South Africa: Schollevaar, North Wester, Osprey, Isle of Wight, Clansman, Namaqua II,Ashbank, Zwartberg, Duineveld & Harvest Hercules shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

May 31:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1668: Schollevaar, this wooden Dutch hoeker was run ashore where it wrecked by a drunken skipper in a north-westerly gale near Yzerfontein in the Western Cape. Two people drowned during the wrecking.

1839: North Wester, this wooden South African sailing vessel wrecked near Durban in KwaZulu-Natal.

1867: Osprey, this wooden British gunboat foundered during a westerly storm off Cape St. Francis in the Eastern Cape. It was lost about 16 km west of the seal point lighthouse.

An illustration of the HMS Osprey (1867) and HMS Opposum engaging in a battle with pirates in Thailand

Comments:

Mike Klee

The "Osprey" did not founder. When a ship "founders", it basically sinks out in the open ocean due to the ingress of seawater. The "Osprey", however, was wrecked on the coast in shallow water, close to Cape St Francis. Her remains can still be seen in very shallow water.

Secondly and as far as I am aware, the "Osprey" was engaged in fighting pirates close to Hong Kong - NOT Thailand. In the wreckage of the "Osprey", a bronze cannon captured from these pirates in this fighting bore the Tudor rose. This cannon was salvaged in the 1970's and at one time "stood guard" in front of a beach house at Cape St Francis.

1870: Isle of Wight, this vessel sprang a leak and foundered off the Transkei coast in the Eastern Cape.

1882: Clansman, this wooden British brigantine was lost when its cables parted during a south-easterly gale near East London in the Eastern Cape.

1889: Namaqua II, this British/South African steam-powered coaster struck a submerged object and was beached near Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape. Reports vary, but it was either wrecked or repaired and sold off.

1892: Ashbank, this 4-masted steel British barque left Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape for Newcastle in New South Wales in Australia but was never seen or heard from again.

1955: Zwartberg, this motor-powered South African fishing vessel foundered at its moorings in Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape.

1956: Duineveld, this motor-powered South African fishing vessel wrecked near Chapman’s Peak off the Cape Peninsula in the Western Cape. Very little is known about it.

1978: A cement barge, only known as “Barge 3”, foundered at the quarry in False Bay in the Western Cape.

1982: Harvest Hercules, a fire broke out on this South African fishing vessel in Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape. It scuttled thereafter.

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South Africa: Emperor Alexander, Fusilier & Kakapo shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

May 25:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1835: Emperor Alexander, this wooden sailing vessel was condemned in Table Bay in the Western Cape. It had reportedly run aground at the Cape of Good Hope.

1865: Fusilier, this British sail-driven ship (rigging unknown) wrecked at the Bluff in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. It entered Durban looking for medical supplies and water as smallpox had broken out on board and claimed the lives of almost 200 people. Whilst anchored, its cables parted in a north-easterly gale and although sail was successfully made, it struck the rocks at the foot of the Bluff and wrecked. In total 20 Indian emigrants lost their lives when the ship went down. The survivors were quarantined at the Old Fort and guarded by the 99th Regiment.

1900: Kakapo, this steam-powered British freighter ran aground and wrecked at the southern end of Long Beach near Kommetjie on the southern peninsula in the Western Cape.

The Kakapo (1900) in 2023

It was on its maiden voyage, being delivered to its new owners, from England to Australia. During poor visibility in a north westerly gale, the captain reportedly mistook Chapman’s Peak for Cape Point and ran hard aground on to the beach.

The Kakapo (1900) in 2014

There was no loss of life as the crew came ashore safely. The captain refused to answer questions as to what led to the incident and did not let people on board. Several attempts were made to refloat the freighter at the time, but it proved impossible. There were rumours that someone lived on board for a few years afterwards as smoke could sometimes be seen coming from the funnel.

The Kakapo (1900) being swallowed by the sands, exact date unknown

Gradually though, winter storms pushed the vessel further inland. Later on, its steel plating was removed by the railway board after World War I and this was erected on Fish Hoek beach as a barrier to stop sand from blowing onto the railway lines. Today, the Kakapo’s structure remains visible, in situ, near where it wrecked, with the boiler and ribs a prominent sight. Locals and tourists alike can often be found posing around the remains, but caution is advised as the area is considered a high-crime area.

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