best places on the is-
21772K refers to the weight of the “Mr. Curiel also said that at one occasion of the closing of the Lago land to catch the sunrise. But in
anchor in kilos. time a small tanker with a Korean Oil Refinery on March 31, 1985. reality, anytime is a good time to
This type of anchor was manufac- crew, while lifting their anchor also visit, depending on your personal
tured by Hoesch Dortmund Horde, lifted another anchor near the in- Through the Years schedule.q