No motor for the Shepherdess of Domrémy
La Bergère de Domrémy is a shell sloop 11.40 m long. Built in 1936 at the Tertu shipyard in the Freight (commune of Crozon) On the initiative of 3 co-owners of Plougastel-Daoulas: Pierre Mens, Jean-Louis Calvès and Louis Vigouroux, it criss-crosses the harbour of Brest in search of shellfish.
When it left the yard, it was not motorized and remained so until 1952, the year of its first motorization (12 hp). Initially based in Porsmeur, at the Pointe de l'Armorique until 1952, it was then based in Auberlac'h from 1952 to 1956, then in Tinduff.
Dredge the shells in Brest bay
In winter, the Bergère de Domrémy - an army of 5 sailors - dredges scallops, white and black scallops, oysters and prairies in the harbour of Brest. Occasionally, it also dredges red seaweed and maerl (sand formed by the accumulation of red algae debris, rich in limestone) to amend the acidic soils of the Plougastel peninsula. The sloop was also used to seed scallop spat for Ifremer.
In the summer, the boat stays at anchor while the sailors turn into farmers for agricultural work, which takes precedence over maritime work. The old rigging occupied this activity until 1982, before being bought by the association Antest in 1983.
Refurbished by the association Antest
The association - owner of the gabare Notre Dame de Rumengol - is committed to safeguarding the maritime heritage of Brest harbour. It must be said that the Bérgère de Domrémy embodies the type of shell sloop par excellence and is one of the jewels of the Tertu shipyard. It bears witness to an era and a certain style of boat.
The boat was classified as a Historic Monument in 1983 and has undergone two major restorations. The first one is taking place at the Lastennet yard of Camaret from December 1984 to May 1986 and tends to give it back its original lines: removal of the engine, removal of the watertight deck, refitting of the tillac (an old French word meaning upper deck of a ship) at the bow and a simple removable floor in the middle. In 2002, the Bégère de Domrémy was refurbished at the Guip shipyard.
A non-motorized pleasure boat for the members of the association
Today, unlike Our Lady of Rumengol which carries on a commercial activity, La Bergère de Domrémy is only a pleasure boat for the leisure activities of the members of the association. They are introduced on board to traditional navigation. Since it is not motorized - it is the only old non-motorized rig in the harbour - it rarely leaves the harbour of Brest, its longest recent voyage being Douarnenez and its Maritime festivals. In fact, it can be found at each edition of Brest's Fêtes Maritimes.
