Luxury Indian Ocean LUXURY INDIAN OCEAN #7 EDITION 2018 | Page 32

DÉCOUVERTES
Vincenzo Coronelli, Route Maritime de Brest à Siam et de Siam à Brest, 1686
When we look at the maps that were designed by different cultures,
primarily European and Arab civilisations, we can see how the latter
viewed the mysterious Indian Ocean. At the time, these maps were
both valuable and sacred tools. It is through their creation that we have
been able to uncover the riches of the world, throughout the centuries.
But, what do we really know about the history of those who drew our
ocean on the maps?
Set off and survive in the vast ocean – How were the
maps useful?
Throwback to the 18 th century. The captain of a ship transporting goods
to Isle de France (former Mauritius) is getting ready for his long journey
across the Indian Ocean. One of his most valuable tools is...a piece of
paper. This tool, as elementary as essential, is what will enable him to
find his way through the enigmatic sea, and reach his destination. Back
in the day, maps were the only reference points to locate oneself in an
area while preparing for a journey. When the coasts were reached, they
became less useful as they were not precise enough. Skilled “pilots”, who
had a good knowledge of the coasts, would then embark on the ships to
guide the sailors towards their destination.
Portolan charts were treasures. Their main mission was to ensure the
sailors’ protection at sea, and the latter’s lives depended on them. They
were also a reassurance token for navigators whose biggest fear was
to face an unexpected hurdle. Another fascinating thing about these
documents is the fact that they were not only used for space-mapping
purposes; they also depicted all the fears and impressions of the sailors.
They noted down everything, from the shoals to the swells, the reefs, the
windy zones… When doing so, they had one very considerate objective:
informing all the future seamen who would use the same route.
“[…] the gold gained by their trades never really made the captains forget
about the storms, the deaths, the heat waves and the winds that frayed the
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nerves. Neither did they forget about the fear that got hold of them
when they were unexpectedly faced with an unknown reef. […] Then,
the only words they had in mind were: this pitfall should immediately
be inscribed on a map.”
- Translation of an extract from Irène Frain, Les naufragés de
Tromelin, J’ai Lu, 2009, p.25
Although they were essential to seafaring, the maps’ precision was
poor, as they were relative to the experience and vague judgment of
their authors. This is why there were many “official” versions of all
maps that showed different indications and land locations. Before
each journey, the main concern was: which map to use?
In 1760, a ship named L’Utile grounded on Tromelin Island because
its captain used two contradictory maps. The island, lost in the middle
of the Indian Ocean in a turbulent zone subject to heavy swell and
cyclones, was only indistinctly mentioned on one of the maps. Because
of its location, very few ships berthed near the islet, which is why it
was nowhere to be found on the earliest maps. L’Utile’s captain, who
was a bit superstitious and probably also a bit proud, chose to ignore
the latest map. This decision caused his grounding on a lost island,
followed by a shipwreck and a tragedy which lasted for 15 years, but
this is yet another story.
The Indian Ocean’s representation: a masterpiece
between legends and reality
It took various maps, centuries, marine adventures and relentless
sailors to come to this conclusion: the vast 75 million+ km 2 saltwater
mystery called Indian Ocean was, in fact, the link between the African
and Asian continents.
According to the astronomer, astrologer and geography forerunner
Ptolemy (born circa 90), the Indian Ocean was a closed sea bordered