South Africa: Susan, Eliza and Alice, Eugenie S Embericos, Strathclyde & Eugeni Livanos shiwprecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Unknown vessel in Walvis Bay, Namibia

September 21:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1862: Susan, this wooden sailing schooner wrecked on Woodstock Beach in Table Bay in the Western Cape.

1870: Eliza and Alice, this barque wrecked just off Mostert's Hoek in Cape St. Francis in the Eastern Cape. 

1917: Eugenie S Embericos, this steel steam-powered freighter ran aground on this day east of Great Fish Point in the Eastern Cape after presumably a strong inset current, thick fog, and navigational error as the only chart on board of the South African coast was found to be from 1865. Over the next two years, attempts were made to try and refloat the freighter, but by October of 1919 these were abandoned.

1933: Strathclyde, this iron sailing schooner was scuttled about 8 km off the coast of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal.

1971: Eugeni Livanos, this tanker was badly holed after striking Aliwal Shoal in KwaZulu-Natal and was scrapped in Durban harbour. Our records are incomplete on whether the scrapping occurred on this day or whether the impact with Aliwal Shoal occurred on this day.

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: Ariosto, Mabel Young & Athina shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

July 31:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1854: Ariosto, this American sailing barque wrecked on Back Beach in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal.

The wreck of the Athina (1967) on a beautiful day

1879: Mabel Young, this sailing barque encountered a squall that threw it on its beam ends. It was abandoned in a sinking condition off Cape St. Francis in the Eastern Cape and is presumed to have foundered shortly after being abandoned.

An apparent painting of the ‘Mabel Young’ (1879) by J Mclachlan circa. 1877-79. This is not a verified painting, and it could be of another vessel

1967: Athina, this Greek trawler struck Whale Rock off the Robberg Peninsula near Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape and then found its final resting place just off Robberg Beach. It was later blown up by the Navy but the remains can be seen in the shallows, off the beach and during low tide it often protrudes out of the water. The wreck makes for a popular dive/snorkel site today and the beach is sometimes referred to as “wreck beach” because of its presence.

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: Nederlansche Vlag, Lady Allen, Ovambo Coast & Oriental Pioneer shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

July 22:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1870: Nederlansche Vlag, this Dutch barque was lost at sea during a south-westerly gale 50 km off Cape St. Francis in the Eastern Cape. All 12 on board were presumed drowned. 

1878: Lady Allen, this vessel lost its rudder in a gale and was abandoned at sea off Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape. It is presumed to have foundered. 

1958: Ovambo Coast, this South African coaster/freighter ran aground in thick fog and heavy seas on Marcus Island in Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape. The tug FW Bates attempted to pull it off but was unsuccessful, so it was abandoned and shortly thereafter, broken up by the sea.

Oriental Pioneer (1974) after running aground on Maclear Reef

1974: Oriental Pioneer, this Liberian bulk carrier cracked its hull plating in a heavy swell whilst rounding Cape Agulhas in the Western Cape. With the master fearing for the safety of the ship, he turned it 90 degrees and ran it aground on Maclear reef, about 1 km offshore.

At low tide the engine block of the Oriental Pioneer (1974) breaks the surface

The lighthouse keeper at L'Agulhas, 6.5 km away, reported the grounding before a radio signal was sent out by the vessel. It now lies at about 10 m in depth with its steel structure scattered everywhere. It makes for a popular fishing site, but caution is advised as the engine block is visible above the water line during low tide but lies just below the surface at high tide.

www.traveltonamibia.com
YouTube: Exploring Namibia TV

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

Telegram: ExploringNamibia