Through the mists of history …

Through the mists of history …

17-June-2016
Women in Seychelles Police Force

Women were first recruited in the Seychelles Police Force in 1966. Out of 130 applications, six were enlisted in April. They were Jocelyn Thelemaque (pictured left) Mivonne Sinon (right), Laurette Vidot, Sylvia Chetty, Rosy Mousbe and Marie Confait. They followed an intensive training course that lasted three months at the Police Training School, Mont Fleuri. They were also trained in traffic control duties. Their uniforms - crisp white blouses and navy blue, knee length skirts - were designed and made locally, but their hats were those worn by the police women of the Metroplolitan Police Force, London. In 1972, Mivonne Sinon was the first Seychellois policewoman to be promoted to the rank of Sergeant. She was then 22 years old.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=249850

Through the mists of History … First cars

It was in 1924 that the first cars were imported to Seychelles – long before motorable roads existed. Of course, few people could afford to buy a car even at the price of the one in this advertisement in the ‘Seychelles Clarion’! How much do you think this classic car would cost today?!

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=250058

Through the mists of History …Isle of Farquhar

06-July-2016


Thirty-eight years ago, if you were boarding the Isle of Farquhar, you would have been told ‘bon appetit’ instead of ‘bon voyage’,… because our old beloved three master schooner moored at Les Mamelles had been turned into a floating restaurant with a capacity for 32 people.
The schooner was built in Holland in 1906 and she was named ‘Zeemeeuw’. In 1912, she was sold to a Finnish company and renamed ‘Killiky.’ She was again sold to a Swedish Line and was again renamed ‘Linnia’. In 1942, she was sold to a Mauritian Fishing Company and as ‘La Perle’ she was the mother ship of a fishing fleet. In 1963, Moulinie and Company of Seychelles bought the schooner and renamed her ‘Isle of Farquhar.’ During the next decade, she carried cargo and passengers to and from the outlying islands. Unfortunately, she is now a monument of rusted iron at the basketball court of Les Mamelles.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=250096

Through the mists of History … Amphibian craft

07-July-2016


From May 1959 to June 1960, an aerial survey team was in Seychelles for the purpose of photographing the islands of the Seychelles archipelago. Maps were later produced from the photographs. The contractors, Spartan AIR Services of Ottawa, Canada brought a twin engine Grumman Mallard Float Plane which did not fly to Seychelles but arrived in a wooden box aboard S.S Karanja. It was quite a surprise for the stevedores who had never seen a plane before!

Compiled by Tony Mathiot

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=250114