SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage
December 14:
“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”
1932: Newton, this steam-powered South African fishing vessel was scuttled off the coast of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal.
1942: Sawahloento, this Dutch steam-powered merchant ship was torpedoed and sunk by U-177 about 250 km east of Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal. At 16:36, U-177 fired a torpedo that struck the starboard side of the ship, near the engine room, sinking it within seven minutes. Only one lifeboat managed to be launched with ten people in it. They gathered nine people swimming around, but with the lifeboat leaking, had to leave others behind clinging to floating debris. This lifeboat was picked up by the fishing vessel, Guide Me, and landed at Durban three days later. The remaining 53 people that were on board the Sawahloento were presumed to have perished.
The Sawahloento, date and location unknown
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com
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