“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”
1862: Marietta, this sailing brig wrecked on Woodstock Beach in Table Bay in the Western Cape in the same north-westerly gale that claimed the Kate and the Crystal Palace the day before.
1874: Shepherd, this wooden-hulled sailing barque wrecked after striking the newly constructed Breakwater in Table Bay in the Western Cape.
1997: Aster, this motor powered fishing vessel was scuttled by the Western Province Diving Union to form an artificial reef next to the wreck of the Katsu Maru 25 in Hout Bay in the Western Cape. It lies level in the sand, with its deepest point at about 30 m.
“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”
1856: Anne Jane, this vessel wrecked on Woodstock Beach in Table Bay in the Western Cape. Very little is known about the vessel as well as the event.
1856: Kent, this wooden-hulled sailing barque wrecked near the Salt River Mouth in Table Bay in the Western Cape after its cables parted and it was driven ashore.
1863: Elise, the wooden-hulled brig wrecked near Mouille Point in Table Bay in the Western Cape.
1897: Magdala, the wooden-hulled sailing barque left Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape on this day, destined for Delagoa Bay (modern day Maputo) in Mozambique. However, the vessel and those that were on board were never seen or heard from again.
1926: Pemba, the steel-hulled steam-powered ship foundered south-east of Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape after being swamped in heavy weather. Although the crew took to the boats and landed on the beach, one man lost his life.
1983: Castillo de Bellver, the Spanish super tanker foundered about 70 km west of Dassen Island in the Western Cape, after a fire broke out onboard the vessel. Although the crew were saved, three members could not be accounted for and were presumed to have perished in the fire. The ship burnt intensely, and eventually bad weather broke its back, with the stern section sinking. The bow section remained afloat upturned, and divers were dropped on it by helicopter to secure a tow rope. The tug John Ross towed it further out to sea, and it was scuttled using explosives in deeper waters. It was carrying 252,000 tons of crude oil at the time and it is believed that approximately 60,000 tons were released into the ocean and/or burned during the event. The oil spill initially looked as if it was going to wash up on the coast which would have caused a massive marine disaster however the wind eventually blew it out to sea where it dispersed. It is believed that both its bow and stern sections are releasing oil to this day.
“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.
“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”
1817: Maria, this brig was lost near Robben Island in Table Bay in the Western Cape. Very little is known about this vessel.
1878: Etta Loring, this American barque was driven ashore during a lasting north-westerly gale on Woodstock Beach in Table Bay in the Western Cape. It came into Table Bay on the 18th of May for repairs. It was finally repaired and seaworthy again by July, but the lasting north-westerly gale had it dragging its anchor for four days before it was finally driven ashore where it wrecked on Woodstock Beach on this day.
1967: Lys de Bretagne Cameret, this French trawler wrecked near the Salt River mouth in Table Bay in the Western Cape after breaking its moorings.
2011: A SAAF Cessna 208 Caravan (registration no. 3009) landed down slope and flipped over, crashing at Kei Mouth in the Eastern Cape. The only reported injury was that the pilot had injured her hand.
“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”
1824: King George IV, this wooden-hulled vessel was abandoned after encountering rough seas, and later in the day it was driven ashore in St. Sebastian Bay in the Western Cape. One report indicates that it wrecked 5 km north-east of Kleinfontein, however, no such farm exists in the vicinity today and it is possible that it rather wrecked near the modern-day Kleinjongesfontein Nature Reserve, but more research is needed to determine this accurately.
A rough line of where the coastline was before the Foreshore of Cape Town was reclaimed in the 1930s-1940s. Several wrecks lie beneath this land many of which have been discovered during developments
1831: A north-westerly gale in Table Bay in the Western Cape claimed two vessels on this day:
• Sir James Saumarez (Sir Thomas Saumarz in one report), this wooden-hulled brig ran ashore on Woodstock Beach. It was condemned thereafter, and its remains now lie beneath reclaimed land.
• Vine, this wooden-hulled brig parted from its 5 anchors and ran ashore on Woodstock Beach. It was also condemned thereafter, with its remains now lying beneath reclaimed land.
1840: Howard, this wooden-hulled barque wrecked in a north-westerly gale near the Castle on Woodstock Beach in Table Bay in the Western Cape. Its remains lie beneath reclaimed land today. Several wrecks lie beneath this land many of which have been discovered during developments.
1849: Kate, this wooden-hulled schooner wrecked at night in a south-easterly gale in Mossel Bay in the Western Cape.
1868: Jonquille, this wooden-hulled schooner wrecked on the eponymous Jonquille rock in Hondeklip Bay in the Northern Cape.
1878: A south-easterly gale in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape claimed two wooden-hulled barques on this day:
• Petronella, came into the bay in distress but ultimately wrecked.
• Almira Coombs, wrecked somewhere in the bay.
1953: A SAAF Douglas DC-3 (registration no. 6846) crashed at the Johannesburg-Rand Germiston Airport during a military exercise. Very little is known about it.
“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”
1830: Alfred, this wooden British barque was condemned after it was driven ashore in a north-westerly gale at Woodstock Beach in Table Bay in the Western Cape.
1850: Minerva, this wooden British frigate wrecked on a reef after its cables parted in a south-easterly gale in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. Although none of those on board lost their lives, one of the rescuers from another vessel lost his life. The Minerva was bringing 280 British immigrants to settle in the area.
1860: Sir Henry Pottinger, this British barque wrecked in Table Bay in the Western Cape.
1870: Il Travatore, this vessel wrecked near the Groen River mouth in the Northern Cape. Very little is known about this vessel.
1879: Sedan, this German barque caught alight and foundered about 20 km off Bird Island in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape.
The Aristea (1945) is an awesome sight, with its massive boiler and remains slowly rusting away
1945: Aristea, this South African steam-powered trawler wrecked near Hondeklip Bay in the the wrecking, the captain was too drunk to navigate the waters around Hondeklip Bay and ran it aground accidentally. One of the crew of 24 lost his life. The remains make for an interesting sight.
The sign that used to be at the wreck site of the Aristea (1945) in about 2009. It is believed that this sign is no longer there having succumbed to the elements
1947: Panther, this South African whaler was towed out to sea and scuttled off Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. It served as a whaler, a tug, a fishing vessel, as well as a pleasure boat over its nearly 50-year lifespan.
What remained of the Fong Chung No. 11 (1975) at Robben Island in 2014
1975: Fong Chung No. 11, this Taiwanese tuna boat struck a rock in fog and was ran aground on Robben Island in Table Bay in the Western Cape where it became a wreck. Its remains are still visible.
Comments:
Mike Klee
The Sedan lies in about 18 meters of water off Port Elizabeth. It is nowhere near Bird Island.
She was carrying a cargo of railway sleepers, which sleepers clearly show evidence of the terrible fire that took the life of this ship.
Lying on a sandy bottom, the wreck is remarkably intact and is a paradise for crayfish and other marine life.
“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”
1819: Nossa Senhora D'Guia, this wooden Portuguese brig was driven ashore by a north-westerly gale and subsequently wrecked on Woodstock Beach in Table Bay in the Western Cape.
1870: St. Austell, this wooden British schooner wrecked in a gale near Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape.
1879: Tancred, this wooden British barque, while in tow by the Somtseu, ran aground on Anabella Bank at the entrance to the Durban harbour in KwaZulu-Natal. Although the Somtseu and the Forerunner attempted to refloat the Tancred, they were unsuccessful, and when it came unstuck eventually, it was driven onto the beach where it became a total wreck.
1893: Eugenie, this wooden British sailing barque ran aground near the Kieskamma River mouth in the Eastern Cape and was abandoned after being dismasted, becoming a wreck.
1970: Irene, this motor-powered South African launch foundered in heavy seas and dense fog off Mouille Point in Cape Town in the Western Cape.
2008: Sibanya, this South African lobster fishing vessel foundered after striking a reef just south of Dassen Island off the west coast in the Western Cape. One life was lost.
The innovative owners of The River Club, The Old Biscuit Mill and Old Mac Daddy, are excited to usher in their latest conception; The Old Biscuit Mill Conference & Events (TOBMC&E).
This lively location - within Woodstock, Cape Town - will provide success-hungry businesses with the necessary space and equipment to cultivate creativity and promote collaboration.
It’s adaptable to all your needs; an open space workshop, an in-depth detailed conference meeting, or an eventful team building session.
If you find yourself bored of the same venues and desire a ground-breaking setting for successful meetings, seminars for brainstorming, networking events, workshops, press conferences, team building and product launches, then look no further.
There are currently three vibrantly exciting Meeting Rooms available, and our event locations can provide safe spacing from between two to four hundred people.
THE FYNBOS ROOM
Be transported away from your mundane work-time-worries and visit The Fynbos - a spacious and fully equipped meeting room designed to inspire creativity and boost collaboration.
This unique space offers your team a chance to escape their usual routine and experiment with new productivity methods.
THE FYNBOS ROOM IS A VERSATILE CANVAS THAT ALLOWS YOU TO CRAFT IT INTO ANY SHAPE YOU WISH FOR; A COLLABORATIVE WORKSHOP, A CONSULTATIVE CONFERENCE, A TEAM BUILDING EVENT THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE ENDLESS.
THE NEIGHBORHOODS BOARDROOM
This 16-seater boardroom within The Fynbos room is the idyllic space to host your presentations, essential boardroom meetings, and private conferences in a relaxed, yet inspiring climate.
Encouraging cooperation, inventiveness and an overflow of ideas, this fully-equipped and spacious room is designed in mind to connect and refresh (and the permanent coffee station doesn't hurt either!)
THE HAPPY SPACE
The Happy Space Room within The Fynbos is a secluded corner for intimate gatherings of 3-5people. It can be utilised as a small boardroom or a tranquil space to escape from the corporate lifestyle's hustle and bustle.
It is best suited towards confidential business meetings, professional interviews or private presentations, and provides all the necessary equipment and tools for a serene working ambience.
THE TIGER LILLY ROOM
At the point where artistry and wild essences intersect to play together, you'll discover The Tiger Lilly Room waiting for you with dark eyes and bright colours.
This novel site is adorned with the flowers of its namesake and various talented local artwork to inspire and innovate all who come to enjoy the ambience of the room.
You'll also find a quieter sanctuary within the heart of this feral domain - The Happy Space - filled with lounging pads to relax and unwind on (you can find its twin in the Fynbos Room).
CREATIVE FUNCTIONS OR PRODUCTIVE MEETINGS; THE TIGER LILLY ROOM PROVIDES AN ENERGIZING BUT VIGOROUSLY STABLE SETTING FOR ALL
KING PROTEA ROOM
The grandest hall of them all, the King Protea is an idyllic venue to host our more extensive and more boisterous events that take place within The Old Biscuit Mill Conference and Events Centres.
Able to host your banquets, weddings and larger corporate conferences with ease and confidence, the King Protea Room encapsulates the pride and beauty of our country - as it should with its namesake!
LET US TAKE YOUR DREAMS OF A GLAMOROUS EVENT AND MAKE THEM LARGER THAN LIFE
THE WAREHOUSE
This majestic structure has the history of the Mill's famous Neighborhoods Market warming up its walls, where every Saturday we host a plethora of vendors and farmers market stalls offering their wares to the public - a delightful blend of Cape Town's creatives and civilians.
You could also utilize this space for your more extensive and more open-space-required events - Birthday parties, Bar Mitzvahs', Conferences, Weddings, Launch Parties or even your own mini-market styled gathering. We can offer a comprehensive list of viable vendors and caterers for any occasion.
THIS AREA IS A MASSIVE BLANK CANVAS WAITING EAGERLY FOR YOUR DREAMS TO COME TO LIFE
Standard conference equipment (PA system, flip chart & markers) Note pads and pens Venue Hire Free secure parking Free Wi-Fi All layout options ensure 1.5m social distancing protocols are met
