Sunday, 31 March 2024

South Africa: Mary, Espiegle, Empire Mahseer & Marietta E shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

March 4:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1844: Mary, this wooden sailing schooner wrecked in Port Elizabeth in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape after its cables parted in a south-easterly gale. It was driven onto the jetty, so the crew managed to simply jump off without a loss of life.

1852: Espiegle, this sailing schooner wrecked in a south-westerly gale on the eponymous Espiegle Rock at Hondeklip Bay in the Northern Cape.

1943: U-160 terrorised South African waters by attacking transport convoys that were delivering supplies for the war effort, claiming in total six ships and causing damage to two more over the course of nine days.

Image of U-160 captured from U-177 in April 1943. U-160 was sunk in June 1943 off the Azores Islands in the North Atlantic by American aircrafts

On this day, U-160 continued its attack on convoy DN21 at about 01:10 and at 03:46, striking a further three and claiming two more vessels now about 100 km northeast of Port St Johns off the Eastern Cape coast.

The Sheaf Crown (1960) in Table Bay Harbour, date unknow

The British cargo ship Sheaf Crown was abandoned but remained afloat after being attacked with the loss of one life. It was later towed to East London where it was repaired and continued serving until 1960 when it was scrapped in Italy. The other two vessels involved in the attack were not as fortunate:

• Empire Mahseer, this British steam-powered cargo ship was struck by two torpedoes at 01:10 and sank within two minutes. Of the 54 that were on board, 18 lives were lost. The survivors were picked up by the Norwich City and landed at Durban.

• Marietta E, this British steam-powered cargo ship was struck by one of two torpedoes at 03:46. The other torpedo struck the Sheaf Crown. Of the 45 that were on board, five lives were lost. The survivors were picked up by SAAF crash launch R-8. The Marietta E sunk with eight British landing crafts on board.

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Saturday, 30 March 2024

South Africa: Mary Jenkins, Queen of Ceylon, Harvey W Scott & Nirpura shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

March 3:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1854: Mary Jenkins, this coaster foundered near the Mtata River in the Eastern Cape with the loss of all that were on board. 

1882: Queen of Ceylon, this wooden sailing barque wrecked on Back Beach in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. Its cables parted in a strong north-easterly gale and after putting down a second anchor, it also parted. It was then driven onto another barque before finally being driven ashore where it became a total wreck. 

1943: U-160 terrorised South African waters by attacking transport convoys that were delivering supplies for the war effort, claiming in total six ships and causing damage to two more over the course of nine days. On this day, U-160 struck three and claimed two vessels after attacking convoy DN21 at 23:22, about 90 km south east of Port St Johns off the Eastern Cape coast.

An image of U-160 captured from U-177 in April 1943. U-160 was sunk in June 1943 off the Azores islands in the North Atlantic by American aircrafts

The Tibia was also struck in this event but had a history of surviving attacks by U-Boats as it had survived a torpedo attack by U-79 in 1941 whilst part of a convoy crossing the Atlantic.

The Tibia leaving Table Bay harbour, date and location unknown

After the attack on this day, by U-160, the crew managed to nurse the flooding and listing vessel back to Durban by 17:40 the next day, where it was repaired and served for many years until being scrapped in 1962. The other two vessels were not as fortunate:

• Harvey W Scott, this American Liberty ship (steam-powered) was struck on the port side by a single torpedo. The ship was completely abandoned within 11 minutes in the four lifeboats. The Ombu picked up 16 survivors in one boat and landed them at Durban. The other three lifeboats all eventually made landfall around Port St Johns.

• Nirpura, this British steam-powered merchant ship was sunk by U-160 with 38 men being lost and 88 survivors being picked up by the SAAF crash launch R-8 which landed them at Durban.

The Nirpura (1943), date and location unknown

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Friday, 29 March 2024

South Africa: Legionier & Juno shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Natal Coast shipwreck in Namibia

March 2:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1842: Legionier, this wooden sailing vessel wrecked after its cables parted in a south-easterly gale at the Baakens River Mouth in Port Elizabeth in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape.

1852: Juno, this Dutch sailing barque wrecked in dense fog directly below the lighthouse at Agulhas Point in the Western Cape with the loss of five passengers.

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Thursday, 28 March 2024

South Africa: Chanticleer, Rondebosch, Borella & Stormgans shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Unknown shipwreck in Luderitz, Namibia

March 1:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1848: Chanticleer, this South African iron schooner struck a rock on the east bank of the Kowie River in Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape and foundered. 

1956 (possibly 1959): Rondebosch, this motor-powered fishing boat wrecked at night on the northern sandbank of the Mvoti/Hlimbitwa River Mouth in KwaZulu-Natal. It is reported that the man on watch thought that the lights from KwaDukuza (formerly Stanger), which is 4km from the shore, was coming from a village directly on the shore. The vessel ran aground with such force that it proved impossible to be refloated. The following day the vessel was smashed to pieces at high tide. The captain gave his ship’s lanterns to the Jex family to thank them for the assistance that they rendered during the event.

1971: Borella, this South African fishing vessel was scuttled by the SA Navy in Simon’s Bay in False Bay in the Western Cape.

1975: Stormgans, this South African fishing vessel foundered off Danger Point in the Western Cape.

1988: Embraer 110P1 Bandeirante (registration no. ZS-LGP), this passenger plane wrecked near Germiston in Gauteng. The plane was en route from Phalaborwa to Johannesburg when witnesses reported hearing an explosion overhead. The plane plummeted from the sky with the passenger deck and the fuselage separating complete after striking the ground. All 17 that were on board on lost their lives.

Wednesday, 27 March 2024

South Africa: Pati shipwreck

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

February 29:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history” 

1976: Pati, this Cyprian motor-powered freighter wrecked in dense fog on Thunderbolt Reef at Cape Recife in the Eastern Cape. Plans were made to tow it off, but upon examination it was found that it was so badly holed that it would have sunk had it been gotten off.  Fears of widespread pollution from its stores of bunker oil were eventually laid to rest when the oil was burned aboard.

A helicopter being used in the rescue operations of the crew of the Pati (1976) after it ran aground on Thunderbolt Reef, with the Cape Recife lighthouse in the background

The main cargo was cement meant for the Persian Gulf. There is some believe that its engine block is visible near the eponymous Pati car park, however what is visible in the surf is a boiler, currently believed to be from the wreck of the James Searle III (1955), which was a steam-powered tug. The wreck of the Pati can be dived on near Thunderbolt Reef, but because of the strong current and surge, it is considered a dangerous dive. From various vantage points at Cape Recife and the Wildside, the engine block of the "Pati" can clearly be seen projecting from the western edge of Thunderbolt Reef.

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Tuesday, 26 March 2024

South Africa: Alcestis, Glenwilliam & Wafra shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

February 28:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1892: Alcestis, this British steel steam-powered ship foundered after striking a sunken wreck about 2.5 km off Cape Agulhas/L'Agulhas in the Western Cape. The SS Guernsey picked the crew and the Customs Department labelled it a massive danger to navigation at the time.

1966: Glenwilliam, this South African fishing vessel was abandoned due to a severe leak on this day in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape. Some unknown time later, it washed ashore and became a wreck.

1971: Wafra, this Liberian steam-powered (50 000 ton) oil tanker’s seawater intake pipes failed on the 27th of February, which resulted in it losing control of its buoyancy and the engine room flooding. It was towed by the Gdynia at first but handed over to the Pongola after struggling. Then, on the 28th of February, the tow cables snapped, and it ran aground near Cape Agulhas/L'Agulhas in the Western Cape.

The refloated portion of the Wafra (1971) burning after the first attempt was made to scuttle it in deeper waters

Approximately 200,000 barrels of crude oil were leaked into the ocean, resulting in approximately 26,000 tons of oil leaking around the site, of which 6,000 tonnes washed up around the shore. A 32x5 km oil spill resulted which affected a colony of 1,200 African penguins on Dyer Island. On the 8th of March, to contain the oil spill’s damage, the larger part of the ship was refloated and towed out to sea. On the 10th of March, an attempt was made to sink it by the South African Air Force, but this only started a fire which raged for two days. The South African Air Force then used depth charges which finally laid it to rest in 1800 m deep water.

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Monday, 25 March 2024

South Africa: Lady Leith, Katherine Gwladys, Hero, Blythswood, Colombia, Dunkeld, Imp & Connect shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

February 27:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1848: Lady Leith, this wooden sailing brig wrecked in a south-easterly gale at Cape Recife in the Eastern Cape after having struck Thunderbolt reef.

1854: Katherine Gwladys, this wooden sailing schooner wrecked on Bird Island in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape.

1861: Hero, this American whaling barque wrecked in a south easterly gale in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape.

1890: Blythswood, this sailing barque wrecked at Green Point/Mouille Point in Table Bay in the Western Cape. There are differing reports for the date of the wrecking with another possible date being April 3rd.

1943: Colombia, this former passenger liner, which was converted into a submarine depot ship, was attacked and sunk by U-516 between Great Fish River point and East London in the Eastern Cape.

The Colombia (1943), at Herok, Iceland, date unknown

It was being escorted by the British corvette, HMS Genista, and several RAF aircraft when a torpedo struck at its No. 2 hold, just before the bridge. It was immediately abandoned but sank within 10 minutes. A headcount revealed that eight men were missing, and they are presumed to have gone down with the ship.

1952: Dunkeld, this South African motor-powered fishing vessel wrecked near Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape.

1960: Two steel steam-powered pilot tugs, the Koodoo and the Mary, were scuttled in front of the Hood Point Lighthouse in East London, in the Eastern Cape.

The Koodoo (1960) and the Mary (1960) being towed out to be scuttled

2001: Imp, this yacht was caught out in a storm and driven onto the rocks, to be wrecked, at Hout Bay in the Western Cape.

2014: Connect, this South African fishing vessel wrecked near Voelklip beach in Hermanus in the Western Cape with the loss of one life.

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Sunday, 24 March 2024

South Africa: Birkenhead & Buffon shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

February 26:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1852: Birkenhead, this British iron paddle-driven steam-powered frigate was en route to the Buffalo River in East London with reinforcements for the Eighth Frontier War when it wrecked off Danger Point in the Western Cape.

The MUCH unit inspected the wreck of the Birkenhead (1852) in late 2023 - the dive team is seen swimming over the port side paddle wheel, with Briege on the right

It struck an uncharted rock at night in calm weather and broke up within 20 minutes. Only two lifeboats were launched, and 445 men lost their lives, with all the women and children surviving. The Lioness and Rhadamanthus assisted in rescuing survivors but only arrived there the next morning. 

The Wreck of the Birkenhead by Charles Dixon (1901)

Although the unofficial ‘women and children first’ protocol had been used for many years, probably due to the high survivor rate for women and children during this wrecking event, it is commonly claimed that this protocol became a standard because of this specific event.

Interpretive signage erected at Danger Point by SAHRA's MUCH unit for the Birkenhead (1852)

The wreck had been heavily disturbed in the past before it was formerly excavated and salvaged in the 80’s under a National Monument’s Council permit. What little remains of the wreck now lies on the eponymous Birkenhead Rock off Danger Point in the Western Cape.

1858: Buffon, this French brig wrecked on the eastern side of Roman Rock in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape.

1948: Douglas C-47B (registration no. 6858), this military transport aircraft crashed at the Swartkop Air Force base in Centurion, Gauteng, with the loss of one life.

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Saturday, 23 March 2024

South Africa: Jason, Viking, Linnet, Crusader, Kingfisher, Mooivlei, Girl Anne & Padre shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Chamarel wreck in Namibia

February 25:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1869: Jason, this vessel wrecked in either False Bay or Table Bay in the Western Cape after being blown off the slip during a heavy south-easter whilst in for repairs. The Jason ran ashore near Cape St Francis in the Eastern Cape on the 14th of January and was abandoned by its crew. The steamer HMS Racoon managed to get it off and towed it back to the Cape. It was here, on this day, whilst on the slip in either Table Bay or False Bay that it was blown into the water by a heavy south-easter, where it swung ashore and wrecked. 

1898: Viking, this steam-powered vessel returned to harbour in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal 5 hours after leaving for a fishing trip and wrecked. It got caught out in heavy seas whilst crossing the bar, capsized, and started sinking quickly. The tugboats Sir John and Richard King as well as the dredger Beaver were outside at the time and immediately assisted. The Sir John picked up two survivors whilst three further survivors made it to shore. Eight members of the crew were not as fortunate and drowned.  

1906: Linnet, this British steel steam-powered fishing trawler wrecked at the mouth of the Shelbertsstroom estuary in Kaysers Beach in the Eastern Cape because of the the sudden onset of an easterly current. Of the 18 that were on board, three lives were lost.

1910: Crusader, this steel steam-powered cargo ship wrecked on a reef just east of Bird Island in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape.

1953: Kingfisher, this motor-powered ski boat foundered after being caught out by a ‘freak’ wave in the Umgeni River mouth in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal with the loss of all six lives that were on board. 

1964: Mooivlei, this South African motor-powered fishing vessel was scuttled off Robben Island in Table Bay in the Western Cape.

1969: Girl Anne, this South African fishing vessel wrecked just south of the Groenrivier Lighthouse in the Northern Cape due to heavy fog. 

1992: Padre, this motor-powered ski boat capsized in heavy weather and foundered at 12 Mile Bank off Struisbaai in the Western Cape with the loss of three lives.

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Friday, 22 March 2024

Namibia: Wolwedans Collection Joins Naturally Namibia Family

Welcoming Wolwedans Collection to the Naturally Namibia Family

Naturally Namibia is delighted and proud to announce the newest addition to our family – the Wolwedans Collection.

At the core of Naturally Namibia’s values lies our dedication to providing unparalleled guest experiences, contributing to nature conservation efforts, and actively engaging with local communities.

While each partner within Naturally Namibia boasts its unique charm and character, we all share a personal commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences. Ongava Nature Reserve and AfriCat have earned international recognition for their outstanding contributions to nature conservation. Simultaneously, Namib Sky Balloon Safaris and Etendeka have excelled in community involvement, with the Namib Sky Community School being a project very close to our hearts.

Wolwedans Collection, nestled within the NamibRand Nature Reserve, excels in all these components of Naturally Namibia’s ethos.

The alignment of Naturally Namibia’s ethos with Wolwedans might not be a coincidence, as Stephan Brückner was involved in founding Naturally Namibia and shaping its ethos – a lesser-known fact, perhaps.

A visionary leader in the Namibian Tourism industry, Stephan Brückner continues the remarkable legacy of the late Albie Brückner, the founder of the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Today, still under Stephan’s management, Wolwedans comprises five tourism properties, an active Foundation, and the Desert Academy – all carried by a bracing, forward-looking, holistic, and, at times, what some people would call a radical vision, themed “The AridEden Project”. In pursuit of the enduring objective to safeguard the Pro-Namib for generations to come, Wolwedans declares, “We strive to shift away from the passively consumptive tourism paradigm of the past and instead aspire towards a more engaged, active, and participative mode of travel – curated by a diverse array of experiences and activities that nurture the head, hand, and heart.”

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Thursday, 21 March 2024

South Africa: Svanen & Snipe shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Otavi wreck in Namibia

February 24:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1880: Svanen, this Swedish wooden sailing barque was rammed in the Table Bay Harbour in the Western Cape by the Portuguese steamer ‘India’ and although it did not founder, it was condemned because of the damage it sustained.

1932: Snipe, this steel steam-powered dredger was condemned and dismantled with the hull being scuttled in 40-meter-deep water off Durban in KwaZulu-Natal on this day.

1996: A SAAF Cessna 208A Carafan (registration no. 3010), whilst engaged in a training flight encountered technical problems in limited visibility and an emergency landing was attempted, but the aircraft’s wing struck a mountain, and it crashed near Bulwer in KwaZulu-Natal. The nine passengers and two pilots were unharmed.

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Wednesday, 20 March 2024

South Africa: Tristania 1 shipwreck & Pioneer aeronautical wreck

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

February 23:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1920: Pioneer (a Handley Page O/7 registration no. G-EANV), this military transport aircraft crash-landed at Acacia Siding, just outside of Beaufort West in the Western Cape after its rudder came out of its bearing and the captain was forced to crash-land it.

One of the other 12 Handley Page O/7’s that was in South Africa, which was never officially registered here, but was later registered as G-IAAA when it was sent to Calcutta, India

The captain and all eight passengers survived. This is currently the earliest recorded aeronautical wreck in South Africa.

Tristania 1

1978: Tristania 1, this South African fishing vessel (equipped as a fish factory vessel) was scuttled west of Robben Island in the Western Cape.

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Tuesday, 19 March 2024

South Africa: Venerable, Henrequetta, Rover, Eagle Wing & Qu-Importe IV shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Ulan shipwreck in Walvis Bay, Namibia

February 22:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”
1840: Venerable, this wooden brig wrecked near Struisbaai in the Western Cape at night.
1844: Henrequetta, this schooner (outfitted for slaving) was taken as a prize by the HMS Thunderbolt and was subsequently condemned and broken up in Table Bay in the Western Cape. It arrived in Table Bay on the 2nd of February, with 30 enslaved people having lost their lives at sea. The vessel was sold on this day and broken up.
1863: Rover, this sailing vessel, wrecked in thick fog at Blaauwbergstrand in Table Bay in the Western Cape.
1879: Eagle Wing, this wooden a schooner wrecked in gale on Quoin Point in the Western Cape with only three of its crew of seven surviving.
1998: Qu-Importe IV, this yacht foundered off Yzerfontein in the Western Cape after the captain was washed overboard.
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Monday, 18 March 2024

South Africa: Mauritius Eiland, Trafalgar, Claudine, Abdul Medjid, Mendi & Cape Recife shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

February 21:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1644: Mauritius Eiland, this Dutch wooden sailing vessel sailed around the southern end of Robben Island in the Western Cape in the dark and then ran aground at what is today known as Mouille Point on the 7th of February. The vessel was dragged off the rocks to be repaired, but worsening weather resulted in it running aground again and becoming a wreck at the Salt River Mouth on this day, where the remaining crew of about 100, reduced from the original 340 had to wait for four months before being rescued by the Tijger. 

1839: Trafalgar, this British emigrant ship wrecked near Rocklands Bay (next to Three Anchor Bay) in Cape Town in the Western Cape after missing its stays and dragging its anchor in a heavy swell. The crew and passengers were saved, but a woman was killed by a falling mast.

1849: Claudine, this British wooden barque wrecked between Marthapunt and Ryspunt near Skipskop in the Overberg in the Western Cape. Its bell was reportedly salvaged and used in the Struisbaai church up until at least 1952. 

1871: Abdul Medjid, this iron sailing vessel was wrecked when its cables parted in a south easterly gale in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape. 

1917: Mendi, this British steam-powered troopship was accidentally rammed on its starboard side by the royal mail steamer, the Darro, at about 05:00 in the morning in heavy fog, just off the Isle of Wight in the English Channel between England and France.

The Mendi Memorial on the 11th of February 2024 after the annual commemoration service

On board were 823 men, most of whom were part of the South African Native Labour Contingent.

Images depicting the last time that some of the men who boarded the SS Mendi (1917) would have spent on southern African soil. The top image shows them at the docks in Cape Town and the bottom image receiving training at the Rosebank Showgrounds, which today forms part of UCT's Lower Campus and is where the Mendi Memorial National Heritage Site is located

This vessel does not lie in South Africa’s territorial waters, but of the close to 650 people who perished in the event, 616 of them were southern African, and the bravery that these men showed at the time makes the sinking of the Mendi an integral part of southern African shipwreck history.

The SS Mendi (1917), date and location unknown

There are at least six known memorials in South Africa, one of which, at the University of Cape Town’s Lower Campus, is a declared National Heritage Site. 

1929: Cape Recife, this steel steam-powered freighter wrecked on rocks in dense fog west of Seal Point Lighthouse near Cape St Francis in the Eastern Cape.

The Cape Recife (1929), shortly after wrecking

The wreck can be dived, being on average about 10 m in depth, but with most of it having been salvaged, there is only scattered wreckage still visible.

The Annual Mendi Memorial Commemoration held on the 11th of February 2024 at UCT's Lower Campus at the Mendi Memorial National Heritage site

Image 3:



There are seventeen plaques on the Hollybrook Memorial in Southampton listing the names of those lost in the sinking of SS Mendi

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Sunday, 17 March 2024

South Africa: Grundel, Deutan & Johan shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Winston shipwreck in Namibia

February 20:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1673: Grundel, this Dutch East India Company Hoeker wrecked near Cape Hangklip between Betty’s Bay and Pringle Bay in the Western Cape. An attempt was made on its return from Batavia to stop and to take on water in Madagascar, but the French had taken occupation of the island and drove off the Dutch with gunfire. They made a dash for the Cape with the captain being wounded by the French. They managed to come close, wrecking on the other side of False Bay, near Cape Hangklip. The captain and two others rowed the ship’s boat across False Bay to find assistance on its western shore. One of these men died of exhaustion, but the captain and the other crew member survived and beached the boat. A party was sent to rescue those left behind - some of whom had started walking along the eastern coastline of False Bay. They were found by the Goudvinck, which rescued the remainder of the survivors. The Grundel is believed to have operated as a packet at the Cape a few years earlier with it having surveyed the southern coastline of South Africa in 1669 and 1670. 

1863: Deutan, this Spanish vessel was put into Table Bay in the Western Cape for water but was instead condemned and broken up. Very little is known about it.

1882: Johan, this Swedish sailing barque wrecked near Orient Beach in East London in the Eastern Cape after its cables parted in a south-easterly gale.

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Saturday, 16 March 2024

South Africa: Hugelia & Southern Explorer shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Montrose shipwreck in Namibia

February 19:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1913: Hugelia, this iron steam-powered fishing trawler wrecked just west of the Keiskamma River mouth near Hamburg in the Eastern Cape. 

1985: Southern Explorer, this South African fishing vessel struck rocks near Dassen Island off the west coast in the Western Cape and promptly foundered.

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Friday, 15 March 2024

South Africa: Panaghia, Rijnmond IV, President Kruger & Jenny-Lee shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

February 18:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1938: Panaghia, this steel steam-powered freighter wrecked in Seal Bay, in Cape St Francis in the Eastern Cape due to dense fog.

The Panaghia (1938) shortly after having run aground

Its boilers can reportedly still be seen at low tide.

1980: Rijnmond IV, this South African fishing vessel capsized and foundered about 30 km west of Cape Point in the Western Cape.

1982: President Kruger, this South African Naval frigate sank whilst on exercise 139 km southwest of the Cape Peninsula in the Western Cape. In the early morning hours of the 18th February 1982, President Kruger was conducting anti-submarine exercises with the President Pretorius, Emily Hobhouse, and the Tafelberg.

The SAS President Kruger (1982), date and location unknown

During the exercise it executed an incorrect turn which resulted in the Tafelberg’s bow ramming its port side. The captain ordered "abandon ship" at 04:36. The exercise was immediately terminated, and the other ships present began rescue operations. A total of 177 crewmen of the 193 aboard were rescued. There is a model display of the vessel and some artefacts from the event at the SA Navy Museum in Simon's Town.

The SAS Tafelberg with a badly damaged bow after the collision with the President Kruger (1982)

1992: Jenny-Lee, this South African tuna-fishing vessel foundered about 100 km west of Lamberts Bay off the west coast in the Western Cape after being struck by giant waves. All on board were rescued.

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