Étude géohistorique du risque de naufrage comme révélateur des sociétés littorales : l'exemple des côtes roussillonnaises, 1740-1790

Through the lens of a risk, shipwrecks, this geohistoric approach brings one to think about the space of coastal societies through the example of the French region, Roussillon, in the 18th century. At a time when the wind remains the only driving energy, shipwrecks represent true risks for sailors....

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Main Author: Léa Tavenne
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Physio-Géo 2019-12-01
Series:Physio-Géo
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.openedition.org/physio-geo/9378
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author Léa Tavenne
author_facet Léa Tavenne
author_sort Léa Tavenne
collection DOAJ
description Through the lens of a risk, shipwrecks, this geohistoric approach brings one to think about the space of coastal societies through the example of the French region, Roussillon, in the 18th century. At a time when the wind remains the only driving energy, shipwrecks represent true risks for sailors. The fear, which generates a real risk culture, is passed on through oral stories and the experiences of the men of the sea. However, while the risk of sinking is a fear, it is also a kind of opportunity for the coastal communities at the 18th century. Witnesses of the shipwrecks, the people living on the shore are then called to pick up and store the debris and the shipment of sunken boats. These operations can last weeks and mobilize the communities thus creating a money income lasting a difficult winter season. The members of the communities on the coastline then participate to auctions for the debris and shipments, as buyers or spectators, which generates profits for many actors. From the sinking risk, a sort of economy of the wreck arises. Nonetheless, as all economies do, this economy has a hidden side. Debris and shipment stealing, which seem to be frequent during shipwrecks, help to highlight the links between and among coastal communities. Shipwrecks thus help to understand the importance of the coastal environment, as well as the risks it implies, in the very structure of the coastal societies.
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spelling doaj-art-ea4db7a362f94e78a4697e17a3ddd4032025-08-20T01:55:22ZengPhysio-GéoPhysio-Géo1958-573X2019-12-011425327510.4000/physio-geo.9378Étude géohistorique du risque de naufrage comme révélateur des sociétés littorales : l'exemple des côtes roussillonnaises, 1740-1790Léa TavenneThrough the lens of a risk, shipwrecks, this geohistoric approach brings one to think about the space of coastal societies through the example of the French region, Roussillon, in the 18th century. At a time when the wind remains the only driving energy, shipwrecks represent true risks for sailors. The fear, which generates a real risk culture, is passed on through oral stories and the experiences of the men of the sea. However, while the risk of sinking is a fear, it is also a kind of opportunity for the coastal communities at the 18th century. Witnesses of the shipwrecks, the people living on the shore are then called to pick up and store the debris and the shipment of sunken boats. These operations can last weeks and mobilize the communities thus creating a money income lasting a difficult winter season. The members of the communities on the coastline then participate to auctions for the debris and shipments, as buyers or spectators, which generates profits for many actors. From the sinking risk, a sort of economy of the wreck arises. Nonetheless, as all economies do, this economy has a hidden side. Debris and shipment stealing, which seem to be frequent during shipwrecks, help to highlight the links between and among coastal communities. Shipwrecks thus help to understand the importance of the coastal environment, as well as the risks it implies, in the very structure of the coastal societies.https://journals.openedition.org/physio-geo/9378environmentstormscoastal areascommunitiesshipwrecksRoussillon
spellingShingle Léa Tavenne
Étude géohistorique du risque de naufrage comme révélateur des sociétés littorales : l'exemple des côtes roussillonnaises, 1740-1790
Physio-Géo
environment
storms
coastal areas
communities
shipwrecks
Roussillon
title Étude géohistorique du risque de naufrage comme révélateur des sociétés littorales : l'exemple des côtes roussillonnaises, 1740-1790
title_full Étude géohistorique du risque de naufrage comme révélateur des sociétés littorales : l'exemple des côtes roussillonnaises, 1740-1790
title_fullStr Étude géohistorique du risque de naufrage comme révélateur des sociétés littorales : l'exemple des côtes roussillonnaises, 1740-1790
title_full_unstemmed Étude géohistorique du risque de naufrage comme révélateur des sociétés littorales : l'exemple des côtes roussillonnaises, 1740-1790
title_short Étude géohistorique du risque de naufrage comme révélateur des sociétés littorales : l'exemple des côtes roussillonnaises, 1740-1790
title_sort etude geohistorique du risque de naufrage comme revelateur des societes littorales l exemple des cotes roussillonnaises 1740 1790
topic environment
storms
coastal areas
communities
shipwrecks
Roussillon
url https://journals.openedition.org/physio-geo/9378
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