South Africa: John, Cockburn, Bibsy, Madelpad, Kalahari Sands, Dassen Island & Oceana Apollo shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Eduard Bohlen shipwreck in Namibia

September 16:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1803: John, this wooden sailing brig wrecked between De Kelders and the Klein River/Lagoon mouth in the Western Cape. Only five people survived the wrecking and the exact number that were on board is unknown.

1850: Cockburn, this wooden sailing barque wrecked in a north-westerly gale on Salt River Beach in Table Bay in the Western Cape. The exact number of casualties is not known, but all reports state that there were some casualties.

1875: Bibsy/Bibsey, this vessel parted its cables and wrecked on a beach in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape.

1891: Madelpad, this vessel wrecked in the East London Harbour in the Eastern Cape. Very little is known about it.

1995: Kalahari Sands, this South African fishing vessel wrecked on Dassen Island in the Western Cape.

1999: Oceana Apollo, this South African/Namibian fishing vessel developed a leak and subsequently foundered just outside of Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape. The crew of 10 was rescued by the crew of a nearby fishing vessel, the MFV Gregory.

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South Africa: Cockburn, Barrys 1, Nancy, R P Buck, Haleric & Vasso shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

April 4:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1823: Cockburn, this wooden sailing schooner wrecked in a south-easterly gale on Muizenberg Beach in False Bay in the Western Cape. Alternative dates for the wrecking range from the 3rd of April to the 6th.

1848: Barrys 1, this wooden sailing schooner wrecked in a south-easterly gale in Struisbaai in the Western Cape.

1848: Nancy, this sailing schooner wrecked in a south-easterly gale in Mossel Bay in the Western Cape. Although the cargo was landed, one man drowned because of the wrecking.

1877: R P Buck, this American sailing barque wrecked in thick fog about 24 km west of the Ratel River mouth in the Western Cape, possibly near Franskraal.

1933: Haleric, this British steel steam-powered freighter steamed into St Helena Bay in a thick fog on dead reckoning. It struck a reef but managed to come off. Shortly after, it struck another reef and started to flood.

The Haleric (1933), date and location unknown

It was abandoned and the tug, TS McEwan, was dispatched to provide assistance. The Haleric’s bulkhead gave way with its boilers coming adrift as it sank nose first to the seabed. The captain was reprimanded for being 22 miles east of his course.

1991: Vasso, this motor-powered bulk ore-carrier foundered offshore, northeast of Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape. It was loaded with manganese ore from Saldanha Bay when it encountered rough seas and large waves on the 3rd of April. A crack was discovered in the No. 1 hold so the crew started making way to East London for repairs.

The Vasso (1991) under its previous name, Hopeclipper, between 1977-1984, location unknown

The crack widened and holds No. 2, 3, and 4 started flooding. It started foundering and an SOS was sent out at 10:00 on the 4th of April. All aboard abandoned ship on two boats which were picked up the Sea Bulker and the Ithaca Reefer. The tug Wolraad Woltemade left Algoa Bay an hour after the SOS was received. When the tug reached the area where the ore-carrier was meant to be the following day, together with a SAAF patrol, all they found was an oil slick and an upturned lifeboat.

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