South Africa: Asiatic, Telegraph, Mazeppa, Mosvalla & Southern Author shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

June 18:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1861: Asiatic, this vessel foundered in a storm in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape with the loss of 15 of its crew.

1872: Telegraph, this wooden schooner foundered off Cape Hangklip in the Western Cape.

1885: Mazeppa, this British/South African sailing cutter wrecked in bad weather near Port Beaufort in the Western Cape.

1912: Mosvalla, this Norwegian whaler disappeared along with 10 people on board during a heavy storm after leaving Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape late at night. It was last spotted near Vondeling Island. The area was reportedly patrolled for weeks and only some deckhouse planking was ever found.

What remains visible of the Southern Author (1961) today and is locally known as "Die Dop"

1961: Southern Author, this South African whaler wrecked on Dassen Island in the Western Cape. Its upside-down bow is still visible at low tide, and it is locally known as ‘die dop’.

The Southern Author (1961) stuck on the rocks and being claimed by the sea

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: Asiatic, Grindlay, Vigor, Armenia, La Porte, Bluff & Oceana Meteor shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Otavi shipwreck in Namibia

June 9:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1850: A south-easterly breeze sprung up on the Eastern Cape coastline resulting in the wrecking of two vessels:

• Asiatic, a wooden British barque’s cables parted and it wrecked after having entered Algoa Bay because it had sustained damage and was leaking.

• Grindlay, a wooden British barque which was abandoned in a sinking condition close to Jeffreys Bay.

1884: Vigor, this wooden Norwegian brig struck the bar whilst attempting to enter Durban harbour in KwaZulu-Natal. The tug Forerunner attempted to tow it off, but the tow parted, and the easterly wind drove it onto the lee bank where it was stranded. Refloating attempts failed so it was beached north of the breakwater on Back Beach where it found its final resting place.

1902: Armenia, this wooden Italian barque was anchored in Table Bay in the Western Cape when a storm drove it ashore and it wrecked. It was anchored in Table Bay as it was involved in a collision with another vessel on the 7th of June, about 80 km north of Table Bay.

1904: La Porte, this British steam-powered ship suffered an explosion and foundered about 50 km off Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape. Of the 23 crew, only 12 reached Port Nolloth in a lifeboat.

1929: Bluff, this wooden British steam-powered trawler was abandoned and is presumed to have foundered just off North Beach in KwaZulu-Natal. It was caught out in heavy seas and when it started leaking badly, it was abandoned. All, bar one crew member, were picked up by the Armadale Castle. This one crew member eventually drifted ashore and survived.

1969: Oceana Meteor, this motor-powered South African fishing vessel foundered off Dassen Island in the Western Cape.

www.traveltonamibia.com
YouTube: Exploring Namibia TV

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

Telegram: ExploringNamibia