SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage
May 4:
“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”
1785: Brederode, this Dutch East Indiaman lost its rudder after striking an unknown reef four times in quick succession on the 3rd of May, off Cape Agulhas in the Western Cape. Attempts to turn it towards the beach to run it aground were unsuccessful, and with the hold flooding faster than water could be pumped, it was abandoned at sea around 04:30 the morning of the 4th, following which it foundered at sea. When the survivors reached the shore on the boats, a headcount revealed only 80 people were on shore, and with lights from the Brederode signalling, it meant that 12 people were left on board. The waves were too strong to relaunch the boats to rescue these 12 people and they were never seen again.
The Haliartus (1932) steaming onwards, date and location unknown
1932: Haliartus, this steam-powered British freighter struck a rock in dense fog and wrecked near Ystervarkpunt/Bull Point near the Gourits River mouth in the Western Cape.
The Haliartus (1932) after running aground
By the 7th of May the stern had disappeared below water and the SS Chub had managed to salvage some of the cargo.
2006: Alexandros T, this Greek motor-powered bulk carrier foundered in deep waters off the south-eastern coastline of the Eastern Cape.
The Alexandros T (2006), date and location unknown
Seven of the crew were picked up by the Fortune Express after it reacted to a distress call, but 26 lives remained unaccounted for and are presumed to have gone down with the ship.
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