Page 11 - AHATA

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local Tuesday 8 OcTOber 2024
Don’t forget to visit Aruba’s famous Red Anchor

At the south east coast of
the island, standing alone
on a windswept and bar-
ren 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”
landmark when you visit
Aruba. It is among the most
photographed historical
landmarks for the island.
You want to make sure you
add this stop on your itiner-
ary when your visiting the
south coast of Aruba. The
bright red anchor against
the backdrop of the deep
blue Caribbean sea and
the azure blue skies, make
a great backdrop for your
vacation pictures.

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