When l'Utile sank in 1761, some sixty Malagasy slaves and one hundred and twenty-two French crewmen managed to make it to shore, organizing themselves to build a lifeboat. Abandoned on Sable Atoll with the promise that a ship would soon come to fetch them, the Malagasy united in the face of adversity. Broken promises and the challenges of survival shaped their extraordinary destiny. 15 years later, in 1776, a corvette finally recovered some survivors: seven women and an eight-month-old newborn. What happened in the meantime? How did these Madagascans, 500 km from land, manage to escape death on this deserted, hostile, windswept islet? On-site work by archaeologists Max Guérout and Thomas Romon sheds light on how they survived.
1. Shipwreck location
2. Highest point on the island. Shipwreck camp
Meticulous excavations
After the castaways left, the white sand accumulated and the Tromelin site was covered by a 30-centimeter-thick layer, a kind of seal that preserved everything beneath it. After four excavation campaigns carried out on site between 2006 and 2013 and authorized by the TAAF, archaeologists Max Guérout, founder of GRAN, and Thomas Romon, archaeologist at Inrap, and their team have uncovered how the Malagasy managed to survive on Sable Island.
Use of resources available on the island
On site, thousands of objects and animal remains were discovered, including green turtles, fish and terns. Laboratory analysis revealed the practices of the survivors, in particular the use of tern wings to make loincloths and blankets, after plucking the birds. The seabirds were then roasted for consumption. Burn marks have been observed on the bones. Fire was kept going under the shelter of the buildings using lighters, flints and wood from the Utile, as well as driftwood salvaged from the beach.
The survivors used "beachrock", a natural cement made from a combination of coral powder, water and sunlight, to build their habitat. They used 6 to 7 centimetre-thick slabs for the walls, laying them first vertically and then horizontally. In this way, they built a hamlet that broke with Malagasy tradition, emphasizing solidarity as the predominant value. The layout of their homes was strategic, with openings positioned out of the wind to cope with the island's unpredictable climate. Indeed, Sable Island lies in the path of Indian Ocean cyclones. Despite this threat, the castaways responded by building a protective wall, demonstrating their ability to adapt to their environment. In 1954, a meteorological station was erected on the island to warn Madagascar of these meteorological phenomena.
A kitchen was uncovered, where utensils were carefully stored. These included newt shells transformed into ladles, containers made from materials recovered from the wreck of L'Utile, including copper bowls and lead basins used for water storage, as well as improvised spoons and forks fitted with picks.
A multi-stage rescue
On the French side, we know that remorse still weighs heavily after 11 years. The first lieutenant, Castellan, wants to fight again to honor his promise. He approaches the Minister of the Navy to check whether there are still any survivors on the island. He finally agrees to consider the matter.
Once there, to their great surprise, the French discovered that the island was still occupied. On 3 occasions, boats tried to rescue survivors, but failed. One of the sailors fell overboard and ended up on the island. It was decided to return in November, as weather conditions were more favorable. In 1776, La Dauphine, a Royal Navy corvette commanded by Jacques Marie de Tromelin, after whom the island was named, succeeded in rescuing 7 women and an 8-month-old infant, who were brought back to the Ile de France. They are described as extremely thin and emaciated.
On the boat, one of the survivors said:
'' For 12 years we were 13, then the white sailor arrived and we were 14. 7 months after the arrival of the white sailor, we were 15. 5 more months passed and 3 men and 3 women left on a raft with the white sailor. We never saw them again. That was 15 weeks ago when you arrived. There were only 8 of us left. ''
The relentless work of archaeologists has made it possible to preserve the memory of these Malagasy people who, after being bought like common merchandise and then abandoned to their own fate, struggled to rebuild a society and survive in total isolation from the rest of the world. The story of this shipwreck reveals how, over time, these individuals developed an unshakeable determination to overcome all hardships. It's a testament to human resilience and the ability to adapt and thrive, even under the most difficult conditions.
