SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage
July 29:
“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”
1816: Discovery, this wooden-hulled sailing vessel wrecked on Woodstock Beach in Table Bay in the Western Cape.
1816: Young Phoenix, this vessel was driven onto the shore and wrecked in Table Bay in the Western Cape. Very little is known about this vessel and it is possible that it was refloated after being driven ashore.
1874: China, this American whaler heel on the Patent Slip in Table Bay harbour in the Western Cape and wrecked. It was later broken up.
1875: St. Brycedale, this sailing barque wrecked on Bird Island in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape.
The Orient (1907), shortly after having run aground
1907: Orient, this steel-hulled sailing ship wrecked between the paddling pool and eastern training wall on the eponymous Orient beach in East London in the Eastern Cape. The tug Buffalo was towing it towards the river mouth when the towing hawser parted, and the Orient grounded at high tide. Several tugs attempted to pull it off with no success. As it was grounded at high tide the decision was made to discharge the cargo the next day. After 400 tons of wheat was discharged, it came loose but grounded again within 30 m of its original position. The cargo started rotting and the smell was reportedly quite vile. It was eventually sold off on the 15th of August and broken up, with only its rudder post remaining visible above the water for many years. Every now and again, its remains wash open enough to be visible in the shallow surf.
Antipolis’ (1977) bow in its current position (left) and old position (right) captured shortly after the storm in January 2022
1977: Antipolis, this oil tanker wrecked at Oudekraal in the Western Cape. The Kiyo Maru 2 was towing it alongside the Romelia to be scrapped in Taiwan when a north westerly gale caused the tow cable of the Antipolis to be snagged and the Romelia’s to break. The Romelia wrecked soon afterwards at Sunset Rocks in Llandudno, however the Antipolis wrecked the next day, on this day, at Oudekraal. What remains of the midship and stern section are now in a kelp forest and makes for a great wreck dive experience, with the maximum depth of about 15 m. The bow section was washed up on the nearby beach in early 2022 after a strong swell. Caution is advised if visiting the wreck as it remains very unstable with jagged rusty metal posing a danger to all visitors.
The Antipolis (1977) shortly after running aground
1985: Kapodistrias, this Greek freighter struck Thunderbolt reef and wrecked near Cape Recife in the Eastern Cape. Attempts to refloat it were delayed and by the 10th of August it was realised that it would be lost.
The Kapodistrias (1985) wreck, showing signs of a broken back
The wrecking caused an oil spill that affected the penguins and seals of the area. In 1991, it broke in half with its bow disappearing beneath the waves and it stern following in the years to come. Although a shallow wreck at about 8 m, it is only recommended for experienced divers as the jagged metal and strong swells could easily lead to accidents.
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