The tall ships of Tulear

Along with all the pirogues are a few tall ships that seem to come out of the 18th century.  Not just one trying to make a living as a tourist venue, as you might find off the coast of Massachusetts or Michigan, but a small fleet of at least four.  And they carry cargo.

Sal has actually had the experience of sailing on one.  Coming back from Anakao one year someone arranged for him to get a ride on one.  Not just a ride it turned out, it was the annual regatta and Anakao to Tulear race.  They are all wood, canvas, and rope.  No motors, no electronics.

Sal also claims the following story is true.  It has  some elements of plausibility so I will recount it.  One of the early European colonizing powers here -- Sal says the Portuguese, and he could be correct, but that sounds quite early -- back in whatever century they were trying to make an imprint, set up a ship manufacturing facility in what eventually became Tulear.  The colonizing powers did not stay the course though, they packed up and left, but the shipbuilding by then was in the hands of the locals, and the building traditions from then are used to this day.

What is clear is that these ships are not for show, they are really used.  I can't think of too many other places where sailing ships are still used to carry cargo.  Chinese junks in some places perhaps, and perhaps Arab dhows along the coast of East Africa.

At anchor

At low tide

Leaving in the morning

Unloading