Port-with-French

Port-with-French is a technical permanent station and scientist of the islands Kerguelen, created in 1950 on the southern part of the Péninsule Billhook which borders the gulf of Morbihan, on the Grande Ground.

History

The site of installation of the station was selected because of its sheltered position and the feasibility of a runway, which was finally never carried out.

One imports there starting from 1955 machines developped at the point in Australia, intended for the sealing factory built in 1957 on behalf of the Industrial society of the Parisian slaughter-houses (or Sidap).

It is within this still empty building that is celebrated the December 16th 1957 the first marriage which has occurred in Kerguelen, that of the young head of undertaking at the origin of the project, Marc Péchenart, with Martine Raulin. The cooker, autoclave, egouttor and centrifugal machine are assembled the following day.

The factory will close in the Années 1960. The material will be repatriated with the Réunion only in 2005, following a gift of Péchenart.

Organization

The station has of a not very deep water port and a quay of unloading for the barges ensuring the shuttle with the supply ship. Basic manpower is generally of 60 people during the wintering, and can reach 120 people in summer campaign. The station, in addition to average logistics necessary to its operation, includes/understands scientific laboratories (biology, geophysics) and technical installations (meteorology, telecommunications, followed satellites, etc), as well as a small hospital.

A church was built which dominates the base: Notre-Dame of the Winds.

See too

External bond

Port-with-French on the site of the IPEV
Port-with-French, gallery photographs
Port-with-French in 1978

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