SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage
December 2:
“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”
1871: Edith Smith, this wooden sailing brig wrecked on Bird Island in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape.
1882: Adonis, this sailing schooner (which also had minor steam capacity) wrecked on the northern bank of the Mzimvubu River in Port St. Johns in the Eastern Cape. Attempts to refloat it were futile and by the 7th December it was declared a loss.
1885: Il Nazerino Savona, this Italian sailing barque wrecked on a reef off Shell Bay on Robben Island in Table Bay in the Western Cape.
1939: Watussi, this steam-powered German passenger ship was scuttled about 130 km south of Cape Point in the Western Cape. It was in port in Mozambique when World War II broke out and the decision was made to try and round the Cape to an unknown destination in attempts to get home to Germany whilst flying the Union-Castle Line colours.
The Watussi (1939), date and location unknown
It was intercepted by the South African Air Force who dropped bombs to divert the ship to Simon's Town for capture. The crew instead set the ship alight. The British aircraft carrier Ark Royal and cruiser Renown got all those that were on board off and then the Renown sunk the ship by gunfire.
The Watussi (1939) listing after having been set alight, shortly before it was sunk by gunfire from the HMS Renown
1948: John Bull, this fishing vessel foundered with the loss of all four lives that were on board after a 9m wave crashed over the vessel just off Isipingo in KwaZulu-Natal.
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com
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