South Africa: Agostino Rombo, Arnold, Michael Cavalieri, Clara, Constant, Content, Countess of Carnarvon, Emmanuel, Hermanos & Nautilus shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

September 1:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1902: A great south-easterly storm, resulted in the loss of at least 61 lives, the wrecking of 18 vessels, and the grounding of at least four vessels in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. This is the greatest loss of vessels in a single event in South African maritime history. The vessels that were refloated include the Coriolanus (1 life lost), the Elliot, the Gabrielle, and the Hans Wagner. An additional four men drowned after their line broke when they attempted to aid some of the vessels from the shore. Many of the vessels wrecked after being driven onto the hulk of the Queen Victoria (1896) which was lying near North End Beach.

• Agostino Rombo, an Italian wooden barque, wrecked after striking the sunken hulk of the Queen Victoria with the loss of life of 7 or 8.

• Arnold, a German iron barque, wrecked at North End beach.

• Cavalieri Michelle Russo/Michael Cavalieri, an Italian steel ship, wrecked at North End beach. Reports vary, on the exact the number of lives lost, but it is believed to have been between 17-19 with only 1 man surviving.

• Clara, a British tug, ran aground and was refloated on the day, but shortly after, the heavy seas ripped its rudder away and its chains were dragged onto North End beach where it became a total wreck.

• Constant, a Norwegian wooden barque, wrecked near the Arnold at North End beach.

• Content, a Norwegian wooden barque, wrecked at the North End beach next to the Emmanuel.

• Countess of Carnarvon, a British wooden steam-powered tug, ran aground and wrecked.

• Emmanuel, a German iron barque, wrecked at the North End beach next to the Content.

• Hermanos, a Norwegian wooden barque, struck the sunken hulk of the Queen Victoria and was wrecked with the loss of two lives.

• Inchcape Rock, a British fully rigged iron ship, wrecked opposite Darling Street and the wreck can be dived on, now lying at about 7m in depth.

• Iris, a German schooner, wrecked at North End beach when its cables parted.

• Limari, a Swedish iron barque, struck the sunken hulk of the Queen Victoria and was wrecked with the loss of 8 lives.

• Nautilus, a German iron barque, first struck the Hans Wagner, then the sunken hulk of the Queen Victoria and eventually the stranded Limari, and was wrecked with the loss of 12 lives.

• Oakworth, a British iron ship, wrecked at North End beach.

• Sayre, a British wooden barque, wrecked at the North End beach.

• Scotia, a British cargo steamer wrecked with the loss of two lives, although it may have been refloated. 

• Thekla, a German three-masted wooden schooner wrecked.

• Waimea, a Norwegian iron barque, struck the sunken hulk of the Queen Victoria and was wrecked with the loss of 8 lives.

1965: Claren, this British steam-powered ship was lost in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape. Very little is known about it.

1974: Little Nook, this South African yacht wrecked near Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. Very little is known about it.

www.traveltonamibia.com
YouTube: Exploring Namibia TV

Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com

Telegram: ExploringNamibia

South Africa: Good Hope, Martha, Ambleside, Teuton, Andreas Riis, Burgomeester, C Boschetto, Drei Emmas, Lada, Rosebud & Ticino shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

August 30:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1819: Good Hope, this wooden-hulled brig wrecked at the Baakens River mouth in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape in the same south-easterly gale that claimed the Thomas, Uitenhage Packet, and the Winifred & Maria the previous day.

1845: Martha, this wooden-hulled brig wrecked during a south-easterly gale in Mossel Bay in the Western Cape. It entered Mossel Bay because it had lost its boats and was running low on provisions. Its cargo of mail was saved.

1868: Ambleside, this wooden-hulled barque wrecked in a south easterly gale just north of the Mzimkhulu River mouth in Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal. Her cargo of cotton and linseed littered the beach and was sold at auction for a considerable profit.

1881: Teuton, this iron-hulled steam-powered ship struck a chartered rock near Quoin Point in the Western Cape and foundered shortly afterwards near Danger Point in the Western Cape. It was en-route from Table Bay to Algoa Bay when it found itself about 1.6 km off course with the Cape Agulhas lighthouse in sight at 19:00, striking a chartered rock off Quoin Point. The captain inspected the damage and felt confident it would make the journey back to Simons Town for repairs. The crew and passengers manned the pumps and started throwing cargo overboard to lighten it. As a precaution, the lifeboats were also readied.

At about 22:00, off Danger Point, the pumps could no longer cope with the incoming water and its stern section raised with the propellor no longer in the water. The first boat was launched in an orderly fashion and filled with children and women and whilst the second boat and third boats were being launched, the Teuton suddenly flipped over, bow first, and sank within minutes. The first boat swamped as a result with only 27 people managing to reach the second and third boats. The two lifeboats made it into Simon's Town and a day later a third lifeboat with only nine souls on board arrived in Table Bay, having struggled to get into False Bay.

It was said at the time that a Miss Rose/Ross provided the clearest account of what had occurred from the perspective of the passengers. She was a teenager and the only woman to have survived the event and in the 2021 wrecking anniversary post, a user commented that she was her great grandmother and was adopted by a rescuer with her name changing to Elizabeth Maxwell. The other 236 souls that were on board the Teuton were lost and the event has gone down as one of the worst maritime disasters from a single ship sinking in South African waters.

1888: A south easterly gale blew into in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape and created havoc in Algoa Bay. Between 8-10 vessels were wrecked or grounded (historical sources vary) but out of all of them only one life was lost during the wrecking and a second, shortly thereafter, possibly linked to a wrecking. 

• Andreas Riis, this Norwegian barque wrecked whilst discharging its cargo of coal.

• Burgomeester (possibly Burgomeester Schorer), this schooner ran aground after discharging its cargo. It was possibly refloated.

• C Boschetto, this Italian barque was put in for repairs and was lost after its cables parted. A local photographer, Mr William Alcock, was called to assist the rocket brigade during its rescue as his ‘limelight apparatus’ was needed to illuminate the scene.

• Dorothea, this German brig was lost shortly after having discharged its general cargo and 4,000 cases of dynamite.

• Drei Emmas, this Belgian barque was lost whilst discharging its cargo of coal.

• Elizabeth Stevens, this British barque was lost and was carrying a cargo of wheat.

• Jane Harvey, this British Barque was lost whilst loading its cargo of mohair.

• Lada, this Austrian barque wrecked after discharging a cargo of rails, and although no lives were lost during the wrecking, the captain died from heart failure shortly thereafter and there is speculation that the loss of the Lada resulted in this.

• Natal, this Swedish schooner wrecked after its cables parted and its cargo had been discharged. 

• Wolseley, this British iron barque wrecked when its cables parted whilst discharging its cargo. One crew member perished.

1888: Rosebud, this wooden-hulled schooner wrecked during a south-easterly gale on Pansy Beach in Mossel Bay in the Western Cape. After its wrecking, the beach was renamed Rosebud Beach, but is sometimes still called Pansy Beach. During spring low tides, some of the wreck protrudes out of the sand.

1908: Ticino, this iron-hulled collier wrecked 8 km south of Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape in heavy seas after the bar in Port Nolloth became impassable and it lost two of its anchors. It broke up within an hour after wrecking.

www.traveltonamibia.com
YouTube: Exploring Namibia TV

Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com

Telegram: ExploringNamibia

South Africa: Thomas, Uitenhage Packet, Winifred & Maria, Urania, Crusader, Mary Emily, Pisang & Fair Helga shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

James Searle wreck, South Africa

August 29:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1819: A south-easterly gale claimed three vessels on this day, all belonging to Frederick Korsten, and all being driven ashore at the Baakens River mouth in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. The Good Hope managed to survive another day before being claimed on the 30th.

• Thomas, a wooden-hulled coaster.

• Uitenhage Packet, a wooden-hulled schooner. This was the only ship known of to have ever sailed up the Swartkops River.

• Winifred & Maria, a wooden-hulled brig.

1851: Urania, this wooden-hulled barque ran aground on the lee bank in the Durban Harbour in KwaZulu-Natal and although it was eventually gotten off, it was condemned.

1868: Crusader, this sailing brig wrecked in a south-easterly gale near Esplanade Rocks in East London in the Eastern Cape.

1880: Star of Africa, this iron-hulled sailing barque wrecked on Albatross Rock near Olifantsbos in the Western Cape. The Australian Register recounts the story of one of two survivors of the 16 that were on board. At about 04:30 am, the barque struck Albatross Rock and sails were at once set to head for the shore. It struck again and started going down instantly. There was no time to launch any boats and the second mate managed to cling to a hencoop whilst the sinking ship caused a vortex, pulling most things and people down. After the vortex settled, he found an upturned boat with four or five others trying to right it. By the time it was righted, only three people made it on. With a single oar in a waterlogged boat, they managed to reach the shore, with only the second mate and a seaman surviving and the other man having died from exhaustion in the boat.

1889: Mary Emily, this wooden-hulled barque foundered during an easterly gale in heavy seas at night in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. During the night, the tug Churchill, had left the harbour to render assistance and to attempt to bring it over the bar in the heavy seas. They struggled to achieve this, so the attempt was abandoned, and it was then assumed that the barque had weighed anchor and made it out to sea. It appears that instead, whilst in the outer anchorage in the heavy seas, its anchor chain tore open its bow and its cargo of coal made it sink like a rock. The loss was only noticed the following morning when the beach became littered with debris. Over the following weeks, 9 bodies washed ashore with two bodies having never been found. Three weeks later, the tug Forerunner was sent to investigate wreckage at about 11m in depth, opposite the Rocket House and they found the wreck site.

1914: Pisang/Piesang, this Norwegian iron-hulled whaler foundered on the Knysna Bar in Knysna in the Western Cape after having struck Emu Rock. Five of the crew of 11 were lost. There is some speculation amongst the diving community that the “Phantom Wreck”, at about 2-8m in depth, might be this vessel, but more research is required to determine this accurately.

1927: Fair Helga, this steel-hulled steam-powered whaler foundered after springing a leak east of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. The leak was noticed at around 08:15 and by 10:15 all efforts to plug it had failed and so it was abandoned by 11:00 shortly after which it foundered. The crew was picked up the Sandgate Castle.

www.traveltonamibia.com
YouTube: Exploring Namibia TV

Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com

Telegram: ExploringNamibia

South Africa: Abercrombie Robinson, Waterloo, Geortryder, Nundeeps, Lindo, Erica 7 Stralenberg shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

August 28:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1842: A fierce north-westerly gale hit Table Bay in the Western Cape resulting in several vessels being grounded, such as the Hamilton Ross and possibly the Saldanha Bay packet. However, the wrecking of the Abercrombie Robison and the Waterloo were the most prominent:

The Abercrombie Robinson was a troop transport ship on its way from Dublin, Ireland to Algoa Bay with over 600 troops and crew as well as 80 women and children on board. The Waterloo was a convict transport ship on its way from England to Australia with 304 people on board consisting of 219 convicts, 36 crew, 31 guards, 5 women and 13 children. Both vessels were driven ashore near each other, at the Salt River mouth, in Table Bay. While the Abercrombie Robinson was a sound vessel, the Waterloo was an old ship and began to break up rapidly.

Most of the people onshore were focused on rendering aid to the Abercrombie Robinson as it was the first ship to run into trouble and signal for assistance, with the plight of the Waterloo at first going unnoticed. The Abercrombie Robinson was sound enough to enable all of those on board to be rescued and it has been said that the discipline of those on board assisted in the successful rescue. However, by the time attention was shifted to the Waterloo it had broken up to such an extent that it was dangerous for rescue boats to approach.

The desperate cries for help could be heard from the shore but unable to help, the would-be rescuers could only stand and watch as it broke apart and many of the souls on board disappeared beneath the big waves. A few boats helped rescue some survivor while others were able to swim ashore through raging seas, but the loss of life was enormous, particularly among the convicts who were kept below decks until the last moment; 143 drowned, with fourteen members of the crew, fifteen of the 99th Regiment, four soldiers’ wives and fourteen soldiers’ children.

Waterloo wrecking

Cape Town was rocked by a tragedy of this scale and the British Admiralty came under scrutiny for the use of a ship in such a bad condition. It was reported that the ship was known to be rotten and leaking badly, the dampness and appalling conditions resulted in to an outbreak of scurvy. The public outcry in the aftermath of the event led to the people of Cape Town to raise money for the building of a suitable lifeboat and rescue apparatus, the first thereof in the Cape.

Waterloo wrecking

1849: Geortryder/Geertryda, this vessel was abandoned near Agulhas Point in the Western Cape with it later being driven ashore and disappearing beneath the waves.

1868: Nundeeps, this wooden-hulled schooner wrecked in a south-easterly gale at the Buffalo River Mouth in East London in the Eastern Cape.

1913: Lindo, this Norwegian barque disappeared after leaving Durban in KwaZulu-Natal.

1958: Erica, this motor powered fishing vessel ran aground and wrecked on Robben Island in Table Bay in the Western Cape.

1970: Stralenberg, this South African fishing vessel foundered in the East London harbour in the Eastern Cape and was later blown up by the SA Navy.

www.traveltonamibia.com
YouTube: Exploring Namibia TV

Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com

Telegram: ExploringNamibia

South Africa: Courier, Anna, Mendeep, Stranger, Jane, Bender & Ocean Plume shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Otavi shipwreck in Namibia

August 27:

“This day in our shipwreck history”

1846: Courier, this wooden-hulled barque wrecked on the bar in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal whilst leaving the harbour. There was a westerly raging at the time and the captain insisted on leaving despite the Eliza, a vessel that drew less water than the Courier, already being stuck fast on the bar.

1868: Presumably heavy weather in East London in the Eastern Cape resulted in the disappearance of two vessels. Very little is known about these vessels and the events that resulted in their losses.

• Anna, a wooden surf boat; and

• Mendeep, a schooner.

1878: Stranger, this barque caught alight and was abandoned near Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape.

1888: Jane, the wooden-hulled barquentine wrecked during a south-easterly squall east of the Keurbooms River mouth near Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape. The wreck now lies in a gully at the beach by the Forest Hall Estate.

1955: Bender, this steam-powered trawler (ex-whaler) wrecked on Tsitsikamma Point in the Southern Cape on the South Coast.

1995: Ocean Plume, this prawn fishing vessel capsized in heavy seas about 10 kilometres east of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal with the loss of its crew of eight.

www.traveltonamibia.com
YouTube: Exploring Namibia TV

Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com

Telegram: ExploringNamibia

South Africa: Papineaux, Elizabeth Rowell, Charles Jackson, Manhegan, Modesta, Galera, Harvest Pluto, Peter S & Costa de Nigeria shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Natal Coast wrecked in Namibia

August 26:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1840: Papineaux, this British wooden-hulled brig was anchored near the Salt River mouth in Table Bay in the Western Cape when its anchor cables parted, and it was driven into the mouth where it became a wreck.

1843: Elizabeth Rowell, this wooden-hulled snow was the last of four vessels to have wrecked during the south-easterly gale in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.

1884: Charles Jackson, this wooden-hulled barque wrecked in a north-easterly gale on Back Beach in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal.

1887: Manhegan, this wooden-hulled barque wrecked about 32 km south of Hondeklip Bay in the Northern Cape.

1892: Modesta, this wooden-hulled schooner wrecked in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.

1892: Galera, this wooden-hulled barque wrecked after its cables parted during a south-easterly gale in Mossel Bay in the Western Cape. There are some reports of the wreck being dived on in 1983, with very little of the wreck being visible.

1974: Harvest Pluto, this fishing vessel foundered with the loss of all 14 lives on board after colliding with the Pearl Merchant about 80 km west of Dassen Island in the Western Cape.

1986: Peter S, this steel-hulled fishing trawler wrecked on rocks about 6 km west of the Gouritz River mouth in the Western Cape.

1992: Costa de Nigeria, this Spanish fishing vessel foundered in heavy weather east of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal.

www.traveltonamibia.com
YouTube: Exploring Namibia TV

Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com

Telegram: ExploringNamibia

South Africa: Colebrooke, Duke of Northumberland, Delphi, Laura, Seagull, Dorothea, Eastern Star, Surprise, Southern Cross & Pluto shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Natal Coast wrecked in Namibia

August 25:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1778: Colebrooke, this wooden-hulled British East Indiaman struck an uncharted rock at the time, probably Anvil Rock off Cape Point, and entered False Bay in the Western Cape in a foundering state. Its master decided to run it ashore on the eastern side of False Bay in an effort to save the ship. They managed to make it to Kogel Bay Beach where they ran it aground in the surf. Fifteen of the crew tried to reach the shore in a lifeboat, and it capsized with either 6 or 7 people perishing. Other vessels that were in convoy with the Colebrooke rendered assistance but many of its crew and passengers were forced to spend the night on board the stricken vessel. The following morning, conditions allowed for another lifeboat to be launched and all were gotten off safely. The wreck and what remained of its cargo was later sold.

1838: Duke of Northumberland, this wooden-hulled East Indiaman wrecked at the eponymous Northumberland Point in Struisbaai in the Western Cape.

1843: A south easterly gale in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape claimed three vessels on this day (and another the following day):  

• Delphi, a wooden hulled barque that wrecked after its cables parted with one of its crew perishing. 

• Laura, a wooden hulled brig that was driven ashore to become a wreck after having struck the Seagull, and then the composite jetty made from the remains of the Feejee, destroying the latter.

• Seagull, a wooden hulled brig that wrecked after striking the composite jetty made from the remains of the Feejee, upon which 11 of the Seagull’s crew jumped and then those 11 drowned when the Laura also smashed into it and broke it.

1853: Dorothea, this sailing vessel wrecked on Robben Island in Table Bay in the Western Cape. Very little is known about this vessel, other than a single body was found strapped to its mast and that the wreck was reported to the Colonial Office in Cape Town on the 28th of August.

1880: An easterly gale in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal claimed two vessels on this day: 

• Eastern Star, a wooden hulled brig that wrecked on the north side of the Breakwater in Durban harbour. 

• Surprise, a sailing barque that wrecked on Back Beach after its cables parted. It was driven too high up on the beach to be refloated and was condemned and broken up.

1881: Southern Cross, this sailing barque’s cargo of coal caught alight, and it was towed into Table Bay in the Western Cape and scuttled off Robben Island.

1943: A Dutch Navy Consolidated Catalina (registration no. Y-84) was conducting anti-submarine patrols in Southern Cape waters when it exhausted its fuel supply, and an emergency landing had to be performed off Cape Agulhas. The crew survived, but the floating plane was damaged beyond repair and was sunk using gunfire from a ship.

1967: Pluto, this motor powered fishing vessel foundered southeast of Cape Agulhas in the Western Cape. 

1974: Shian Feng Chang No. 12, this Taiwanese fishing vessel was scuttled north west of Robben Island in the Western Cape.

2001: Four Cats, this South African ski boat capsized and sank about 150 m off Dassen Island in the Westen Cape.

www.traveltonamibia.com
YouTube: Exploring Namibia TV

Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com

Telegram: ExploringNamibia

South Africa: Prince Albert, Enchantress, Charmer & Lyndhurst shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Benguela Eagle shipwreck in Namibia

August 24:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1844: Prince Albert, this wooden-hulled brig wrecked after its cables parted during a south-easterly gale in Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape.

1849: Enchantress, this wooden-hulled schooner missed its stays off Green Point and anchored shortly after, but its cables parted, and it was driven onto the rocks where it wrecked between Green Point and Mouille Point in the Western Cape.

1877: Charmer, this British full-rigged wooden ship wrecked on Dyer Island in the Western Cape.

1911: Lyndhurst, this steel-hulled four masted barque’s cargo of petrol caught alight and it was abandoned at sea about 100 km from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape. Its floating wreck was scuttled on this day by the HMS Pandora as it posed a danger to navigation.

1974: An Emric Air Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander (registration no. ZS-IZZ) crashed on this day near Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal. Very little is known about this incident.

1998: An Airworld/Speed Service Couriers Turbo DC-3 (registration no. ZS-NKK) crashed during takeoff from Wonderboom airport in Gauteng resulting in the death of the pilot in command. The accident report found that there was no pre-flight inspection by the pilots and the elevator trim had been set to nose-up and not been returned to neutral by the maintenance engineer during an inspection. As a result, the pilot lost control of the aircraft during takeoff as the nose pitched up during a rotation movement.

www.traveltonamibia.com
YouTube: Exploring Namibia TV

Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com
Telegram: ExploringNamibia

South Africa: Zoetendal, Maria, Commandant, Jessie Smith, Alma, Countess of Dudley, Southport & Caprera shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Remains of the Shir Yib wreck

August 23:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1673: Zoetendal, this wooden-hulled Dutch flute wrecked between Struisbaai and De Mond in the Western Cape with a cargo of rice. In total, 46 survivors reached Cape Town, with four lives being lost, but not all as a direct result of the wrecking. Whilst enduring hardships in attempting to reach Cape Town overland, one man was killed by an elephant. One man who strayed from the group reached Cape Town on the 3rd of October and assistance was dispatched almost immediately. It is believed that the Soetendalsvlei lagoon is named after the wreck.

1788: Maria, this wooden-hulled Dutch flute was found by the Meermin with 21 of its 40 strong crew having died and only 5 men being able to walk because of a scurvy outbreak on board. With the assistance of the Meermin’s crew, it was brought to Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape and anchored there, but a south-easterly gale sprung up and it was driven ashore to become a wreck on this day.

1843: Commandant, this wooden-hulled vessel was lost in Table Bay in the Western Cape. Very little is known about it.

1853: Jessie Smith, this wooden-hulled brig wrecked after its cables parted in Alexander Bay at the Orange River mouth in the Northern Cape. Four men died during the wrecking.

1877: A south easterly gale in the Eastern Cape resulted in the collision of four vessels and the wrecking of two. The Universe and the Hydra struck one another in Port Elizabeth but there is no record of either wrecking.

• Alma, a sailing schooner wrecked in Port Elizabeth.

• Countess of Dudley, a wooden-hulled brig collided with the Synriote after its cables parted and it was wrecked on Orient Beach in East London, about 400 m from the lighthouse, whilst the Synriote’s cables held fast.

1878: Southport, this wooden-hulled barque wrecked during an east-north-easterly gale on Back Beach in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal.

1884: Caprera, this sailing barque wrecked in south-easterly gale after its cables parted in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.

www.traveltonamibia.com
YouTube: Exploring Namibia TV

Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com

Telegram: ExploringNamibia

Namibia: Maritime Museum opens in Luderitz

The Namibia Maritime Museum (NMM), officially opened on 11 September 2024 by President Dr. Nangolo Mbumba, is located in the Lüderitz Old Power Station (LOPS). As the largest maritime museum in Sub-Saharan Africa, it showcases Namibia’s rich maritime heritage through exhibitions on early seafaring, the fishing industry, marine conservation, and the country’s role in the global maritime economy. The museum features displays on maritime history, seabed mining, sea trading, and offshore oil and gas exploration. Its diverse collection includes ship models, antique maps, navigational instruments, fishing gear, seashells, postal stamps, and maritime coins, among others.

A landmark achievement in preserving Namibia’s maritime history was realised on Wednesday when President Nangolo Mbumba officially inaugurated the Namibian Maritime Museum in Lüderitz.

President Mbumba stressed the museum’s importance in documenting the role the ocean has played in Namibia’s development.

“Our coast, stretching 1,572 kilometres along the Atlantic Ocean, has been central to trade, exploration, and cultural exchange for centuries. This museum stands as a resource for discovering our rich maritime history and understanding the ocean’s economic significance,” he said.

He said that the new facility is more than a repository of historical artefacts, the museum will serve as a dynamic centre for public engagement.

It will host cultural programmes, art events, and educational initiatives, including collaborations with schools to introduce children to the wonders of maritime life.

The museum’s exhibits include ship models, maritime artefacts, and a library that holds hundreds of books and stamps related to navigation and seafaring.

The museum, a significant component of the Lüderitz Waterfront Development Company’s second phase, is set to showcase the country’s deep maritime roots while promoting education and cultural appreciation.

Located in the historic Lüderitz Old Power Station, which dates back to 1911, the museum is now one of the largest maritime museums in Africa.

Originally conceived in 2004 by the late Dr. Abraham Iyambo, former Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the museum project was endorsed by the Namibian Cabinet in 2009.

“Overcoming years of planning, the facility stands as a testament to Namibia’s commitment to preserving its maritime heritage,” the president said.

The museum, constructed at a cost of N$450 million, is designed to be a beacon of Namibia’s seafaring past.

It spans three floors and features a diverse array of exhibitions, including ancient watercraft, fossils, and maps, all contributing to a rich tapestry of the country’s maritime legacy.

According to Fluksman Samuehl, CEO of the Lüderitz Waterfront Development Company, the museum will also serve as a hub for marine research and education, fostering marine literacy among Namibians and tourists alike.

Lüderitz has long been central to Namibia’s maritime and economic activities. Its location is the perfect setting for the museum, which aims to elevate the town as a major cultural and tourist destination.

The project is part of the broader Lüderitz Waterfront Development Company initiative, which also includes the development of a 150-bed sea-view hospital, a waterfront hotel, and housing.

“Namibia’s maritime legacy has a new platform from which to inspire future generations,” Mbumba said.

He urged the public to visit the museum, participate in its programs, and contribute to preserving Namibia’s maritime heritage.

www.traveltonamibia.com
YouTube: Exploring Namibia TV

Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com

Telegram: ExploringNamibia

Namibia: disappearance of The Vlissingen

 The Vlissingen

Some 180 km south of Walvis Bay in a hidden bay in an inaccessible beach area rests a Dutch shipwreck for nearly 300 years now. Only now and then a rare expedition disturbs it at Meob Bay.

Those lucky enough who were there, report of some antique coins, called “doits” washed up on the beach. These copper coins bear the letters “VOC” ("Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie" – Unified East-Indian Company). The Dutch VOC existed from 1602 until 1799 and traded with India and Asia.

In 1652 it started a storage station at the Cape of Good Hope, today’s Cape Town. One of the VOC’s ships called “Vlissingen” probably capsized in 1747 at Meob Bay, according to Bruno Werz.

He wrote an article about it in the Journal of Namibian Studies, 2008. Werz led an expedition to Meob Bay. About 900 copper “doits” engraved with VOC were found there, many of them bearing their manufacturing year of 1746. Research proved they were coined that year in Middelburg, Netherlands.

www.traveltonamibia.com
YouTube: Exploring Namibia TV

Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com

Telegram: ExploringNamibia

Namibia: Diamond mining process

Diamond mining process

The initial mining process started off with miners and labourer’s creeping along their stomachs and knees in search of and collecting diamonds in jam tins strung from their necks.

The process had to be improved, consequently resulting in them using sieves to separate the sand from the larger grains containing the diamonds.  The method of sifting out the fine sand by submerging the sieve containing the gravel in a trough filled with seawater while rotating it was introduced by Charlie Bannau. The heavier minerals like diamonds accumulated in the center of the sieve.

Then followed the “Babies” swinging sieves suspended from 3 chains, ordinarily a worker would rock such a sieve like a baby in a cradle.

Soon thereafter the introduction of the trommel sieve followed. For those prospectors mining on their own the one-man box was the perfect option.  This special wooden crate contained sieves, jig and shovel.  The box was shipped from Swakopmund to Conception Bay and then transported by wagon to the mining area.

www.traveltonamibia.com
YouTube: Exploring Namibia TV

Purchase photo/4K video: portfolio1 portfolio2
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com

Telegram: ExploringNamibia