It was late summer when we were in St Helena in 1982, so it was hot and warm. The sea, though, was always very cold, like the South Atlantic typically is. Me and my oldest brother were good swimmers; growing up and going to school in South Africa had taught us that. Swimming is a part of life; compulsory swimming lessons at school in olympic sized pools; taking part in swimming competitions representing your house (mine was Crane and we wore the colour yellow); pools at home and of course, the waves of the Indian Ocean surf at North Beach or Umhlanga.
While living on Scally, we would love to jump overboard into the sea and swim around her. Often, it would be the only way to cool off, as well as to freshen up. Water was rationed on board and fresh water showers non-existent. The water in the bay of Jamestown is crystal clean and entirely unpolluted.
We both have the same distinct memory. Of being in the sea near Scally in Jamestown Bay, swimming and having fun, or maybe we were cooling off and getting washed. Suddenly, while we were diving under, the sea above our heads went unusually and quickly dark. Above us were large rays. Not knowing whether they were dangerous or not, we resurfaced quietly, and slowly without splashing, as silently as possible swam back to get on board.
We knew enough about the potential dangers of visible and invisible marine life. In South Africa, there were shark nets all along the beaches, as well as a famous shark research centre. We’re talking great white sharks. We knew to take great care in the waves of Durban. Not too far away from where we lived, there were crocodiles and hippos patrolling rivers. While on the way to St Helena, at sea, we had been followed by hammerheads in our wake for a few days. We had seen many dolphins jumping and racing us along the bow. So we knew there and then, with the rays swimming above us, to give them the respect and distance they wanted from humans and get out of the water fast.
Now, on my most recent visit in 2026, I dropped into the Marine Research Centre on the wharf to enquire. Some very helpful young researchers working there were were very open and willing to help. They confirmed our memory of these creatures. And named them for me…….. Chilean Devil Rays.
Dates: January 2026 and March 1982
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