SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage
April 20:
“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”
1859: Lady Head, this wooden British sailing vessel came ashore near the mouth of the Krom River at St Francis Bay in the Eastern Cape. The vessel was thrown over the rocks with broken planks and wreckage being scattered everywhere. There were only three survivors who were severely bruised and injured. Only two bodies of the 23 that were lost were recovered. There is an urban belief that the swans that reside in the Krom River stem from this wreck. Some reports indicate the date of wrecking as the 26th of April instead.
1960: Cape Matapan, this steam powered South African fishing trawler collided with the Bulby in heavy fog and foundered within 10 minutes, just outside of the harbour mouth in Table Bay in the Western Cape.
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| The Cape Matapan in calm waters in Table Bay, year unknown |
The entire crew of the Cape Matapan was safely moved onto the Bulby. Because it foundered so suddenly in fog, the exact location was not recorded. In 2010, a dive team led by Grant Whitford discovered some scattered wreckage close to the area where it is believed to have gone down. They also discovered evidence of dynamite salvage.
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| The boiler, 4 m in diameter, found by the dive team, that could possibly belong to the Cape Matapan |
Although it has recently come to light that Naval exercises at the time might have resulted in the evidence of demolition instead. It is important to note though that this wreck has not yet been scientifically identified as the damage to it is extensive, but observed artefacts seem to correspond to images of the Cape Matapan. Future research will hopefully assist in determining whether this wreckage belongs to the Cape Matapan.
