The Cast
The people behind the People's Navy
The people that make up the People's Navy come from all walks of life. They include, of course, the evicted Chagossians, as well as sailors, web developers, MPs and other supporters of the cause.
The Chagossians
In 1776 a handful of French colonists were given permission by their government to develop coconut plantations in the Chagos islands on condition that they also establish a leper colony there. They brought in slaves from Madagascar, Mozambique and Senegal. Coconut palms and sugar cane flourished on the islands.
When British colonists took possession of the islands in 1835, after the Napoleonic Wars, one of them recorded that there was already a settled population when they arrived. The slaves were freed, became the plantation owners, and developed their own economy. The oil of the coconut was much in demand in the 19th and early 20th centuries in Europe and the Indian subcontinent. Bonded labourers, and their families, were brought in from Mauritius and the Seychelles. The workers were paid wages, mostly in goods (e.g. rice), but also in money. The money was retained by the plantation owners until a sufficient sum had been gathered to enable the worker to travel to Mauritius by the supply ship and buy goods for their household. This ship visited the island from Mauritius at intervals, bringing mail and supplies and collecting the coconut crop. The voyage took six days. Almost every adult person on the island worked in the plantations. Each family had their own ‘house’ and plot of land on which to grow fruit and vegetables and rear poultry. The men also fished, the favourite catch being lobster. Although the plantation work was hard, living conditions were good and there was general contentment.
Essays by The Chagossians:
Sam & 'Cindik'
Cindik is a steel boat, built from the hull upwards by Sam Bouquet. It is 10 metres long and has been sailed from the UK to Turkey thus far. Everything on Cindik is recycled, from the cork decking to the cupboards, rigging and hatches.
After saving and working very hard, Sam and Ayten ordered the steel hull of CINDIK and spent 18 months gathering materials and getting ready for the journey. We made the mast, rig, sails, blocks and fitted out the interior
'Cindik' is a Kurdish word and the best translation is 'sprite' or 'pixie'. It is pronounced 'chin-duck'.
Essays by Sam:
Poppy Currie & 'Cindik'
I have been a wanderer all my life from an early age. Not just travelling outwardly between places but inwards towards what makes us who and what we are.
When I was just three years old my mother found me waiting by the front door with my tiny suitcase packed and asked what I was doing. I told her that I had to go now. I suppose that set the scene for a lifetime of restlessness and questioning.
So why am I doing this? Well, why not?
My greatest dislike in life is bullying in all its forms. Millions of our brothers and sisters are being bullied everyday due to the arrogance of the World’s most powerful governments. However, aren’t those very governments a reflection of our own hearts when we reflect deeply?
I believe that we are all connected in all we think and do and that our main journey must be on ourselves. Only then are we in a position to help others.
My life has led to this moment by synchronicity. Firstly I tie up alongside Sam and Ayten in Malta, then I see Cindik at anchor off Marmaris. Finally we meet at Yacht Marina on one of my visits from Netsel.
I am ready in my own journey to be part of this voyage. It is time for me to put my philosophy into action.
Essays by Poppy:
Pete and 'Musichana'
Musichana, which means "single" or "unmarried girl" in Swahili, is a cutter rigged sloop. She was built in Mombassa Kenya, to a Maurice Griffiths design, in 1957. The materials used in construction were various African hard woods. The hull is in magnificent condition.
She's 40' length overall and has a draft of 5'. Sails are all more or less brand new and she also has a 28hp Yanmar diesel - which although a bit tempramental - is perfectly adequate for our needs. With the crew of three she will have more than enough room for us all to be pretty comfortable.
She will be hauled out and some minor repair work done in a yard in south Thailand at the new year and we will be ready to go from Malaysia towards the end of January. We have most of the additional equipment we require.
She was donated to us for the coming voyage. Previously she has cruised extensively in the Indian Ocean and in Europe. She has rounded the Cape of Good Hope a couple of times in both directions.
Essays by Pete:
Jon and 'Musichana'
56, Seafarer, Ecologist, Skipper of 'Musichana'
I have sailed my own boats and others in direct actions and protests against many manifestations of harm and greed: whaling, overfishing, deforestation, waste dumping,G Mcrops, nukes, plutonium, searches for more oil, militarism. Assaults on Mother Earth. The mad materialism, the globalized economics of consumerism, the industrialization and de naturing of every last little magical thing on the planet and beyond, aided by the narrow eyed religion of scientism.
Essays by Jon:
Jamie, Liz & 'Esper'
Jamie and Liz of s/v Esper created this website you are reading after meeting Sam in Turkey. It was developed within one week and much of the content has been written by them. Liz is also taking control of the PR for People's Navy. They are liveaboards based in Turkey who eventually plan to follow Sam a year later towards the Indian Ocean.
Jamie and Liz moved onto their boat as full-time liveaboards in May 2007 after spending three years working towards their escape from England. It's situations like the Chagossians' plight that make them quite glad they are no longer directly associated with the UK, though they do miss a good pint of ale.
Essays by Jamie and Liz:
Martini Gotjé, activist since 1973
"Fighting is not the way. Never give up."
It is high time that the Chagossians get the respect they deserve as a people.
Everybody is coming and going in the Archipelagos, fighting their wars, dropping their bombs on other people’s land, except for the ancestors on the atolls.
They always stay, resting in Peace. They are waiting for the Next Generation to return, and claim their right to be there in their own homes, close to whom they have to be.
JUSTICE HAS TO BE DONE
Chagossians also need Freedom
