Wednesday 6 November 2024

South Africa: Hope, Admiraal de Ruyter, Lively, Durban, Tweed, Wallarah, Kalewa & Frean shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Arkona shipwreck in Namibia

August 1:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1849: Hope, this coasting schooner wrecked in Table Bay in the Western Cape.

1860: Admiraal de Ruyter, this Dutch frigate ran aground in False Bay in the Western Cape and was condemned.

1866: Lively, this wooden fishing cutter wrecked on Malgas Island just off Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape.

1886: Durban, this iron British steam-powered ship was lost near Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. Very little is known about this vessel.

1888: The Tweed, this sailing clipper was dismasted in a storm and then ran aground in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape. It was broken up and sold off shortly after.

1891: Wallarah, this three-masted British steam-powered ship ran aground on the rocks at Dassen Island in the Western Cape due to a strong current in thick fog, becoming a wreck. It was on its maiden voyage from London to Sydney with a general cargo.

1942: Kalewa, this British freighter foundered and sank within ten minutes after its starboard side was badly damaged after being rammed by the Danish vessel Boringia off the Northern Cape coast. The Boringa picked up all the survivors and no lives were lost.

1957: Frean, this Dutch coaster (on charter to Thesens at the time) wrecked near Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape.

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Tuesday 5 November 2024

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.

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Sunday 3 November 2024

South Africa: Cape Recife Lighthouse & three James Searle

Cape Recife Lighthouse - Est. 1849

The maritime history of Cape Recife does get a bit complicated and on the beach, past the Pati Car Park lies the keel of a boat. It belongs to the James Searle 1, a tug, which was wrecked in 1901. To complicate matters, another tug, the second James Searle was scuttled off Cape Recife.

To complicate matters even further a third James Searle was abandoned on Thunderbolt Reef off Cape Recife in 1950! Who was James Searle? He was apparently the first harbour master at Port Elizabeth. His family and ancestors still reside in Port Elizabeth and Schoenmakerskop. Actually the identity of the keel on the beach is still a bit of a mystery, one of the James Searles was wrecked, one scuttled and one abandoned, we wonder which one drifted the furthest? Research on these three vessels is on-going and the details will change when more information comes to light.

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Saturday 2 November 2024

Namibia: Top Ten attractions - Ultimate Bucket List

Top 10 attractions - Namibia Ultimate Bucket List

"Ultimate Bucket List" - featuring inspiring destinations, attractions, and experiences that showcase the incredible beauty, diversity, and spirit of our beloved nation. Discover the wonders of Namibia and make unforgettable memories as you embark on these once-in-a-lifetime adventures!

1. Sossusvlei: The iconic red dunes and otherworldly Dead Vlei, a must-see destination in the heart of the Namib Desert.

2. Etosha National Park: A premier wildlife destination, home to various species of wildlife.

3. Fish River Canyon: The second-largest canyon in the world and a geological marvel.

4. Skeleton Coast: A hauntingly beautiful stretch of coastline, with shipwrecks, desert-adapted wildlife, and unique landscapes.

5. Swakopmund: A charming coastal city with unique architecture and a variety of adventure activities.

6. Namib-Naukluft Park: Home to diverse landscapes, including the famous dunes of Sossusvlei and the vast plains of the Naukluft Mountains.

7. Twyfelfontein: A UNESCO World Heritage Site with ancient rock engravings offering a glimpse into the lives of early inhabitants.

8. Zambezi Region: A lush, water-rich region with diverse wildlife, unique cultures, and unparalleled natural beauty.

9. Spitzkoppe: A striking granite peak rising from the desert, perfect for hiking, rock climbing, and stargazing.

10. Walvis Bay: A coastal city offering activities like whale watching, seal kayaking, and exploring its vast lagoon, home to flamingos and other bird species.

Namibia Welcomes You!

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Friday 1 November 2024

Rwanda: Wilderness Bisate Reserve

Introducing Wilderness Bisate Reserve

Discover a place where sustainable luxury meets profound purpose. Where elegance and royal tradition intertwine. Where soft mists drift over lush forest, and an ever-expanding wild habitat.

Wilderness Bisate Reserve overlooks Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, a world-renowned sanctuary for mountain gorillas. Perched at an elevated vantage point, Bisate Reserve offers breathtaking panoramic views of six majestic dormant volcanoes: Bisoke, Karisimbi, and Mikeno on one side, and Sabyinyo, Muhabura and Gahinga on the other. Conveniently located just outside Volcanoes National Park, guests are immersed in natural surroundings while still enjoying the utmost luxury and exclusivity.

Steeped in elegance and history, four spacious villas overlook Volcanoes National Park, home of the Endangered mountain gorilla. Paying homage to the regal traditions of Rwandan royalty, Bisate Reserve’s architecture seamlessly blends custom-designed fibre thatch, basket-weave and timber with local volcanic stone; it is an exquisite retreat into both culture and nature.

Volcanoes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rich in biodiversity and home to one of the last remaining populations of endangered mountain gorillas. The volcanic landscape provides both dramatic scenery and a unique environment to explore, through nature trails, community visits, and conservation initiatives.

With only four forest villas, Bisate Reserve provides an even more intimate setting by having fewer rooms than award-winning sister camp Bisate. Exceptional, elevated, and at one with our purpose here, this newest addition to the Wilderness portfolio is the most exclusive property in the Volcanoes area, with generous 212 m2 villas offering unmatched views over the forest landscape.

FOUR REGAL FOREST VILLAS

Each of the four expansive en-suite villas – covering 212 square metres - is a sanctuary of privacy and luxury. Their design incorporates expert craftsmanship culturally relevant to Rwanda, while thatch-styled roofs and volcanic rock walls anchor the villas in the landscape.

• Each villa features magnificent original artwork from local artists - from sketches to intricate needlework, with details in each room highlighting unique indigenous flora

• A separate spacious indoor lounge area for in-room dining

• Rooms are warmed by a central fireplace, wood-burning stove, heated towel railings and underfloor heating

• With an indoor shower and bath, each villa also has a wood-fired hot tub on the private deck

• A screen, which is hidden but can be displayed on request, is loaded with documentaries showcasing Rwanda’s impressive wildlife, history and culture

On request, Villas 1 and 2 can be linked via doors to a 12-metre long passage, revealed only to guests who have booked family accommodation. The discreet passage is otherwise hidden; set into the slope, with natural foliage growing over the roof, it is completely unnoticeable from the villas’ approach.

Every moment spent in the exclusive villas overlooking the thriving rehabilitated indigenous forest is a reminder of the vital purpose we share: preserving, protecting, and expanding this iconic wilderness. Here, a journey with Rwanda's precious  mountain gorillas is more than just an adventure – it becomes a story of legacy and purpose.

As well as providing a sanctuary to hundreds of the world’s thousand or so endangered mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park is also home to golden monkeys, side-striped jackals, servals, black-fronted duikers, buffalos, forest elephants, tree hyraxes, bushbuck and Egyptian mongooses, genets and squirrels.

Birds include the Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, and endemic specials like the Archer’s robin-chat, mountain black boubou, strange weaver, mountain masked apalis and Rwenzori (collared) apalis make the Virungas area their home.

Testament to our ongoing conservation and reforestation efforts, many of these species can now be seen on our property.

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Thursday 31 October 2024

Namibia: Mother city access: Cape Town - Windhoek

Mother city access: Windhoek - Cape Town

The first FlySafair, a low cost South African airline, flight from Cape Town landed at the Hosea Kutako International Airport today for the first time.

The flight marks the first regional route for FlySafair and it is encouraging to see the route becomes operational before the coming holiday season.

The route will run weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays and offers an affordable option for travellers with tickets starting from only N$2 000.

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Wednesday 30 October 2024

South Africa: Fanny, Breidablik, Grace Peile, Princess Alice, Trinculo, Luna, Bjorviken, John Dickenson & Arum shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Simferopol in Namibia

July 30:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1851: Fanny, this wooden-hulled sailing brig wrecked in a north-westerly gale on Woodstock beach in Table Bay in the Western Cape. It now lies beneath reclaimed land.

1872: A north-easterly gale in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal led to the grounding of the Breidablik, Grace Peile, Princess Alice, and the Trinculo. All the vessels were flung high and dry and buried in the sand, with all undergoing repairs and attempts at refloating. Two of these were successful, meaning that two vessels were lost on this day: 

• Grace Peile, this wooden-hulled barque wrecked after its cables parted and it was driven onto Back beach.

• Princess Alice, this wooden-hulled sailing schooner wrecked, possibly also on Back beach. 

1880: Luna, this sailing schooner foundered near Salamander Point in Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape. It was transporting hides between Hondeklip Bay and Cape Town when it started leaking. The crew abandoned it whilst trying to enter Saldanha Bay. 

1893: Bjorviken, this wooden-hulled sailing barque struck the bar of the Buffalo River in East London in the Eastern Cape and was subsequently condemned.

1948: John Dickenson, this whaler wrecked opposite the Sea Sands Hotel, north of Umhlanga Rocks in KwaZulu-Natal. One source lists a John Williamson, a fishing vessel, to have wrecked in the same location also on this day, and that it is still visible. More research is required to determine whether or not these are two different vessels. 

1957: Arum, this fishing vessel was scuttled in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape. Very little is known about it.

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Tuesday 29 October 2024

South Africa: Discovery, Young Phoenix, China, St. Brycedale, Orient, Antipolis & Kapodistrias shipwrecks

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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Monday 28 October 2024

South Africa: Eleanor, Wild Flower, Calcutta, Gnu, Winton, Romelia & Shin Huei shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

July 28:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1839: Eleanor, this wooden-hulled sailing schooner wrecked on the Annabella bank in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal.

1881: Wild Flower, this sailing schooner was condemned on the 6th of July and then beached on this day in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. 

1881: Calcutta, this sailing schooner wrecked when it ran ashore near Twine Point in the Eastern Cape and was battered to pieces by the waves. Thirteen lives were lost, with the reports on the number of survivors contradicting one another claiming it to be between three and seven people.

1914: Gnu, this steam-powered tug was driven ashore at Simon’s Town in the Western Cape during a gale on this day. However, three years later, in 1917, it was refloated and after being repaired in Kalk Bay, it sank during its first sea trials. The exact date of this second sinking event is currently unknown.

1934: Winton, this steel-hulled, motor-powered cargo ship wrecked in strong north-westerly winds north of the Milnerton Lighthouse in Table Bay in the Western Cape. Its remains and that of the Hermes are visible in the surf and serve as a landmark for people walking on the beach. The NSRI often receive reports that a whale has beached in that location as the resultant sea-spray from the waves battering the wrecks make it look like a whale.

Winton (1934) (further from the shore) and the Hermes (1901) (closer to shore) on a calm, almost tropical looking day

1977: Romelia, this oil tanker wrecked after its tow cable broke, and it ran aground on Sunset Rocks in Llandudno in the Western Cape. The Kiyo Maru 2 was towing it along with the Antipolis to be scrapped in Asia when a north westerly gale caused the tow cable of the Antipolis to be snagged and the Romelia’s to break. The Antipolis wrecked the next day at Oudekraal. The Romelia was visible above the waterline until 1996, when it finally disappeared beneath the waves. Today, it makes for a cold but rewarding dive, lying at its shallowest around 12 m and deepest 25 m.

The Romelia (1977) before it disappeared beneath the waves, being battered by the surf on the rocks

1983: Shin Huei, this Taiwanese fishing vessel lost its rudder and was abandoned, presuming to have foundered at sea, about 130 km south-east of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape.

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Sunday 27 October 2024

South Africa: Jaeger, Admiral Cockburn, Hector, Waratah, Clara, Uni 1 & Poseidon Cape shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

July 27:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1619: Jaeger, this wooden-hulled Danish sailing vessel wrecked in a north-westerly gale on Woodstock beach in Table Bay in the Western Cape. It was the first Danish vessel to be wrecked in South African waters and the only Danish vessel to have wrecked in South African waters in the 17th century.

1839: Admiral Cockburn, this wooden-hulled whaler wrecked on Muizenberg beach in False Bay in the Western Cape.

1852: Hector, this wooden-hulled sailing vessel wrecked at the mouth of the Kwamakosi River in KwaZulu-Natal. Six members of the crew died during the wrecking.

1909: Waratah, this passenger and cargo steam-powered ship was en-route from Durban to Cape Town when it vanished without a trace presumably along the Eastern Cape coastline. It had 119 crew and 92 passengers on board, none of whom were ever seen again. It left Durban on the 26th of July and steamed alongside the Clan MacIntyre until it finally disappeared over the horizon at 9:30 the morning of the 27th. The captain of the Clan MacIntyre said that the hurricane that sprang up the following day was the worst weather that he had experienced in his 13 years at sea. The news at the time was rife with possible sightings and theories about the fate of the Waratah with crews from other ships recalling seeing a steamer in difficulty, and there were reports of bodies being seen in the area near to where it was last seen. The Royal Navy deployed ships to search for it and the Blue Anchor Line chartered a ship called the Sabine to search for the Waratah, but despite covering 14,000 miles the search was unsuccessful.

The Waratah (1909) docked at an unknown location

The following year some of the relatives of the passengers raised money for a private search which lasted 3 months but no evidence of its whereabouts could be found. Many searches have been undertaken in recent times to try and locate the wreck using the advantage of modern technology. In 1999 it was announced that a team lead by Emlyn Brown, working with the National Underwater and Marine Agency and author Clive Cussler, had located and surveyed a wreck 11 km off the Xhora River mouth in the Eastern Cape. High resolution side scan sonar had produced images of the wreck and by comparing its size to the known plans of the Waratah they believed that this was the wreck that they had been searching for and that the mystery had finally been solved. However, in 2001 a visual survey of the wreck using a submersible revealed distinct indicators that the ship was more recent in construction than that of the Waratah and closer inspection concluded that it was instead the Nailsea Meadow which was torpedoed by U-196 during the Second World War whilst transporting tanks and machinery. The mystery and search for the Waratah continues to this day…

The Submersible used by the team to visually identify the Nailsea Meadow in 2001 with the search for the Waratah (1909) continuing

1961: Clara, this steel-hulled motor vessel was scuttled off Robben Island in Table Bay in the Western Cape. It started its life as a dredger in Scotland and after running aground in Algoa Bay in 1898, it was converted to a coaster to transport timber. In 1901, a Swedish man by the name of Axel Johansson joined the crew as a cook. By 1906 he had worked his way up to becoming the Mate and by 1916 he became its Master. In 1918 it rescued 14 men from the wreck of the Bia on Albatross Rocks off the Cape Peninsula in the Western Cape. During World War II it patrolled the entrance to Table Bay, still with Johansson at the helm. It is estimated that the Clara boarded 2575 incoming ships and challenged 1722. When the Suez Canal was re-opened and traffic at the Cape dropped off, it was used as a ferry for the Navy to Robben Island. At the end of the war, it was bought to be used as a water boat in the whaling industry in Saldanha Bay, and Johansson finally left the vessel. The company however went bankrupt before catching its first whale and Senator Sam Pettersen bought it. It lay in Duncan Docks for years before finally being towed out to Robben Island and scuttled on this day in 1961 after having experienced a varied life in its over 60 years of service.

1961: Uni 1, this motor-powered south African whaler was scuttled near Robben Island in the Western Cape.

The Poseidon Cape (1985) after wrecking at the rocks near Kleinsee

1985: Poseidon Cape, this motor-powered vessel wrecked on the rocks near Kleinsee in the Northern Cape. It was laying moorings for diamond dredging operations at the time and the crew was evacuated by helicopter.

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