Photograph n°17
Rock equipped with mooring device called "zargano rock", Port of Saint-Pierre, 2014
Photo: Eric VENNER DE BERNARDY DE SIGOYER
Historical and technical data
The site of the so-called "zargano" rock is located in the port of Saint-Pierre, more precisely opposite the launching ramp located in the south of Reunion Island.
Wanted by Governor Hubert Delisle, this port was designed in 1854 and inaugurated in 1883.
Figure : Georeferencing of the Bel-Air landing stage, Saint-Louis
The website
Research on blocks of rock called " zargano", conducted by the brotherhood of seafarers at the port of Saint-Pierre, led us to collect testimonies from residents born and living on the coast of Terre Sainte in order to confirm the vocabulary used to name the mooring point of the boats and to observe any mooring devices fixed to the rock. This mission allowed us to confirm the vocabulary used in the neighborhood to indicate a mooring point for boats. The rock called " zargano" is defined by a rock block whose materials can be raw or cut, with one or more mooring devices. The name may differ depending on the shape of the rock block to locate them in the maritime space. We will thus call "boat rock" a rock block equipped with a mooring device which would have the shape of a boat, which would have a square geometric figure. This rock block called "ZARGANO" rock is derived from the word organeau. The circumference below sea level is 8.50 meters. The most important surface length is 3.20 meters. The width is 2.40 meters. This rocky block rests at 1 meter deep. We can observe on the surface two mooring devices fixed in the rock, made of wrought iron, 6 cm in diameter bent to form a ring. The metal is in good condition, traces of lead are observable at the base.
Figures: Organs mooring
Photo: Eric VENNER DE BERNARDY DE SIGOYER